The LC3-Lutheran CORE "News & Discussion" page that you are reading now, is set up in a format known on the internet as a "blog" (short for 'web-log'). It allows articles to be posted by date, and provides the opportunity for response by clicking the "comments" link at the bottom of each article. Our blog page is now listed on the Lutheran Blog Directory, from which you can access a large number of Lutheran-themed blogs, representing various denominational and personal perspectives. To visit that site, click HERE.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Support from Solid Ground Ministry - Canada
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) faces many of the same issues that we do in the ELCA. In spite of pressure from revisionists within the leadership of the ELCIC, there remains a strong grass-roots witness in that denomination to the confessional and biblical expression of the traditional Lutheran faith. Many of our brothers and sisters to the north find support through an organization called "Solid Ground Ministry - Canada" -- which like our reform partners here in America, works to represent the concerns of orthodox Lutherans in the ELCIC.
The executive board of Solid Ground has expressed its support of LC3, and the work that we are doing. We commend their efforts as well. As partners with us in the larger witness of North American Lutheranism, we pray that God will strengthen our common efforts and our witness to Christ.
Please visit the Solid Ground website at: www.solid-ground.ca
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Cross-Appeal in Atlanta Case
A Statement Regarding the Cross-Appeal of Bishop Ronald B. Warren
Announcement from the Southeastern Synod, ELCA
On March 9, 2007, Bishop Warren submitted his cross-appeal of certain aspects of the decision of the Disciplinary Hearing Committee ("DHC") in the case of Pastor Bradley Schmeling of Atlanta. Bishop Warren asks the ELCA's Committee on Appeals ("CoA") to affirm the DHC's decision to remove Pr. Schmeling from the clergy roster, a decision that was within the DHC's authority under the ELCA Constitution, By-Laws and Continuing Resolutions ("CBCR").
Bishop Warren's cross-appeal asks the CoA to rule that the DHC exceeded its authority on two issues raised in its decision: (1) that the DHC exceeded its authority by staying its decision to remove Pastor Schmeling from the ordained clergy roster, a power given only to the Committee on Appeals; and (2) that the DHC exceeded its authority by making policy recommendations to the Churchwide Assembly, another prerogative limited by the ELCA's governing documents to the Committee on Appeals.
Finally, concurrent with his Notice of Cross-Appeal, Bishop Warren asked the Committee on Appeals to provide an appellate briefing schedule which would give the CoA time to reach and publish its decision in advance of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly ("CWA") in August 2007. Pastor Schmeling has specifically asked the CoA to delay any briefing or decision until after the CWA has concluded. Bishop Warren's cross-appeal and proposed schedule, however, provide the CoA with the opportunity to provide its conclusions on this case as part of churchly deliberation in advance of the Churchwide Assembly.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Letter from Lutheran CORE - March 2009
Dear Friends in Christ,
The annual gathering of Lutheran CORE is scheduled for Monday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran, Golden Valley, Minn. On the agenda are reports and updates on Lutheran CORE's ministry, adoption of a budget, and a revised Basic Principles for our coalition.
The annual gathering of Lutheran CORE will take place as a segment of the annual convention of the WordAlone Network. Dr. Karl Donfried and Dr. Steve Paulson will present important papers on Biblical interpretation at the convention, including critiques of the use of Scripture in the third ELCA sexuality study. Registration forms are being sent out from the WordAlone office or may be downloaded from the WordAlone website - www.wordalone.org . You may also register with the WordAlone office in New Brighton, Minn. - 888-551-7254 (toll free) or 651-633-6004.
The Lutheran CORE steering committee met in January at St. Paul's, York, Penn. A summary of our discussions is attached to this letter.
But there are two matters that are of greatest importance for us now . . .
1. The Churchwide Assembly this August.
At this churchwide assembly the church will call a presiding bishop and secretary, and will elect members to serve on the Church Council. Our goal is to work with others, so that orthodox and confessional people are elected to these important positions. We are moving in this direction and are seeking to discern whom we should support. We expect that by this April we will be in a position to say something more definitively. It now seems likely that, as a result of the actions by the New England Synod Council and the report from the discipline hearing committee on Pastor Schmeling, that the issue of human sexuality will again be on the agenda for the churchwide assembly.
2. New England Statement and the
The annual gathering of Lutheran CORE is scheduled for Monday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran, Golden Valley, Minn. On the agenda are reports and updates on Lutheran CORE's ministry, adoption of a budget, and a revised Basic Principles for our coalition.
The annual gathering of Lutheran CORE will take place as a segment of the annual convention of the WordAlone Network. Dr. Karl Donfried and Dr. Steve Paulson will present important papers on Biblical interpretation at the convention, including critiques of the use of Scripture in the third ELCA sexuality study. Registration forms are being sent out from the WordAlone office or may be downloaded from the WordAlone website - www.wordalone.org . You may also register with the WordAlone office in New Brighton, Minn. - 888-551-7254 (toll free) or 651-633-6004.
The Lutheran CORE steering committee met in January at St. Paul's, York, Penn. A summary of our discussions is attached to this letter.
But there are two matters that are of greatest importance for us now . . .
1. The Churchwide Assembly this August.
At this churchwide assembly the church will call a presiding bishop and secretary, and will elect members to serve on the Church Council. Our goal is to work with others, so that orthodox and confessional people are elected to these important positions. We are moving in this direction and are seeking to discern whom we should support. We expect that by this April we will be in a position to say something more definitively. It now seems likely that, as a result of the actions by the New England Synod Council and the report from the discipline hearing committee on Pastor Schmeling, that the issue of human sexuality will again be on the agenda for the churchwide assembly.
2. New England Statement and the
Schmeling Discipline Hearing Committee Report.
By now, you have likely received our letter regarding these two issues. The synod council of the New England Synod has approved official guidelines for blessing same sex unions. The discipline hearing committee for Pastor Schmeling has authorized his removal from the pastoral office. But his removal is not to take place until after the conclusion of the churchwide assembly. The committee also urges in its report that synod assemblies memorialize the churchwide assembly to overturn the decision on the ordination of practicing gay and lesbian persons. The actions by the New England Synod and the recommendations from the discipline hearing committee have placed before our church momentous issues. We hope you will spread our concerns as widely as possible, and that you will take the initiative and respond as our letter suggested. Also attached are two resolutions that we encourage you to use in your churches, conferences and synods to deal with these two issues.
The Schmeling case and the New England Synod guidelines underscore the seriousness of our concerns for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. They also challenge us in our mission: to be a confessing and confessional movement within our church and to be a voice for the Word of God within our church.
As members of the steering committee, we believe that, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we are up to the challenge. We are convinced that our positions are in accord with Holy Scripture. We are encouraged by the support we receive from our partner reforming movements, from numerous congregations, and from many laypeople and pastors within the ELCA. We are determined to remain within the ELCA, because it is our church too. We are resolved to stick it out for the long haul, because we believe in the rightness of our cause.
We are happy to report that we filled the position made vacant last year when Pastor Russell Saltzman stepped down from the steering committee because of time constraints on his schedule, though otherwise he remains active in Lutheran CORE. Pastor Victor Langford from Seattle, Wash., has been appointed in his place. Pastor Langford has been a leader in his synod on behalf of biblical values and standards, and was an important leader on the floor for our cause at the 2005 churchwide assembly. We are pleased to welcome him as a member of your steering committee.
We thank you for your support and prayers. We invite you to join us in our ministry. Like you, we put our confidence in God's Word of law and Gospel, and we trust that, with God's help, his Word will one day carry the day.
Lutheran CORE Steering Committee
Paull Spring, State College, PA, chair, pastorspring@pennswoods.net
Erma Wolf, Brandon, SD, vice chair, easwolf@mac.com
W. Stevens Shipman, Lock Haven, PA, sec., prshipman@comcast.net
Mark Chavez, Landisville, PA, director, wordalone@popp.net
Mark Graham, Roanoke, VA, mark@stjohnlutheran.org
Scott Grorud, Hutchinson, MN, scottg@faithlc.com
Ken Kimball, Waterville, IA, pastrken@acegroup.cc
Victor Langford, Seattle, WA, faithvcl3@aol.com
Ryan Schwarz, Washington, DC, rschwarz@mba1994.hbs.edu
Paul Ulring, Columbus, OH, pulring@ualc.org
NOTES FROM JANUARY 2007 L-CORE MEETING
Biblical Interpretation:
* Several conferences planned - Iowa, Pennsylvania, Minnesota
* Preparing a statement on Biblical authority
Naming of God:
* Model resolution prepared for synod assemblies - available at:
By now, you have likely received our letter regarding these two issues. The synod council of the New England Synod has approved official guidelines for blessing same sex unions. The discipline hearing committee for Pastor Schmeling has authorized his removal from the pastoral office. But his removal is not to take place until after the conclusion of the churchwide assembly. The committee also urges in its report that synod assemblies memorialize the churchwide assembly to overturn the decision on the ordination of practicing gay and lesbian persons. The actions by the New England Synod and the recommendations from the discipline hearing committee have placed before our church momentous issues. We hope you will spread our concerns as widely as possible, and that you will take the initiative and respond as our letter suggested. Also attached are two resolutions that we encourage you to use in your churches, conferences and synods to deal with these two issues.
The Schmeling case and the New England Synod guidelines underscore the seriousness of our concerns for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. They also challenge us in our mission: to be a confessing and confessional movement within our church and to be a voice for the Word of God within our church.
As members of the steering committee, we believe that, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we are up to the challenge. We are convinced that our positions are in accord with Holy Scripture. We are encouraged by the support we receive from our partner reforming movements, from numerous congregations, and from many laypeople and pastors within the ELCA. We are determined to remain within the ELCA, because it is our church too. We are resolved to stick it out for the long haul, because we believe in the rightness of our cause.
We are happy to report that we filled the position made vacant last year when Pastor Russell Saltzman stepped down from the steering committee because of time constraints on his schedule, though otherwise he remains active in Lutheran CORE. Pastor Victor Langford from Seattle, Wash., has been appointed in his place. Pastor Langford has been a leader in his synod on behalf of biblical values and standards, and was an important leader on the floor for our cause at the 2005 churchwide assembly. We are pleased to welcome him as a member of your steering committee.
We thank you for your support and prayers. We invite you to join us in our ministry. Like you, we put our confidence in God's Word of law and Gospel, and we trust that, with God's help, his Word will one day carry the day.
Lutheran CORE Steering Committee
Paull Spring, State College, PA, chair, pastorspring@pennswoods.net
Erma Wolf, Brandon, SD, vice chair, easwolf@mac.com
W. Stevens Shipman, Lock Haven, PA, sec., prshipman@comcast.net
Mark Chavez, Landisville, PA, director, wordalone@popp.net
Mark Graham, Roanoke, VA, mark@stjohnlutheran.org
Scott Grorud, Hutchinson, MN, scottg@faithlc.com
Ken Kimball, Waterville, IA, pastrken@acegroup.cc
Victor Langford, Seattle, WA, faithvcl3@aol.com
Ryan Schwarz, Washington, DC, rschwarz@mba1994.hbs.edu
Paul Ulring, Columbus, OH, pulring@ualc.org
NOTES FROM JANUARY 2007 L-CORE MEETING
Biblical Interpretation:
* Several conferences planned - Iowa, Pennsylvania, Minnesota
* Preparing a statement on Biblical authority
Naming of God:
* Model resolution prepared for synod assemblies - available at:
www.commonconfession.net/resolutionset.htm
* Power point presentation in process on new ELCA hymnal
Sexuality:
* Team of Lutheran CORE and WordAlone people preparing an analysis
of the third ELCA sexuality study released in December
* Will publicize that responses to the third study are due by Nov. 1
and encourage people to respond
* Model resolutions prepared for synod assemblies (attached below)
Leadership in the ELCA (Churchwide Assembly):
* Continuing to secure addresses of lay voting members
* Letters will be sent to voting members
* Steering committee members will attend churchwide assembly
* "Management team" for churchwide assembly:
* Power point presentation in process on new ELCA hymnal
Sexuality:
* Team of Lutheran CORE and WordAlone people preparing an analysis
of the third ELCA sexuality study released in December
* Will publicize that responses to the third study are due by Nov. 1
and encourage people to respond
* Model resolutions prepared for synod assemblies (attached below)
Leadership in the ELCA (Churchwide Assembly):
* Continuing to secure addresses of lay voting members
* Letters will be sent to voting members
* Steering committee members will attend churchwide assembly
* "Management team" for churchwide assembly:
- Mark Chavez, Paull Spring, Jaynan Clark Egland
* Space reserved for meetings and consultations
* Working on Church Council nominations, presiding bishop, secretary
* Working on plan to respond to sexuality discussion
Communications:
* Brochure of Lutheran CORE has now been developed
* Website is up and running at: www.lutherancore.org
* Space reserved for meetings and consultations
* Working on Church Council nominations, presiding bishop, secretary
* Working on plan to respond to sexuality discussion
Communications:
* Brochure of Lutheran CORE has now been developed
* Website is up and running at: www.lutherancore.org
Fund Raising:
* Letters to donors sent out
* Actively seeking generous donors for Lutheran CORE
* Actively seeking regional fundraising contacts/team leaders
* Letters to donors sent out
* Actively seeking generous donors for Lutheran CORE
* Actively seeking regional fundraising contacts/team leaders
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Resolution to Wait for 2009 Social Statement
Resolution to Wait for 2009 Social Statement
WHEREAS, the ELCA concluded an exhausting four-year study and debate over ordination of non-celibate homosexual persons at its 2005 Churchwide Assembly in Orlando by declining to change current policies; and
WHEREAS, the continuing conflict over this matter is divisive and distracting from the mission of the ELCA; and
WHEREAS, the task force on sexuality is scheduled to present a social statement on sexuality to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly; and
WHEREAS, the disciplinary case of Pr. Bradley Schmeling in the Southeastern Synod has been used as a pretext for reopening this question; and
WHEREAS, the Schmeling disciplinary committee heard no evidence supporting the current guidelines and exceeded its authority by improperly recommending that this year's synod assemblies seek to overturn the decisions made at Orlando;
Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED that [this synod] memorialize the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly at Chicago not to reopen the issue of ordination of non-celibate homosexual persons before the report of the Task Force is received in 2009.
Background Information
The 2005 ELCA churchwide assembly defeated the third sexuality recommendation, which would have allowed for exceptions to the ELCA policy that practicing homosexuals not be ordained.
The 2001 ELCA churchwide assembly called for a two-step process: a four-year study leading to recommendations in 2005 on the questions of blessing same-sex unions and ordaining practicing homosexuals; a social statement on sexuality to be considered by the 2007 churchwide assembly (which was delayed until the 2009 churchwide assembly).
ELCA Pastor Bradley Schmeling informed his synodical bishop last year that he was living in a sexual relationship with a man. His bishop filed discipline charges. The discipline hearing was held in January. The hearing committee recommended that Schmeling be removed from the ELCA roster on August 15, but also asked that synod assemblies memorialize the 2007 churchwide assembly to direct the churchwide organization to change the ELCA’s standards for ordination to allow for ordaining practicing homosexuals. The latter exceeds the committee’s authority. ELCA constitution, 20.21.21, specifies the committee’s authority to be:
The discipline hearing committee shall render its decision in writing. The written decision shall be in two parts: a. Findings of Fact. In this part, the committee shall set forth what it has found to be the relevant facts, that is, what it believes to be the truth of the matter. b. Determination. In this part, the committee shall state whether, based upon the facts that it has found, it believes discipline should be imposed and, if so, what discipline it has chosen to impose.
WHEREAS, the ELCA concluded an exhausting four-year study and debate over ordination of non-celibate homosexual persons at its 2005 Churchwide Assembly in Orlando by declining to change current policies; and
WHEREAS, the continuing conflict over this matter is divisive and distracting from the mission of the ELCA; and
WHEREAS, the task force on sexuality is scheduled to present a social statement on sexuality to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly; and
WHEREAS, the disciplinary case of Pr. Bradley Schmeling in the Southeastern Synod has been used as a pretext for reopening this question; and
WHEREAS, the Schmeling disciplinary committee heard no evidence supporting the current guidelines and exceeded its authority by improperly recommending that this year's synod assemblies seek to overturn the decisions made at Orlando;
Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED that [this synod] memorialize the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly at Chicago not to reopen the issue of ordination of non-celibate homosexual persons before the report of the Task Force is received in 2009.
Background Information
The 2005 ELCA churchwide assembly defeated the third sexuality recommendation, which would have allowed for exceptions to the ELCA policy that practicing homosexuals not be ordained.
The 2001 ELCA churchwide assembly called for a two-step process: a four-year study leading to recommendations in 2005 on the questions of blessing same-sex unions and ordaining practicing homosexuals; a social statement on sexuality to be considered by the 2007 churchwide assembly (which was delayed until the 2009 churchwide assembly).
ELCA Pastor Bradley Schmeling informed his synodical bishop last year that he was living in a sexual relationship with a man. His bishop filed discipline charges. The discipline hearing was held in January. The hearing committee recommended that Schmeling be removed from the ELCA roster on August 15, but also asked that synod assemblies memorialize the 2007 churchwide assembly to direct the churchwide organization to change the ELCA’s standards for ordination to allow for ordaining practicing homosexuals. The latter exceeds the committee’s authority. ELCA constitution, 20.21.21, specifies the committee’s authority to be:
The discipline hearing committee shall render its decision in writing. The written decision shall be in two parts: a. Findings of Fact. In this part, the committee shall set forth what it has found to be the relevant facts, that is, what it believes to be the truth of the matter. b. Determination. In this part, the committee shall state whether, based upon the facts that it has found, it believes discipline should be imposed and, if so, what discipline it has chosen to impose.
Resolution on Blessing SSU
Resolution on Official Blessing Ceremonies
of Same-Sex Sexual Relationships
WHEREAS, the 2005 Orlando Churchwide Assembly passed a resolution to “continue to respect the guidance of the 1993 statement of the Conference of Bishops” regarding the blessing of homosexual relationships; and
WHEREAS, the text of the 1993 Bishops’ Statement states, “There is basis neither in Scripture nor tradition for the establishment of an official ceremony by this church for the blessing of a homosexual relationship. We, therefore, do not approve such a ceremony as an official action of this church’s ministry;" and
WHEREAS, former bishop Kenneth Sauer, the Chairperson of the Conference of Bishops at the time of the adoption of the statement in 1993, distinctly recalls the purpose of the statement as being to refuse to approve any ceremony that would appear to give public approval by the ELCA to same-sex unions; and
WHEREAS, any ceremony approved by an ELCA synod or congregation is an official action of this church’s ministry;
WHEREAS, any attempt to use the “pastoral care provision” as a basis for providing official blessings of same-sex unions would be to use the phrase in an unintended way; and
WHEREAS, the New England Synod has promulgated "Guidelines for the Blessing of Same-sex Unions" that officially endorse the public blessing of homosexual relationships, thereby directly contradicting the 1993 Bishops' Statement and the actions of the 2005 Churchwide Assembly to endorse the 1993 Statement; and
WHEREAS, these actions that directly violate the decisions of the 2005 Churchwide Assembly make it more difficult for all of us to heed that Assembly's other guidance that all in the ELCA “live together faithfully;”
Therefore, be it RESOLVED, that [this synod] memorialize the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to reaffirm that the 1993 Bishops’ Statement as endorsed by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in 2005 does not approve the “official” blessing of homosexual relationships, which includes any blessings for which approval is given by a synod or congregation,
and be it further resolved that [this synod] memorialize the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to direct the Church Council and the Office of the Secretary to notify all ELCA synods and congregations to refrain from public blessings that imply approval of same-sex sexual relationships.
Background Information
The full text of the 1993 bishops’ statement is:
WHEREAS, the 2005 Orlando Churchwide Assembly passed a resolution to “continue to respect the guidance of the 1993 statement of the Conference of Bishops” regarding the blessing of homosexual relationships; and
WHEREAS, the text of the 1993 Bishops’ Statement states, “There is basis neither in Scripture nor tradition for the establishment of an official ceremony by this church for the blessing of a homosexual relationship. We, therefore, do not approve such a ceremony as an official action of this church’s ministry;" and
WHEREAS, former bishop Kenneth Sauer, the Chairperson of the Conference of Bishops at the time of the adoption of the statement in 1993, distinctly recalls the purpose of the statement as being to refuse to approve any ceremony that would appear to give public approval by the ELCA to same-sex unions; and
WHEREAS, any ceremony approved by an ELCA synod or congregation is an official action of this church’s ministry;
WHEREAS, any attempt to use the “pastoral care provision” as a basis for providing official blessings of same-sex unions would be to use the phrase in an unintended way; and
WHEREAS, the New England Synod has promulgated "Guidelines for the Blessing of Same-sex Unions" that officially endorse the public blessing of homosexual relationships, thereby directly contradicting the 1993 Bishops' Statement and the actions of the 2005 Churchwide Assembly to endorse the 1993 Statement; and
WHEREAS, these actions that directly violate the decisions of the 2005 Churchwide Assembly make it more difficult for all of us to heed that Assembly's other guidance that all in the ELCA “live together faithfully;”
Therefore, be it RESOLVED, that [this synod] memorialize the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to reaffirm that the 1993 Bishops’ Statement as endorsed by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in 2005 does not approve the “official” blessing of homosexual relationships, which includes any blessings for which approval is given by a synod or congregation,
and be it further resolved that [this synod] memorialize the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to direct the Church Council and the Office of the Secretary to notify all ELCA synods and congregations to refrain from public blessings that imply approval of same-sex sexual relationships.
Background Information
The full text of the 1993 bishops’ statement is:
"We, as the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, recognize that there is basis neither in Scripture nor tradition for the establishment of an official ceremony by this church for the blessing of a homosexual relationship. We, therefore, do not approve such a ceremony as an official action of this church's ministry. Nevertheless, we express trust in and will continue dialogue with those pastors and congregations who are in ministry with gay and lesbian persons, and affirm their desire to explore the best ways to provide pastoral care for all to whom they minister."
The New England Synod guidelines are at:
http://www.nesynod.org/documents/Blessing.pdf
Recommendation One on Sexuality approved at 2005 churchwide assembly:
RESOLVED, that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America—its members, congregations, synods, churchwide organization, and agencies and institutions—be urged to concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of disagreements, recognizing the God-given mission and communion that we share as members of the body of Christ.
Recommendation Two on Sexuality approved at 2005 churchwide assembly:
RESOLVED, that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America continue to respect the guidance of the 1993 statement of the Conference of Bishops; and be it further RESOLVED, that this church welcome gay and lesbian persons into its life (as stated in Churchwide Assembly resolutions from 1991, 1995, and 1999), and trust pastors and congregations to discern ways to provide faithful pastoral care for all to whom they minister.
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