Pastor Dan Chambers Update

 

 

And, an update from Pastor Hering of the Augustana Ministerium:

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” [Psalm 118:1] Rejoice! Give Thanks! And Sing!–all you dear people of God in Christ Jesus.

Thanks in large part to the funds and attention you have raised since The Augustana Ministerium & Confraternity [TAMC] first posted the appeal to help Pastor Dan Chambers on November 14, 2012, Pastor Chambers is headed to Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital in San Antonio this afternoon. I do not have all the details, but in addition to monetary contributions, some of you folks have given of your time to go beyond what TAMC could do and at your instigation Concordia Plans health insurance has re-evaluated the situation and will cover Pastor Chamber’s first two weeks at Warm Springs. So Pastor Chambers should be well taken care, and he and his family can rest easier knowing he will be getting that chance to walk and work again and the deductibles, co-insurance, and sundry uncovered expenses that have accumulated over the past year and continue to mount will not be insurmountable.

This is how the body of Christ works. In Acts 4:32-35, Luke the evangelist and physician writes: “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.“

From time to time, extraordinary needs present themselves in the lives of Christians. Whatever the apparent cause of those needs–and sometimes that includes the less than Christian treatment of pastors by folks so caught up in their own perceived needs, worries, and desires they are blinded to what they are doing to their neighbor and Christ’s servant of the Word—of this we can be sure: “the works of God [will] be displayed in [even this].” [John 9:4]

Such has been the case with Pastor Chambers. The works of God have most certainly been displayed as you have opened up your hearts, and your wallets, and perhaps most importantly your mouths, to help Pastor Chambers in his time of need. And we have seen how the body of Christ, though composed of members who at times disagree and are at odds over various issues, steps up to honor and care for a member in his time of weakness and suffering. [1 Corinthians 12:24-26]

While you may not have sold land or house, and what you have contributed has not been laid at the apostles’ feet, you have given out of your common concern for and bond with your brother in need, Pastor Dan Chambers, and laid your gifts at the feet of this servant of the Word and His people in the tradition of the one holy Christian and apostolic Church.

My thanks to all of you, whether members of TAMC or not, who have united in this good work prepared in advance for us to do in Christ Jesus. [Ephesians 2:10] And please remember, Pastor Chambers has not been the first, and he will not be the last of Christ’s servants to find himself in need. Every month seems to bring the story of one or more faithful men in need due to the termination of a call or decreased salary. So if you are not a member, please consider joining The Augustana Ministerium if you are a Lutheran pastor, or its Confraternity if you are a Lutheran lay person in order that we are ready to help the next time God presents us with such an opportunity to display His works.

Can’t you just picture Pastor Chambers now on those parallel bars?

God bless us and keep us and give us peace in Christ Jesus.

A servant of the Word and His folk,
Rev. Kurt Hering, Superintendent
The Augustana Ministerium & Confraternity
augustanaministerium.org

P.S. Not counting the funds from Pastor Fiene’s Lutheran Satire video donated through our website, the total amount of Mission and Emergency Assistance TAMC has been blessed to collect and distribute to Lutheran pastors in need since November 2006 is over $130,000. All money donated goes to the support of Lutheran pastors in need. 50% of the $50 Ministerium annual dues and 85% of the $40 Confraternity annual dues (mostly used to cover expenses for our Annual Theological Conference and Plenary) may also be designated to go to the assistance fund.

 

 

To Donate —

  1. If you want to use a debit or credit card, go to https://augustanaministerium.org and click on a ‘Donate’ button (or below). This will take you to a PayPal page, where they will offer to set up a PayPal account, etc., but you don’t have to do so: just enter your card info on their secure site, make sure a memo is there saying it is for Pr. Chambers, and you’re all set.

    Or click on the donate button below.

     

  2. To send a check, put “Pr. Chambers” in the memo line, “TAM” in the pay to line, and send it to:

    The Augustana Ministerium
    c/o The Rev. Gregory J. Schultz, Bursar
    721 Payne Avenue
    North Tonawanda, NY 14120

  3. Publicize this in your church bulletin or newsletter; you can use the following, or customize it to your needs:

    Help Dan Chambers using this DOC file

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