Lutheran (EL
* as of August 19, AD 2009, a liberal protestant SECT, not part of the holy, catholic and apostolic CHURCH.
Posted on 09/01/2009 6:32:29 PM PDT by lightman
ELCA Synod Bishops, Voting Members Respond to Assembly Actions 09-190-CD*
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Most of the 65 synodical bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) want leaders, congregations and pastors to stay in conversation following the adoption of a social statement on human sexuality and the opening of the ELCA's ministry to people in committed same-gender relationships.
Many bishops wrote to their respective synods following the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Some letters are posted on synod Web sites.
"It will be good for all our leaders and members to take a bit of a breath over this," wrote the Rev. James A. Justman, bishop of the ELCA East Central Wisconsin Synod.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, met Aug. 17-23 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. About 2,300 people participated, including 1,045 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly was "God's work. Our hands."
During the assembly voting members decided the that ELCA will "commit itself to finding a way for people in such publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as rostered leaders of this church," according to a resolution that passed 559-451.
"I cannot envision there will ever be a time when nearly 5 million Lutherans will be of one mind on every matter," wrote the Rev. Michael A. Last, bishop of the Western Iowa synod.
Many of the bishops said it was important for those who favor and those who oppose the change to ministry policies to stay in conversation with one another.
"This vote means that many in our church will be bitterly disappointed and angry," wrote the Rev. Craig E. Johnson, bishop of the ELCA Minneapolis Area Synod. "Let us strive to live together as the Holy Scripture calls us to live together amid our disagreements."
Most bishops also lifted up voting members for the way they handled the issue and each other.
"However you feel about these decisions, you should be proud of the transparency, integrity, care and prayerful nature of the process we used to make them," wrote the Rev. David H. Brauer-Rieke, bishop of the ELCA Oregon synod. "This in and of itself is an amazing witness."
Bishops also stressed that congregations will not be forced to accept pastors against their wishes.
"The actions of the assembly create options and opportunities -- they do not demand change on a congregational level," said the Rev. Wayne N. Miller, bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod. "Nothing in these decisions requires any congregation to change its current practice or even its current teaching about human sexuality."
At least two bishops revealed their voting record to their synods -- the Rev. Claire S. Burkat, bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod and the Rev. Thomas A. Skrenes, bishop of the ELCA Northern Great Lakes Synod. Burkat supported the resolution, Skrenes did not.\ Burkat and Skrenes committed to continuing conversation with members of the ELCA who do not agree with them.
"I voted against all of these proposals because I believe the theological and biblical case for change was not made," Skrenes wrote in his letter. "My renewed pledge to you is to be honest, fair and pastoral as we enter the future."
Burkat wrote that she supported the change and stressed that no congregation will be forced to call a pastor against its will.
"My prayer is for us to move forward with love and respect for one another," Burkat wrote.
The Rev. David L. deFreese, bishop of the ELCA Nebraska Synod, wrote that he is "uncertain" about the actions of the assembly.
"I am uncertain of the rightness of this current decision," deFreese wrote, "but I trust that God's Holy Spirit will correct where we are wrong, encourage where we are right and act if we are somewhere in between."
Voting members of the ELCA Southwestern Minnesota Synod sent out a letter saying that members should not divide the church into an "us and them" circumstance.
"We encourage you to go to God's Word, deepen your faith, seek to understand the other and listen to what the Spirit is saying to you through these decisions," the letter said.
* Carrie L. Draeger is a senior communication major with a concentration in journalism at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash. This summer she is an intern with the ELCA News Service.
For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
Curiously, the letter contained almost identical verbage.
Applying the modern scholarly form-critical tools it is apparent that both were drawing on an unnamed source which we shall call "Q".
Since "Q" makes an impassioned appeal for unity it may be safe to conclude that Q = Mark S. Hanson.
* as of August 19, AD 2009, a liberal protestant SECT, not part of the holy, catholic and apostolic CHURCH.
"I am uncertain of the rightness of this current decision," deFreese wrote, "but I trust that God's Holy Spirit will correct where we are wrong, encourage where we are right and act if we are somewhere in between."
A new member of the Holy Trinity?
"The Holy Spirit" or "God the Holy Spirit", yes.
Where is +Athanasius when we need him?
“Let us strive to live together as the Holy Scripture calls us to live together amid our disagreements.”
Can I have a specific cite? Getting along is not the message I have been getting from scripture. OK, blessed are the peace makers but how about all will hate you because of Me.
Speaking as a Catholic, my church (big "C" Catholicism instead of small "c" catholicism) would probably argue that Lutherans in general haven't been part of "the holy, catholic and apostolic CHURCH" since 1521. This is not to say that Lutherans aren't Christian, they certainly are, and in fact many are better Christians than cafeteria Catholics like Nancy Pelosi. But whether Lutherans in general are "part of" the original holy, catholic and apostolic church established by the apostles, Catholics would say no.
My sympathies and prayers are with the members of ELCA that are questioning whether they can remain in a branch of "lutherans" that have abandoned basic Christian morality in the bible at this time. I'm sure many can no longer accept the ELCA but wouldn't feel comfortable joining the Catholic Church or a branch of Lutheranism very culturally different from the one they were raised in the like the Missouri Synod or Wisconsin Evangelicals.
One of the things you may want to look into is the Anglo-Lutheran Catholic Church of America. The argue (correctly, IMO) that Martin Luther wasn't trying to start a new Christian Church, he was trying to reform the Catholic church from within, and that Lutherans are in a involuntary schism through no fault of their own. Their goal is to bring their church back into communion with the Catholic church but be allowed to maintain their Lutheranism traditions.
“A new member of the Holy Trinity?”
sigh........
It serves no purpose for me to kick someone when they’re down, but my prayer is that the ELCA either repents and returns to biblical Christianity or implodes into oblivion. You can’t serve two masters. A Christian can’t serve Christ and be in a denomination that rejects his Word.
Clearly, Presiding Bishop had not considered that admonition when he declared about a year ago that the ELCA had "two competing hermeneutics".
Someone who couldn't take a stand if his life depended on it! I'll bet he has two-tone underwear, too!
“However you feel about these decisions, you should be proud of the transparency, integrity, care and prayerful nature of the process we used to make them,” wrote the Rev. David H. Brauer-Rieke, bishop of the ELCA Oregon synod. “This in and of itself is an amazing witness.”
A witness to what? Apostasy?
“”We encourage you to go to God’s Word, deepen your faith, seek to understand the other and listen to what the Spirit is saying to you through these decisions,””
Likely, the Spirit is saying “Leave now for the sake of your soul!”
Seems like about time to “shake off even the dust of my feet” from the ELCA... Tolerance is one thing, promoting, rewarding, raising up as leadership people obviously sinning and unrepentant about it? No can do.
I wonder how long that will last? And what happens if the congregation is divided over whether to call a non-celibate gay pastor?
That statement fairly drips of cynicism. There has been no conversation.
You are dead on target.
As I have stated elsewhere,
The ELCA has become over some time polluted by a sect of idolaters who under the veil of humanitarianism are driving an extremely left leaning political secular agenda that has become an apostasy to God.
These radicals have taken a huge stride in their own minds and furthering God’s Kingdom appears to have become a lowered priority. The head of the snake is venomous and in biting itself, it does not realize it is not immune to its own venom.
Love of self and worldly recognition rules the hearts (of the political leadership) it seems they mainly desire to make a name for themselves. (read about the tower of babble). God has been lowered to the level of a stage prop and his authority is being questioned!
In actuality the ELCA and many other Churches are being infiltrated by evil doers big time.
And to further to back up what I am saying go here.
http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/006/conspiracy3.htm
“Subverting the Church”
When does a conspiracy loose the "conspiracy" label?
Answer: When it has become a success.
Is there a ranking that we Lutherans don't know about, BillyBoy? Maybe a chart like that Frowny Face to Smiley Face thing used in doctor's offices?
But whether Lutherans in general are "part of" the original holy, catholic and apostolic church established by the apostles, Catholics would say no.
Are you really, really sure you want to stand by that statement?
Nope! Conversation is over. The ELCA chose evil, but I choose otherwise.
You seem to be confused. Did you actually read my post? My reference to "better Christians" was saying Lutheranism who actually believe in the bible are better than so-called Catholics like Nancy Pelosi who support abortion and homosexuality. In other words, it was complimenting Lutherans who oppose the ELCA decision on homosexuality.
>> Are you really, really sure you want to stand by that statement? <<
Yes I'm really, really sure I want to stand by that statement and the Pope got a lot of criticism for saying something similar a few months. The bottom line is my branch of Christianity was started by St. Peter and Paul. Your branch of Christianity was started by Martin Luther. Now Luther had some valid points, but I know who I hold is higher esteem and it ain't Luther.
As to founders of branches, I am Christian before I am Lutheran. Christian because there is no other salvation. "Lord, to whom shall we go?, You have the words of eternal life." Lutheran because it fits me, being the plain and simple man that I am.
Now, if you will excuse me, I am off to bed where I will pray for forgiveness for the pridefulness I have displayed in this writing. Before I go, though, thank you, for the recognition that "Luther had some valid points."
God bless you and all you hold dear.
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