Small churches may face closer by their bishops if they threaten to leave the ELCA. Check out this story from a New York newspaper.
The following are comments from Pastor David Barnhart's blog:
ELCA FORCES CLOSURE OF ANOTHER CHURCH
Just how many churches of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) await the fate of Grace Lutheran Church, North Branch, NY? The membership of the church had been dwindling for several years and finances had been a challenge, but members of Grace Lutheran Church were shocked when they received a letter from their ELCA synod that began “In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" and continued “the Synod will take control of the real and personal property of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.”
Grace Lutheran members were shocked even more when the ELCA changed the locks on the church doors to keep out the very people whose ancestors had built the church and who until the locks were changed paid for the church’s daily operations.
Such takeovers and closures have not been uncommon in the ELCA, but they will likely increase as more and more members walk out of their churches because of the unbiblical teachings and practices being imposed on local congregations by the national church. Congregations that are voting to leave the ELCA should ponder carefully what will happen if their vote fails and vast numbers of the congregation’s membership departs. It may be only a matter of time until they too will get a letter “In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Synod will take control of the real and personal property of your church."
The closure of Grace Lutheran Church in North Branch followed the closure this past summer of their sister congregation, First Lutheran Church of Jeffersonville, with whom they had been yoked as a parish.
How refreshing that nearly all of the congregations that have voted to leave the ELCA have joined Lutheran fellowships where the property resides totally in the hands of the local congregation and cannot be taken from them, namely the AFLC, AALC, LCMC and NALC.
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6 comments:
Uh, what do these stories have to do with a congregation facing closure because of threats to leave the ELCA? The news story describes a tiny congregation that has not been able to support ministry on its own for a long, long time.
I say, Shame, Shame on the ELCA for taking church property from thos wonderful people. This is still America and we certainly have a right to our opinion through God's Word. The devil works in the most devious places. The devil is working through the ELCA. I hope they can live with themselves taking God's churches from the dedicated people.
"Small churches may face closer by their bishops if they threaten to leave the ELCA."
Oh, really? There is absolutely NOTHING in the article which indicates this congregation took a vote to leave the ELCA. Rather, they had to borrow money to pay their pastor. Sounds like a really viable ministry.
Of course it is tragic when a congregation closes, but do we need to use the tragedy to make up headlines which "support" our agenda? Do we need to tear down others to lift up ourselves?
Shame on you.
we took a vote to leave. and no it was never metioned also as soon as the elca new about us wanting to go they went took our church and as far as this socalled pastor zip so called commments he should turn in his collar how does he veiw the word of the Lord the way he veiws himself he is the word he has no idea what is going on his salarey is paid why should he care for the smaller churches and the people that want to do the right by the word an d the people of the commuity the elca also clopsed the thrift store that helped the commuity in so many ways when some one fell on hard times which we should all know about they were there to lift them up with what they could do to help so here is to those that have know idea how hard it is to keep our faith after what the elca did and to this socalled pastor zip the brooklyn cheer
It sounds like they were foreclosed on by the synod. However, the fact that this happened after they voiced a desire to leave is very suspicious. I thought they just weren't allowed to leave until they repayed.
I'm sorry Impeters, I had a hard time trying to understand what you were saying.
To my brothers and sisters in Christ who have been hurt by the ELCA's actions, I speak the truth when I say this: God will provide. He will hear your cries. What you have lost is nothing compared to what God will give to you.
The ELCA is greedy - greedy for political power. Like any hack politician their lust for political power requires constant infusions of cash. The ELCA can swipe the property of churches like Grace Lutheran Church which lack the resources to fight back, but after that - what will the ELCA do? What happens when they run out of easy prey?
It is important to remember that God is not mocked. Whatever the ELCA is sowing today is what they will reap tomorrow. What will the ELCA's leadership say to God on Judgment Day? "Yes, we stole from widows and orphans, but because we are just oozing with tolerance You should be damned proud of us!"
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