PPPPPrrrrraaaaayyyyyer fer fer fer fer for Cor Cor Cor Cor Churhurhurhurhurch ch ch ch ch WWWWWorkorkorkorkorkersersersersersOh God

who has chosen usto make disciples of all nations and

who by Baptismhas called us to build up Your church,we earnestly implore You to choose

from among us, Your children,many pastors, deacons and church workers

who will love You with their whole heartand will gladly spend their entire lives

making You known and loved by all.In Christ’s name we pray.

Amen

3

A Bold Response

Focus Statement: With Great Boldness the church identifies, recruits, trains and supportsmen and women for professional and lay positions of leadership and service.

Over the past seven years RSVP has taken the bold initiative of assisting congregationsin identifying and recruiting future church workers. The Lord has richly blessed thiseffort! God’s people have identified hundreds of possible future workers many ofwhom are preparing for service to the Lord and His Church at our university collegeand seminaries. We thank God for the great response to the call for workers in theharvest fields!

We also recognize there is another field of work for which labourers are needed—the local congregation. It seems increasingly difficult to identify and recruit the layvolunteers needed by the church.

This year, in addition to identifying future professional workers, RSVP is encouragingmembers to look around within their own congregation to suggest names of individualswho could be nominated to positions of lay leadership within the congregation. Theneed is great: congregational officers, Christian education committee members, altarguild workers, youth and young adult ministry counsellors, members for boards ofstewardship and evangelism...the list could go on.

The interests and talents of all God’s people are to be used within the localcongregation. The follow-up on names submitted for work within the localcongregation will primarily fall upon the pastor and elders. Concordia UniversityCollege and our two seminaries will continue to follow up on those identified aspotential students and full-time workers..

We want to thank the pastors and congregations that have participated in RSVP overthe past seven years. We encourage you to continue encouraging the individuals whomyou nominated.

We are pleased once again to make available resource materials for RSVP Sunday,which will be January 23. We especially encourage deacons, youth counsellors, Sundayschool teachers and others working with youth to make a special effort to identify thosewho would serve the Lord well as a future pastor or deacon.

Please send in all names nominated, even if they were nominated in previousyears. Receiving a nomination two or three years in a row can be a tremendousencouragement for a prospective church worker.

In the case of children or youth who are nominated, parents should be advised oftheir nomination and be present during the interview with the pastor. The initiativeshould be fully explained so that parents are fully informed.

RSVP materials from previous years are available at www.lutheranchurch-canada.ca/RSVP.May the Lord continue to bless our efforts to identify and recruit workers for the

church at large and also for the local congregation.Yours in Christ,

Pastor James E. Fritsche

4

TTTTThe he he he he RSVPRSVPRSVPRSVPRSVP R R R R Recrecrecrecrecruitment Initiativuitment Initiativuitment Initiativuitment Initiativuitment Initiativeeeee

RSVP, Lutheran Church–Canada’s recruitment initiative is a process of Invitation,Response and Reward. It is the invitation to consider the call of God in one’s life,the response of acting on that call, and the reward of knowing we are acting onGod’s will.

We are asking the people of God, those sitting in the congregation, the ones whoknow the discussions around the dinner table, who know the need for church workersbetter than we ever will, to nominate or bring forth the names of individuals whothey might believe are possible (or potential) candidates for church work vocationsor for leadership in the congregation. It is through our preaching, prayers andsharing of our call that we can put in the high consciousness of people the need, andtheir responsibility for promoting and supporting pastoral and church work vocationsand serving brothers and sisters in Christ in the parish.

THE PROCESSTHE PROCESSTHE PROCESSTHE PROCESSTHE PROCESSRSVP contains four stages:

PREPARATIONPREACHINGNOMINATIONFOLLOW UP

S TS TS TS TS TAAAAAGE ONE:GE ONE:GE ONE:GE ONE:GE ONE: P P P P PrrrrreparepareparepareparationationationationationIn the RSVP booklet we have included bulletin inserts and resources for

reproduction and use in worship. These are to help prepare the congregation. Youwill be asked to read a letter from President Mayan regarding church workvocations and congregational leadership, and include in your prayers intercessionfor the Lord of the harvest to provide labourers.

S TS TS TS TS TAAAAAGE GE GE GE GE TTTTT WWWWWO:O:O:O:O: P P P P PrrrrreachingeachingeachingeachingeachingThrough the gifts of the Holy Spirit in our preaching we reflect in a very personal

way our own call, our response and the reward of responding to God’s call. Thisbooklet includes a sermon focusing specifically on leadership and the role thecongregation plays in identifying full-time church workers and those in their midstwho can serve.

S TS TS TS TS TAAAAAGE GE GE GE GE THREE:THREE:THREE:THREE:THREE: N N N N NominationominationominationominationominationFollowing the sermon on January 23 we ask the people of God to reflect and

look around the parish to see whom they think may consider church work or showthe potential for leadership in the parish. The members of the congregation areasked to fill in a nomination form and return it to the pastor. It is a simple process.The nomination form can be distributed again the following Sunday and returnedthat Sunday with the offering. A prayer of thanksgiving is included in the prayers.

5

S TS TS TS TS TAAAAAGE FOUR:GE FOUR:GE FOUR:GE FOUR:GE FOUR: F F F F Folloolloolloolloollow-upw-upw-upw-upw-upThis is the most critical of the stages. The first contact from the pastor of those

nominated can make or break the nomination. This will take place during February.In our positive response we can help that spark of potential seen by one of theparishioners, grow into a flame. Once the pastor has made contact with theindividual and they respond in a positive manner, then the pastor sends anevaluation form to Synod or, in the case of local leadership, continue follow-upon the nomination.

THE RESULTHE RESULTHE RESULTHE RESULTHE RESULTTTTTSSSSSLutheran Church–Canada continues to benefit from RSVP on many different

levels. First and most important, it has raised the awareness of God’s people tothe need to identify and encourage individuals to respond to His call to churchwork, either through LCC or in the local parish.

Second, through the grace of God, we now have almost 500 potential churchworkers who are in contact with our university college and seminaries. As thenumber of young people in the teenage years increases over the next few years,we will have an increase in the number of men and women seriously consideringthe Pastoral Office, Director of Parish Services and other church workopportunities.

CCCCCONCLONCLONCLONCLONCLUSIONUSIONUSIONUSIONUSIONImagine if each of the 326 congregations in Lutheran Church–Canada identified

ONE potential church worker! That would mean more than 300 men and womenwould be affirmed in the gifts and talents God has given them—more than 300believers to whom God the Holy Spirit may be saying: I want you to serve Mypeople as a worker in Lutheran Church–Canada and in My Church.

We ask With Great Boldness and believe there will be a response to God’sinvitation to service—RSVP

6

WWWWWith Gith Gith Gith Gith Grrrrreat Beat Beat Beat Beat Boldnessoldnessoldnessoldnessoldness –––––RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05

ScheduleScheduleScheduleScheduleSchedule

JJJJJanuaranuaranuaranuaranuary 16y 16y 16y 16y 16• read letter from President Mayan to congregation Page 7• distribute bulletin insert (three choices) Page 8• make verbal announcement regarding the initiative

JJJJJanuaranuaranuaranuaranuary 23y 23y 23y 23y 23• use lessons and suggested hymns Page 11• conduct adult Bible study from the materials provided Page 12• conduct youth Bible study from the materials provided Page 15• distribute bulletin insert/nomination form Page 18• collect completed nomination forms in offering• preach sermon Page 19

FFFFFebrebrebrebrebruaruaruaruaruaryyyyy• interview nominees and complete interview form Page 23

MMMMMarararararchchchchch• send completed interview forms to Synod office in Winnipeg

NNNNNo to to to to teeeeeWhile this schedule relates to our Synod-wide Sunday, it can be duplicated at anytime during the year. You may also find it valuable to use the bulletin insertsduring other times of the year:

Concordia University College Sunday, April 24, 2005Seminary Sunday, September 25, 2005

7

3074 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba R3K 0Y2

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,“Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” This question was addressed to

Isaiah as the Lord God called him to serve as His messenger. Isaiah’s task wouldnot be easy as he was set apart to call an unbelieving world to repentance andannounce God’s grace and mercy in the Messiah to come.

“Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” This question is still asked as Godcontinues calling labourers into the harvest through His church: their task is nodifferent than Isaiah. They are to be the mouthpiece of the Lord; messengersproclaiming His Word of life that comes only in Jesus Christ.

“Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” Next Sunday your congregationwill join others across Lutheran Church–Canada in celebrating Synod’s recruitmentinitiative–RSVP. As you gather in worship, your pastor will ask you to considerthis question asked by our Lord as you ponder whether there is someone in yourcongregation whom God might be calling to serve either in the Office of thePublic Ministry or as a deacon in support of this divinely instituted office. Thisyear your pastor will also be asking you to identify members whom you believeGod could use to serve in your own congregation as Sunday school teachers,youth workers or on various boards.

We encourage you to consider the question during the week and next Sundayshare that name or names with your pastor. He in turn will visit with the individualsnominated and with their permission send their names on to me in order thattogether as congregation, pastor and Synod we can nurture and God willing, preparethese individuals for service in the church.

As God’s people we have much to celebrate. We have this Christmas seasonbeen privileged to celebrate the gift of God’s grace and love in the Child ofBethlehem. Now in this Season of Epiphany we are reminded anew that Hisgrace and love in Jesus Christ are for the whole world and we as Christ’s Churchhave the privilege of proclaiming His faithfulness with great boldness.

To assist the church in carrying this mission, our Lord instituted the office ofthe Public Ministry and gives to the church gifts of pastors and deacons and otherchurch workers. He gives them birth in a local congregation like yours and givesall of us the privilege of identifying and preparing them for service. He also callsupon each of us to be stewards of the time, talents and treasure He so generouslygives that enable us to serve each other.

So next Sunday join us in seeking to identify some of those gifts in yourcongregation and pray that God would continue to send workers into the harvest.

In Christ,

Rev. Ralph Mayan, presidentLutheran Church–Canada

In some situations, praying is all we can do. We may be hundreds of miles away from aloved one suffering from an illness or tragedy. We can still pray.

The Bible tells us that “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James5:16).

God hears our prayers and answers — sometimes yes, sometimes no — but alwaysaccording to His will.

Today you have the opportunity to pray for Lutheran Church–Canada and the need weshare for full-time church workers — pastors and deacons—and those needed to serveright here in your own congregation.

Around us we see the results of sin and how Canada needs men and women—dedicatedChristians—to reach out with the saving message of forgiveness in Jesus Christ.

Our congregations need pastors, men who will proclaim that message. We need othermen and women who will serve alongside as teachers and directors of parish services.And we need those who will use God’s gifts and talents to enrich the life of yourcongregation by serving locally.

You may not have possible full-time church workers in your congregation, but others do.Maybe hundreds of miles away. We can still pray.

After seeing those around Him who needed to know God’s love and forgiveness, Jesus saidto His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore pray earnestly tothe Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest” (Matthew 9: 37-38 ESV).

We can still pray!

WWWWWeeeee’’’’’rrrrreeeeeprprprprpraaaaayingyingyingyingyingfffffor yor yor yor yor yououououou

RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05 is a recruitment initiative of Lutheran Church–Canada which asksmembers of congregations to identify men and women whom they believehave the gifts and talents for church work vocations and local service.

GGGGGivivivivive Ge Ge Ge Ge Goooood a chancd a chancd a chancd a chancd a chanceeeee!!!!!

RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05 is a recruitment initiative of Lutheran Church–Canada whichasks members of congregations to identify men and women whom theybelieve have the gifts and talents for church work vocations and local service.

Are you a leader, a follower, or a little of both? It’s hard to find leaders. Mostwill agree to serve on a church board, but when we ask who will chair, no oneis eager to sign up.Why?The usual answer is they feel unqualified. They are glad to follow and dowhat needs to be done, but having the vision and leading the group is morethan many want to do.Are you like that? Do you find leadership an overwhelming task beyond yourreach? I want to encourage you by letting you in on a secret—you can do itbecause God has proven you can.After all, look who God used.Moses said, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelitesout of Egypt?” (Ex. 3:13).Young Joshua led God’s people to the Promised Land.Solomon inspired God’s people to build the Temple.And God uses you and me to lead His people in the faith. No doubt it’s adaunting task, but we are not alone in what we do. When our Lord, in Hisboldness, instills and blesses our leadership, great and wonderful thingshappen to His glory.When encouraged to serve God’s people as a full-time worker or a volunteerin your congregation, give God a chance and discover what He can do!

WWWWWho me?ho me?ho me?ho me?ho me?NNNNNo wo wo wo wo waaaaay!y!y!y!y!

That’s what MMMMMosesosesosesosesoses said when God told him to lead His people from slavery inEgypt to the Promised Land.

That’s what IIIIIsaiahsaiahsaiahsaiahsaiah said when God called him to speak His Word as His prophet.

Even M M M M Mararararary y y y y the Mother of Jesus wondered what God was asking her to do.

The Bible is littered with names of men and women who told God He had thewrong person for the job. God called. And the response? No way!

Maybe someone at church has said to you, “You’d make a good pastor.” or“You’d make a great Sunday school teacher.”

Did you think: No way?

Our church believes God uses His people—members of your congregation—to identify men and women who can serve Him in special ways and let themknow about it.

When Moses and the other no way-types in the Bible finally said OK, excitingthings began happening. God used His willing workers to share the messageof His love and forgiveness. Is there any better message?

So when someone asks you to think about church work—listen carefully. Younever know where it could lead!

RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05 is a recruitment initiative of Lutheran Church–Canada whichasks members of congregations to identify men and women whom theybelieve have the gifts and talents for church work vocations and local service.

11

WWWWWorship Rorship Rorship Rorship Rorship ResouresouresouresouresourcccccesesesesesJJJJJanuaranuaranuaranuaranuary 23,y 23,y 23,y 23,y 23, 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005

RSVPRSVPRSVPRSVPRSVP Sunday Sunday Sunday Sunday Sunday ‘‘‘‘‘ WWWWWith Gith Gith Gith Gith Grrrrreat Beat Beat Beat Beat Boldnessoldnessoldnessoldnessoldness’’’’’

TTTTThe Lhe Lhe Lhe Lhe LessonsessonsessonsessonsessonsPsalm 27:1-9 Our confidence to serve comes from Him who is “my light and

my salvation.” I need not be afraid to take on responsibilities because “the Lord isthe stronghold of my life.”

Isaiah 9:1-4 or Amos 3:1-8 Isaiah speaks of those walking in darkness havingseen a great light. The Light of Christ has dispelled the darkness of our lives andempowered us to serve. Amos declares that God “does nothing without revealinghis plans to his servants...” We can have confidence that he will also guide us aswe lead His people.

1 Corinthians 1:10-17 Leading a congregation is not without its difficulties.Sometimes, like Corinth, the church is troubled by factions. Wise leaders, likePaul, will remind the people that Christ is not divided, but always wants to uniteHis church under the power of the cross.

Matthew 4:12-23 Jesus called disciples to follow Him and become “fishers ofmen”. We continue to need individuals (men and women, professional and lay)who will hear and respond to the Lord’s invitation to join the great work ofspreading the Gospel.

TTTTThe Che Che Che Che CollecollecollecollecollectttttO Lord God Almighty, because you have always supplied your servants with

the several gifts which come from your Holy Spirit alone, leave also us not destituteof your manifold gifts nor of grace to use them always to your honour and gloryand the good of others; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives andreigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.HymnsHymnsHymnsHymnsHymns

LW 83 O God of God, O Light of Light379 “Come Follow Me” Said Christ, the Lord318 Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling314 O Christ, Our Light, O Radiance True

HS98 869 O God of Light

12

AAAAAdult Bdult Bdult Bdult Bdult Bible Studible Studible Studible Studible StudyyyyySSSSSundaundaundaundaundayyyyy,,,,, J J J J Januaranuaranuaranuaranuary 23,y 23,y 23,y 23,y 23, 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005

LLLLLeaders areaders areaders areaders areaders are re re re re respespespespesponsible fonsible fonsible fonsible fonsible for deor deor deor deor devvvvveloping leaderseloping leaderseloping leaderseloping leaderseloping leaders

Leadership is essential to the success of the work of businesses and the work ofthe church. We have leaders all around us: political leaders, CEOs, military andchurch leaders, parents, coaches, teachers, pastors and many others. Some areexemplary; others, not so.

Recall your experiences as a follower. Name three or four people whom youbelieve exhibited the best kind of leadership toward you and others. What traitsor characteristics did they have that made them attractive to you? Name three orfour people who exhibited the worst kind of leadership toward you and others.What are these characteristics? Why did they affect you in this way? What are thedifferences between the two types of leaders?

DDDDDefinition of Lefinition of Lefinition of Lefinition of Lefinition of LeadershipeadershipeadershipeadershipeadershipJohn Maxwell (21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership) summarizes the many

definitions of leadership with this:“Leadership is influence; nothing more or nothing less.”

Leadership is an art that can be learned. It is 90% common to all organizations;the remaining 10% pertains to distinctiveness of their particular business ororganization.

Examples of leadership from the Scriptures:1 Moses receives good advice. Who gave it to him and what did he do? (Ex.

18:13-23)2 Nehemiah has a vision of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:1-4, 2:1-5);3 Paul is delighted in the growth of young churches (2 Thess. 1:3-4).4 The best example of leadership is that of Jesus Himself. Around the world,

there are two billion people who look to Jesus as their model. What is his directionfor leadership? See Luke 22:24-26; Matt. 20:24-27. How would you define theleadership of Jesus? Jesus’ leadership style is always at the heart of Christianleadership in the church. What underpins servant leadership in Jesus or those whofollow him? (1 Cor. 13)

LLLLLeaders areaders areaders areaders areaders are in the be in the be in the be in the be in the best pest pest pest pest position tosition tosition tosition tosition to deo deo deo deo devvvvvelop leaderselop leaderselop leaderselop leaderselop leaders.....A pastor and leaders in the church must be servant leaders.Having servant leadership in mind, and using Kouzes and Posner’s (The

Leadership Challenge) five practices of exemplary leadership listed below, howcan the pastor and congregation take a leadership role in the essential task ofrecruitment of men for the office of the pastoral ministry as well as other essentialleadership roles in the congregation?

13

1. Challenge the process:Choose the best answer:When recruiting for service among God’s people:a) leave it up to God,b) simply allow teens and/or adults to “catch the call” and follow through on

their own,c) new and creative methods of recruitment may be necessary to be successful

in recruitment,d) a well-thought out vision or plan is necessary to be an effective recruiter,e) c and d of the above.Discuss the reason you chose your answer. (Jeremiah 29:11)

2. Inspire a shared vision:Pastors and God’s people need to earnestly consider visioning for the recruitment

of future pastors and leaders. People are energized by an attractive vision to whichthey are prepared to commit themselves. Without a clearly stated and well-communicated vision, the recruitment of workers in God’s vineyard will falter.Within that vision must be a well thought out strategy as to how the recruitmentwill be accomplished. Implementation of the strategy must follow. Reflection onthe process will reveal how the plan is working.

a) What do the Scriptures say about visioning? (Proverbs 15:22; 16:3; 29:18;Matt. 28:18-20)

b) What kind of vision or plan does your congregation have for the importanttask of recruiting church workers? Identify your vision.

3. Encouraging the heart:Everyone appreciates recognition and commendation. God’s people play major

roles in encouraging men and women for ministry (Proverbs 25:11).a) What ways should the local church continue to encourage specifically the

candidate for the ministry when he (and his family) is at university and/or theseminary? (Hebrews 11:1-2, 5)

b) How might we better show our appreciation of those leaders among us in thechurch?

4. Model the way:If leadership is influence, then pastors and significant others play major roles in

influencing worthy candidates for the responsibility of the various offices ofministry in the church, including that of pastor. a) Think for a moment whereyour influencing opportunities are. Jot down a list of the times and places whereyou come into contact with other people. Are there unrealized opportunities?

b) Which may be the best three opportunities to influence others?c) How might you model or influence God’s people to consider service among

God’s people? (Matt. 5:13-16; Titus 2:7-9)

14

5. Enable others to act:One of the congregation’s important tasks is to develop future leaders for the

church. God’s people, including pastors, are models of servant leadership. Theyare also teachers and trainers. Jesus was always about developing leaders. Hespent three years with his disciples teaching, training and developing their abilities.

a) What are some of the ways Jesus used to teach and/or train his followers?(Matt. 5-7; Mark 6:7; John 3:3-8; John 6:1-11; John 10:1-10; Luke 15)

Throughout all these intentional activities, one must bind them together with anactive prayer life. Without prayer, we cannot know God’s call or direction, andwe are left to our human desires. What does Jesus urge us to do with respect torecruitment of church workers? (Matt. 9:37; Luke 10:2; John 14:13-14)

RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05 is a recruitment initiative of Lutheran Church–Canadawhich asks members of congregations to identify men and womenwhom they believe have the gifts and talents for church work vocationsand local service.

15

SSSSSomething fomething fomething fomething fomething for eor eor eor eor evvvvverererereryyyyyoneoneoneoneoneA yA yA yA yA youth Bouth Bouth Bouth Bouth Bible studible studible studible studible study fy fy fy fy for Jor Jor Jor Jor Januaranuaranuaranuaranuary 23,y 23,y 23,y 23,y 23, 2005 RSVP S 2005 RSVP S 2005 RSVP S 2005 RSVP S 2005 RSVP Sundaundaundaundaundayyyyy

1. Open with a word of welcome and prayer such as the following:

Dear Lord, We thank you for each person here today. We thank you for the giftof each new day. We thank you for bringing us here to learn from your Word. Weask you to guide our discussion and allow this opportunity to bring us into furtherrelationship with you. Help us to set aside the worries of today so we may focuson this time we spend with you and with each other. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

2. Choose an opening activity depending on the size and enthusiasm of your group:a. Name roles people play in making a movie (i.e. director, producer). Give the

students three minutes or so. Then go over/compare lists. You may want to give aprize for who has the most.

Ask questions about some of the roles. Ask if each is important/necessary and why.

Say: When you see a movie, you only see actors, yet there are all these othersnecessary for making the movie. In the Lord of the Rings, a movie approximatelythree hours long, the credits are ten minutes long!

b. Clear a large space in the centre of the room. Have one volunteer begin arepetitive action (may be accompanied by a noise) in the centre of the room. Thenext volunteer works from what the first person is doing by performing a differentaction, so it seems they are working in sync as a machine. Keep adding as manyparts/noises/actions to “the machine” as you have youth members.

Say: Each part of the machine seemed to depend on another part. What do youthink would have happened if the first volunteer had stopped or sped up? Just asour “machine” seemed to be working together, so God’s family works together.

3. Say: God is amazing! Just like our beginning activity, God takes a group ofdiverse people and gives them gifts and talents so they may work together to formthe church. Let’s look back at the early church for an example of this.

a. Does anyone know how many believers there were just after Christ ascendedto heaven?

Read Acts 1:15 (120 believers)

b. How many were added at Pentecost?Acts 2:41 (3000)

c. And then what happened to their numbers?

16

Acts 2:47 b Numbers were added to dailyActs 5:14 (5000)

d. So in Acts Chapter 5, there were 5000 believers and the number was growing.Why were the numbers growing? (see Matthew 28:19-20)

e. How many apostles were there?Acts 1:26 (11 plus Matthias = 12)

f. Okay, there were 5000 people and 12 apostles. That’s about one apostle to417 people and the numbers were growing. Do you think the apostles could takereally good care of each and every person?

Acts 6:1-2

Note that “disciples” = believers

What was the problem?

What were the apostles supposed to be doing?

What solution would you suggest?Acts 6:3-6

What solution did they come up with?

How did they choose the 7? What were their characteristics?Acts 6:7

Did the solution work?

g. So the twelve apostles handed over some responsibility to the seven newmen. Part of the work of the church involved not just spiritual care, but physical/material care as well. While the twelve were okay doing both, they knew theirmain priority was prayer and ministry of the Word, not cooking and stuff. So theseven were chosen to “wait on tables.” In Greek, which is what the New Testamentwas originally written in, the word for “wait on” or “serve” is diakonos, the verbwhere we get the word “deacon” from. So a deacon is someone who serves orwaits on others.

4. Say: There are lots of areas in the church for us to serve in. Let’s list some rolesor jobs people have in the church. (write responses on the board or large sheet ofnewsprint)

5. Read Romans 12:1-8

17

Say: In this passage, we learn that we are to be “living sacrifices” for God.Because we have a new life in Christ, we are free to serve God. We do this out ofresponse for His Love for us shown on the cross. But God doesn’t expect us toserve Him alone. He gives us gifts of time, talents, treasures, and each other!

God makes us diverse—we see that in nature—things work together. AsChristians, by grace, God chooses to gift us differently as well. This is what itmeans here by “the measure of faith God has given you.”

6. Say: What gifts has God given you? What are your natural abilities? What aresome areas in the church you are interested in? Where do you think you can serveright now? In what capacity/role would you like to be serving in five years? Tenyears?

7. Say: I encourage you to ask your youth leader, your parents, or your pastor ifyou would like to learn about an area or a role in the church or if you would liketo serve in that area. I also encourage you to ask God for guidance as you try tofigure out where He would like you to serve in the church whether it be as a full-time vocation or once a month volunteering.

8. Say: Not everybody is called to full-time church work. God calls some to bedentists and beauticians and television repairmen. These are all great professionsin which you can serve your Lord and give witness to His greatness.

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:58; Colossians 3:17

9. Close with prayer such as the following:

Dear Father in Heaven,We thank you that you have made us your own children and you let us serve you

and help build your kingdom. We thank you that your perfect work makes up forour shortcomings, and we especially thank you for sending Jesus who takes our sinaway so we are free to love you and serve you with our whole hearts. Help us tofollow Jesus’ example of righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness.Let your Word be our guide and strength. May your Holy Spirit lead us and help usto stay on the path you have chosen for us. Show us how you would have us serveyou in our lives, in our vocations, and in our congregation. Let us be salt and lightto those around us. Give us the wisdom and courage to be a witness for you to thosearound us. Increase our faith and love for you and use us, our service and witness,for the conversion of unbelievers and the strengthening of believers. Preserve ourcomings and goings now and forever, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05 is a recruitment initiative of Lutheran Church–Canada whichasks members of congregations to identify men and women whom theybelieve have the gifts and talents for church work vocations and local service.

WWWWWEEEEE THANKTHANKTHANKTHANKTHANK G G G G GODODODODOD for all His gifts. His generosity knows no bounds. Within His churchHe has placed men and women who have talents He can use to serve His people.He also provides the Church with full-time workers. These are the pastpastpastpastpastorsorsorsorsors wholovingly serve God’s people through Word and Sacraments, visitation,counselling, and guiding members through life’s milestones. And the deac deac deac deac deaconsonsonsonsonswho teach in our Lutheran schools or join in parish team ministry as Directorsof Parish Services. Others serve as Parish Nurses. Each is a full-time servant ofthe Gospel. And each began as a member of a congregation.

Today you are invited to look around your congregation and see if there issomeone whom you believe has the gifts and talents God could use in full-time church work or as a leader in your congregation. Maybe you have noticedtheir love for the Lord and other people, how they enjoy serving and helping,their involvement with youth or young adults, their intelligence.

The form below gives you the opportunity to share that person’s name withyour pastor. He will follow up with a visit. For church work nominees he willpass the name along to Lutheran Church–Canada so that our university collegeand seminaries can continue the encouragement.

SSSSSharharharharharing Ging Ging Ging Ging Goooooddddd’’’’’s gifs gifs gifs gifs giftststststs

After prayerful consideration, I believe this person has the qualities needed by: a future church worker. a leader in our congregationPerhaps Jesus is calling him/her to this particular path of discipleship.

NAME: NAME: NAME: NAME: NAME: Please supply additional information if it is known.

ADDRESS: ADDRESS: ADDRESS: ADDRESS: ADDRESS:

PPPPPHONE:HONE:HONE:HONE:HONE: A A A A AGE:GE:GE:GE:GE:

YYYYYOUR NAME:OUR NAME:OUR NAME:OUR NAME:OUR NAME: PPPPPlease placlease placlease placlease placlease place the ce the ce the ce the ce the completompletompletompletompleted fed fed fed fed form in the ofform in the ofform in the ofform in the ofform in the offererererering plating plating plating plating plateeeee.....

19

SSSSSermon fermon fermon fermon fermon for Jor Jor Jor Jor Januaranuaranuaranuaranuary 23,y 23,y 23,y 23,y 23, 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005CCCCCalled talled talled talled talled to sero sero sero sero servvvvveeeee

John 13:15-17John 13:15-17John 13:15-17John 13:15-17John 13:15-17TTTTThe the the the the teeeeexxxxxttttt

[15] For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I havedone to you. [16] Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master,nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. [17] If you know thesethings, blessed are you if you do them.

The pastor was running late. He had to shovel out his driveway before he couldleave for church. He knew that the parking lot would be plowed but he probablywould have to shovel off the walkway to the church door. He was surprised whenhe arrived to find the sidewalk already cleared of snow. He was even more surprisedwhen he found the church door unlocked.

“Hello!” he called out!“Down here pastor,” came the familiar voice of Doug Roberts.When he got downstairs he found Doug rearranging the chairs. He had already

cleaned up the coffee cups and swept the floor following last night’s meeting.“You didn’t have to do that, Doug,” said the pastor. “You know the caretaker

comes in tomorrow, and would tidy up. By the way, thanks for shovelling thewalk too.”

“Yeah, I know,” replied Doug. “But I don’t mind. It’s no trouble at all.”All congregations have one or more Doug Roberts among their members. They’re

the ones who have an understanding of being a servant. The Dougs of this worldare the ones who will volunteer to do almost anything around the church. Manytimes they just do it without being asked. They have caught the idea in Jesus’words to his disciples, “...I have given you an example...” And by his example ourLord calls us to humble service in His church. His example is His own humbleservice for us.

He “came not to be served but to serve,...” and he advised his disciples that“whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Mt.20:26, 28). Towhich we can add the parting phrase of our text: “If you know these things, blessedare you if you do them” (Jn.3:17). For years now we have thought about howJesus went about his Father’s business. What a shock to learn that Jesus meanswe too should be about our Father’s business! He just doesn’t want us to thinkabout his humble service for us but to emulate him. He wants us to be “Christ-like” not just in a few things but in all things.

How have we done? I suppose some have done better than others. But we all“have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Often we need to repent andthrow ourselves on the mercy of God. Even our repentance carries with itresponsibilities. Repentance is a turning away from going in one direction toheading in a completely different direction. A different orientation results in aPeter who wants his whole self washed, not just his feet. Our repentance may

20

well mean that we ask our Lord to help us be of service to others with our wholelife.

Consider, if you will, Jesus on the night of the Last Supper. When no one elsewas about to do the foot washing he volunteered. He stripped down, took thebasin and towel, and washed his disciples’ feet. He took on the servant’s role. Andhe explained it by telling them: “I have given you an example...”

Thousands of people in our congregations have taken Jesus seriously. Theystand with towel and basin in hand just waiting for some dirty feet to come along.Not all of them are professional servant material. Not all of them can be pastorsor teachers. Most of them will remain servants within their own congregations.They will do what they do washing the feet that come their way. They will do ithumbly and gladly for the love of God and following Jesus’ example of service.

For even today Jesus the servant comes among us. We are washed clean of oursin in his blood, the blood of the Lamb, slain for us. He who is the Son of Godwore a crown of thorns so that we the sinners could wear the crown of life. Hewho hung nakedly on the cross has covered us with a robe of righteousness. Hewho died rose so that might we rise to newness of life. Our service is not a duty inexpectation of reward but a response to the Gospel. If we “have to” it’s not service;it’s slavery. It is not being said to you today that you shoulda, woulda, gotta,oughta be a servant. To be of service is the way of the cross. His example ofservice to us is much more than example. This Christ who through Baptism hasraised us to new life is now in us doing that which we cannot.

Through Word and Sacrament our service is renewed each day through the powerof the Servant Christ. So our servanthood means repentance. Our servanthoodmeans understanding that if we would be great we are to be servants. The servantsare here among us. In the past years the RSVP program of Lutheran Church–Canada has set its sights on identifying those in our congregations who might bequalified for full time church work vocations. Not all of you are cut out for fulltime church work. However, there are those among you who are cut out to beservants here in this place. Many times the servant doesn’t recognize his owngifts while others do. This year we are asking that you take a look around ourcongregation and think about those who might be chosen for service here. Theirservice may be considered for Church Council, for teaching Sunday school orBible class, or being a counsellor for our youth group. One serves where one can,doing what one does. The service of the Mother Theresas of this world are of nomore service to the kingdom than he who shovels the walk.

May this day be for us a time of repentance and renewal for our service. Webegan with a reminder of our Baptism. We continued at the foot of the crossrepenting of our sin. We heard in the Word of God the comfort and admonitiononly he can give. In the Holy Communion we will receive his body and blood ofthe forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of our faith. Strength to onceagain pick up the basin and towel with Jesus and follow his example in service.May God bless your service this day and always.

21

PPPPPastastastastastororororor’’’’’s Ints Ints Ints Ints Intererererervievievievieview and Ew and Ew and Ew and Ew and Evvvvvaluation Faluation Faluation Faluation Faluation FormormormormormOne of the key elements in identifying and encouraging future church workers is the

follow-up by the pastor. There are two important aspects of the pastor’s follow-up:1) an interview with each person suggested on the nomination forms, and2) the submission of those names to President Mayan for referral to the appropriate

institution for future follow-up.

PPPPPastastastastasto ro ro ro ro r’’’’’s Ints Ints Ints Ints Inte re re re re rvievievievieviewwwwwAfter you have received the nomination forms, take a moment to thank God for

each name submitted and ask for His guidance during your interview. The followingare suggestions to help you in the interview:

1. Phone to set up the appointment. The person may already be aware that thecongregation has been asked to submit names of future church workers. Inform theperson that he/she has been identified by fellow church members as a possible futurechurch worker and that you would like to meet to discuss this with him/her.

(In the case of children or youth who are nominated, parents should be advisedof the nomination and be present during the interview. The initiative should beexplained so that parents are fully informed.)

2. A good place to begin is with the qualities (see nomination form) whichothers have seen in this individual which have led them to suggest his/her nameas a future church worker. You might want to ask: “Do you see yourself in thisway?” “Have you ever considered a church work career?” “Are there areas hereat church where you would like to become involved?” (e.g. teaching Sunday school,helping with VBS, acolyte, hospital visitation, lector, altar guild, etc.)

3. Share with the person some of your own joys in the ministry. What pastoraltasks do you enjoy? What has been truly rewarding? How have you seen othersgrow in faith? When was a time when you felt you really made a difference insomeone’s life? Help them to see different opportunities for ministry as a pastor, ateacher, a director of parish services, a missionary, etc.

4. Ask for permission to share their name with Concordia University Collegeor one of our seminaries: “I’d like to let our seminaries know that you havebeen identified as a possible future church worker. Is that okay with you?”(Explain that they would receive information from the seminaries or college.)You can also point out Lutheran Church–Canada’s privacy policy with regardtopersonal information (See page 22).

22

5. Before you leave, take a moment to pray with the individual, giving thanks toGod for the opportunity to discuss the work of the church with this person.Submission of NamesSubmission of NamesSubmission of NamesSubmission of NamesSubmission of Names

Following your interview, please fill out one Evaluation Form for each person youinterview. (Please photocopy additional forms as needed.) The evaluation forms thenshould be sent to President Ralph Mayan by March 1 (if possible). It would also beappropriate to phone those who submitted names, thanking them for their participationand letting them know that you interviewed the person they suggested.

PPPPPrrrrrivivivivivacacacacacy Py Py Py Py PolicolicolicolicolicyyyyyPersonal information submitted through RSVP nomination is used by Lutheran

Church–Canada, Concordia University College of Alberta, Concordia LutheranTheological Seminary, St. Catharines and Concordia Lutheran Seminary, Edmontonspecifically for the purpose of identifying and communicating with potential churchworkers. The personal information is safeguarded under Lutheran Church–Canada’sPrivacy Policy (see www.lutheranchurch.ca/privacy).

We thank you for your participation in this effort. The task of recruiting futurechurch workers is not the task of the pastor alone, but of all God’s people. It is ourprayer that we can help all our people accept greater responsibility in identifying,encouraging and supporting our future professional church workers.

23

WWWWWith Gith Gith Gith Gith Grrrrreat Beat Beat Beat Beat Boldness – oldness – oldness – oldness – oldness – RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05RSVP'05IntIntIntIntInte re re re re rvievievievieview Ew Ew Ew Ew Evvvvvaluation Faluation Faluation Faluation Faluation Formormormormorm

Date of Interview:

Name:

Address:

Phone: Age: Current education level

Home church:

Pastor:

1. Is this person’s level of interest: (circle one) Low Medium High ?

2. For which church work profession is this person most suitable?

3. What impresses you about him/her?

4. How do you see this person in his/her relationship...a. to the Lord?

b. to the church?

5. Please include any other matters you would like to share.

Return this form to:Lutheran Church–Canada, 3074 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3K 0Y2

24

Project Coordinator: Rev. James Fritsche, first vice-president, Lutheran Church–Canada on behalf of theCouncil of PresidentsSermon: Rev. Dennis Putzman, Resurrection LutheranChurch, St. Catharines, OntarioAdult Bible study: Rev. Donald Mossman, pastoremeritus, St. Paul, Chilliwack, B.C.Youth Bible study: Deacon Tara Barnes, Director of ParishServices, Zion Lutheran Church, Prince George, B.C.Bulletin Insert: Give God a chance, by Rev. JohnTrembulak, III. Used by permission of InternationalLuteran Laymen’s League.Design and Layout: LCC Communications

All elements of this booklet and previous RSVP materialsare available in Adobe Acrobat format on the Internet at:

www.lutheranchurch-canada.ca/RSVPFor further information call 1-800-588-4226 ext.11

All material copyright © Lutheran Church–Canada 2004

3074 Portage Ave.,Winnipeg, MB R3K 0Y2