This is a message for members of my church.
I have heard from two families already who are leaving St. John because yesterday's sermon was the last straw.
Please, please, please do not leave without letting the church council know why.
My heart aches for my church family.
---Katie
6 comments:
Katie - Must have been a doozy! My apologies if this is an instrusion, but would you be willing to share with us what specifically was in yesterday's sermon that pushed them over the edge? Thanks!
Two weeks ago our associate pastor preached a sermon where he outlined his position on the homosexual issue in the ELCA. He is a traditionalist and took a very strong stand against the proposals that have been before the ElCA. He got applause and a standing ovation. Many of our members have been hungry for someone to take a stand based on scripture. It was my intent to post his sermon on the blog but I ran out of time before we left to take my son to college and for a vacation. I will get it done tonight, I hope.
Our senior pastor was not happy. In spite of the fact that he has been pretty clear about where he stands, he felt that he needed to state his position much more emphatically than he already has. Yesterday he explained his position, that it is time for the church to accept same sex blessings and ordain non-celibate homosexuals. His reasoning did not include scriptural support and he labelled those who use eight passages of scripture as support for labelling homosexual behavior "sin" as fundamentalists. I will try to post some excerpts, at least, when it goes up on our website.
Not an intrusion; please keep us in your prayers!
Katie,
I agree that the folks who want to leave need to speak to the church council. Frankly, if the congregation is of like-mind with your associate, then maybe it is time for the senior pastor to be shown the door. (We are in trouble as a church precisely because too many clergy and educators have not been told to stand by the Scriptures and confessions, or give up their positions).
Peace in the Lord!
Rob Buechler, Pastor
Trinity-Bergen/Faith Lutheran Parish
Starkweather, ND
Katie -
Wow, part of me assumed that was coming at some point, I just hoped for your sake (and others) that it wouldn't. Praying for you guys (especially PB) and SJ that God will lead above the junk. Keep fighting.
- Brent
Thank you, Brent and Pastor Rob.
Please e-mail me privately. I had to reinstall outlook and lost all my addresses and correspondence in the process....
Thanks,
Katie
Katie- thanks for posting the story. You & your congregation will be in my prayers. My son quit going to his ELCA campus ministry congregation last year rather than endure the political tirades masquerading as sermons. Rarely was God even mentioned. Having had the misfortune of sitting through one, I can't say as I blame him.
Post a Comment