Christ says very definitely, The Holy Spirit will witness of me, of me and not of someone else. Beyond this witness of the Holy Spirit about Christ there is no sure and abiding comfort. That is why one should write the words "OF ME" with capital letters and diligently remember them. For of this we may be certain, that the Holy Spirit promotes no other doctrine, preaches neither Moses nor other laws whereby to comfort the conscience. If the conscience is to be comforted, it can only be by the preaching of Christ's death and resurrection - this alone comforts. In contrast, all other preaching of law, good works, holy living, whether commanded by God or men, in incapable of comforting a person in times of need and death; instead it leaves him uncertain and in despair, frightened and tormented. If we consider God without Christ, we find no comfort but only righteous wrath and displeasure. But whoever preaches Christ proclaims and brings true comfort, so that it will be impossible for hearts not to be joyous and of good cheer.

- House Postil for The Sunday after The Ascension of Our Lord, A.D. 1532

Over against the factious spirits and false preachers, this fact stands sure: When the Holy Spirits comforts, he does so in no other way than to witness of Jesus and picture him in the human heart. In contrast, the evil spirit, by emphasizing sin and death, frightens the conscience. This the Holy Spirit must combat through his witness as he speaks through the Word to our hearts: Hold on, man, what are you up to anyway? Can't you think of anything but sin, death, and damnation? Take your eyes off this gruesome, frightening sight and look here; don't you know the man named Jesus Christ, of whom it is written: conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried, descended into hell, and on the third day rose again, and ascended into heaven? Why do you think this happened? Was it not that you might have consolation against death and sin? then stop being frightened and so despondent; you have no reason! If Christ were not with you and upholding you, and had not done these things for you, then you would have reason enough to be frightened. But he is with you, around you, and he says, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." For that reason he suffered death for you, and for your consolation and safeguarding he is seated now at the right hand of his heavenly Father.

Wherever this sermon resounds, there one hears the voice, witness, and teaching of the Holy Spirit. Where this note does not sound, there at best is the witness of Moses, or the witness of the worrisome devil, or some heretic, all of which promote fear and fright. From this God wants to preserve us in our last hour and keep us with the witness of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

-- House Postil for the Sunday after The Ascension of Our Lord, A.D. 1532

Disclaimer: The following post casts no aspersions on particular people or places. The following post focuses on the reality of the situation that some vicar-designates now face.

I've seen Internet chatter about "bad vicarages." This terms is highly subjective and deserves clarification.

A "bad vicarage" can be defined as a particular congregation where Lutheran doctrine and practice does not necessarily conform to what is considered the "norm" of sound doctrine and practice within my communion (The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod). For example, a gifted second year seminarist receives his vicarage assignment to a particular congregation in a particular district. The gifted student, who has excelled in class work and has shown patience in all he says and does, now faces twelve months of having his patience tested in the crucible of day-to-day, on-the-job training that a vicarage provides. When he receives his paperwork, he finds out the congregation to which he has been assigned practices open communion, occasionally utilizes the service book for Divine Service, and also hosts an "ecumenical" Thanksgiving service with the ELCA and United Methodist congregation in the community.

One can substitute "call" for "vicarage" and say just about the same things. However, the application of what to do is quite different.

Vicars are only there for a little while. He is a ship passing in the night, as it were. He observes. He carefully listens. He might ask a question of his supervisor (in private). He is not there to change the world, let alone the congregation.

He must suffer in silence. He may even have to bind his conscience.

Yes, there are horror stories "out there" like it. I've heard them. So what does that vicar do to make the best of his year?

In many cases, learning how not to do something is better than learning how to do something. After a few weeks of observation and listening, the vicar might begin to see why his supervisor does what he does. He files away in his memory bank how he might handle that situation. Perhaps this is the most important part of a "bad vicarage." The vicar begins to process how he would handle the same situation when he (Deo volente) is put into that position in a year or two.

The vicar should begin to make contact with other vicars in order to keep comradeship alive while they are away. If the vicar is single, he might get lonely (been there, done that, true believers!) in a strange place far from home.

The vicar should take refuge in doing something away from his duties on his day off. On my vicarage, I was blessed to have a top-notch theological library about 45 minutes from where I served. The drive there and back again was a decompression in nature. Being around books and an academic environment helped keep me grounded in my task of learning while observing.

The vicar should make diligent use of talking to his pastor (or another trusted pastor). If need be, find a pastor in the area that offers Private Confession and Absolution. This may be difficult, even impossible, in some parts of the country. I would suggest NOT having the supervisor hear your confession.

The vicar should smile a lot and frequently nod his head. Being seen as friendly and outgoing doesn't hurt a thing. I'm serious here.

Finally, the vicar should find some common ground with his supervisor outside of any area of disagreement. Maybe you like the same sports team? Maybe the two of you like a particular movie? Maybe your supervisor will introduce you to something you will grow to love. My supervisor introduced me to the movie "Tombstone." For that alone, I am grateful. Then there was the time he called me on my vacation to poke fun at my University of Arkansas friend (my supervisor rooted for another Big 12 school). I am not saying my vicarage was "good" or "bad." I am saying that my supervisor and I could have some fun outside of the task of ministry.

Then there are the obvious matters that need to be mentioned. Pray without ceasing. Read Scripture and the Confessions, even if your supervisor doesn't read the latter. I read quite a bit of theological stuff on vicarage, and even an occasional fun read. Have fun with the situation and know that you aren't there forever. Before you know it, you are leaving for seminary again. God willing, you have learned a lot on a "bad vicarage", made some friendships along the way, and will remember as much good as possible from your time there.

Again, I am not speaking ill of any particular situation. I am offering advice on how to make something bad into something better. The Lord will take care of you. The Lord will take care of the sheep where you serve your vicarage, in spite of what sinful human beings (like a vicar or a pastor) try to do. The Church is His. He will bless her, with or without you.

Constructive comments and suggestions are always appreciated.

These are all from Luther's House Postil for the Fourth Sunday of Easter.

[The disciples] were following their reason which could make nothing more out of His “a little while, and you will not see me,” than that the Lord was going to hide and conceal Himself for a short period.  And that’s how flesh and blood still criticizes and judges Christ’s Word today.  Among the saints it’s their sinful self which is responsible.  Even they, as long as they are in this life, have a sizeable chunk of the “old Adam” so that it requires real mastery to avoid judging the Word according to human reason.  The disciples were filled with the gifts of the Spirit and yet they spoke in a carnal manner, as influenced by human reason and their fleshly nature (Vol. 2, p. 87).

Notice, now, how Christ alternates sorrow and joy, weeping and laughter.  Just as He had previously done when He said, “A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you shall see me.”  So He also does here in His explanation: You will surely have sorrow; and in contrast the world will be rejoicing, but both your mourning and the world’s joy have their “little while”; always there comes a blessed exchange, your sorrow becoming joy, and the world’s joy becoming sorrow.  He speaks in that way so that patience will be increased.  Indeed, who could remain steadfast and strong if God did not every once in a while provide relief?  Ceaseless sorrow – that would be hell itself.  But here’s the assurance: The sorrowing of Christians and the rejoicing of the world both have their “little while.”  Christians will weep and lament; the world, on the other hand, will sing, dance, and celebrate!  Be of good cheer, take the pause that refreshes and before you know it, there will be a trade-off: sorrow changing into joy, and joy into sorrow. (Vol. 2, p. 89)

The devil and the world will never stop assailing [preachers].  If you speak the truth, the world rages madly; it begins to curse, condemn, persecute, and you’ll have to endure scorn and mockery.  And if the world can whip out it’s sword against you, it will surely do that too, with master devil joining the fray, driving such poisonous, fiery darts into your heart that you will almost literally suffer a meltdown!  When you experience this kind of tribulation – the world cursing and persecuting, deriding and laughing, and the devil also plaguing you – what will you do?  Become impatient, give up the ministry, walk away from it all, even cursing?  Not at all!  Instead, have patience, wait it out, take courage and say, So what?  Didn’t my Lord Christ predict, “Ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice.” But, He added, Your sorrow will turn into joy after “a little while.”  Because He’s always trustworthy, never having lied to me about the “little”, namely, that I do not now see Him and therefore weep and lament, so He will also not deceive me in regard to the other “little”, namely, that I will see Him again and my heart will rejoice!  And that’s why we need seriously to ponder His Words when He describes this alternating between not seeing and then seeing Christ, being sorrowful and then rejoicing, weeping and then being cheerful! (Vol. 2, p. 90)

Hence we say of private confession, that no one is compelled to observe it. Still it is for this reason a commendable and good thing. Wherever and whenever you are able to hear God's Word you ought not to despise it, but receive it with heartfelt desire. Now, God has caused his Word to go forth through all the world, so that it fills every nook and corner, and wherever you go you find god's Word. If I preach the forgiveness of sins, I preach the true Gospel. For the sum of the Gospel is: Whosoever believeth in Christ shall receive the forgiveness of his sins. Thus a Christian preacher cannot open his mouth unless he pronounces an absolution. Christ also does the same in the Gospel lesson when he says, "Pax vobiscum," Peace be unto you. That is, I proclaim unto you, as of god, that you have peace and forgiveness of sins; this is even the Gospel itself, and absolution. So also the words of the Lord's Supper, "This is my body which is given for you; this is my blood which is shed for you for the remission of sins etc." If I were to say, I will not go to confession because I have the Word in the Lord's Supper, i will be like him who declares, Neither am I going to hear the preaching. the Gospel must ring and echo without ceasing in every Christian's mouth. Therefore we are to accept it with joy wherever and whenever we can hear it, lift up our hands, and thank God that we can hear it everywhere.

- Sermon on Confession and The Lord's Supper, "Complete Sermons of Martin Luther" Volume 1:2, pages 197-198. Emphasis mine.