"Church, Bible and Culture: ELCA at the Crossroads" is the theme of a significant conference planned for Sunday, Jan. 10, at the Ramkota Hotel (I-29 & Maple Street) in Sioux Falls.
Speakers include the Rev. Dr. James Nestingen, a well-known and respected Lutheran scholar, and Bishop Kenneth Sauer, former chair of the ELCA Conference of Bishops.
The current theological concerns facing the ELCA will be addressed and followed by an opportunity for questions. The theological conference was organized by concerned area ELCA pastors.
There is no cost for attending, but a free-will offering will be received.
For planning purposes, pre-registration is encouraged. If you plan to attend please contact Dayleen at 605-371-3737 or dayleen.swanson@gloriadei-sd.org.
Poster and bulletin insert masters are available online.
Schedule
1:00pm – Registration
2:00pm – Welcome
2:15pm – “Reformation II” by The Rev. James Nestingen Rev. Nestingen taught church history at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, from 1980-2006. He has written and spoken prolifically on Luther's catechisms and confessional Lutheran theology.
3:30pm – “So Here We Are” by The Rev. Ken Sauer Rev. Sauer served as Bishop of the Ohio Synod, LCA from 1973-1987, and Bishop of the Southern Ohio Synod of the ELCA from1987-1996. He chaired the Conference of Bishops from 1992-1996.
5:30pm – Close (Dinner on your own)
7:30pm – Holden Evening Prayer at First Lutheran, 327 S Dakota, Nestingen preaching
All ELCA members are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
An Open Letter from Bishop David B. Zellmer
December 15, 2009
Dear Friends,
I write to you, one of the 123,000 members of our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in South Dakota, knowing that you may be wondering about the recent news articles related to the decisions that were made at our churchwide assembly this summer.
First of all, let me clarify those decisions. We passed a social statement entitled “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust,” and then voted to allow congregations – if they so desire - to call a pastor who is living in a in a life long, monogamous, publicly accountable, same gender relationship. The document that was passed at the assembly outlines four positions on homosexuality that may be held by faithful Christians who have studied the Bible. The document states that we, as a church, do not agree on which of the four positions is “correct.” To say it simply, we have agreed to disagree. Each local congregation may call the pastor who they believe will best serve them.
So here we are in the midst of a churchwide body that doesn’t agree. You may find yourself in the middle of a congregation or even a family that cannot find agreement on these complex issues. I would offer you this: We are held together not by the correctness of our doctrine or the purity of our moral reasoning, but by Christ our King. Christ commands us to love one another not just when we agree, but especially when we don’t. I remain steadfast in my commitment to the ELCA and I would like to share with you a few of my thoughts about why I am staying in this church.
I choose to remain because there is a place in this church for people like me, who question the morality of homosexual behavior on the basis of God’s word. Our church acknowledges that on this particular issue, faithful believers have come to different positions. It does not hold any one position above the other. I find guidance in the following scripture, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35). This is a moral issue. It happens to be about sex and family, things that to us are precious, and about which we feel strong emotions. But God’s salvation does not depend on being right or wrong on this or any other moral issue. It depends only on Christ our King who died so that all who believe in him would not be condemned but have eternal life.
I choose to remain because the new policies place the authority to call a pastor where it belongs – with the local congregation. Congregations will be encouraged to continue to ask tough questions of pastors during the call process; this has not changed. Questions should be asked about moral issues including but not limited to sexuality. Congregations have always called and will continue to call the pastor who will best serve them.
My commitment to stay in our ELCA is rooted in the commands of Christ and in the fact that our church is about so much more than this disagreement. We are here to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
+ This church brings hope and healing to the suffering. One example is “Nothing but Net,” our church’s commitment to ending malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa.
+ This church shares the good news of God’s love with those in prison through our ministry at St. Dysmas.
+ This church shows God’s love by feeding the hungry in your community and throughout the world.
+ This church stands with the poorest among us, as evidenced by our Lutheran Lakota Shared Ministries in Pine Ridge.
+ This church goes where people are to share God’s love. Right here in South Dakota we have seven new ministries, including African, Latino, American Indian, and suburban mission starts.
All of us, together as the ELCA, stand together in God’s grace, focusing on sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is serious work that calls for a commitment from each one of us. We each bring everything we have, our gifts, our talents, our diversity, and even our disagreements to the service of God’s Mission.
Our church is not perfect. I will be working to change the polity of the ELCA so that congregations have more voice in this church. We need to find a way where all voices are heard throughout the decision making process. I will work with my colleagues here in South Dakota and in the Conference of Bishops to move forward on these changes.
I will remain faithful to the promises I made in my ordination and at my installation as the bishop of the South Dakota Synod. I promised to serve the whole church and to work for the life of the world. I will always keep the commands of Jesus at the center of our mission to “make disciples of all nations, teaching them all that I have commanded you” to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, tend the sick, and visit those in prison. We as a synod and as the whole ELCA have been faithful in living out those commands and I look forward to continuing this within the ELCA and with people across our synod and around the world.
Yours in Christ’s Mission
Bishop David B. Zellmer
Dear Friends,
I write to you, one of the 123,000 members of our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in South Dakota, knowing that you may be wondering about the recent news articles related to the decisions that were made at our churchwide assembly this summer.
First of all, let me clarify those decisions. We passed a social statement entitled “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust,” and then voted to allow congregations – if they so desire - to call a pastor who is living in a in a life long, monogamous, publicly accountable, same gender relationship. The document that was passed at the assembly outlines four positions on homosexuality that may be held by faithful Christians who have studied the Bible. The document states that we, as a church, do not agree on which of the four positions is “correct.” To say it simply, we have agreed to disagree. Each local congregation may call the pastor who they believe will best serve them.
So here we are in the midst of a churchwide body that doesn’t agree. You may find yourself in the middle of a congregation or even a family that cannot find agreement on these complex issues. I would offer you this: We are held together not by the correctness of our doctrine or the purity of our moral reasoning, but by Christ our King. Christ commands us to love one another not just when we agree, but especially when we don’t. I remain steadfast in my commitment to the ELCA and I would like to share with you a few of my thoughts about why I am staying in this church.
I choose to remain because there is a place in this church for people like me, who question the morality of homosexual behavior on the basis of God’s word. Our church acknowledges that on this particular issue, faithful believers have come to different positions. It does not hold any one position above the other. I find guidance in the following scripture, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35). This is a moral issue. It happens to be about sex and family, things that to us are precious, and about which we feel strong emotions. But God’s salvation does not depend on being right or wrong on this or any other moral issue. It depends only on Christ our King who died so that all who believe in him would not be condemned but have eternal life.
I choose to remain because the new policies place the authority to call a pastor where it belongs – with the local congregation. Congregations will be encouraged to continue to ask tough questions of pastors during the call process; this has not changed. Questions should be asked about moral issues including but not limited to sexuality. Congregations have always called and will continue to call the pastor who will best serve them.
My commitment to stay in our ELCA is rooted in the commands of Christ and in the fact that our church is about so much more than this disagreement. We are here to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
+ This church brings hope and healing to the suffering. One example is “Nothing but Net,” our church’s commitment to ending malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa.
+ This church shares the good news of God’s love with those in prison through our ministry at St. Dysmas.
+ This church shows God’s love by feeding the hungry in your community and throughout the world.
+ This church stands with the poorest among us, as evidenced by our Lutheran Lakota Shared Ministries in Pine Ridge.
+ This church goes where people are to share God’s love. Right here in South Dakota we have seven new ministries, including African, Latino, American Indian, and suburban mission starts.
All of us, together as the ELCA, stand together in God’s grace, focusing on sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is serious work that calls for a commitment from each one of us. We each bring everything we have, our gifts, our talents, our diversity, and even our disagreements to the service of God’s Mission.
Our church is not perfect. I will be working to change the polity of the ELCA so that congregations have more voice in this church. We need to find a way where all voices are heard throughout the decision making process. I will work with my colleagues here in South Dakota and in the Conference of Bishops to move forward on these changes.
I will remain faithful to the promises I made in my ordination and at my installation as the bishop of the South Dakota Synod. I promised to serve the whole church and to work for the life of the world. I will always keep the commands of Jesus at the center of our mission to “make disciples of all nations, teaching them all that I have commanded you” to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, tend the sick, and visit those in prison. We as a synod and as the whole ELCA have been faithful in living out those commands and I look forward to continuing this within the ELCA and with people across our synod and around the world.
Yours in Christ’s Mission
Bishop David B. Zellmer
Monday, December 14, 2009
CORE Connection Newsletter for December
CORE Connection - News from Lutheran CORE – December 2009 is now available online.
Here is what you can read in this month’s newsletter:
+ Lutheran CORE leaders announce that a new Lutheran church body will be formed for those leaving the ELCA. Lutheran CORE will continue as an association for all Lutherans.
+ Lutheran CORE Steering Committee meets, expands ministry.
+ Northeastern Iowa Synod repudiates ELCA sexuality decisions and asks that synod’s ‘bound conscience’ be respected.
+ African immigrant Lutheran churches issue statement against ELCA sexuality decisions; some are joining Lutheran CORE.
+ Lutherans worldwide are praying for renewal of Lutheran Church in North America on Fridays
+ Eastern European Lutherans respond to sexuality decisions.
+ Articles to help congregations in benevolence decisions.
+ ‘Seeking New Directions for Lutheranism’ is theme of 2010 Lutheran CORE theological conference.
+ ELCA worship resources offer prayer to ‘Mother’ God.
+ Lutheran CORE gathering in Ohio draws 545 people
+ Manhattan Declaration addresses marriage, sanctity of life.
+ “Unintended Effects - How the ELCA’s Aim for Unity Fractured the Church by Dr. Robert Benne.
+ A view from the back row of the ELCA Church Council meeting by Pastor Erma Wolf.
Here is what you can read in this month’s newsletter:
+ Lutheran CORE leaders announce that a new Lutheran church body will be formed for those leaving the ELCA. Lutheran CORE will continue as an association for all Lutherans.
+ Lutheran CORE Steering Committee meets, expands ministry.
+ Northeastern Iowa Synod repudiates ELCA sexuality decisions and asks that synod’s ‘bound conscience’ be respected.
+ African immigrant Lutheran churches issue statement against ELCA sexuality decisions; some are joining Lutheran CORE.
+ Lutherans worldwide are praying for renewal of Lutheran Church in North America on Fridays
+ Eastern European Lutherans respond to sexuality decisions.
+ Articles to help congregations in benevolence decisions.
+ ‘Seeking New Directions for Lutheranism’ is theme of 2010 Lutheran CORE theological conference.
+ ELCA worship resources offer prayer to ‘Mother’ God.
+ Lutheran CORE gathering in Ohio draws 545 people
+ Manhattan Declaration addresses marriage, sanctity of life.
+ “Unintended Effects - How the ELCA’s Aim for Unity Fractured the Church by Dr. Robert Benne.
+ A view from the back row of the ELCA Church Council meeting by Pastor Erma Wolf.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Lutheran CORE to hold meeting in Sisseton on ELCA changes
All interested pastors and lay people are invited to attend a meeting on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 2:30 p.m. at the Roberts County 4-H Grounds in Sisseton to discuss the current policy changes in the ELCA since the Churchwide Assembly vote in August.
Pastor Scott Grorud of Hutchinson, Minn., will be the guest speaker. Pastor Grorud is a member of the Lutheran CORE (Coalition for Renewal) Steering Committee. He will talk about the current state of the ELCA and possible responses by congregations. There will be time for questions at the end of his presentation.
For more information, contact Wade Johnson at 742-4232 or Marcia Peterson at 880-1651, or you can visit the Lutheran CORE website at www.lutherancore.org.
Directions: From the southwest corner of town, the 4-H Grounds are located just south of Hwy 10 on BIA Hwy 700.
Pastor Scott Grorud of Hutchinson, Minn., will be the guest speaker. Pastor Grorud is a member of the Lutheran CORE (Coalition for Renewal) Steering Committee. He will talk about the current state of the ELCA and possible responses by congregations. There will be time for questions at the end of his presentation.
For more information, contact Wade Johnson at 742-4232 or Marcia Peterson at 880-1651, or you can visit the Lutheran CORE website at www.lutherancore.org.
Directions: From the southwest corner of town, the 4-H Grounds are located just south of Hwy 10 on BIA Hwy 700.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Northeastern Iowa Synod Council asks that ELCA Sexuality Social Statement be overturned and synod's "bound conscience" be respected
Those in the Northeastern Iowa Synod are providing significant leadership in trying to keep their synod together in spite of the biblical and theological crisis in the ELCA. Call to Faithfulness, one of the reform groups that comprise Lutheran CORE, has provided leadership in the efforts in the Northeastern Iowa Synod.
The Northeastern Iowa Synod Council has passed two resolutions in response to the Churchwide Assembly’s votes.
The first resolution calls upon the ELCA Church Council to reject and work to overturn the Sexuality Statement and the Recommendations on Ministry because they are contrary to the Confession of Faith in the ELCA constitution.
The second resolution affirms the votes of the NE Iowa Synod Assemblies of recent years, stating that the ‘bound conscience’ of the synod regards the 1990 Vision and Expectations for Rostered leaders to be the norm for the synod and rejects any new Vision and Expectations based on the votes taken at the 2009 Churchwide.
Pastor Cori Johnson, one of the three dissenting voices on the Sexuality Task Force brought the keynote for the day. Pastor Marshall Hahn, Pastor Jason Cooper, Pastor Ken Kimball and Pastor Gary Hatcher spoke on behalf of Call to Faithfulness on concrete ways congregations can begin to make a difference.
The presentations are available at the Call to Faithfulness website.
Would it be possible for the South Dakota Synod to follow their faithful example?
The Northeastern Iowa Synod Council has passed two resolutions in response to the Churchwide Assembly’s votes.
The first resolution calls upon the ELCA Church Council to reject and work to overturn the Sexuality Statement and the Recommendations on Ministry because they are contrary to the Confession of Faith in the ELCA constitution.
The second resolution affirms the votes of the NE Iowa Synod Assemblies of recent years, stating that the ‘bound conscience’ of the synod regards the 1990 Vision and Expectations for Rostered leaders to be the norm for the synod and rejects any new Vision and Expectations based on the votes taken at the 2009 Churchwide.
The Northeastern Iowa Synod takes the rhetoric of the Churchwide Assembly at its word, that the ‘bound conscience’ of synods is to be respected. It remains to seen if this will be the case or if the present rumbling from Chicago will not allow synods to have a ‘bound conscience’. If it does not allow a synod to have a ‘bound conscience’ then the basis for the votes taken at Churchwide are suspect, built on a fiction the ELCA cannot or will not honor.
Pastor Cori Johnson, one of the three dissenting voices on the Sexuality Task Force brought the keynote for the day. Pastor Marshall Hahn, Pastor Jason Cooper, Pastor Ken Kimball and Pastor Gary Hatcher spoke on behalf of Call to Faithfulness on concrete ways congregations can begin to make a difference.
The presentations are available at the Call to Faithfulness website.
Would it be possible for the South Dakota Synod to follow their faithful example?
Sioux Falls Lutheran CORE event - January 10
Mark your calendars!
Sioux Falls-area churches are hosting a special event featuring prominent Lutheran scholars Jim Nestingen and Steven Paulson on Sunday, January 10. It will address the "State of Confession" required given the actions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
Tentative plans are for the event to begin at 2 p.m.
Watch this site for more information.
Sioux Falls-area churches are hosting a special event featuring prominent Lutheran scholars Jim Nestingen and Steven Paulson on Sunday, January 10. It will address the "State of Confession" required given the actions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
Tentative plans are for the event to begin at 2 p.m.
Watch this site for more information.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Lutheran CORE leaders announce that a new Lutheran church body will be formed for those leaving the ELCA
NEW BRIGHTON, Minn. — Leaders of Lutheran CORE (Coalition for Renewal) have voted to begin work on a proposal for a new Lutheran church body for those who choose to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, they announced Wednesday, Nov. 18.
The votes by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in August to allow pastors to be in committed same-sex relationships have created a biblical and theological crisis throughout the ELCA and have generated conflict in local congregations. Many congregations and individuals are considering the possibility of leaving the ELCA or have chosen to redirect giving away from the national church.
More than 1,200 Lutherans gathered in Fishers, Ind., Sept. 25-26 unanimously voted to authorize the Lutheran CORE Steering Committee “to initiate conversations among the congregations and reform movements in Lutheran CORE and other compatible churchly organizations leading toward a possible reconfiguration of North American Lutheranism” and to bring a recommendation for action in 2010. The Lutheran CORE Steering Committee decided Tuesday that a new church body likely will be necessary and directed that work begin on a church body proposal.
“Many ELCA members and congregations have said that they want to sever ties with the ELCA because of the ELCA’s continued movement away from traditional Christian teachings. The vote on sexuality opened the eyes of many to how far the ELCA has moved from Biblical teaching,” said the Rev. Paull Spring of State College, Pa., Lutheran CORE Chair.
“Along with the WordAlone Network and our other renewal movement partners, Lutheran CORE will aid in the formation of a Lutheran church body for those congregations and individuals that choose to end their affiliation with the ELCA. This church body will stand where Lutherans have always stood and will center its life on the mission of the church to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Spring, the retired bishop of the Northern Pennsylvania Synod.
A special working group will draft the church body proposal in consultation with the WordAlone Network and the other reform movement partners of Lutheran CORE. The recommendations are to be released in February to allow interested individuals and congregations time for feedback. Final proposals will be brought to the Lutheran CORE Convocation Aug. 26-27 in Columbus, Ohio.
The working group will also bring recommendations for the continuation of Lutheran CORE as a free-standing synod that will serve both Lutherans in the ELCA and those in other church bodies. This working group will be in conversation with other Lutheran church bodies about ways to work together. Lutheran CORE has been in conversation with Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ, an association of Lutheran congregations which many ELCA congregations have joined, and will continue to work closely with LCMC. The proposed new church body is intended to provide a place for congregations that desire a more traditional denominational structure.
“We have not made any firm decisions about what this church body will be or how it will be structured. That reality will come into focus as the working group meets with the members of Lutheran CORE who are looking for a new church body and with other Lutheran church bodies and reform movements in North America,” explained Ryan Schwarz of Washington, D.C., a member of the Lutheran CORE Steering Committee, who chairs the working group.
Lutheran CORE to continue as free-standing synod
Lutheran CORE will continue to exist as a free-standing synod. Both those within the ELCA and in this new church body will be able to continue in fellowship through Lutheran CORE.
“Lutheran CORE is committed to be a church fellowship for Lutherans who are committed to the teaching of Scripture — both those who choose to remain affiliated with the ELCA and those who choose to end their affiliation with the ELCA,” Spring said.
“It is important that those who want to uphold Biblical teaching work together. We need each other. To be an effective witness, Lutherans — both those who remain affiliated with the ELCA and those who end that affiliation — need to work together. Lutheran CORE hopes to continue to provide that church fellowship and serve that common mission,” he added.
“This new church body and the Lutheran CORE free-standing synod will make it possible for faithful congregations to work together in mission and to relate to other Lutherans worldwide,” Schwarz said. “Lutherans around the world have been scandalized by the ELCA’s actions. Lutheran CORE will work closely with Lutherans around the world who share our commitment to Scripture as it has been understood by generations of Christians.”
“We are not leaving the ELCA. The ELCA has left us. Lutheran CORE is continuing in the Christian faith as it has been passed down to us by generations of Christians. The ELCA is the one that has departed from the teaching of the Bible as understood by Christians for 2,000 years,” Spring said. “The division in the ELCA is not only really sex. It is about the authority of Scripture in the life of the church. The crisis in the ELCA is a direct result of the actions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.”
“We grieve that it has become necessary for so many to leave the ELCA and for so many others to alter their relationship with the ELCA, but we are heartened by the clear sense of mission and ministry that is motivating these changes,” the Lutheran CORE Steering Committee said in a letter to members of Lutheran CORE announcing the decision.
Major announcement from Lutheran CORE Steering Committee
"Hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us" (Romans 5:5)
November 18, 2009
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The past couple months since the ELCA Churchwide Assembly and Lutheran CORE's Convocation have filled us with a strong sense of hope. The Spirit has stirred up a remarkable outpouring of activity by traditional Lutherans across the country. Congregations are entering into discernment processes to determine their own future courses. Congregations and individuals are refocusing their benevolence giving on faithful ministries. New local and regional renewal movements are being formed almost weekly. Just this past week, we welcomed six new regional affiliates of Lutheran CORE, from Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and the Southeastern US, as well as the Union of Oromo Evangelical Churches and the Seven Marks group of pastors.
It is now clear that a very substantial portion of the ELCA cannot and will not accept the decisions of the Churchwide Assembly this past summer. Along with the WordAlone Network and our other renewal movement partners, we in Lutheran CORE are now hard at work planning pathways forward for faithful Lutherans, both for those who decide to stay in and those who decide to leave the ELCA. This letter describes some recent significant decisions about those future pathways.
The Lutheran CORE Convocation in Fishers, Indiana, voted to transform our ministry into a free-standing synod, operating apart from any Lutheran church body. This free-standing synod will serve as a coalition of those who choose to leave and those who choose to remain within the ELCA. It will include congregations, reform movements, individual pastors and laypersons, synods, and schools, from across the USA and hopefully Canada as well. It will carry out many synodical functions and will serve in partnership with other reform movements. In this manner, Lutheran CORE will continue to be a confessing and confessional movement that is open to all faithful Lutherans.
Many of our members and friends, both congregations and individuals, will stay in the ELCA, at least for the time being. For them, the free-standing synod will provide a fellowship or community of traditional Lutherans and an ongoing connection to orthodox Lutherans who leave the ELCA. It will also provide, as a service to its member congregations, faithful synodical functions such as missions and evangelism support, assistance in the call process, and resources for theological education, congregational teaching and worship.
It has also become clear over the past few months that many faithful congregations will certainly leave the ELCA as a result of the ELCA's departure from Biblical teachings. Some of those congregations will join Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), an association of Lutheran congregations formed in 2001 which we view as a valued partner in mission. Other congregations, however, have come to us asking us to form a church body with a more traditional denomination structure and scope.
As a result of these conversations and requests, and after much prayer and deliberation, the Lutheran CORE Steering Committee has decided to explore the formation of a new Lutheran church body in North America. We do this in service to those congregations who wish to leave the ELCA, and perhaps also for congregations who might wish to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) as a result of similar issues in that church body, and to advance the mission of Christ by planting new churches across North America.
This new church would have a confession of faith and a constitution. It would have the competence to examine and ordain clergy, and a discipline process for congregations and clergy. It would be capable of reaching church-to-church relationships. Its constitution would provide for the election of officers and it would be governed by a representative assembly of delegates. The new church would provide for dual membership for congregations and ordained ministers. It would invite other Lutheran churches and entities to participate in shared ministry. It would utilize resources for ministry from already-existing para-church movements and from the WordAlone Network, and would develop other resources as needed. We intend for this new church to be complementary to the ministry and mission of LCMC.
The new Lutheran church body and the free-standing Lutheran CORE synod would cooperate closely in ministry and mission. Special attention will be given to the calling and mobility process, resources for ministry, local and global missions, and strengthening a sense of community and witness to the Gospel. The new Lutheran church body and the free-standing synod will also seek to develop close relationships with other Lutheran churches and entities - particularly with LCMC, and also with others including the ELCA, the ELCIC, and the LCMS.
One thing we want to lift up clearly. We are seeking to do something that has proven difficult in other denominations: maintain tangible unity and organic relationships between those who leave and those who stay in the ELCA. For this reason we are forming both a new church body and a free-standing synod, and both are essential to our vision of continued fellowship and common ministry. Please join us in making a commitment to this important goal.
We have asked our Vision and Planning Working Group to develop narrative designs for the new Lutheran church and for the continuation of Lutheran CORE's ministry as a free-standing synod. Those designs will be published for review and comment in February 2010. After that, constitution task forces will prepare a constitution for the new church, as well as constitutional amendments necessary to implement the free-standing synod, for adoption at the 2010 Convocation of Lutheran CORE on August 26-27 in Columbus, OH.
In all that we do, we remain in prayer and seek to discern the will of God. Likewise please keep us and the members of the Vision and Planning team in your prayers. That team includes retired Bishops Paull Spring and Ron Warren, Pastors David Glesne, Dan Selbo, Michael Tavella and Cathi Braasch, Mrs. Carolyn Nestingen and Mr. Ryan Schwarz. Please feel free to reach out to any of them, or any of us, with your thoughts and suggestions. Contact information is available on our website, www.lutherancore.org.
We grieve that it has become necessary for so many to leave the ELCA and for so many others to alter their relationship with the ELCA, but we are heartened by the clear sense of mission and ministry that is motivating these changes. As we move forward, let us walk humbly as we seek to follow the path that God has in store for us.
In His service,
The Lutheran CORE Steering Committee
November 18, 2009
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The past couple months since the ELCA Churchwide Assembly and Lutheran CORE's Convocation have filled us with a strong sense of hope. The Spirit has stirred up a remarkable outpouring of activity by traditional Lutherans across the country. Congregations are entering into discernment processes to determine their own future courses. Congregations and individuals are refocusing their benevolence giving on faithful ministries. New local and regional renewal movements are being formed almost weekly. Just this past week, we welcomed six new regional affiliates of Lutheran CORE, from Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and the Southeastern US, as well as the Union of Oromo Evangelical Churches and the Seven Marks group of pastors.
It is now clear that a very substantial portion of the ELCA cannot and will not accept the decisions of the Churchwide Assembly this past summer. Along with the WordAlone Network and our other renewal movement partners, we in Lutheran CORE are now hard at work planning pathways forward for faithful Lutherans, both for those who decide to stay in and those who decide to leave the ELCA. This letter describes some recent significant decisions about those future pathways.
The Lutheran CORE Convocation in Fishers, Indiana, voted to transform our ministry into a free-standing synod, operating apart from any Lutheran church body. This free-standing synod will serve as a coalition of those who choose to leave and those who choose to remain within the ELCA. It will include congregations, reform movements, individual pastors and laypersons, synods, and schools, from across the USA and hopefully Canada as well. It will carry out many synodical functions and will serve in partnership with other reform movements. In this manner, Lutheran CORE will continue to be a confessing and confessional movement that is open to all faithful Lutherans.
Many of our members and friends, both congregations and individuals, will stay in the ELCA, at least for the time being. For them, the free-standing synod will provide a fellowship or community of traditional Lutherans and an ongoing connection to orthodox Lutherans who leave the ELCA. It will also provide, as a service to its member congregations, faithful synodical functions such as missions and evangelism support, assistance in the call process, and resources for theological education, congregational teaching and worship.
It has also become clear over the past few months that many faithful congregations will certainly leave the ELCA as a result of the ELCA's departure from Biblical teachings. Some of those congregations will join Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), an association of Lutheran congregations formed in 2001 which we view as a valued partner in mission. Other congregations, however, have come to us asking us to form a church body with a more traditional denomination structure and scope.
As a result of these conversations and requests, and after much prayer and deliberation, the Lutheran CORE Steering Committee has decided to explore the formation of a new Lutheran church body in North America. We do this in service to those congregations who wish to leave the ELCA, and perhaps also for congregations who might wish to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) as a result of similar issues in that church body, and to advance the mission of Christ by planting new churches across North America.
This new church would have a confession of faith and a constitution. It would have the competence to examine and ordain clergy, and a discipline process for congregations and clergy. It would be capable of reaching church-to-church relationships. Its constitution would provide for the election of officers and it would be governed by a representative assembly of delegates. The new church would provide for dual membership for congregations and ordained ministers. It would invite other Lutheran churches and entities to participate in shared ministry. It would utilize resources for ministry from already-existing para-church movements and from the WordAlone Network, and would develop other resources as needed. We intend for this new church to be complementary to the ministry and mission of LCMC.
The new Lutheran church body and the free-standing Lutheran CORE synod would cooperate closely in ministry and mission. Special attention will be given to the calling and mobility process, resources for ministry, local and global missions, and strengthening a sense of community and witness to the Gospel. The new Lutheran church body and the free-standing synod will also seek to develop close relationships with other Lutheran churches and entities - particularly with LCMC, and also with others including the ELCA, the ELCIC, and the LCMS.
One thing we want to lift up clearly. We are seeking to do something that has proven difficult in other denominations: maintain tangible unity and organic relationships between those who leave and those who stay in the ELCA. For this reason we are forming both a new church body and a free-standing synod, and both are essential to our vision of continued fellowship and common ministry. Please join us in making a commitment to this important goal.
We have asked our Vision and Planning Working Group to develop narrative designs for the new Lutheran church and for the continuation of Lutheran CORE's ministry as a free-standing synod. Those designs will be published for review and comment in February 2010. After that, constitution task forces will prepare a constitution for the new church, as well as constitutional amendments necessary to implement the free-standing synod, for adoption at the 2010 Convocation of Lutheran CORE on August 26-27 in Columbus, OH.
In all that we do, we remain in prayer and seek to discern the will of God. Likewise please keep us and the members of the Vision and Planning team in your prayers. That team includes retired Bishops Paull Spring and Ron Warren, Pastors David Glesne, Dan Selbo, Michael Tavella and Cathi Braasch, Mrs. Carolyn Nestingen and Mr. Ryan Schwarz. Please feel free to reach out to any of them, or any of us, with your thoughts and suggestions. Contact information is available on our website, www.lutherancore.org.
We grieve that it has become necessary for so many to leave the ELCA and for so many others to alter their relationship with the ELCA, but we are heartened by the clear sense of mission and ministry that is motivating these changes. As we move forward, let us walk humbly as we seek to follow the path that God has in store for us.
In His service,
The Lutheran CORE Steering Committee
Friday, November 13, 2009
SD Synod Bishop David Zellmer responds to Watertown Lutheran CORE gathering
Bishop David Zellmer of the South Dakota Synod sent an e-mail to the synod's pastors and other rostered leaders regarding the Lutheran CORE meeting in Watertown, S.D. There must have been some in the synod who support the Churchwide Assembly's decisions to change ELCA teaching on marriage and sexuality who were concerned about his attendance.
We could only wish that the bishop came because he wanted to support Lutheran CORE and its commitment to stand on Biblical truth in the face of the actions of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
I admire his willingness to come to the meeting. I trust that the bishop came because he is shepherd of the entire South Dakota Synod. A significant number of the sheep entrusted to his care as bishop are struggling with the actions of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Many of them came to the Lutheran CORE gathering in Watertown. I appreciate Bishop Dave's willingness to listen to Scott Grorud's presentation and to ponder the faithful witness to the truth as revealed in Scripture and confessed by Christians for 2,000 years that Pastor Grorud offered.
We still hope that Bishop Zellmer will provide leadership that will help our synod stand together on the Biblical witness -- and thus stay together.
I dream occasionally that the South Dakota Synod could be one of the ELCA synods that could stand with Lutheran CORE even while remaining connected to the ELCA. Lutheran CORE has provisions in its constitution to allow ELCA synods to be members of Lutheran CORE. Would that some synods would take advantage of this opportunity.
We will be working to give the 2010 SD Synod Assembly the opportunity to uphold Biblical teaching on marriage and sexual behavior and to maintain the ELCA's previous standards for pastors and other rostered leaders. If the synod takes such a stand, it could help many of those gathered in Watertown to remain in the synod. Many are waiting to see what action the synod will take before making decisions regarding their affiliation with the synod and ELCA.
I realize that political realities in the ELCA mean that this dream will likely remain a fantasy. But I also believe God can do miracles (I saw the steeple in Minneapolis!).
Here's what came from the South Dakota Synod office:
From Bishop Dave Regarding This Week's Lutheran CORE Meeting
Since there may have been some confusion, it's important that I make clear that my attendance at this week's Lutheran CORE meeting in Watertown was strictly for my own education. It should not be viewed as anything other than my wanting to know first-hand what was and was not being said.
You need to know that I am committed to staying with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and that I remain enthusiastic about our shared mission and ministry in this synod and this church. In the near future I will be writing more about my decision to remain, and will share it with you at that time.
Thank you for your partnership!
In Christ,
David B. Zellmer
Bishop Dave
We could only wish that the bishop came because he wanted to support Lutheran CORE and its commitment to stand on Biblical truth in the face of the actions of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
I admire his willingness to come to the meeting. I trust that the bishop came because he is shepherd of the entire South Dakota Synod. A significant number of the sheep entrusted to his care as bishop are struggling with the actions of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Many of them came to the Lutheran CORE gathering in Watertown. I appreciate Bishop Dave's willingness to listen to Scott Grorud's presentation and to ponder the faithful witness to the truth as revealed in Scripture and confessed by Christians for 2,000 years that Pastor Grorud offered.
We still hope that Bishop Zellmer will provide leadership that will help our synod stand together on the Biblical witness -- and thus stay together.
I dream occasionally that the South Dakota Synod could be one of the ELCA synods that could stand with Lutheran CORE even while remaining connected to the ELCA. Lutheran CORE has provisions in its constitution to allow ELCA synods to be members of Lutheran CORE. Would that some synods would take advantage of this opportunity.
We will be working to give the 2010 SD Synod Assembly the opportunity to uphold Biblical teaching on marriage and sexual behavior and to maintain the ELCA's previous standards for pastors and other rostered leaders. If the synod takes such a stand, it could help many of those gathered in Watertown to remain in the synod. Many are waiting to see what action the synod will take before making decisions regarding their affiliation with the synod and ELCA.
I realize that political realities in the ELCA mean that this dream will likely remain a fantasy. But I also believe God can do miracles (I saw the steeple in Minneapolis!).
Here's what came from the South Dakota Synod office:
From Bishop Dave Regarding This Week's Lutheran CORE Meeting
Since there may have been some confusion, it's important that I make clear that my attendance at this week's Lutheran CORE meeting in Watertown was strictly for my own education. It should not be viewed as anything other than my wanting to know first-hand what was and was not being said.
You need to know that I am committed to staying with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and that I remain enthusiastic about our shared mission and ministry in this synod and this church. In the near future I will be writing more about my decision to remain, and will share it with you at that time.
Thank you for your partnership!
In Christ,
David B. Zellmer
Bishop Dave
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Lutherans gather in Watertown to discuss options following ELCA sexuality decisions
WATERTOWN, S.D. — Lutherans from throughout South Dakota gathered Tuesday, Nov. 10, to discuss their options given the decisions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to affirm same-sex sexual relationships and to allow pastors to be in those relationships.
The votes by ELCA Churchwide Assembly in August to change church teaching and practice on marriage and sexuality have created a biblical and theological crisis throughout the ELCA and conflict in local congregations.
“The key question is does the Bible have authority over us or do we have authority over the Bible,” the Rev. Scott Grorud told those in attendance. Grorud, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Minn., is a leader in both Lutheran CORE (Coalition for Renewal) and the WordAlone Network.
Grorud said that the concern in places like South Dakota is not whether a congregation will be forced to call a pastor in a same-sex relationship but rather what future ELCA pastors will teach regarding marriage and sexuality. “The question is what are we going to preach and teach, especially to our children,” he said. “It is the content of the faith that is most at stake.”
Grorud explained various options for faithful individuals and congregations in response to the ELCA actions. “Doing nothing is not an option. This is too important biblically and theologically,” he said.
More than 300 people attended the event at the Watertown Events Center. The response and attendance were far beyond that expected by the pastors who organized the event. South Dakota Synod Bishop David Zellmer was among those attending the meeting.
It was announced at the gathering that a South Dakota group has been formed as a part of Lutheran CORE (Coalition for Renewal). The South Dakota Lutheran CORE group will work together to try to get the 2009 South Dakota Synod Assembly to uphold biblical teaching on marriage and sexual behavior within the South Dakota Synod.
“It is unclear whether the ELCA will allow synods to maintain traditional teaching and ministry standards. The proposals that are being released by the ELCA churchwide organization say that no synod will be allowed to uphold traditional standards for pastors as a synod,” explained the Rev. David Baer, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Whitewood.
“We hope to join some other ELCA synods in trying to get our synod assembly to vote to affirm marriage as between a man and a woman and to uphold that biblical teaching in standards for pastors serving in the South Dakota Synod,” said Baer, who edits a monthly newsletter for Lutheran CORE.
The South Dakota Synod Assembly has approved several resolutions in recent years upholding biblical teaching on sexuality. The 2009 South Dakota Synod Assembly voted to ask the ELCA Churchwide Assembly to reject the social statement and changes to ministry standards that were approved by the ELCA’s Churchwide Assembly in August.
“Many Lutherans in South Dakota are waiting to see if our synod will be able to uphold biblical teaching on marriage and sexuality. If we are able to uphold biblical teaching on marriage and sexuality as a synod, it may be possible for individuals and congregations to remain in the South Dakota Synod even if they are in opposition to the ELCA actions,” Baer said.
Some congregations have reduced or eliminated financial support for the ELCA churchwide organization. The South Dakota Synod Council took action following the Churchwide Assembly to permit congregations to support the South Dakota Synod but to designate that none of that support go to the ELCA churchwide organization.
Congregations have found that redirecting financial support away from the ELCA churchwide organization to other domestic and international ministries and mission and relief organizations to be a way to keep their congregations together in response to the ELCA actions.
Some Lutherans in South Dakota are considering leaving the ELCA.
“Some of us would like a way to continue to be a part of the South Dakota Synod but to end our affiliation with the ELCA,” Baer said. “I don’t know that there is any way for that to be possible. The ELCA has allowed congregations to affiliate with more than one church body. “Our congregation plans to affiliate with Lutheran CORE. We hope to be able to continue to work together with other Lutherans in South Dakota both through the South Dakota Synod and through Lutheran CORE - South Dakota.
Lutheran CORE is committed to support both those congregations and individuals who choose to remain affiliated with the ELCA and those who will choose different church body affiliations. Lutheran CORE will carry out functions similar to an ELCA synod and similar to a national church body. Congregations may choose to relate to Lutheran CORE as their primary church body or as one of its church body relationships.
Lutheran CORE leaders have said that they will be making a major announcement regarding their work toward the reconfiguration of North American Lutheranism following a Nov. 17-18 meeting in Minnesota.
Lutheran CORE has set a timeline for its work leading to a reconfiguration of Lutheranism in North America. A draft proposal will be released in February. The proposal will be brought to Lutheran CORE’s 2010 Convocation Aug. 26-27 in Columbus, Ohio, for consideration.
The 2010 South Dakota Synod Assembly is June 11-13 in Rapid City.
The votes by ELCA Churchwide Assembly in August to change church teaching and practice on marriage and sexuality have created a biblical and theological crisis throughout the ELCA and conflict in local congregations.
“The key question is does the Bible have authority over us or do we have authority over the Bible,” the Rev. Scott Grorud told those in attendance. Grorud, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Minn., is a leader in both Lutheran CORE (Coalition for Renewal) and the WordAlone Network.
Grorud said that the concern in places like South Dakota is not whether a congregation will be forced to call a pastor in a same-sex relationship but rather what future ELCA pastors will teach regarding marriage and sexuality. “The question is what are we going to preach and teach, especially to our children,” he said. “It is the content of the faith that is most at stake.”
Grorud explained various options for faithful individuals and congregations in response to the ELCA actions. “Doing nothing is not an option. This is too important biblically and theologically,” he said.
More than 300 people attended the event at the Watertown Events Center. The response and attendance were far beyond that expected by the pastors who organized the event. South Dakota Synod Bishop David Zellmer was among those attending the meeting.
It was announced at the gathering that a South Dakota group has been formed as a part of Lutheran CORE (Coalition for Renewal). The South Dakota Lutheran CORE group will work together to try to get the 2009 South Dakota Synod Assembly to uphold biblical teaching on marriage and sexual behavior within the South Dakota Synod.
“It is unclear whether the ELCA will allow synods to maintain traditional teaching and ministry standards. The proposals that are being released by the ELCA churchwide organization say that no synod will be allowed to uphold traditional standards for pastors as a synod,” explained the Rev. David Baer, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Whitewood.
“We hope to join some other ELCA synods in trying to get our synod assembly to vote to affirm marriage as between a man and a woman and to uphold that biblical teaching in standards for pastors serving in the South Dakota Synod,” said Baer, who edits a monthly newsletter for Lutheran CORE.
The South Dakota Synod Assembly has approved several resolutions in recent years upholding biblical teaching on sexuality. The 2009 South Dakota Synod Assembly voted to ask the ELCA Churchwide Assembly to reject the social statement and changes to ministry standards that were approved by the ELCA’s Churchwide Assembly in August.
“Many Lutherans in South Dakota are waiting to see if our synod will be able to uphold biblical teaching on marriage and sexuality. If we are able to uphold biblical teaching on marriage and sexuality as a synod, it may be possible for individuals and congregations to remain in the South Dakota Synod even if they are in opposition to the ELCA actions,” Baer said.
Some congregations have reduced or eliminated financial support for the ELCA churchwide organization. The South Dakota Synod Council took action following the Churchwide Assembly to permit congregations to support the South Dakota Synod but to designate that none of that support go to the ELCA churchwide organization.
Congregations have found that redirecting financial support away from the ELCA churchwide organization to other domestic and international ministries and mission and relief organizations to be a way to keep their congregations together in response to the ELCA actions.
Some Lutherans in South Dakota are considering leaving the ELCA.
“Some of us would like a way to continue to be a part of the South Dakota Synod but to end our affiliation with the ELCA,” Baer said. “I don’t know that there is any way for that to be possible. The ELCA has allowed congregations to affiliate with more than one church body. “Our congregation plans to affiliate with Lutheran CORE. We hope to be able to continue to work together with other Lutherans in South Dakota both through the South Dakota Synod and through Lutheran CORE - South Dakota.
Lutheran CORE is committed to support both those congregations and individuals who choose to remain affiliated with the ELCA and those who will choose different church body affiliations. Lutheran CORE will carry out functions similar to an ELCA synod and similar to a national church body. Congregations may choose to relate to Lutheran CORE as their primary church body or as one of its church body relationships.
Lutheran CORE leaders have said that they will be making a major announcement regarding their work toward the reconfiguration of North American Lutheranism following a Nov. 17-18 meeting in Minnesota.
Lutheran CORE has set a timeline for its work leading to a reconfiguration of Lutheranism in North America. A draft proposal will be released in February. The proposal will be brought to Lutheran CORE’s 2010 Convocation Aug. 26-27 in Columbus, Ohio, for consideration.
The 2010 South Dakota Synod Assembly is June 11-13 in Rapid City.
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