"But we've ALWAYS done it this way."
Posted by Webmaster (admin) on Jun 08 2007 at 12:23 AM
The Elder's Call >>

The year is 2012. The setting is Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
It's a growing congregation, meeting in a splendid new sanctuary west of the Ashley.
After a Sunday service, over sips of coffee, a visitor asks a member why the "Greeting of Peace" is done after the prayers of the church, and not closer to the beginning of the service, as it is in her home congregation.
"Why, that's the way we've always done it," the Good Shepherd member says. "Isn't that when it's supposed to be done?"
Actually, there is nothing in the Bible, or in our confessions, about the proper point in a church service at which to pass the peace. In many congregations, it isn't done at all. In others, it can be an all-out hug fest.
As a matter of fact, for $5.00, you can buy a "Passing the Peace Protection Packet" online from the Old Lutheran Gift Shop. (www.oldlutheran.com).
The point of the story is this: Because we are members of a young congregation, we are free -- within the bounds of what is God-pleasing and consistent with our church's confessions -- to set our own practices and precedents for future generations to follow.
Our current practice of sharing the "Greeting of Peace" with one another and its place in the service was formulated by your Board of Elders and Pastor Sandeno. Your Board of Elders is charged with the responsibility of assisting the pastor in all matters pertaining to the spiritual welfare of the congregation, which includes seeing to it that worship services in God's house are conducted regularly and that all things connected with public worship are done decently and in good order.
So do you have suggestions about the way we do things at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church? Any complaints? Please let us know. The Board of Elders is also charged with assisting the pastor in the cultivation of "love and harmony" among members, which means we can listen to your suggestions or complaints and bring them up for discussion without having to reveal which member is doing the suggesting or complaining.
Since the congregation's inception, the Board of Elders has consisted of one person, its tireless chairman Peter Moeller. His dedication to Christ and to Good Shepherd has helped the congregation grow to the point where another elder was added. So now Peter has someone to "chair." I am very grateful for this opportunity to serve the Lord. As the newest member of the Board of Elders, I humbly pray that God will equip me to serve you on His behalf. Please feel free to call or e-mail me with any questions or concerns about our worship services or any other matter.
In His service,
David MacDougall
Phone: 843-469-1861 (Cell)
E-mail: webmaster@goodshepherdcharleston.org