The Last Word

by Terry Newland

My first day on the job was October 25, 2004, and I remember a high level of anxiety that kept raising the question, “What in the world have I gotten myself into?” Almost five months and many, many miles later I sat down on March 20, 2005 and wrote an email to the Executive/General Presbyters of our synod stating, “I’m the luckiest Synod Executive in all the land!” It’s true. I still don’t know exactly what I’ve gotten myself into, but you, my sisters and brothers in the Synod of Living Waters, have convinced me that you are serious about the ministry to which we are called.

I have attended the meetings of six different presbyteries and have found myself feeling more and more positive after each one. In every presbytery there were struggles over some issue(s), the budget, General Assembly actions, restructuring, etc. Yet, in every case, the most energy, the most time and the most passion was dedicated to matters of mission and ministry. I had no idea how committed you are to looking beyond ourselves and our differences to those with physical and spiritual needs.

I spent a week in February with 25 pastors of our synod who are serving in their first calls. They confirmed a great need for fellowship and for sharing their journeys and struggles with one another. They were anxious to receive the insights and ideas of “seasoned” pastors. They developed relationships that will serve them through out their ministries and committed to support each other in the days and years beyond the conference. As I watched them worship, study and play I could tell that we are blessed to have them as pastors in our churches. If we can keep them healthy in body and spirit we are in good hands for decades to come.

I spent a week in training at Clean Water U. If you haven’t heard, this is a training facility at Camp Hopewell in St. Andrew Presbytery. It is the training arm of Living Waters for the World and seeks to prepare people for partnering with those in need of clean water. Teams came to be trained from churches all over our synod. In addition, a team came from the Synod of the Peninsula, which serves the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. It’s an awesome experience to be with so many people who are so intent on being a living witness to life giving water for the body and soul.

I spent four days with 10 of our Executive/General Presbyters and experienced once again the presence and work of the Holy Spirit among us. My colleagues outside of our synod are envious of the relationships and support for each other that our presbytery staffs demonstrate. I can tell you that the diversity in leadership style and theological perspectives is as strong in our synod as anywhere. Yet, your leaders have found a way to share the gifts of each in order to serve the greater good.

There are more stories of my adventures, but hopefully you are beginning to see what I mean when I say, “I’m the luckiest Synod Executive in all the land!” The Synod of Living Waters is no different from all the other synods in that we have the same struggles, the same differences, the same challenges that distract our denomination from the mission and ministry to which God calls us. However, you are determined not to be distracted. While others suspend ministry until they can discern who’s right and who’s wrong, you plow head on into the opportunities to witness the Good News of the Gospel.

Thanks for your witness to me of what people united and gifted by the Spirit can accomplish, even in the midst of our denominational struggles. The Peace of Christ be with you.

33 Graduate From Clean Water U

Graduates of the third Clean Water U, conducted March 9-13,
2005, pose for their class picture at Camp Hopewell in Oxford,
Miss. The next two Clean Water U training schools take place April
13-17 and September 21-25. For more information, visit the LWW
website: www.livingwatersfortheworld.org.