At the 2005 Churchwide Assembly, I was serving as co-chair of the Memorials Committee, and anticipating the conversations that would take place on the weighty matters before that Assembly. On Tuesday, August 9, 2005, co-chair Karl and I were directed to the front to sit so we would ready for our cue to present the initial Report of the Memorials Committee. The official minutes describe what occurred next:
“Before turning to the next item of business, Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson announced that he had just received word of the death that morning of the Rev. Gerhard O. Forde, professor emeritus of theology at Luther Seminary, whom Bishop Hanson had quoted in his report.” And then Bishop Hanson called upon me to bring the report of the Memorials Committee.

So here’s what you need to know: As a graduate of Luther Seminary, and student of every class taught by Dr. Forde, I cannot describe the sense of loss I experienced and felt for this church, during that brief minute before beginning my report. Dr. Forde taught Scripture and Lutheran theology so that preachers-to-be might be grasped by the power of the Word to do what God says that Word will do: put to death and make alive in Jesus Christ.

I was able to present that initial report of the Memorials Committee only because I knew there was a Memorial (Category E16) coming before the Assembly that, if adopted, could guide this church into a process of “Faithful Conversation About Scripture,” the Scripture that Dr. Forde taught and proclaimed with such power. That Memorial was the one from the North Carolina Synod. During the course of that 2005 CWA, Professor Diane Jacobson, spoke eloquently about the need for this initiative that would focus our church on Scripture, and the 2005 Memorial of course, then led to the 2007 CWA action on the “Book of Faith” initiative, and Dr. Jacobson’s work as director of the initiative.

It was when I heard Prof. Jacobson lead the Bible Study at our Synod Assembly in June, that I was able to see the miracle of which we are a part with this Initiative. In the passing of Dr. Forde, we lost a scholar and preacher whose teaching touched congregations across this church. At the same time, the Holy Spirit had been stirring up a process that would unfold through Dr. Jacobson’s leadership and continue to open Scripture to all. This small miracle began with a congregational resolution that led to a synod memorial that began a churchwide initiative that, in partnership with Augsburg Fortress, created resources that are bringing the Living Word to bear on the lives of thousands of people across this church.