In a recent conversation I admitted that I was not very adept at learning a new language. My first Spanish class began in 5^th grade. After studying the language through the remainder of grade school and all of junior high I still struggled mightily in my freshman Spanish class. (I didn’t even attempt sophomore Spanish.) I could just never quite get the hang of Spanish vocabulary and grammar. I could not imagine how much trouble I would be in if I had to depend on my Spanish in order to communicate and/or survive. Thank goodness I really only have to worry about being fluent in my first language - English.

Imagine how horrible it must be to have to try to communicate in a language in which you are not fluent. How terrible it would be if you were not comfortable with your first language and lacked the skills and knowledge to be able to use it. How lost one would feel.

And the same can be said for the first language of our faith. How can we hope to understand God and God’s call for our lives if we do not understand the language of our faith? How could we possibly hope to share the faith with others if we are not fluent in the language of faith? How can we hope to do what God wants us to in a complicated world if we can’t understand the language of faith?

At the churchwide assembly last August the ELCA adopted the "Book of Faith Initiative" which invites the whole church to become more fluent in the first language of faith, the language of Scripture, in order that we might live into our calling as a people renewed, enlivened, and empowered by the Word. It is a challenge for us - as a congregation and as individuals - to make a commitment to be a part of the conversation, to take part in Bible study, to grow in fluency in scripture. The Bible teaches us about God, about the world, and about ourselves. We become renewed, enlivened, and empowered as the language of Scripture forms our hearts, our minds, our community conversation, and our commitments.

At our recent synod assembly, the Northern Illinois Synod affirmed the "Book of Faith Initiative" and encourages us, as members Immanuel Lutheran Church, to commit to participating in Bible study. Through greater fluency in our first language of faith, we will grow in faith and be strengthened for God’s mission in the world.

So, please join a Bible study this year. Participate in the adult Sunday School class. Come to one of the many forums that will be offered. Plug into the evening Bible study hosted by Deb Larson and Judy Rosengren. Join the ILCW and be a part of their monthly Bible study. Or begin your own study group. Whatever the case, find a way to be a part of Bible study and grow in the language of faith.

Pastor Knowles

Pastor Knowles lives in Earlville with his wife Mary, their son Nathan, and their daughter Kendall.

Email the Pastor: pastor@immanuelearlville.net