The Parable of Internship

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

The kingdom of heaven is like a seminary student that God took and planted in the field of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Washington, DC. The student was born and raised on the prairie of South Dakota. Her home congregation was a small white church in the middle of nowhere. Before moving to DC she had never even spent the night in this city. Over the course of one year that student grew and grew. Her roots dug further into the ground and her branches grew and blossomed. She was fed and nourished in this congregation in the booming metropolis of Washington. She created relationships with the people of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. She loved them very much and they taught her many new things. She led worship, preached, and taught the good news to all ages. Then there came a day when she needed to leave the field of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. She knew that she would only be at St. Paul’s for a year, but the year went by so quickly. Grateful for all of her experiences she packed her bags and uprooted herself. She returned to The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg to finish off her last year of class so that she could graduate and then be ordained as a pastor in the ELCA. As she went on her way St. Paul’s Lutheran Church prepared the ground for another seminary student to be planted in their field in Washington, DC.

Why do I tell this parable? What does it mean for you? It means you have a purpose. Our text from Romans today says, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” You, my friends, are called. You are called to be teachers and professors to me, your intern, and other interns down the road. You are called to be a place of learning and inspiration. You are called to be a classroom. You are called to be a place of growth for seminary students.

Internship is a very important part of the Master of Divinity degree program. If students were sent right from the classroom into their first call congregation they would not be prepared for all of the ins and outs of ministry. That is your job. It is your job to provide the practical ministry preparation. They cannot simulate this kind of learning in a classroom on campus. The things I have learned in the past year can only be learned while working in the field.

So, what have I learned? You have taught me how to make the gospel applicable to the lives of real people. You have taught me to appreciate liturgy and organ music. You have let me mold and shape your children and youth. You have shown me how the church can be actively involved in social issues like hunger and homelessness. You have taught me about budgets and church finances. You helped me to have fun, which resulted in me wearing a panda hat for the entire week of VBS. You have turned me loose in South Dakota with your youth for a whole week. You have allowed me to explore this city and the urban lifestyle. You have taught me not to drive in rush hour if at all possible. You have taught me how to use public transportation. You have taught me to stand right and walk left when riding escalators, which I am not as terrified of anymore. You have let me into your lives and into your hearts. And most importantly, you have shown me what it means to be filled with the love of God.

So, I go from this place inspired. I go from this place feeling called to meet people where they are at, walk with them in their journey through life, affirm them in their gifts, teach them the foundations of the Lutheran faith, invite them to take part in the sacraments, show them warm hospitality, care for them, love them, and help them to see God’s presence in their lives. I go from this place with your imprint on my heart.

There are a mix of emotions in this sanctuary today. Some of you might be sad that I am leaving. Some of you might be excited to see where my future leads. I am also feeling a mix of emotions today. I absolutely hate goodbyes. I am sad to be leaving, but excited to see where God might be leading and calling me after I finish my degree next spring. I am also hopeful for this congregation and eager to hear how it will continue to grow and change in the years to come.

I know that this is goodbye, but in the larger journey of life it is only “so long.” We are all connected by the love and grace of God and no matter the distance or time that separates us I am certain that we will continue to work together to the glory of God. In fact, the second lesson today reminds us of that hope. “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, no things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Although we may be used to hearing this text at funerals, it is appropriate for this day of farewell, too. So, even as the miles and minutes separate us from one another I am convinced that the love of God can never separate us, no matter what.

We cannot be separated because you have taught me so much and have formed my pastoral identity. As I think of the ways you have impacted me in the last twelve months I cannot help but think about how the things I have learned here will not stay here in Northwest DC. Instead the things I have learned from you and from this place will go with me and will be used to impact the lives of others. But one thing is for certain you have changed me. In the words of my favorite musical, “Because I knew you…I have been changed for good.”

I am very grateful for my experience here in the place. It has been an honor and joy to walk with you throughout the past year. Each one of you has been a blessing in my life. There are so many things that I have learned in this year that I will take with me back to the classroom and to my future ministry contexts. Thank you so much for this experience and the opportunity to grow in this place. I hope that you will continue to be a place of learning and growth. I hope that teaching future pastors will continue to be part of your purpose, your call as a congregation. Amen.