Sessions
• Session I: “A Community in Mission”
• Session II: “Leadership for Such a Time
as This”
Leadership for Such
a Time as This
Session II
Rev. Ruben Duran
Dwelling in the Word
• May the Word of God dwell in you richly!!
• 2 Timothy 1: 1-7
• Find it on page 43 of the Worship book
• Paul: encouraging Timothy; reminding him
of those who helped him in his growth,
recognizing the gift of God within him.
LEADERSHIP FOR SUCH A
TIME AS THIS
• Empowering leadership: Esther and
Mordecai; (Esther 4)
• Rebuilding leaders: Nehemiah,
Pr. Livenson Lauvanus
Guiding Others
• We did not get where we are by ourselves
• We are standing on the shoulders of many
who have come before us
• We honor today the “saints” that God put
on our path to leadership in the ELCA.
Think about it
1.Who is someone who helped you grow
spiritually or serve effectively?
1.What did she/he do that helped you in
your development?
Share with the person next to you (3-4 min)
Coaching Verbs?
11For you know that we dealt with each of

you as a parent deals with children, 
12encouraging, comforting and urging
you to live lives worthy of God, who calls
you into God’s kingdom and glory.
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (NIV)
“Yes, you can!”
“Yes, you will!”
From Dennis Easter with permission.
“Yes, you must!”
Since Baptism
• We are all ordained as priests and coworkers in the Reign of God, fellowmembers in the Body of Christ; children of
the same Heavenly Father.
• In the name of a missional Triune God, we
encourage one another in our journeys of
faith, that we may serve with boldness.
Because of Baptism
• New Identity. Ruben, child of God,…..
• Equality of all people, same standing
before God and the world
• Built-in capacity to be gracious, forgiving,
merciful, to let the light of Christ in us
shine before others to see God in us.
• Empowered to be missionaries of grace:
called and ordained as “worker-priests”.
What Tools Stand at the Heart of
a Church Like This?
The Vocation of the Baptized
Luther’s Priesthood of all
Believers
Vocation
• Vocation.
• From the Latin, Vocatio, meaning “to be
called,” or “calling.”
• Martin Luther offered a radical
understanding of vocation.
A “Priesthood of all believers.”
Our Christian calling is grounded in our Lutheran
understanding of baptism.
o All are called to love and serve God and our
neighbor.
o
o
Vocation
• Vocation lived out in and with:
o
o
o
o
Family and friends.
Society.
Workplace.
Church.
“The place God calls you to is the place
where your deep gladness and the world's
deep hunger meet.” - Frederick Buechner
What does Luther say?
• Now Christ is the High and Chief Priest anointed by
God Himself. He also SACRIFIED His own body for us,
which is the highest function of the priestly office. Then
He PRAYED for us on the cross. In the third place, He
also PROCLAIMED the Gospel and taught all people
(sic) to know God and Him Himself. These three offices
He also gave to all of us. Consequently, since He is the
Priest and we are His brothers (and sisters), all
Christians have the authority, the command, and the
obligation to PREACH, to come before God to PRAY for
one another, and to offer themselves as a SACRIFICE
to God.
• LW, Volume 30, 1 Peter 2:4-5
The Three Priestly Functions
• 1. Prayer – intercede with God on behalf
of others
• 2. Proclamation – speak the gospel
sharing it with the neighbor
• 3. Sacrifice – Living a cross-centered and
servant oriented life.
What does this look like?
Questions for Discussion
• In what ways is your congregation equipping
people to:
o
o
o
Proclaim
Pray
Sacrifice/serve
• What one thing could you do differently to better:
o
o
o
Proclaim?
Pray?
Sacrifice/serve?
Affirmation of Baptism
• ELW page 236
• Affirmation in the Presence of the
Assembly
• You have made public profession of your
faith. Do you intend to continue in the
covenant God made with you in Holy
Baptism?
• You said: I do, and I ask God to help and
guide me.
Do you intend
• 1. to LIVE among God’s faithful people
• 2. to HEAR the word of God and SHARE
in the Lord’s Supper
• 3. to PROCLAIM the good news of God in
Christ through word and deed
• 4. to SERVE all people, following the
example of Jesus, and
• 5. to STRIVE for justice and peace in all
the earth?
Manifestations of the Spirit in you
• 1. Spirit of wisdom and understanding
• 2. Spirit of counsel and might
• 3. Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the
Lord
• 4. Spirit of joy in God’s presence
The Christian’s Call Today
• The gift is a call; a call to a new life
• A call to be an instrument of God in and
through the various roles you and I play in
everyday life in relationship with others
and with God’s creation.
• Remember your Baptism daily
• Remember your priesthood functions
• Remember the Spirit in you
SO WHAT?
• Our calling is connected to God’s mission and to
the purpose of the Church on earth.
• A Community in Mission calls for Leaders to
come forth for such a time as this.
• Finish the sentence:
• 1. My christian call and vocation today can be
described in this way(s):
• 2. I will go deeper in this area(s):
The Welcome Church, ELCA
Philadelphia, PA
Pastor Developer Violet Little
The Welcome Church, ELCA
Philadelphia
Carl
The Welcome Church, ELCA
Philadelphia
The Welcome Church, Logan Site
Philadelphia
Choir Director
The Welcome Church, ELCA
Philadelphia
Friends at the Welcome Church
Pastor Developer Violet Little
The Welcome Church, ELCA,
Philadelphia
Coffee hour after worship
What’s next?
• A coalition of ecumenical leaders are coming
together to plan for addressing the roots of
homelessness in Philadelphia.
• A network of medical doctors are going to meet
with Bishop Claire Burkat to intensify their
service.
• Pr. Little and I will begin an ELCA network of
ministries among the homeless to resource each
other and pray for uprooting homelessness
everywhere.
Leadership for Such a Time as This
• Grounded in our Baptism
• Discover gifts and vocation in the world
• Encourage and empower others to join
the priesthood we all share
• Pray, proclaim and serve with boldness
• A mature leader is one that rejoices at the
accomplishments of others.
• Invitation: rekindle the gift within you!!!!