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Synod Assembly Theme Series – Reflection #4
+Bishop Dee Pederson
In.
People use this little word many different ways each day. “In” can mean that:
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something is popular. “Orange is the in color right now.”
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someone is in a position of influence with others. “She’s got an in with another member of the club.”
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something is moving. “He is going into town.”
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someone is present somewhere. “There were many people in the meeting.”
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something is within, or enclosed or surrounded by something. “She is in the house.”
This week I am reflecting on that little word “in” which is part of the focus verse for the 2024 Synod Assembly, “One body in Christ,” from Romans 12:5 – “So we, though many are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
St. Paul sometimes used the same word(s) that had different interpretations in different letters, depending on the Christian community to whom he was writing. It is important to bear that in mind. Paul was always writing to a specific Christian community in a specific place, with its own unique context, its own gifts, and yes, its own issues and challenges. His messages to the Christians in Corinth sound different than the message he sent to the people in Philippi. And indeed, those early churches were as different from each other as we are in our congregations and communities are different from each other here in the SW MN Synod. Click here to read more.
2024 Synod Assembly Theme Series - Reflection #1
2024 Synod Assembly Theme Series - Reflection #2
2024 Synod Assembly Theme Series - Reflection #3
Please feel free to share, print and use Bishop Dee’s reflections however it fits best in your congregation’s communications. Congregations can also use this for a devotion for any group, committee or council gathering.
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