Ordinations and Installations are joyful and yet formal events for churches and pastors. Vows are taken and repeated. Scripture is read. There is a formal blessing by the District President. And the draw of tradition is so great that even in some of the most casual and hipster LCMS congregations, the red stole often persists, even if used only for this occasion…

But on this occasion, this large-church pastor said the quiet part out loud:

I guess the large churches are large churches because they're they're doing something right. I mean, I don't know how to say that in the context of, I mean, God is blessing what we're doing.