Reformation Is a Re-Formation
Posted on Oct 20, 2026 by Pastor Jealaine Marple
Growing up in the Catholic Church, we didn’t hear much (if anything) about the Reformation — to the surprise of no one. I’m not positive if I knew much about Martin Luther until later in life. I’m pretty sure I had never heard “A Mighty Fortress” until I was in seminary.
For someone who didn’t grow up in the Lutheran Church, an occasion such as Reformation really excites me. It encompasses many of the things that I believe about God: that God is always moving in the world, that God is making all things new, and we have a God of second chances.
What makes reformation (not just the day, but the concept) challenging is that as humans, we’re not big fans of change. We love the idea of change, but the actual implementation of change is a different story. But our history as Lutherans started with one very studious, faithful monk realizing something needed to change. I don’t know that Luther set out to start a reformation, but that’s exactly what happened.
We are still being re-formed. Salem, perhaps more than other congregations among the other ELCA churches in the metro, knows well what it means to be re-formed. We have been re-forming for the last decade or so. And it continues. As I prepare to preach this Sunday, the question I’m wrestling with (and invite you to as well) is “how are we being re-formed for mission today?” From the first day I started as your interim to now, I firmly believe that God isn’t done with us yet and, in fact, is up to something new, exciting, and maybe a little scary. We are being re-formed.
I hope you join us this weekend (red encouraged but not required) to prayerfully consider how you are being re-formed. The Reformation wasn’t just one day. The Reformation wasn’t just something that happened more than 500 years ago and then was over. We are a church with roots in the Reformation and we are still being re-formed! Soli Deo Gloria! (To God be the glory!)
In Christ,
Pastor J