Lutheran (EL
* as of August 19, AD 2009, a liberal protestant SECT, not part of the holy, catholic and apostolic CHURCH.
Christ is in our midst!
Posted on 03/01/2011 7:53:57 AM PST by rhema
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.
More:
www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110226/NEWS/110229811
www.firstgracelutheran.org/
RESULTS FEBRUARY 27, 2011, CONGREGATIONS VOTING TO LEAVE ELCA
1. St. John Lutheran Church, Meyersville, TX passed second vote 74% (Feb. 20). Voted to join NALC 92%. First vote was in November 2010.
2. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, (Richfield) Hubertus, WI passed first vote and join LCMC 147-10.
3. Black Forest Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO passed second vote 191-9. Voted to affiliate with NALC.
4. Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Concord, NC passed first vote (second attempt) 116-53.
5. St. Matthew Lutheran Church, (Bowley’s Quarter) Baltimore, MD passed second vote (Feb. 13) and join NALC 121-1.
6. St. Luke Lutheran Church, Monroe, NC failed to pass second vote 35-26.
7. St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Readlyn, IA passed second vote 100% NALC.
8. Zion Lutheran Church, Readlyn, IA passed second vote 96% NALC.
Clean rolls before taking votes. The synod is calling inactive members to show up, make a contribution, and vote against leaving.
ELCAspeak translation: “A visit, a measly dollar, and a vote may earn you the right to stay home from your ELCA church for the next decade.”
Still, they should fight it as long and hard as they can. Giving the wealth they have provided the Lord to unbelievers without at least a fight would be wrong, IMHO.
Well, the ELCA had the choice to serve God or money. They chose money.
* as of August 19, AD 2009, a liberal protestant SECT, not part of the holy, catholic and apostolic CHURCH.
Christ is in our midst!
I would love to know the statistics relating to the value of the properties they choose to seize vs. the value of the properties they choose to leave alone. The Florida/Bahamas Synod was very eager to close my former church several years ago....property value was 4 to 6 million dollars, depending on when you look at the valuation. They have managed to call another pastor, but sadly, have chosen to stay in the ELCA, choosing to have as little to do with them as possible. They will just continue to struggle, in my opinion.
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