Dr. Eberhard Speaks Out - "Heritage and Legacy"

The Rev. Dr. David Eberhard will periodically do an article called "Dr. Eberhard Speaks Out." He will challenge us with his thoughts and experience as a leading churchman in America. While we may agree, or not agree, he will share with us what he has learned that works in the local parish. Over his forty years of experience in the ministry, he has always tended to be ahead of the current curve of church practices and is always "pushing the envelope" to get us to expand our thinking.

The Church is one of the oldest "institutions" on earth, and yet it one that continuous evolves to serve God's people entrusted to its care. A Church in motion that remains faithful to its roots. Some feel the church is only "relevant" if major changes take place. And sad to say, much of the change is only for change sake. Others have said you need to re-define your goals, or you need to set a new model for the church, then it was everyone had to have a new paradigm, then it was everyone had to have a mission statement, or now its you have to establish core values. Hours spent on this stuff, rather than doing the ministry. All this jargon, swirling around change, becomes more important than remaining faithful to our heritage. As a result the Church is often adrift, losing membership, closing down churches, and struggling to be force in total society.

We need to return our roots to our heritage. People are yearning for stability in their life and their faith. The Holy Bible is still the Word of God that guides all of our life and the church. The Holy Spirit works through the Word and the Sacraments calling us to faith and sustaining us in our faith. At Historic Trinity we are celebrating our 155th Church Anniversary, this is our time to remember from whence we came, who we are, and where we are going. Since before the days of Abraham Lincoln , we have been a church in downtown Detroit, a presence of the Lutheran Church. Our heritage is Lutheran and we are proud of it. This anniversary year we are tracing the roots of our Lutheran heritage in the city, in Michigan, in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod , and in Germany. Some of our churches are saying that being Lutheran is a determent to serving in todays society. Did Catholics think last month in Rome that being Roman Catholic was a determent? We all have great heritages, be proud of them, and build on them.

A great heritage does not become static, and unattractive. One that just closes it doors to those who are not members of the "club house". We live each day knowing who we are , who our God is, and that He loves, forgives, redeems and exalts us. We rejoice, we pray, we praise our Lord. As God's people we care about each other and share the good news of the Gospel with others. This anniversary year we are rejoicing at the challenges and opportunities for ministry that God has given to Historic Trinity. Yes we are the fastest growing church in downtown, that draws from the Metropolitan area, and whose membership averages 36 years in age, and is traditional in worship.

The privilege of being our Lutheran Cathedral in downtown Detroit is not taken lightly. This is our heritage and it's our legacy. We are constantly refreshing our facilities, our programs, our ministries. During this anniversary year we are finding ways to firm up, structure, and fund these ministries to assure they will be here for another 155 years.

It is not enough to just live and serve the Lord for today only. I encourage others to look closely at their heritage, to celebrate today the parish's life, and prepare a legacy of faith to pass on to the next generation.