By Deacon Kathleen Cartledge
Dr. Susan McArver served as the H. George Anderson Professor of Church History for 26 years before retiring from the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in 2024. Bringing the keynote speech to the 200th Assembly of the South Carolina Synod of the ELCA, she spoke of our beginnings in 1824, when all Lutherans throughout the Southeast belonged to the Synod of “North Carolina and Adjacent States.” Building on that, she observed that we carry the experiences of our families and communities, and we are all here because of our decisions and those of our ancestors. As she brought our history to life, Dr. McArver lifted up the beauty of our heritage as well as the conflicts that often stirred our Lutheran ancestors into disagreement and conflict for many years.
She asks us to consider four points to move forward in making faithful decisions, noting that God calls us to:
- Listen to each other
- Acknowledge when we are wrong, when we make mistakes
- Be open to the unexpected movement of the Holy Spirit.
- Change happens – it is constant and a part of life. Be hopeful in times of change!
Dr. McArver delved into our history as Lutherans owned slaves and struggled with that and other mistakes. She discussed the changes that followed the civil war, and progress that was often slow to happen, reminding us that before that war was the ordination of the first African American Pastor in South Carolina, Rev. Jehu Jones, in 1832. She also highlighted history from the 20th century, including women becoming Ordained Lutheran Pastors, the worshiping community of Restoration Chapel (a worshiping recovery community) and the growth of Cristo Rey Lutheran Church in Columbia. Noting that none of this could have been foreseen in 1824, she pointed out that the Holy Spirit is not stagnant, and neither is the church! Dr. McArver encouraged us to lean into those 4 points and tell our story of the South Carolina Synod – letting our history inspire and instruct us. She encouraged all Pastors, Deacons, and Laypersons to answer God’s call and work together in this as we move forward into the next 200 years.
