Leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are proposing changing rules to make it harder for congregations to leave the church body.
At its Nov. 12-14 meeting, the ELCA Church Council proposed amendments to ELCA constitutions that would make the process of leaving the church body more difficult for congregations. The changes must be approved by the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
“How ironic that ELCA leadership is so committed to disregarding the Law of God on sexual ethics but so determined to use the law of humans to coerce congregations to remain in the ELCA ,” said the Rev. Mark Chavez, director of Lutheran CORE.
Many congregations are considering whether to remain affiliated with the ELCA as they have seen the church body move away from the teaching of the Bible.
Some have cited ELCA publications that question the virgin birth and the bodily resurrection of Jesus and promise salvation to non-believers as examples of the ELCA’s move away from Scripture. Many have pointed to recent changes in church teaching and policy to allow pastors to be in same-sex sexual relationships in spite of the Bible’s clear teaching to the contrary. Still others have cited ELCA congregations and synods that have utilized a radically rewritten Lord’s Prayer that addresses God as “our mother who is within us.”
The ELCA announced Nov. 3 that nearly 300 congregations have already completed the required two votes to leave the ELCA and 140 additional congregations have taken a first vote but have not yet taken their second vote.
These congregations represent a loss of more than 200,000 ELCA members, according to an online tally. Many individuals have left congregations that remain in the ELCA, so the total membership loss is much larger.
The current process requires two votes to leave the ELCA at least 90 days apart. The votes must each be approved by a two-thirds majority. The synod’s bishop must consult with the congregation during the 90-day period. In addition, congregations that had been members of the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) or that were established by the ELCA must also receive approval from their synods to end their ELCA affiliation.
The proposed changes — all of which make the process more difficult for congregations — include the following:
+ A congregation must hold a 30-day consultation period with its bishop before taking a first vote to leave the ELCA, in addition to the current 90-day consultation after a congregation’s first vote.
+ The synod bishop is given authority to determine how the consultation will be conducted “in consultation with” the congregation’s council.
+ The bishop will be able to appoint “designees” with whom the congrega-tion will be required to consult.
+ The bishop or his/her designee must be granted the opportunity to speak at special congregational meetings regarding ending ELCA affiliation.
+ A congregation will be required to vote by a two-thirds majority to join a new Lutheran church body, or else it will be “conclusively presumed” to have become an independent Lutheran congregation, potentially forfeiting its property.
+ Congregations will be required to meet any financial obligations to the ELCA before leaving.
+ Congregations must wait at least six months before taking another first vote if the original first vote does not achieve the required two-thirds majority.
+ Congregations must wait at least six months and restart the process if their second vote does not achieve the required two-thirds majority.
+ Congregations which fail to follow the specified process must obtain synod council approval in order to leave the ELCA.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
November "CORE Connection" newsletter
CORE Connection - News from Lutheran CORE - November 2010 is now online.
Here is what you can read in this month’s newsletter:
+ ELCA council proposes changing rules to make it harder for congregations to leave.
+ We have so much for which to be thankful in Lutheran CORE.
+ NALC offices to be in Columbus, Ohio.
+ NALC is experiencing rapid growth.
+ New book featuring lectures from Lutheran CORE theological conference is coming soon.
+ Women’s group is being formed for Lutheran CORE and North American Lutheran Church.
+ Ethiopian Lutherans reiterate rejection of ELCA actions on same-sex sexual relationships.
+ How the Size of Your Congregation Can Impact Worship Outreach by Pastor Don Brandt.
+ Pursuing Great Commission Evangelism in your congregation.
+ An Open Letter to the editor of "The Lutheran" by Prof. Carl Braaten.
+ A look at Lutheran CORE - North Carolina.
+ DVD on NALC is available.
The November issue of the NALC News is also now available.
In addition to some of the above articles, you can read:
+ We take the Great Commission seriously by Bishop Paull Spring.
+ National youth event set for Chicago.
+ Getting to know other NALC congregations featuring St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Carleston, W.Va., and Saint Luke's Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Here is what you can read in this month’s newsletter:
+ ELCA council proposes changing rules to make it harder for congregations to leave.
+ We have so much for which to be thankful in Lutheran CORE.
+ NALC offices to be in Columbus, Ohio.
+ NALC is experiencing rapid growth.
+ New book featuring lectures from Lutheran CORE theological conference is coming soon.
+ Women’s group is being formed for Lutheran CORE and North American Lutheran Church.
+ Ethiopian Lutherans reiterate rejection of ELCA actions on same-sex sexual relationships.
+ How the Size of Your Congregation Can Impact Worship Outreach by Pastor Don Brandt.
+ Pursuing Great Commission Evangelism in your congregation.
+ An Open Letter to the editor of "The Lutheran" by Prof. Carl Braaten.
+ A look at Lutheran CORE - North Carolina.
+ DVD on NALC is available.
The November issue of the NALC News is also now available.
In addition to some of the above articles, you can read:
+ We take the Great Commission seriously by Bishop Paull Spring.
+ National youth event set for Chicago.
+ Getting to know other NALC congregations featuring St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Carleston, W.Va., and Saint Luke's Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Ethiopian Lutherans reiterate rejection of ELCA actions on same-sex sexual relationships
If ELCA does not repent within one year, EECMY will cut ties to ELCA
Leaders of the 5.3 million Lutherans in Ethiopia have reiterated their rejection of the actions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in changing its teaching and policy to affirm same-sex sexual relationships and to allow pastors to be in those relationships.
The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) has sent a letter addressed to ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, reiterating its firm stand, the church announced in a Nov. 2 news story on its website.
“The EECMY believes and relentlessly asserts that acceptable marriage is only the marital union between man and woman, as this is preordained union by God the creator to form a family (Gen. 2:22 & 24),” the news release states.
The letter is written in response to the decision of the sixth Council of the Church, July 6-13. The Council reaffirmed the previous decision of the EECMY against the unbiblical decision of the ELCA to bless homosexual partners for leadership in the church.
The letter noted that Ethiopian Lutherans have been extremely shocked by the direction that ELCA chose to take without taking into consideration first of all the teachings of the Bible, which is the only ground of true Christian faith, and secondly the mutual partnership that both churches have on the basis of serving the Lord.
“The fundamental position of the EECMY on any ethical issue including homosexual practice rests on her belief in the eternal truth of the teaching of the Holy Scripture and not on human decision that deviates from the Scripture," the letter states.
“The letter further underlined that ELCA’s unbiblical direction has compelled the Council to question the place of mutual belonging, unity of purpose and mutual care for the well-being of the whole body that encompasses the EECMY and the ELCA and others who are united in the body of Christ. According to this letter addressed to the ELCA with serious concern, the unilaterally taken direction by ELCA, has deeply disturbed, saddened and dismayed the EECMY constituency at large and provoked worries and uncertainties pertaining to the long-standing relations between EECMY and ELCA,” the release says.
The council expressed sincere appreciation for the devoted commitment of “forefathers” from ELCA and its predecessor church bodies who served in the EECMY as pastors, teachers, theologians and others involved in social and development works that the church carries out in Ethiopia. The letter in particular acknowledged the legacy of persons like the Rev. Dr Herbert Schaeffer and many others that will continue to remind the EECMY of the importance of love, care and passionate commitment that they demonstrated in their ministry to the Church of God.
“In addition, taking into consideration the long-standing historic partnership between herself and the ELCA, which is deeply grounded in true Biblical faith and Lutheran identity the EECMY has not only expressed deep concern, but called upon the leadership of the ELCA to rethink of the truth for which their forefathers have committed themselves and lived for it. Accordingly, the council unanimously voted to call on the ELCA to consider lifting its decision for the sake of the unity of the body of Christ, the universal Church to which all true Christians belong together.
“It was noted that the response from ELCA, on this plea of the EECMY will be reported to the seventh Council of the Church for appropriate action in line with Standard Agreement. The Council further decided that ‘having given notice to the partners in question, petitions and intercessory prayers be carried out for the Church bodies concerned; by all EECMY members at all levels of the Church during the one year of waiting, that they may truly return to the inspired Biblical teaching,’” the release states.
The EECMY had and has the conviction, the council underlined noting the historic Mission partnership between the EECMY and the ELCA would continue to bear witness on the basis of the Biblical faith of both parties and their Lutheran identity in the years to come. It further affirmed that the Bible is the inspired word of God and a guide for the partnership in God’s Mission, which is the sole ground on which the forefathers of both churches had built their mission partnership and entered a covenant to abide with it.
Earlier, in a separate statement, the three presidents emeritus of the EECMY expressed their concern in connection with the ELCA’s decisions.
Leaders of the 5.3 million Lutherans in Ethiopia have reiterated their rejection of the actions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in changing its teaching and policy to affirm same-sex sexual relationships and to allow pastors to be in those relationships.
The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) has sent a letter addressed to ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, reiterating its firm stand, the church announced in a Nov. 2 news story on its website.
“The EECMY believes and relentlessly asserts that acceptable marriage is only the marital union between man and woman, as this is preordained union by God the creator to form a family (Gen. 2:22 & 24),” the news release states.
The letter is written in response to the decision of the sixth Council of the Church, July 6-13. The Council reaffirmed the previous decision of the EECMY against the unbiblical decision of the ELCA to bless homosexual partners for leadership in the church.
The letter noted that Ethiopian Lutherans have been extremely shocked by the direction that ELCA chose to take without taking into consideration first of all the teachings of the Bible, which is the only ground of true Christian faith, and secondly the mutual partnership that both churches have on the basis of serving the Lord.
“The fundamental position of the EECMY on any ethical issue including homosexual practice rests on her belief in the eternal truth of the teaching of the Holy Scripture and not on human decision that deviates from the Scripture," the letter states.
“The letter further underlined that ELCA’s unbiblical direction has compelled the Council to question the place of mutual belonging, unity of purpose and mutual care for the well-being of the whole body that encompasses the EECMY and the ELCA and others who are united in the body of Christ. According to this letter addressed to the ELCA with serious concern, the unilaterally taken direction by ELCA, has deeply disturbed, saddened and dismayed the EECMY constituency at large and provoked worries and uncertainties pertaining to the long-standing relations between EECMY and ELCA,” the release says.
The council expressed sincere appreciation for the devoted commitment of “forefathers” from ELCA and its predecessor church bodies who served in the EECMY as pastors, teachers, theologians and others involved in social and development works that the church carries out in Ethiopia. The letter in particular acknowledged the legacy of persons like the Rev. Dr Herbert Schaeffer and many others that will continue to remind the EECMY of the importance of love, care and passionate commitment that they demonstrated in their ministry to the Church of God.
“In addition, taking into consideration the long-standing historic partnership between herself and the ELCA, which is deeply grounded in true Biblical faith and Lutheran identity the EECMY has not only expressed deep concern, but called upon the leadership of the ELCA to rethink of the truth for which their forefathers have committed themselves and lived for it. Accordingly, the council unanimously voted to call on the ELCA to consider lifting its decision for the sake of the unity of the body of Christ, the universal Church to which all true Christians belong together.
“It was noted that the response from ELCA, on this plea of the EECMY will be reported to the seventh Council of the Church for appropriate action in line with Standard Agreement. The Council further decided that ‘having given notice to the partners in question, petitions and intercessory prayers be carried out for the Church bodies concerned; by all EECMY members at all levels of the Church during the one year of waiting, that they may truly return to the inspired Biblical teaching,’” the release states.
The EECMY had and has the conviction, the council underlined noting the historic Mission partnership between the EECMY and the ELCA would continue to bear witness on the basis of the Biblical faith of both parties and their Lutheran identity in the years to come. It further affirmed that the Bible is the inspired word of God and a guide for the partnership in God’s Mission, which is the sole ground on which the forefathers of both churches had built their mission partnership and entered a covenant to abide with it.
Earlier, in a separate statement, the three presidents emeritus of the EECMY expressed their concern in connection with the ELCA’s decisions.
Friday, November 12, 2010
A significant Reformation Day sermon
Check out this sermon from Pastor John Christopherson preached on Reformation Day at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, S.D.
First Lutheran Church is a 4,300-member congregation in downtown Sioux Falls. It is the historic "mother church" of many of the suburban congregations in a very Lutheran community. The congregation broadcasts its Sunday worship on both radio and TV.
May God continue bless the ministry of First Lutheran and its pastors.
First Lutheran Church is a 4,300-member congregation in downtown Sioux Falls. It is the historic "mother church" of many of the suburban congregations in a very Lutheran community. The congregation broadcasts its Sunday worship on both radio and TV.
May God continue bless the ministry of First Lutheran and its pastors.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
"Bound Conscience" discussed by Journal of Lutheran Ethics
The November issue of the online Journal of Lutheran Ethics features a discussions of the ELCA's emphasis on "Bound Conscience."
Articles of note:
"Conscience-bound Beliefs" Rule and the "Conscience-bound-belief" Rule by John R. Stumme.
Luther's Understanding of the Bound Conscience by Matthew Ley.
Law and Gospel: A Problem with Bound Conscience by Lauren Ley.
Articles of note:
"Conscience-bound Beliefs" Rule and the "Conscience-bound-belief" Rule by John R. Stumme.
Luther's Understanding of the Bound Conscience by Matthew Ley.
Law and Gospel: A Problem with Bound Conscience by Lauren Ley.
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