Traditionally, Lent has been a season during which we seek to repent our sins and move in a new direction in our lives. Let me suggest that during this Lenten season, rather than asking what to give up, ask instead, “How can I give myself away for the sake of others?”

Other articles by Bishop Stuck

Dear Friends in Christ,

Since August of 2006 I have visited more than 110 congregations in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, talking with congregational leaders about mission and stewardship. Through this program that I call Called2Connect, it has been my privilege to hear wonderful stories about mission and ministry happening locally.

In exchange, I share what we are doing together as the Indiana-Kentucky Synod and worldwide as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

One question that I discuss during these dialogues is what makes a congregation healthy and vibrant.

Congregations that are vibrant, healthy and growing, ask these questions:

	“How can we give ourselves away for the sake of the world?”
	“What is God calling us to do at this time for this community?”
	“How can we grow in serving our neighbor?”
Congregations that are stagnant or dying ask these questions:

	“How can we get more members so that we can survive?”
	“How can we get back the youth that we have lost?”
	“Where are we going to get the funds to pay our bills and our pastor?”

Traditionally, Lent has been a season during which we seek to repent our sins and move in a new direction in our lives.

Let me suggest that during this Lenten season, rather than asking what to give up, ask instead, “How can I give myself away for the sake of others?”

During Lent we remind ourselves how God answered that question. God gave his Son for the sins of the world. Jesus suffered and died for us so that nothing might ever separate us from God.

The amazing thing is that God did not stop giving on that first Good Friday. Through Word and Sacrament, God continues to give that we might live. Through the Church, God continues to give that all might live and he invites us to join him in this great endeavor of love.

In praying, “Lord, how can we give ourselves away?” God will answer our prayer by making us partners in Christ’s mission of giving for the sake of the world.

As you worship during this Lenten season, join me in praying that God’s spirit and power might change us and that through receiving Word and Sacrament, we might become Christ’s body in the world, sharing the love of God that all might come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Your brother in Christ,

Bishop Jim Stuck