Lisa KrammeLisa Kramme
Director of Faith Formation
Nebraska Synod, ELCA

Can you see yourself in either of these scenarios?

A high school youth regularly helps with Vacation Bible School. You comment to the young man, “I can see you as an elementary teacher someday!”

A stay-at-home mom capably assists your congregation’s bookkeeper with recording income and expenses. You share with her, “If you ever consider working outside the home, I think you really have the gifts to be an accountant!”

In my opinion, people are usually very good at suggesting career paths to others as we see them exhibit their God-given skills, but here’s what I wonder—do we intentionally point out to others the gifts we see in them for the rostered ministry? I am not so sure that, even within the Church, people with gifts for ministry hear from trusted friends and mentors often enough.

As you consider the people who are part of your mission center, whom can you see leading worship, presiding at communion, visiting shut-ins, shepherding a youth group? Who has the gifts for word and service ministries? Who for word and sacrament?

It may be that children, youth and adults very near to you are experiencing an internal call to ministry. But perhaps they are waiting for or wanting an external call to reinforce their sense of God’s presence in their discernment. Perhaps your voice can serve as that reinforcement. Perhaps taking part in an Operation IDEA event can help them in their discernment.

Operation IDEA (which stands for Invite Discern Excite and Act) is a grassroots initiative of the Nebraska Synod, created for the purpose of raising leaders for Christ’s Church. The following discernment events are coming soon:

  • Associates in Ministry (AiM) Retreat—For college students and other adults who are discerning a call to word and service as an AiM
    • Jan. 25 at 12:00 noon through Jan. 26 at 11:30 a.m.
    • Swanson Center at Carol Joy Holling
    • Retreat facilitators: Current AiMs
  • College-Age Bishop’s Initiative—For college students
    • Jan. 29 at 5 p.m. through Jan. 31 at 12:00 noon
    • Swanson Center at Carol Joy Holling
    • Retreat facilitators: Bishop Dave and Anita deFreese
  • Lifeshine Retreat—This NEW event is for adults older than college age who are discerning a call to rostered ministry. Participants can look forward to lively discussions, quiet reflection and time spent in worship, as they intentionally take time to consider God’s call in their lives.
    • Feb. 5 at 5 p.m. through Feb. 6 at 3 p.m.
    • Sjogren Center at Carol Joy Holling
    • Retreat facilitators: Pastors Adam White and Derrick Fallon
    • This is the first of a two-retreat series, with the second tentatively scheduled for Aug. 27-28, 2010
  • High School Bishop’s Initiative—For students in high school and an adult inviter
    • Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. through Feb. 20 at 3 p.m.
    • Holling House at Carol Joy Holling
    • Retreat facilitators: Bishop Dave deFreese, Pastor Megan Morrow and Lisa Kramme

There is no charge for any of these events. Please encourage people to register by going to www.operationidea.org. Click on “IDEA Programs” and then the event.

Can you see yourself in the following scenario?

I was a desperate college freshman in the spring of 1993; the end of the semester was quickly approaching and I hadn’t lined up summer employment. A chance encounter with an acquaintance reminded me that I’d always loved going to Carol Joy Holling Camp when I was younger, and so I applied for a counselor’s position, figuring that at least I might learn how to play guitar.

As it turns out, I completely underestimated the change that would take place in my life! I found that I really enjoyed sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, even when I didn’t know all the answers. During my second summer as a counselor, I was asked to consider whether or not I might be called to professional ministry, and from that time on I was never able to get it out of my head or my heart. I finished my college degree, headed off to seminary, and today I’m a pastor.

Pastor Scott Johnson (Campus Pastor, Iowa State University)

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