The Dodoma Statement by the Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania is now available in English.
The statement by the bishops of the largest Lutheran Church in Africa challenges changes in church teaching and policy by the ELCA and the Church of Sweden regarding same-sex marriage.
We thank the bishops of Tanzania for their faithful witness.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
July "CORE Connection" newsletter
CORE Connection - News from Lutheran CORE - July 2010 is now online.
Here is what you can read in this month’s newsletter:
+ Lutheran CORE leaders call for 40 days of prayer preceding historic Convocation.
+ Devotions from 40 days of prayer preceding Convocation.
+ Lutheran CORE Steering Committee finalizes NALC proposal, makes plans for future of Lutheran CORE.
+ Lutheran CORE leaders to attend LWF Assembly.
Lutheran World Federation facing division caused by ELCA actions on sexuality.
+ Register for Convocation and Theological Conference.
+ Ecumenical representatives to attend Convocation.
+ North American Lutheran Church (NALC) DVD coming soon.
+ Congregations can join NALC.
+ National youth gathering set for 2011 in Chicago.
+ Resources for congregational life, pastoral support.
+ Missouri Synod addresses ELCA actions, commits to support confessional Lutheranism.
+ Synod assemblies highlight deep divisions in ELCA Assemblies offer little hope ELCA can restore Biblical teaching on sexuality.
+ Northeastern Iowa Synod Secretary resigns, notes commitment to ordination vows, Confession of Faith.
+ Institute of Lutheran Theology opens online bookstore.
+ "ELCA house is sadly and irreparably divided," a letter by Mark D. Hanson.
Here is what you can read in this month’s newsletter:
+ Lutheran CORE leaders call for 40 days of prayer preceding historic Convocation.
+ Devotions from 40 days of prayer preceding Convocation.
+ Lutheran CORE Steering Committee finalizes NALC proposal, makes plans for future of Lutheran CORE.
+ Lutheran CORE leaders to attend LWF Assembly.
Lutheran World Federation facing division caused by ELCA actions on sexuality.
+ Register for Convocation and Theological Conference.
+ Ecumenical representatives to attend Convocation.
+ North American Lutheran Church (NALC) DVD coming soon.
+ Congregations can join NALC.
+ National youth gathering set for 2011 in Chicago.
+ Resources for congregational life, pastoral support.
+ Missouri Synod addresses ELCA actions, commits to support confessional Lutheranism.
+ Synod assemblies highlight deep divisions in ELCA Assemblies offer little hope ELCA can restore Biblical teaching on sexuality.
+ Northeastern Iowa Synod Secretary resigns, notes commitment to ordination vows, Confession of Faith.
+ Institute of Lutheran Theology opens online bookstore.
+ "ELCA house is sadly and irreparably divided," a letter by Mark D. Hanson.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Lutheran CORE leaders call for 40 days of prayer preceding historic Convocation
The leaders of Lutheran CORE are inviting Christians around the world to join in 40 days of prayer as Lutherans in North America gather to form the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) and to shape the ongoing ministry of Lutheran CORE as a community of confessing Lutherans regardless of their church body affiliation.
Lutheran CORE’s 2010 Convocation is set for Aug. 26-27 at Grove City Church of the Nazarene in Grove City, Ohio (suburban Columbus).
The 40 days of prayer begin on July 19 and continue through Aug. 27, the day the NALC will be constituted. Devotions and prayers have been prepared for each of the 40 days by members of Lutheran CORE’s Steering Committee and Advisory Council and by pastors and church leaders in North America and around the world.
“The significance of this undertaking to form a new church body must be undergirded by the prayers of God’s people, not only in North America but around the world,” said the Rev. Rebecca Heber, a member of the Lutheran CORE Steering Committee who is coordinating the prayer effort.
“All of us in Lutheran CORE have been encouraged by the support of Christians around the world. We are especially grateful for their prayers and covet their prayers during these 40 days,” Pastor Heber said.
Heber and her husband, the Rev. Bill Heber, are developing Oasis Church, a new NALC mission congregation in the Orlando, Florida, area.
The devotions and prayers will be posted on Lutheran CORE’s website.
Lutheran CORE’s 2010 Convocation is set for Aug. 26-27 at Grove City Church of the Nazarene in Grove City, Ohio (suburban Columbus).
The 40 days of prayer begin on July 19 and continue through Aug. 27, the day the NALC will be constituted. Devotions and prayers have been prepared for each of the 40 days by members of Lutheran CORE’s Steering Committee and Advisory Council and by pastors and church leaders in North America and around the world.
“The significance of this undertaking to form a new church body must be undergirded by the prayers of God’s people, not only in North America but around the world,” said the Rev. Rebecca Heber, a member of the Lutheran CORE Steering Committee who is coordinating the prayer effort.
“All of us in Lutheran CORE have been encouraged by the support of Christians around the world. We are especially grateful for their prayers and covet their prayers during these 40 days,” Pastor Heber said.
Heber and her husband, the Rev. Bill Heber, are developing Oasis Church, a new NALC mission congregation in the Orlando, Florida, area.
The devotions and prayers will be posted on Lutheran CORE’s website.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Missouri Synod addresses ELCA actions, commits to support confessional Lutheranism
Delegates to the Convention of the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod overwhelming adopted a resolution noting the difficulties caused by the ELCA’s decisions supporting same-sex relationships and committing the LCMS “to support confessional Lutheranism at home and abroad.”
In a resolution, adopted 1093-61 (95 percent) at the LCMS Convention July 10-17 in Houston, the LCMS notes that:
+ “The decisions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at its August 2009 Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis regarding homosexual relationships are contrary to Scripture and 2000 years of Christian teaching, and to confessional Lutheranism in particular.
+ “Many congregations and individuals have withdrawn from or are considering withdrawal from affiliation with or membership in the ELCA and consider their decision necessitated by conscience, Holy Scripture, and right reason.
+ “For the sake of good order and in furtherance of the clear proclamation of the Gospel of Christ, many of these same congregations and individuals have organized themselves into groups such as Word Alone, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), Lutheran CORE, etc.
+ “Individual and congregational contacts from the ELCA with LCMS congregations and officials have increased significantly since August 2009.
+ “This decision by the ELCA has also grieved Lutherans and upset inter-church relations among confessional Lutheran church bodies outside the United States.
+ “While this state of disruption and uncertainty among confessional Lutherans threatens to hinder the proclamation of the Gospel, it also calls us to confess our faith anew.
+ “The LCMS, while not encouraging discord in the ELCA, nevertheless cannot turn away from those who dissent from the ELCA, lest we deny our own convictions;
+ “The LCMS has been encouraged to provide leadership and support to emerging and formative Lutheran church bodies.
The LCMS delegates adopted the following commitments:
+ “That the LCMS earnestly pray for her brothers and sisters in the ELCA, including those who have departed from this biblical and Christian understanding, asking that the ELCA would reconsider — even now — its actions.
+ “That the LCMS provide encouragement to other Lutheran church bodies as they strive to remain faithful to confessional Lutheranism. and be it further
+ “That the LCMS commend groups such as Word Alone, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), Lutheran CORE, and others for their courage and faithfulness in opposing the ELCA’s recent decision.
+ “That the LCMS commend efforts such as the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR)-sponsored Confessional Leadership Conference (June 2010) which gathered Lutheran leaders from around the world for the purpose of promoting confessional Lutheranism
+ “That the LCMS . . . continue exploring ways together with the International Lutheran Council to bring together Lutherans for the purpose of promoting confessional Lutheranism throughout the world.”
LCMS convention delegates also adopted a resolution 1133-35 (97 percent) which affirms Christian teaching on sexuality and commends two documents prepared in response to the ELCA decisions “for study and reference.”
The two documents are “Same-Gender Relationships and the Church,” prepared by the International Lutheran Council and “Theological Implications of the 2009 ELCA Decisions,” prepared by a task force appointed by Synod President the Rev. Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick titled “Theological Implications of the 2009 ELCA Decisions.”
In other actions, the Rev. Matthew C. Harrison was elected the new LCMS president. Pastor Harrison has been the executive director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care since 2001. Dr. Kieschnick has been LCMS president since 2001.
In a resolution, adopted 1093-61 (95 percent) at the LCMS Convention July 10-17 in Houston, the LCMS notes that:
+ “The decisions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at its August 2009 Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis regarding homosexual relationships are contrary to Scripture and 2000 years of Christian teaching, and to confessional Lutheranism in particular.
+ “Many congregations and individuals have withdrawn from or are considering withdrawal from affiliation with or membership in the ELCA and consider their decision necessitated by conscience, Holy Scripture, and right reason.
+ “For the sake of good order and in furtherance of the clear proclamation of the Gospel of Christ, many of these same congregations and individuals have organized themselves into groups such as Word Alone, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), Lutheran CORE, etc.
+ “Individual and congregational contacts from the ELCA with LCMS congregations and officials have increased significantly since August 2009.
+ “This decision by the ELCA has also grieved Lutherans and upset inter-church relations among confessional Lutheran church bodies outside the United States.
+ “While this state of disruption and uncertainty among confessional Lutherans threatens to hinder the proclamation of the Gospel, it also calls us to confess our faith anew.
+ “The LCMS, while not encouraging discord in the ELCA, nevertheless cannot turn away from those who dissent from the ELCA, lest we deny our own convictions;
+ “The LCMS has been encouraged to provide leadership and support to emerging and formative Lutheran church bodies.
The LCMS delegates adopted the following commitments:
+ “That the LCMS earnestly pray for her brothers and sisters in the ELCA, including those who have departed from this biblical and Christian understanding, asking that the ELCA would reconsider — even now — its actions.
+ “That the LCMS provide encouragement to other Lutheran church bodies as they strive to remain faithful to confessional Lutheranism. and be it further
+ “That the LCMS commend groups such as Word Alone, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), Lutheran CORE, and others for their courage and faithfulness in opposing the ELCA’s recent decision.
+ “That the LCMS commend efforts such as the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR)-sponsored Confessional Leadership Conference (June 2010) which gathered Lutheran leaders from around the world for the purpose of promoting confessional Lutheranism
+ “That the LCMS . . . continue exploring ways together with the International Lutheran Council to bring together Lutherans for the purpose of promoting confessional Lutheranism throughout the world.”
LCMS convention delegates also adopted a resolution 1133-35 (97 percent) which affirms Christian teaching on sexuality and commends two documents prepared in response to the ELCA decisions “for study and reference.”
The two documents are “Same-Gender Relationships and the Church,” prepared by the International Lutheran Council and “Theological Implications of the 2009 ELCA Decisions,” prepared by a task force appointed by Synod President the Rev. Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick titled “Theological Implications of the 2009 ELCA Decisions.”
In other actions, the Rev. Matthew C. Harrison was elected the new LCMS president. Pastor Harrison has been the executive director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care since 2001. Dr. Kieschnick has been LCMS president since 2001.
Monday, July 12, 2010
A "Heads Up" on New Education Materials
Members and friends of Lutheran Core have been asking about where we can go for education materials of “our own” that we can trust. Sola Publishing (www.solapublishing.org) is one of our member organizations, working to provide materials for the needs of Lutheran Core, WordAlone, LCMC, CALC, and NALC congregations.
With the new school year just around the corner, we wanted you to know about two important education series are in development for initial release this Fall (2010):
1) A Bible Story-based Sunday School Curriculum series is being developed called "One Room Sunday School." Each year in the planned three-year cycle of this series will be a Bible overview of Old and New Testament stories. The materials will be produced in the form of seven-session Classroom Resource Books, four per year. Each book will feature simple and flexible reproducible sheets for use with children of elementary ages, with emphasis on learning the stories of Scripture. The materials are being specifically designed with the needs of small churches, mission congregations, and house churches in mind. The first two installments in the series, as well as an over-all Leader’s Manual for the three-year cycle will be available by mid-August. (Go HERE for a look at the planned three-year schedule.)
2) The first in installment in the new Sola Confirmation Series will also be available for classes beginning this Fall. Our initial offering will be a ten-session student booklet on the Apostles' Creed, to be followed by a six-session series on the Sacraments this Winter. This planned three-year series is being designed in an “old school” work-book format, suitable for: classroom use, lay-led small groups, or independent home study.
The Sola Confirmation Series will be using the recently translated ReClaim Catechism (aka. the “Grorud Edition”), to be released this Fall by ReClaim Resources (www.reclaimresources.org).
New Sola “Table Talks” Blogsite
With so many new resources in the works, we are looking for pastors and congregations to help in the development and testing. Sola Publishing has added a new blogsite for information and feedback on educational materials (go to http://solapublishing.blogspot.com). This site, called "Sola Publishing - Table Talks" will be a venue for sharing information on current educational materials available through Sola, as well as new materials in development. Please check back as more information continues to be added.
Monday, July 05, 2010
ELCA house is sadly and irreparably divided
Mark D. Hanson, a member of American Lutheran Church in Rantoul, Ill., wrote this letter to Bishop Warren D. Freiheit of the Central Southern Illinois Synod following the synod’s assembly. The letter describes the difficult situation facing many in the ELCA.
Dear Bishop Freiheit:
I hope this letter finds you well, and recuperating from the hard work of Synod Assembly. My wife, Kerry, and I attended the assembly for the first time this year representing American Lutheran in Rantoul. Unfortunately, our assembly experiences coupled with many days of prayerful discernment and discussion compel me to write you about the vitriolic and disagreeable culture of discord, disagreement, and self-interest that seems to permeate the fabric of the ELCA, our synod, and beyond.
We are all sinners in need of God’s Grace and our promised salvation through Jesus Christ, poignantly reaffirmed by the Confession and Forgiveness of Sins during the especially heated debate on the floor of the Synod Assembly. Thus, my purpose is not to attack, criticize, or cast judgment. Hopefully guided by the Holy Spirit, I wish only to share the insights and observations of my witness with you. I appreciate the difficult circumstances you find yourself in as our bishop, and in no way intend any insult or disrespect to you or your position. As we agreed at our meeting in Rantoul, nothing is gained by shutting down dialogue because of disagreement.
The ELCA of old is dead. The new ELCA birthed at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly is irreparably divided, shackled to the illusionary concept of bound conscience. Prior to the assembly, I still held hope the division and egregious trauma to the body of Christ done within ELCA might yet be healed. My hope was assaulted by the disagreeable and devilish behavior I saw clearly encroaching into the midst of ELCA, first in the unfortunate and inflammatory article found on the ELCA website by Dr. Jon Pahl and then in two separate incidents at Synod Assembly.
The first incident occurred after your clear and concise description of the rostering process and the ramifications for pastors involved in other organizations such as Lutheran CORE or a new church body such as the proposed NALC. A speaker rose and demanded that congregations considering leaving the ELCA fully understand the consequences such an action holds for their pastors. The tone, and in my opinion, intent were an open and unapologetic threat.
As you know, far better than I, a strong bond between congregation and pastor is deeply personal. For not only are our pastors the shepherds of our Faith, and that of our children, but are also our friends and members of our family. We are very protective of them. I believe congregations serious about exploring opportunities outside the ELCA are well aware of the multi-faceted consequences and benefits of doing so, without threatening reminders that insult their intelligence. In the current charged and divisive ELCA environment, threats, and even unintentional implications of threats, are the devil’s work, and counterproductive and damaging on all fronts.
The second incident followed Pastor Ron Rasmus’ remarks after the defeat of Resolution 2010.10: Defining Bound Conscience. Pastor Rasmus strongly expressed his disagreement to the outcome, and his belief traditional, orthodox Lutheranism is no longer welcome within the ELCA or our synod. While he spoke, incredibly disturbing jeers and derisive remarks, almost other-worldly in their brash inappropriateness for the time and place, were made by many individuals in the house around us.
The most damaging remark was rather loudly stated, “Then why don’t you just leave!” In that moment, with that hateful comment, my hope for ELCA died. I realized that orthodox traditionalists clinging to the Lutheran understanding and recognition of Scriptural authority had lost their case. Popular culture more concerned about appearances and an errant definition of social justice had carried the day, trampling those in opposition.
I pray my perceptions are wrong!
Jesus teaches us in Mark that “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” The ELCA house is sadly and irreparably divided, both socially and theologically. Perhaps rather than simply watch the house fall to the detriment of all, two separate houses are now needed to replace the hostility. Perhaps in separation rather than division, we might find a new unity in binding up the wounds we have inflicted upon the body of Christ. Perhaps in accepting another front in the spiritual war we are engaged as allies, we might discover what bound conscience actually means. But most importantly, rather than internally segregating ourselves and retrenching our differences with escalating argument and vitriol, we might thwart the devil at his own game and renew our efforts in the work and call God has set before us all.
Through God all things are possible!
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Mark D. Hanson
American Lutheran, Rantoul, Ill.
Dear Bishop Freiheit:
I hope this letter finds you well, and recuperating from the hard work of Synod Assembly. My wife, Kerry, and I attended the assembly for the first time this year representing American Lutheran in Rantoul. Unfortunately, our assembly experiences coupled with many days of prayerful discernment and discussion compel me to write you about the vitriolic and disagreeable culture of discord, disagreement, and self-interest that seems to permeate the fabric of the ELCA, our synod, and beyond.
We are all sinners in need of God’s Grace and our promised salvation through Jesus Christ, poignantly reaffirmed by the Confession and Forgiveness of Sins during the especially heated debate on the floor of the Synod Assembly. Thus, my purpose is not to attack, criticize, or cast judgment. Hopefully guided by the Holy Spirit, I wish only to share the insights and observations of my witness with you. I appreciate the difficult circumstances you find yourself in as our bishop, and in no way intend any insult or disrespect to you or your position. As we agreed at our meeting in Rantoul, nothing is gained by shutting down dialogue because of disagreement.
The ELCA of old is dead. The new ELCA birthed at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly is irreparably divided, shackled to the illusionary concept of bound conscience. Prior to the assembly, I still held hope the division and egregious trauma to the body of Christ done within ELCA might yet be healed. My hope was assaulted by the disagreeable and devilish behavior I saw clearly encroaching into the midst of ELCA, first in the unfortunate and inflammatory article found on the ELCA website by Dr. Jon Pahl and then in two separate incidents at Synod Assembly.
The first incident occurred after your clear and concise description of the rostering process and the ramifications for pastors involved in other organizations such as Lutheran CORE or a new church body such as the proposed NALC. A speaker rose and demanded that congregations considering leaving the ELCA fully understand the consequences such an action holds for their pastors. The tone, and in my opinion, intent were an open and unapologetic threat.
As you know, far better than I, a strong bond between congregation and pastor is deeply personal. For not only are our pastors the shepherds of our Faith, and that of our children, but are also our friends and members of our family. We are very protective of them. I believe congregations serious about exploring opportunities outside the ELCA are well aware of the multi-faceted consequences and benefits of doing so, without threatening reminders that insult their intelligence. In the current charged and divisive ELCA environment, threats, and even unintentional implications of threats, are the devil’s work, and counterproductive and damaging on all fronts.
The second incident followed Pastor Ron Rasmus’ remarks after the defeat of Resolution 2010.10: Defining Bound Conscience. Pastor Rasmus strongly expressed his disagreement to the outcome, and his belief traditional, orthodox Lutheranism is no longer welcome within the ELCA or our synod. While he spoke, incredibly disturbing jeers and derisive remarks, almost other-worldly in their brash inappropriateness for the time and place, were made by many individuals in the house around us.
The most damaging remark was rather loudly stated, “Then why don’t you just leave!” In that moment, with that hateful comment, my hope for ELCA died. I realized that orthodox traditionalists clinging to the Lutheran understanding and recognition of Scriptural authority had lost their case. Popular culture more concerned about appearances and an errant definition of social justice had carried the day, trampling those in opposition.
I pray my perceptions are wrong!
Jesus teaches us in Mark that “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” The ELCA house is sadly and irreparably divided, both socially and theologically. Perhaps rather than simply watch the house fall to the detriment of all, two separate houses are now needed to replace the hostility. Perhaps in separation rather than division, we might find a new unity in binding up the wounds we have inflicted upon the body of Christ. Perhaps in accepting another front in the spiritual war we are engaged as allies, we might discover what bound conscience actually means. But most importantly, rather than internally segregating ourselves and retrenching our differences with escalating argument and vitriol, we might thwart the devil at his own game and renew our efforts in the work and call God has set before us all.
Through God all things are possible!
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Mark D. Hanson
American Lutheran, Rantoul, Ill.
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