I just need to reflect on some of the happenings at the synod convention last weekend. I am greatly concerned for my church. I don't have a great love for the ELCA, as I don't see a denominational body as "the church," but it is part of the church and it is in deep distress.
We are of two minds in the ELCA, perhaps even more than that. There are those who still see the Bible as the word of God, unchanging and very clear in what it says, not only about our wonderful salvation through God's grace, but also about what is best for us in how we live our lives. Then there are those who see all of that up for grabs, it can mean whatever we want it to mean, up to and including full blown universalism. Then, I think, there is a third group, those who are happy in their churches, not much concerned with the details of doctrine, who would like to go to worship every week and not have to worry too much about the church changing all around them.
The people who voted Friday to recommend maintaining Visions and Expectations are mostly from the first group and perhaps some of the third. The group wanting to "create space" for the ordination of non-celibate gays and lesbians, a group that was almost as large as the group that "won" would be made up of the second and some from the third groups. This does not bode well for the future.
Our Bible study leader announced that she was guilty of the heresy of universalism. People applauded. This is not good.
After the vote on Friday, our very delightful Assembly chaplain, The Rev. Dr. George Cruz, was obviously in great distress. It was apparent that he could not believe such an intolerant and unaccepting vote was passed. He seemed to equate upholding Biblical standards regarding sexuality as being unwelcoming. "God accepts everyone. God loves everyone. God is unchangeable only in his changeability!" I agree about God's love and acceptance of everyone, but he does not declare everyone fit to be a leader! And where in the Bible do we find that gobbledygook about God being unchangeable only in his changeablitity? That is almost silly!
At one point during the debate, a young delegate, she could not have been more than twenty years old, came to the microphone to speak in support of "creating space." She had always been taught, she said, that the Bible was a living document, that God's law changes as the times change. The groans in the room were quite audible. Where do kids get this stuff? Who is teaching this garbage to our young people?
While I am happy about the results of the vote and I even now have some hope for August, I have less hope for the future of the ELCA. If the kind of stuff that we were fed is typical fare coming from our leadership, then this church body is not going to last, at least not as an orthodox Christian body. Perhaps the name needs to be changed to the Evangelical Universalist Lutheran Church in America to reflect what we really teach and believe.
---Katie
2 comments:
After the vote on Friday, our very delightful Assembly chaplain, The Rev. Dr. George Cruz, was obviously in great distress. It was apparent that he could not believe such an intolerant and unaccepting vote was passed. He seemed to equate upholding Biblical standards regarding sexuality as being unwelcoming. "God accepts everyone. God loves everyone. God is unchangeable only in his changeability!"
God is unchangeable only in his changeability?! Good Grief! What hope have any of us for heaven if God can change his mind at the drop of a hat?! Whatever god this pastor was speaking of is certainly not the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
No wonder young people are confused with regards to the Truth, when their teachers are heretics and not only admit it but celebrate it. This is a step further than even the heretics of old took. They at least attempted to claim they were orthodox (though they certainly weren't). Arius didn't go around insisting he was a heretic and was proud of it.
Of course, this admission by our leadership, like the bible study leader, is perhaps a blessing. I remember Luther saying something to the effect that the devil always overplays his hand. When leaders start "coming out" so to speak, and declaring themselves contrary to the orthodox position of the church catholic and the witness of canon, creed, and confessions, then I believe their end is near. Those who are seeking the truth will flee from them, and I believe a great many, like the young lady who had been taught the scripture is changing and changeable, seek the truth. God will lead them out (I pray).
Well, I went longer than expected. Nice blog. Anyone reading this needs to know that it is imperative to hold our leadership accountable to the scripture and confessions of the church. If not, more of our young people will fall prey to the wolves posing as pastors and bishops.
Peace!
Rob Buechler, Pastor
Trinity-Bergen/Faith Lutheran Parish
Starkweather, ND
P.S. The Eastern North Dakota Synod passed a resolution that rejected the Sexuality Task Force recommendations and demanded enforcement of Visions and Expectations. It only passed because the lay people broke with the clergy. The Synod Office Staff were NOT pleased. The Assembly Preacher even less so, as she preached on how Jesus desires the blessing of same sex unions. As for me, I was quite pleased!
Thank you Pastor Rob!
I feel blessed that the split was not obviously clergy/lay in Florida. We have quite a few pastors here who are faithful to the word of God. Unfortunately, many of them are retired, but we had several who spoke for sticking with Visions and Expectations who are still in the parish. We are fortunate to have one such pastor as our youth pastor. If he wasn't so committed to the truth, we would not be able to stay where we are because of concerns about our kids.
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