See also current and past Comment   

Inscribed in a Book

The theme of this issue is "Transforming Suffering." It looks at how we people of faith are handling the universal experience of human suffering that has entered our lives in one way or another.

The scriptural passage selected comes from the Book of Job. Job knows, in the deepest corpuscle of his flesh and bones, a kind of suffering which has driven him to see God as alienated from his life and his friends as people who just never get it.

Job wishes for vindication before God and fellow humans for suffering that he considers undeserved. He cries out for a "redeemer" (commentators say that "vindicator" would actually be a better translation). Job is desperately looking for help from any corner. Perhaps there is one who could provide some kind of justification for his life, a kind of mediator who would stand before God and others on his behalf and set things straight (see vv. 25b-29).

But Job also cries that his curse might be redressed through the published word: "O that my words were written down!" Words published are perceived to provide a kind of permanency and authority: words written on a scroll, chiseled into rock, perhaps even digitized on the more ephemeral World Wide Web. They can extend one’s life beyond the grave. Job knows that, even if he were to die at this very moment, his words could still have life if only they were published.

In a way, Job gets his wish. His words have been published. A book, published for millennia, is named after him. It is a masterful work with God as the main subject, friends who are trying to "comfort" him, an enemy and finger-pointing accuser, and Job and his family. The deep questions of human existence are asked. It pictures human alienation from God, self, and others, and a lingering despair which often accompanies long-term suffering.

But then, at the end of the day, Job’s story asks us to give room for one more Voice which we may be drowning out with our own flood of words, fears, and pain. "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).

In this issue, we will take you on various editorial excursions to hear what other people of faith have to say about the experience of human pain. John Dellis describes how one congregation, in partnership with others, is bringing assistance, as well as Word and Sacrament ministry to homeless men and women in San Antonio. Rebecca Otterness, a nurse and long-term caregiver, offers advice on how congregations can care for the caregivers in their settings. Southeastern Iowa Synod communicator, Jodi Deike, relates a story, through the eyes of its last pastor, of the dreams and struggles of one Iowan congregation which eventually decided to close its doors. Finally, a professor emeritus of the Hebrew Scriptures, Dan Simundson, shares insights into the place and purpose of the lament psalms.

I mentioned in my November / December 2007 Comment that one of the characteristics of our editorial content for 2008 would be the authors’ use of the first-person, narrative style to tell their stories. We begin to move in that direction with this issue. Each author of our major features has also written a short first-person reflection of their article’s subject. Future issues will continue to pursue this first-person narration.

We are making some changes in our regular features and departments for 2008. Partners Media Review will continue to include assessments of current books and video products useful in congregational life. We are adding a review section of Web-based resources for leadership. Lutheran Partners Online will include resources which are more time-sensitive and can be found in blogs, podcasts, and online articles.

Two pastors, Marcus Kunz and Stephanie Frey, are introducing a new initiative called "Written on the Heart." The editors have selected a topic of interest regarding ministry and elicited responses from our readers (this issue: how the Scriptures have helped persons deal with an experience of suffering). In the future, you will be able to respond to posted topics via regular mail, e-mail at WrittenOnTheHeart@ELCA.org, or online.

We are introducing a photo feature called "Book End". We will choose a photo from the ELCA Archives which reflects the issue’s theme.

Online-only departments will include "Handiwork," George Murphy’s faith and science column, to be published in every other issue beginning with the current one. Readers will also be able to read the remaining biblical word study columns written by Terence Mullins — "Some Words About..." (his column will conclude at the end of 2008). At times, additional articles will be posted online which reflect the issue’s theme.

Take a look at the themes we have chosen for 2008 for our six issues; see the sidebar "Editorial Themes for 2008".

Not all of our changes will appear right away. There will be fine-tuning throughout the year. For instance, I hope to begin regular features which will support the ELCA’s Book of Faith Initiative, both in print and online.

Finally, I need to acknowledge and thank many who have had a hand in this re-design project. First, I take my hat off to the members of my chief advisory committee, the Publication Committee, for the time, effort, and vision they have provided. The members are Linda Francisco Bets, Des Moines, IA; Carol Breimeier, Park Ridge, IL; Marcus R. Kunz, Cedar Falls, IA; and Mark Wilhelm, Chicago, IL. Special thanks goes to Ruth Reko, who facilitated strategic planning meetings for the Publication Committee.

I also am grateful for the contributions made by our newly formed Editorial Advisory Committee who selected the themes. Its members include: Susan Daniels, Pewaukee, WI; Rayford Grady, Chicago, IL; Tom Lyberg, Carol Stream, IL; and Jennifer Moland-Kovash, Palatine, IL.

This re-designed publication would not appear in your mail box or on the Internet without the hands-on expertise of many persons. I’d like to thank Ann Rezny, graphic designer; Peggy Blomenberg and Connie Sletto, copyeditors and proofreaders (Connie Sletto has also worked as project coordinator); Melinda Valverde, administrative assistant; David Scott, web developer; and Jeannette May, advertising representative.

Of course, we’re especially grateful for the many authors, columnists, and advertisers, both past and present, who have been willing to share their thoughts and views, and products and services.

Thanks must also go to our publisher, Augsburg Fortress Publishers, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the many services rendered on our behalf, and for the support of the Publishing Services team, the ELCA Communication Services unit, and the Vocation and Education program unit where Lutheran Partners is located in the churchwide organization.

This is your magazine. We hope the redesign serves you well. Please let us know what you think. What’s helpful? What’s not helpful? How can we serve our leaders with material which is compelling, useful, and pertinent, and which honors the gospel of Jesus Christ, our Scriptures, and the church? Send us ideas for future thematic topics and articles. Send us names of potential authors. Contact me at william.decker@elca.org and let me know.

Thanks for your partnership in the gospel.

William A. Decker is editor of Lutheran Partners magazine, Chicago, Illinois.