Zach's First Post =)

Today is the fourth day of our trip. It has been amazing so far. On the flight to Iceland from Boston, Emily and I sat by a diplomat from China who was working in the Chinese embassy in Iceland. He provided a unique perspective on Iceland, including how he enjoys driving here because there is no traffic and how in the summer, many parties start at 2am.

Our host family (Emily and I are together) is wonderful. They have been most gracious and have shown extraordinary hospitality to us. The second night here, our host cooked us the best fish I have ever eaten in my life. We have been able to experience a wide variety of cuisine here, most of which has been absolutely delicious.

Now, in Skalholt, our dear professor Winston Persaud is leading some lectures for a gathering of pastors from Iceland which meet every year for lectures on varying topics. This year, there is a focus upon the mental health of the pastors in Iceland and what affects that has upon the pastor and the parish.

The National Church of Iceland has suffered an interesting ordeal for the past 17 years or so. The Bishop of Iceland was accused of abusing some parishioners which became a scandal in Iceland which included people accusing him, him denying that this happened, and each having to go to court with lawyers and the whole nine yards. This had a very damaging effect upon the perspective of the National Church of Iceland in the eyes of Iceland, which is understandable because the Bishop of Iceland is the head of the National Church here. A few years ago, I am not sure about this date, the daughter of this now deceased bishop said that he sexually abused her. Her family, from what I have heard, denies that this actually occurred, but she wrote a book about this experience which has become a best-seller here in Iceland. Her book has brought this whole ordeal back into the focus of the Icelandic people, which is again causing strife within the church.

The current Bishop is resigning this year so there has been talk about electing the new Bishop and how this could be the change needed to bring the church back into the good graces of the populace.

The process by which this occurs has been changed since the last time a Bishop of Iceland was elected. The last time, it was only the pastors who voted in the bishop. Now, however, the pastors, the presidents of the churches in Iceland, the vice presidents of the churches around Reykjavik, and the deacons (I believe), all come together to vote for the new Bishop (around 500 people). This adds quite a few new aspects to the election. The pastors here in Iceland are a tight knit group who know each other fairly well (I believe there are around 120 of them). Therefore, most are aware of each others strengths and weaknesses and have an understanding of who each pastor "is" (which is debatable considering the scandal of 1996). However, those laity who are now involved in this process do not have this type of understanding of each of the pastors running for Bishop. Therefore, there must be a type of campaign for people to become acquainted with the candidates running for Bishop before votes can be cast for the election.

There is also talk about changing the structure of the church because some think that the position of the "Bishop of Iceland" has too much power. There is talk about trying to become more democratic in how decisions are made, specifically when it comes to funds allocated to churches in different areas of the country. This is a truly interesting time for the National Church of Iceland with a large potential for change which will, God willing, be for the betterment of the Church in Iceland and for the church worldwide.

Dear God, I ask that you guide the process of electing a new Bishop of Iceland. I ask that you guide all those involved to allow this process to be beneficial for the proclamation of the Gospel and for the people of Iceland. Please guide those making decisions concerning the structure of the National Church of Iceland. Thank you for this opportunity to meet with the pastors of Iceland and to hear about their struggles. Guide them in their future pursuits and allow them to continue having Christ at the center of their lives and ministry. I ask all this in Jesus name. Amen.