Thursday, August 31, 2023

Note How the ELCA Bishop/Pastor Assesses His Ministry

A 43-year ministry comes to a close for former Faith Lutheran leader now bishop







The Rev. Maureen Stein
( Assistant to the Bishop )

RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • First Call Theological Education
  • Interim Ministry

Pastor Maureen Stein grew up in the Chicago suburbs. She graduated from Concordia Teachers’ College (now Concordia University) in River Forest, then from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA with a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. She worked as an occupational therapist in psychiatric hospitals for a dozen years before returning to school at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, receiving her MDiv in 1991.

She served Trinity Lutheran Church in Chenoa for 9 years, and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Colfax for 7 of those 9 years. She retired in 2015, having served as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Canton for 14 years. She serves as Assistant to the Bishop one-quarter time.

She and Brian, married 43 years, have two adult children, Rachel, married to Chris, and Nathan, married to Velia.

That Is Deep!

"I am so grateful to be able to be trusted to enter into people's lives," Roth said. "I've enjoyed being a part of the churches in Jacksonville and the community."

Many ELCA  Victims Can List the Changes!

"I have been a pastor for 43 years and I cannot begin to list the changes that have taken place," Roth said. "It's ongoing. Pastors and churches need to be adaptive all the time. Change is constant."

Guidance! Struggles! 

Leadership During Milestones!

During his time in the church, Roth worked with community members, providing guidance during struggles and leadership during many life milestones, he said. 

"People trusted me during significant parts of their lives," Roth said. "It was a privilege that I don't take for granted."

One of Many Seminex Graduates 

Who Became ELCA Bishops!

Roth earned a master's degree at Christ Seminary-Seminex in St. Louis and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and a doctorate from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. 

The Central/Southern Illinois Synod is one of 65 synods within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America system and oversees 111 communities across the southern portion of the state. 

***

GJ - Trust and guidance and change and significant parts simply overwhelmed me as I dabbed the sympathetic tears from my reddened eyes. As the ancient Greeks said, "Chameleons can change to any color - except white."

There are many variations on efficacy in the ELCA.

Note the para-synodical ELM at the bottom, very effective. One pastor restored to the roles was a regular on ALPB, 10,000 posts, until he was arrested. 

"Watch for the union label."

Make sure your diversity is selective.