Likened to Airplane Oxygen Masks
Somebody recently asked me about the developments in the ministry over the nearly 25 years since I’ve been at St. Luke. When I came to St. Luke there were plans to build a new sanctuary but that got derailed in order to build the Multi-Purpose Room (MPR) because we didn’t have the funds to do a sanctuary at the time, and because we needed fellowship and youth ministry space. While there were inquiries to consider other calls along the way, I felt a sense of commitment to see some things through at St. Luke. I felt an obligation to see a new sanctuary eventually built (which 15 years later happened). I also wanted to see the ministry built up internally – adding staff to develop programs. With the growth that came from these things I also knew that an additional pastor would be necessary. When those things were completed (goals reached or visions accomplished), I had hoped that the congregation would then shift focuses outwardly. All those emphases had centered on building the ministry at St. Luke, which were needed and necessary, but now what? Could we change focus to needs outside ourselves – a ministry through or from St. Luke to others?
It’s never an either/or. It’s always a both/and. All those years focused on strengthening the ministry at St. Luke did not mean that there wasn’t ministry from or through St. Luke to others, it’s just that the main focus was on strengthening the ministry at St. Luke. I likened it to the instructions given at the beginning of a flight from flight attendants: “in case of emergency, please put the oxygen mask on yourself before attempting to help others.” The idea is that you must have oxygen yourself to help others, or you will both struggle and be at risk of dying. But once strong and healthy, that wellness must be used to help others, as Jesus says in Luke 12:48: “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required…”
I do detect that there has been a shift in focus these past few years. After the building was completed and a second pastor was added, the next vision team resulted in a focus outwardly – adopting a partnership with Family Promise. In the last couple of weeks St. Luke has been recognized by Lutheran World Relief and Disaster Relief for being one of the leading ELCA congregations in the country for our support to helping people in need. The same week we received the Light in the Community Award from Lutheran Community Services for St. Luke’s support to that agency’s work in and around Spokane. Likewise, the continued support to the Mead Food Bank, Crosswalk (homeless shelter to teens in Spokane), Morning Side (after school program twice a week at St. Luke for kids in our neighborhood), and several other ministries we support has been tremendous and impactful.
We continue to strengthen our ministry internally through our many small groups, bible studies, youth activities, congregational events, worship and fellowship opportunities, and additional staffing, but the volunteerism and support to ministries outside St. Luke has been tremendous. Thank you! I pray it is all to God’s glory, and I pray it continues to strengthen the ministry at St. Luke and through or from St. Luke to others.
In Christ,
