CORE Connection - News from Lutheran CORE - June 2010 is now online.
Here is what you can read in this month’s newsletter:
+ Registration opens for historic Convocation.
Convocation marks a new beginning for Lutherans in North America.
+ Five bold steps for mission and benevolence.
+ Amendments are proposed for Lutheran CORE constitution.
+ ELCA demands money from former congregations.
ELCA officials refuse to acknowledge previous payments from congregations.
+ ELCA approves eight more practicing LGBT pastors.
+ ELCA fires campus pastor for working with those who oppose changes in ELCA teaching and policy.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
2010 South Dakota Synod Assembly
The South Dakota Synod Assembly showed that our synod is very divided. That is a new reality. This synod has passed a number of resolutions in recent years upholding biblical teaching on sexuality by significant margins. The significant news from this year's assembly is that South Dakota is no longer the traditional stronghold that it once was.
The synod assembly both approved (Friday) and rejected (Saturday) resolutions expressing the "conviction of the synod" that the ELCA decisions "violate the ELCA Confession of Faith." The resolutions were based on and very similar to the original resolution from the NE Iowa Synod. Our bishop had asked conference assemblies to address the social statement and the ministry policies separately, so the NE Iowa resolution was split in half with one addressing the social statement and one the ministry policies. (There was some tinkering with the resolutions by the assembly's resolutions committee so the form they came to the assembly was a bit different).
On Friday, the synod assembly narrowly approved a resolution (#6) asking the 2011 CWA to "reconsider and remove" the social statement on human sexuality 251-243, with 10 abstaining,
There was much discussion of the first resolved which read:
RESOLVED, that the South Dakota Synod, in Assembly, expresses its conviction that the decisions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly in adopting the social statement “Human Sexuality:Gift and Trust” violate the confession of Faith, of the ELCA;
The discussion started with Bishop Zellmer stating the ELCA Secretary David Swartling will rule this resolved out of order. Something about us not being able to interpret the constitution -- only Swartling can do that. Many speakers were concerned that the ELCA Secretary had such sweeping authority that he could rule out of order the "conviction" of a synod assembly.
On Saturday, the results were just the opposite. Two resolutions asking for rescinding the changes in ministry policies failed. The assembly rejected a resolution based on the Swartling template anti-ministry policies resolution 256-246 with five abstentions. A second resolution nearly identical to the one approved on Friday except that it addressed the ministry policies was rejected 283-207 with 15 abstentions.
It must be noted that the synod's double-mindedness was the result of only a few people changing their position from Friday to Saturday. But the new reality that South Dakota can no longer uphold traditional teaching on sexuality is very significant.
Another significant resolution was passed by the assembly (#10) expressing the synod's "grief that the actions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly on sexuality have led to division among individuals and congregations in the South Dakota Synod;" and "its desire to maintain whatever unity and shared ministry might be possible with individuals and congregations that choose to end their affiliation with the ELCA as an expression of this synod’s commitment to 'manifest the unity given to the people of God by living together in the love of Christ and by joining with other Christians in prayer and action to express and preserve the unity which the Spirit gives;'"
This resolution was amended to add an additional resolved asking for "restraint in discipline" of congregations and individuals as they discern their relationship with the ELCA. You will remember that 4 congregations in South Dakota were "censured" by Bishop Zellmer for joining LCMC without leaving the ELCA. As you might imagine, the bishop did not seem very happy with this addition.
The amended resolution was approved 232-165 (58% voting to adopt).
Here is a link to the resolutions in their pre-assembly form:
Here are links to Friday's and Saturday's coverage from the Rapid City Journal:
The synod assembly both approved (Friday) and rejected (Saturday) resolutions expressing the "conviction of the synod" that the ELCA decisions "violate the ELCA Confession of Faith." The resolutions were based on and very similar to the original resolution from the NE Iowa Synod. Our bishop had asked conference assemblies to address the social statement and the ministry policies separately, so the NE Iowa resolution was split in half with one addressing the social statement and one the ministry policies. (There was some tinkering with the resolutions by the assembly's resolutions committee so the form they came to the assembly was a bit different).
On Friday, the synod assembly narrowly approved a resolution (#6) asking the 2011 CWA to "reconsider and remove" the social statement on human sexuality 251-243, with 10 abstaining,
There was much discussion of the first resolved which read:
RESOLVED, that the South Dakota Synod, in Assembly, expresses its conviction that the decisions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly in adopting the social statement “Human Sexuality:Gift and Trust” violate the confession of Faith, of the ELCA;
The discussion started with Bishop Zellmer stating the ELCA Secretary David Swartling will rule this resolved out of order. Something about us not being able to interpret the constitution -- only Swartling can do that. Many speakers were concerned that the ELCA Secretary had such sweeping authority that he could rule out of order the "conviction" of a synod assembly.
On Saturday, the results were just the opposite. Two resolutions asking for rescinding the changes in ministry policies failed. The assembly rejected a resolution based on the Swartling template anti-ministry policies resolution 256-246 with five abstentions. A second resolution nearly identical to the one approved on Friday except that it addressed the ministry policies was rejected 283-207 with 15 abstentions.
It must be noted that the synod's double-mindedness was the result of only a few people changing their position from Friday to Saturday. But the new reality that South Dakota can no longer uphold traditional teaching on sexuality is very significant.
Another significant resolution was passed by the assembly (#10) expressing the synod's "grief that the actions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly on sexuality have led to division among individuals and congregations in the South Dakota Synod;" and "its desire to maintain whatever unity and shared ministry might be possible with individuals and congregations that choose to end their affiliation with the ELCA as an expression of this synod’s commitment to 'manifest the unity given to the people of God by living together in the love of Christ and by joining with other Christians in prayer and action to express and preserve the unity which the Spirit gives;'"
This resolution was amended to add an additional resolved asking for "restraint in discipline" of congregations and individuals as they discern their relationship with the ELCA. You will remember that 4 congregations in South Dakota were "censured" by Bishop Zellmer for joining LCMC without leaving the ELCA. As you might imagine, the bishop did not seem very happy with this addition.
The amended resolution was approved 232-165 (58% voting to adopt).
Here is a link to the resolutions in their pre-assembly form:
Here are links to Friday's and Saturday's coverage from the Rapid City Journal:
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
South Dakota Lutherans to consider their response to ELCA’s reversal of policy on homosexuality
Lutherans from throughout South Dakota will gather Friday and Saturday (June 11-12) in Rapid City to consider formal responses from the South Dakota Synod to changes in the teaching of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) affirming same-sex sexual relationships and allowing pastors to be in those relationships.
The South Dakota Synod Assembly, the annual meeting of the synod, will meet June 11-12 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid City. This is the first gathering of the South Dakota Synod following the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly which voted in August to allow pastors to be in committed same-sex relationships.
As a result of the national assembly’s actions, the ELCA deleted sentences from its rules for pastors which stated that “the biblical understanding which this church affirms is that the normative setting for sexual intercourse is marriage” and that “practicing homosexual persons are precluded from the ordained ministry of this church.”
This reversal of ELCA teaching and policy has caused controversy throughout the ELCA and in many congregations in South Dakota. Some ELCA members support the changes in teaching and policy while others believe the changes violate the teaching of the Bible. Those divisions will be on full display this week at the South Dakota Synod Assembly.
The South Dakota Synod Assembly will consider three resolutions expressing opposition to the actions of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly last August. On the other hand, the assembly will also consider a proposal to increase the synod’s support of the national church body.
Two resolutions (Resolutions 7-8) ask the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to rescind the changes in ELCA policies allowing pastors to be in same-sex relationships. In one of the resolutions, the synod assembly would “express its conviction that the decisions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly in adopting the 4 Resolutions on Ministry Policies violate of the Confession of Faith, Chapter 2 of the ELCA Constitution” because they go against the teaching of the Bible.
Another resolution asks the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to “reconsider and remove” the document adopted in 2009 which changed ELCA teaching on sexuality. In this resolution, the synod assembly will “expresses its conviction that the decisions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly in adopting the social statement ‘Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust’ violate the Confession of Faith of the ELCA” which says that the Bible is “the authoritative source and norm of (the church’s) proclamation, faith and life.”
The South Dakota Synod Assembly will also consider a resolution (Resolution 10) which will “express its grief that the actions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly on sexuality have led to division among individuals and congregations in the South Dakota Synod;” and will “express its desire to maintain whatever unity and shared ministry might be possible with individuals and congregations that choose to end their affiliation with the ELCA.”
Many individuals and congregations are evaluating their relationship with the ELCA as a result of the changes in ELCA teaching and policy. They believe that the Bible no longer functions as the sole authority for the teaching of the ELCA and see the denomination’s changes in teaching on homosexuality as an example of how far the ELCA has moved from traditional Christian teaching.
Seven South Dakota congregations have left the ELCA since the assembly. Seven additional congregations of the synod have taken first votes to leave the ELCA and are in a time of discernment prior to their second votes. (See list below.) Other South Dakota congregations are expected to take votes in coming weeks and months. Many have been waiting to see what actions the synod assembly might take.
To leave the ELCA, a congregation must approve a resolution to do so by a two-thirds majority in two separate votes at least 90 days apart. Congregations are considering two church bodies Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), a church body that was formed in 2001 by congregations that were concerned about changes in ELCA teaching) and the North American Lutheran Church (NALC), a church body that will be constituted in August).
Lutheran CORE is aiding in the formation of the NALC. The new Lutheran denomination will be constituted Aug. 26-27 in Columbus, Ohio. NALC will provide a more traditional denominational organization for those leaving the ELCA. LCMC and NALC are committed to working together. Lutheran CORE will continue as “a community of confessing Lutherans” regardless of church body affiliation. It will be a way for those who remain in the ELCA but desire to relate to more traditional Lutherans to do so and for those who leave the ELCA to relate to traditional congregations that remain in the ELCA.
LCMC has received 219 new congregations since the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. NALC is not officially organized, but congregations can express their desire to be charter members when the denomination comes into existence through Lutheran CORE.
South Dakota Synod Bishop David Zellmer became one of the first ELCA bishops to discipline a congregation for expressing its opposition to the changes in ELCA standards by joining LCMC. He “censured” four congregations in western South Dakota May 5. Since then, the four congregations have each voted to leave the ELCA.
The South Dakota Synod has nearly 123,000 members in 249 congregations, making it the largest Protestant denomination in South Dakota.
In other actions, the South Dakota Synod Assembly will consider increasing its financial support of the ELCA churchwide organization. The synod’s leadership is proposing increasing the synod’s support of the ELCA churchwide organization from 43 percent of the synod’s undesignated support from congregations to 44 percent. Some South Dakota congregations have chosen to designate their giving to the synod for South Dakota use only so that their funds are not sent to the ELCA.
NOTES:
Seven South Dakota congregations have left the ELCA since the assembly:
+ East Lake Andes Lutheran Church of Armour
+ American Lutheran Church of Castlewood
+ Lands Lutheran Church of Hudson
+ Trinity Lutheran Church of Hudson
+ Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Pierpont
+ Trinity Lutheran Church of Platte
+ First American Lutheran Church of Tripp
Seven additional congregations have taken first votes to leave the ELCA and are in a time of discernment prior to their second votes:
+ Hope Lutheran Church of Delmont
+ Ladner Lutheran Church of Ladner
+ Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Long Valley
+ Deep Creek Lutheran Church of Midland
+ Trinity Lutheran Church of Midland
+ First Lutheran Church of Philip
+ Little Missouri Lutheran Church of Capitol, Montana
The South Dakota Synod Assembly, the annual meeting of the synod, will meet June 11-12 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid City. This is the first gathering of the South Dakota Synod following the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly which voted in August to allow pastors to be in committed same-sex relationships.
As a result of the national assembly’s actions, the ELCA deleted sentences from its rules for pastors which stated that “the biblical understanding which this church affirms is that the normative setting for sexual intercourse is marriage” and that “practicing homosexual persons are precluded from the ordained ministry of this church.”
This reversal of ELCA teaching and policy has caused controversy throughout the ELCA and in many congregations in South Dakota. Some ELCA members support the changes in teaching and policy while others believe the changes violate the teaching of the Bible. Those divisions will be on full display this week at the South Dakota Synod Assembly.
The South Dakota Synod Assembly will consider three resolutions expressing opposition to the actions of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly last August. On the other hand, the assembly will also consider a proposal to increase the synod’s support of the national church body.
Two resolutions (Resolutions 7-8) ask the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to rescind the changes in ELCA policies allowing pastors to be in same-sex relationships. In one of the resolutions, the synod assembly would “express its conviction that the decisions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly in adopting the 4 Resolutions on Ministry Policies violate of the Confession of Faith, Chapter 2 of the ELCA Constitution” because they go against the teaching of the Bible.
Another resolution asks the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to “reconsider and remove” the document adopted in 2009 which changed ELCA teaching on sexuality. In this resolution, the synod assembly will “expresses its conviction that the decisions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly in adopting the social statement ‘Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust’ violate the Confession of Faith of the ELCA” which says that the Bible is “the authoritative source and norm of (the church’s) proclamation, faith and life.”
The South Dakota Synod Assembly will also consider a resolution (Resolution 10) which will “express its grief that the actions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly on sexuality have led to division among individuals and congregations in the South Dakota Synod;” and will “express its desire to maintain whatever unity and shared ministry might be possible with individuals and congregations that choose to end their affiliation with the ELCA.”
Many individuals and congregations are evaluating their relationship with the ELCA as a result of the changes in ELCA teaching and policy. They believe that the Bible no longer functions as the sole authority for the teaching of the ELCA and see the denomination’s changes in teaching on homosexuality as an example of how far the ELCA has moved from traditional Christian teaching.
Seven South Dakota congregations have left the ELCA since the assembly. Seven additional congregations of the synod have taken first votes to leave the ELCA and are in a time of discernment prior to their second votes. (See list below.) Other South Dakota congregations are expected to take votes in coming weeks and months. Many have been waiting to see what actions the synod assembly might take.
To leave the ELCA, a congregation must approve a resolution to do so by a two-thirds majority in two separate votes at least 90 days apart. Congregations are considering two church bodies Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), a church body that was formed in 2001 by congregations that were concerned about changes in ELCA teaching) and the North American Lutheran Church (NALC), a church body that will be constituted in August).
Lutheran CORE is aiding in the formation of the NALC. The new Lutheran denomination will be constituted Aug. 26-27 in Columbus, Ohio. NALC will provide a more traditional denominational organization for those leaving the ELCA. LCMC and NALC are committed to working together. Lutheran CORE will continue as “a community of confessing Lutherans” regardless of church body affiliation. It will be a way for those who remain in the ELCA but desire to relate to more traditional Lutherans to do so and for those who leave the ELCA to relate to traditional congregations that remain in the ELCA.
LCMC has received 219 new congregations since the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. NALC is not officially organized, but congregations can express their desire to be charter members when the denomination comes into existence through Lutheran CORE.
South Dakota Synod Bishop David Zellmer became one of the first ELCA bishops to discipline a congregation for expressing its opposition to the changes in ELCA standards by joining LCMC. He “censured” four congregations in western South Dakota May 5. Since then, the four congregations have each voted to leave the ELCA.
The South Dakota Synod has nearly 123,000 members in 249 congregations, making it the largest Protestant denomination in South Dakota.
In other actions, the South Dakota Synod Assembly will consider increasing its financial support of the ELCA churchwide organization. The synod’s leadership is proposing increasing the synod’s support of the ELCA churchwide organization from 43 percent of the synod’s undesignated support from congregations to 44 percent. Some South Dakota congregations have chosen to designate their giving to the synod for South Dakota use only so that their funds are not sent to the ELCA.
NOTES:
Seven South Dakota congregations have left the ELCA since the assembly:
+ East Lake Andes Lutheran Church of Armour
+ American Lutheran Church of Castlewood
+ Lands Lutheran Church of Hudson
+ Trinity Lutheran Church of Hudson
+ Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Pierpont
+ Trinity Lutheran Church of Platte
+ First American Lutheran Church of Tripp
Seven additional congregations have taken first votes to leave the ELCA and are in a time of discernment prior to their second votes:
+ Hope Lutheran Church of Delmont
+ Ladner Lutheran Church of Ladner
+ Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Long Valley
+ Deep Creek Lutheran Church of Midland
+ Trinity Lutheran Church of Midland
+ First Lutheran Church of Philip
+ Little Missouri Lutheran Church of Capitol, Montana
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
