Lutheran CORE - South Dakota

Lutheran leader to speak in Sioux Falls about crisis in ELCA and about new Lutheran church body

2011-12-06T14:56:00.002-06:00

The Rev. Mark Chavez, General Secretary of the North American Lutheran Church, will be leading a workshop in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Saturday, Dec. 10, for individuals and congregations who are interested in learning more about the new church body.

Pastor Chavez will be speaking at 1 p.m. at Sioux Falls Seminary. His presentation will include information on the crisis of teaching in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and an explanation of why the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) was created as an alternative for Lutheran congregations.

Following Pastor Chavez’s presentation, there will be an panel discussion including Pastor Chavez; the Rev. Rich Merkouris of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls; the Rev. Tom Walker of Heritage Lutheran Church in Brandon; the Rev. Sandra Soye of Heritage Lutheran Church in Brandon; and the Rev. Randy Eisenbeisz of Hayti, S.D., who is the NALC’s dean for its Eastern South Dakota Mission District.

Pastor Chavez, who lives in Landisville, Pa., became the General Secretary of the NALC in September. He has a long history in efforts to reform the ELCA. He served as the director of Lutheran CORE (Coalition for Renewal) six years and as vice president and director of the WordAlone Network for 10 years.

Lutheran CORE is a coalition of renewal movements. It began in November 2005 as a “coalition for reform” in efforts to maintain Biblical teaching in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The WordAlone Network was one of the reform movements that founded and made up Lutheran CORE. As the ELCA continued to move away from traditional Christian teaching, Lutheran CORE’s focus moved to a “coalition for renewal,” seeking to unite confessional Lutherans regardless of their church body affiliation. The NALC is one of three church bodies that are members of Lutheran CORE.

Pastor Chavez is in the area to speak to a local ELCA congregation that is exploring its options concerning the changing theological Lutheran landscape.

The North American Lutheran Church was constituted Aug. 26-27, 2010, in Grove City,
Ohio. The NALC has been growing rapidly since then. Nearly 300 congregations, representing more than 100,000 Lutherans, have joined the NALC in its first year.

The NALC embodies the theological center of Lutheranism in North America. It is a church body committed to the authority of the Bible as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and life. The NALC believes all doctrines should and must be judged by the teaching of Scripture.

The NALC is committed to shaping its life around four core values: Christ-Centered, Mission-Driven, Traditionally-Grounded, and Congregationally-Focused.”

The NALC is a church body committed to shaping its life by the teaching of the Bible and to carry out Christ’s Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.

Most NALC congregations and members left the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America because they believe the ELCA no longer uses the Bible as the sole basis of its faith and life.

The ELCA lost hundreds of congregations and more than 300,000 members in 2009 and
2010, according to statistics released by the ELCA in August. Many more congregations have left the ELCA in 2011 and even more congregations are expected to leave.

All individuals and congregations who are interested in learning more about the crisis in the ELCA or about the NALC are welcome. Information about the NALC is available online at www.thenalc.org.

Midwest Mission Districts Conference

2011-10-01T11:22:00.002-05:00

Members of NALC congregations in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming are coming together in Watertown, S.D., October 28-29 to celebrate the life we have in the NALC. During this conference we will organize three Mission Districts. Each Mission District will consider a Mission District Constitution and elect a Mission District Dean and Council.

Members and guests who attend this conference can expect to hear from Bishop John Bradosky how the NALC is continually growing and living in the Great Commission.

Download the conference brochure & registration info.

Bishop responds to pastor's resignation letter resigning from ELCA

2011-08-20T12:54:00.001-05:00

Bishop David Zellmer of the South Dakota Synod finally has responded to my letter resigning from the ELCA clergy roster because I had been received as a pastor of the North American Lutheran Church. You can read my letter here.

Here are some excerpts from the bishop's letter dated August 17 (please note parts in bold):

"I write to acknowledge your letter of resignation from the roster of ordained ministers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, effective April 12, 2011. . . .

"Please bear in mind that, from the perspective of this church, you are now to function as a layperson in a congregation. While you are not on this church's roster of ordained ministers, your ordained status is in suspension.

"As someone who is not on the roster of this church, you must no longer perform any duties or acts associated with ordained ministry. You are not to use the title "Pastor" or "the Rev." Neither are you to baptize, preside for Holy Communion, perform marriages, or wear vestments normally associated with an ordained minister such as a stole or clerical collar.

"If under some circumstances, you were asked to substitute due to the absence of a pastor, you could do so not as a supply pastor but as a layperson serving without clerical vestments in leading a Service of the Word. Only in the most unusual circumstance and then only with the explicit permission of the synodical bishop could you preside for Holy Communion, in keeping with the policy of this church, as defined in "The Use of the Means of Grace--A Statement on the Practice of Word and Sacrament."

Thank you for your years of service as an ordained minister. Be assured that this church remains grateful to you for your pastoral ministry. God bless you in your new arena of endeavor.

Sincerely,

Bishop David B. Zellmer

NALC News for July

2011-07-01T20:16:00.001-05:00

Here's what you can read in the NALC News for July.

+ Convocation to elect new bishop and other leaders to guide NALC.

+ NALC Convocation is Aug. 11-12.

+ Lutheran CORE Convocation is Aug. 9.

+ Lutheran CORE - NALC Theological Conference is Aug. 10-11.

+ "Joy in the midst of sorrow and faithfulness in the midst of division" by Pastor John Bradosky, NALC General Secretary.

+ World Mission Prayer League: A Lutheran community in the mission of God.

+ Meet other NALC Congregations featuring Peace Lutheran Church of Split Rock, Wisconsin, and Zion Lutheran Church of Caroline, Wisconsin.

+ “Personal Evangelism: In Pursuit of the Great Commission" by Pastor Don Brandt.

+ NALC reaches 100,000-member milestone. NALC is now among largest third of Lutheran church bodies worldwide.

NALC News for May

2011-05-14T15:05:00.002-05:00

Here is what you can read in the May NALC News:

* Four pastors nominated for NALC Bishop.

* NALC Convocation is August 11-12.

* Lutheran CORE Convocation is August 9.

* Amendments to NALC constitution to be considered by Convocation.

* "Salvation Today" is theme of NALC-Lutheran CORE Theological Conference August 10-11.

* Nominations requested for Executive Council.

* Leaders of NALC and LCMC meet.

* NALC reaches 200-congregation milestone.

* Profile of American Lutheran Church, Rantoul, Illinois.

* "Vision for Mission" by Gemechis Desta Buba, NALC Missions Director.

* "Addressing Five Ministry Challenges" by Don Brandt.

CORE Connection for May

2011-05-14T15:04:00.001-05:00

Here is what you can read in the May 2011 issue of CORE Connection:

* A New Mission Statement: Reflections from the Lutheran CORE Chair.

* Benne recounts Lutheran history.

* Tithe to benefit ethnic/immigrant ministries.

* Sample resolutions for assemblies available.

* Lutheran CORE Convocation features, August 9, 2011.

* Five Challenges to Church Growth, Part II.

* Lutheran CORE enrolled in Thrivent Choice.

* 2011 Lutheran CORE Constitution Amendments.

* "Salvation Today" - The Lutheran CORE and North American Lutheran Church Theological Conference, August 10-11, 2011.

* "Impact" national youth event is July 7-12.

* Frequently Asked Questions.

A pastor's letter resigning from ELCA clergy roster

2011-04-19T18:43:00.004-05:00

April 12, 2011

Bishop David Zellmer
South Dakota Synod ELCA
Augustana College
Sioux Falls, SD 57197

Bishop Dave:

Thank you for the action of the South Dakota Synod Council in releasing Immanuel Lutheran Church of Whitewood from its affiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Immanuel’s affiliation with the North American Lutheran Church better reflects the Biblical and theological commitments of the congregation.

I believe that both God and the congregation have called me to serve Immanuel as its pastor and to continue to do so. I believe that God has called me to serve within the North American Lutheran Church. I have been received as a pastor of the North American Lutheran Church. I thus ask that my name be removed from the roster of ordained ministers of the ELCA.

As Lutherans, we believe that the Christian Church is defined by the assembly of believers among whom the Gospel is preached in its purity and the Sacraments are administered according to the Gospel — not by any particular earthly institution (Augsburg Confession, Article 7). Christians throughout the world are a part of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church regardless of their particular church body affiliation. Christians unite in church bodies based on a shared understanding of the Christian faith. A church body affiliation is an acknowledgment that one shares its confession of the Christian faith.

I do not take the decision to leave the ELCA lightly. I have been a part of the South Dakota Synod for nearly 22 years as a pastor. I deeply grieve the loss of relationships this will mean with many people in the synod. As you know, I have been very involved in and have cared about the life and ministry of the synod and of the ELCA churchwide organization. I served on the synod’s Communications Committee for almost the entire history of the synod. I have served on other synod committees. I have served as a voting member at three churchwide assemblies and have attended or watched additional churchwide assemblies. I have presented resolutions at the South Dakota Synod Assembly to address areas of the life and mission of our synod and of the ELCA churchwide organization. I have worked with Lutheran CORE and others to try to help the ELCA to maintain the teaching and practice of its predecessor churches and of the Christian Church throughout history regarding marriage and sexual ethics. It is because I care about the ELCA that I worked with others to keep it from going down the path toward heterodoxy. It is because I care about the wider church and believe that the teaching and practice of the wider church matters that I cannot continue as a pastor of the ELCA.

I cannot in good conscience meet the expectation (from “Vision and Expectations”) that an “ordained minister supports not only the work of the congregation, but also the synodical and churchwide ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.” I also cannot meet the ELCA’s expectation that a pastor respect the beliefs of those who persist in error regarding the teaching of the Bible and of the Christian Church rather than call them to repentance and faithfulness. I believe that the expectations “to confess and teach the authoritative and normative character of the Scriptures ‘as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and life’” and to “teach nothing ‘that departs from the Scriptures or the catholic Church’” stand in opposition to the ELCA’s new teaching and practice on marriage and sexual ethics. The promises that I made at ordination to preach and teach in accordance with the Holy Scriptures, the ecumenical creeds, and the Lutheran Confessions require that I stand against the decisions of the ELCA to reject these foundations as normative for its teaching and practice. I have not changed. The Confession of Faith in the ELCA constitution has not changed, but it no longer functions as normative for the ELCA’s teaching and practice.

I did my Doctor of Ministry thesis on “norms for preaching.” I believe that the preaching and teaching of the church must be based on ultimate norms such as Scripture, the creeds, and the Lutheran Confessions for it to be faithful. By its actions, the ELCA has chosen to base its teaching and practice on the preferences of its members and on changes in secular society rather than to seek to discern God’s will based on the teaching of Scripture. The ELCA has accepted the ideas that contradictory teachings are of equal value and that there is no such thing as absolute truth and thus no reason to seek the truth. The ELCA’s new teaching and practice on marriage and sexual ethics are built upon a foundation other than the “the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3).

The idea of an individual’s personal perspective as the ultimate norm for teaching and practice finally leaves the ELCA in the same place as the judgment against the people in the book of Judges: “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” There is no basis for sound teaching and practice. Changes in teaching on marriage and sexual ethics are a symptom of the move to relativize the teaching of Scripture. The ELCA’s actions on sexuality violate the First, Second and Sixth Commandments. The ELCA has rejected God as the one who determines right and wrong and has used God’s name to bless what God has not blessed. Most clearly in the actions of our synod’s own companion synod, the ELCA has both tolerated and promoted teachings that contradict God’s revelation of Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In this tolerance and promotion of heretical teaching and practice, the ELCA no longer “contends for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.”

The South Dakota Synod and ELCA have many members and pastors who are faithful Christians — who confess Jesus as both Savior and Lord and who uphold the Bible, the creeds, and the Lutheran Confessions as normative for their faith and practice. Many of them believe that God has called them to remain in the ELCA and to struggle for reform from within. I respect them and the decision they have made. I will continue to uphold them in prayer as they remain in the struggle for faithfulness from within the ELCA. I will continue to pray that God will raise up leaders who will call the ELCA to live in faithfulness to the Confession of Faith in its constitution and to repent of any actions which contradict that Confession of Faith. I believe that God has called me to move on for the sake of the congregation I serve, for my own sake, and for the sake of the South Dakota Synod. There comes a time when the only remaining witness is to shake the dust from one’s feet. That is the place at which I find myself. It is because I care about those who remain in the ELCA that I must both bear this witness and take leave of them. It is because I care about you and the people of the South Dakota Synod that I must name the significance of the departure from “the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” that has taken place in the ELCA. God will ultimately judge both of our decisions and actions.

You remain in my prayers as you seek to provide leadership for the South Dakota Synod and the ELCA. This is certainly a difficult time for many as they struggle to discern God’s will and God’s call to discipleship and faithfulness. Let us all pray that God will draw the one holy catholic and apostolic Church together in faithfulness and mission.

Your brother in Christ,

Pastor David J. Baer

Lutheran CORE Connection and NALC News for April are now online

2011-04-09T10:27:00.001-05:00

CORE Connection - News from Lutheran CORE - April 2011 is now online.

Here is what you can read in this month's newsletter:

+ What Shall We Do? Reflections from the Lutheran CORE Moderator.

+ Help Lutheran World Relief Assist Japan.

+ Relief fund to aid Ethiopian Lutherans.

+ Association for Church Renewal Examines Church Trends, Leadership Training, Membership.

+ Five Challenges to Church Growth.

+ Scriptural Authority Crisis History Available.

+ "Salvation Today" - The Lutheran CORE and North American Lutheran Church Theological Conference - August 10-11, 2011.

+ "Impact" national youth event is July 7-12.

+ Frequently Asked Questions.

+ New CORE Connection Editor Appointed.

+ "Come Follow Me" - A Congregational Mission and Discipleship Event - May 13-14 in Fort Wayne, Ind.

The April issue of the NALC News is also now online.

Here is what you can read in this month's newsletter:

+ Relief Fund to help Lutherans in Ethiopia experiencing persecution.

+ "How can we keep the NALC the NALC?" by Bishop Paull Spring.

+ NALC surpasses 175 congregations.

+ Model Constitution for NALC Congregations is available.

+ Congregational mission and discipleship event in Indiana to feature Foss and Buba.

+ Carolinas Deanery Convocation is June 3-4.

+ Mission planters training event is May 5-6.

+ Pennsylvania conference to address debate on relevance of Scripture.

+ Nominations requested for NALC leaders.

+ 'Salvation Today' is theme for the 2011 Lutheran CORE theological conference.

+ Getting to know other NALC congregations featuring St. Timothy's Lutheran Church San Jose, California.

+ Haiti - One Year Later.

+ LWR responds to earthquake in Japan.

+ Personal Care Kits are new LWR parish project.

+ In Pursuit of the Great Commission.

+ Updated list of NALC congregations.

February-March "CORE Connection" newsletter

2011-03-04T23:03:00.002-06:00

CORE Connection - News from Lutheran CORE - February-March 2011 is now online.

Here is what you can read in this month’s newsletter:

+ NALC, LCMC leaders address International Theological and Mission Conference in Ethiopia.

+ Reflections on experience in Ethiopia by Pastor Mark Chavez.

+ NALC receives $1 million gift for missions, theological education.

+ "Salvation Today" is theme for August 2011 Lutheran CORE theological conference.

+ Midwest NALC Conference in Minnesota to feature Bishop Paull Spring, Professor James Nestingen.

+ "Common Convictions - Common Mission" NALC, Lutheran CORE event in Florida.

+ "Impact" national youth event is July 7-12.

+ Congregational mission and discipleship event will be May 13-14 in Fort Wayne, Ind.

+ ELCA leaders propose changing rules to make it harder for congregations to leave.

+ New congregation joins both NALC and LCMC. Area Lutherans come together to form new church in Brandon, S.D.

+ Frequently Asked Questions: What is the most common miscalculation among congregations that have pursued formal votes to end their affiliation with the ELCA?

+ In pursuit of the Great Commission: Small Groups by Pastor Don Brandt.

+ "Do I hear a second?" by Ringo Lanzetti.

The February-March issue of the NALC News is also now available.

In addition to some of the above articles, you can read:

+ Reflections on Ethiopian experience by Pastor John Bradosky, NALC General Secretary.

+ God & Ga-Ga Ball! God transforms crazy game into mission opportunity.

+ Nominations requested for NALC leaders.

+ Model Constitution for NALC Congregations.

+ Getting to know other NALC congregations featuring Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church,
Abington, Pennsylvania.

+ Updated list of NALC congregations.

2011-02-13T14:42:00.001-06:00

The small NALC start in Rapid City, S.D., got some good publicity in today's Rapid City Journal. The lead feature story in Sunday's paper was about it and others leaving the ELCA.

The interesting sub-text to the story is that South Dakota Synod Bishop David Zellmer is being greeted by this story as he comes to western South Dakota for two "calm the waters" events one today in Custer and one on Tuesday in Rapid City.

Aberdeen American News reports on Holy Cross decision to leave ELCA

2011-02-09T16:44:00.002-06:00

Check out this story from the Aberdeen American News about Holy Cross congregation's decision to leave the ELCA.

Here's how the story begins:

Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Aberdeen has begun the process of breaking away from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

The members of Holy Cross are not angry, said the Rev. William Nelson-Loefke, the church's pastor. But they are not pleased with the way the ELCA is interpreting Scripture, and they feel that the governing body is using sources other than the Bible to formulate church policy.

January "CORE Connection" newsletter

2011-01-25T21:00:00.002-06:00

CORE Connection - News from Lutheran CORE - January 2011 is now online.

Here is what you can read in this month’s newsletter:

+ Lynn Kickingbird elected as Lutheran CORE chair.

+ John Bradosky to be NALC General Secretary.

+ "The ground of Lutheranism has shifted." Reflections from Lutheran CORE Moderator Paul Ulring.

+ NALC, LCMC leaders to address International Theological and Mission Conference in Ethiopia.

+ Augsburg Lutheran Churches - A Lutheran CORE Church Body.

+ Congregational mission and discipleship event Feb. 11-12 at St. John Lutheran Church in Boerne, Texas.

+ A Faithful, But Difficult, Journey" by Pastor Jeffray Greene.

+ "Making Disciples," the latest in the "Pursuing Great Commission Evangelism in Your Congregation" series by Pastor Don Brandt.

The January issue of the NALC News is also now available.

In addition to some of the above articles, you can read:

+ A Word from General Secretary Pastor John Bradosky.

+ Nominations requested for NALC leaders.

+ Getting to know other NALC congregations featuring Grace Lutheran Church of Erskine, Minnesota.

+ NALC is experiencing rapid growth.

December "CORE Connection" newsletter

2010-12-17T18:36:00.000-06:00

CORE Connection - News from Lutheran CORE - December 2010 is now online.

Here is what you can read in this month’s newsletter:

+ Gemechis Buba to be NALC Missions Director.
Dr. Buba is first prominent leader from ELCA national office to join NALC.

+ NALC bishop joins American religious leaders in significant message on marriage.

+ Theological Conference is focus of new book.

+ "New Groups and Ministries for New People" by Pastor Don Brandt.

+ "Spread the word, start the conversation" by Pastor Mark Chavez.
Many congregations have not discussed 2009 ELCA assembly actions.

+ Proposed social statement on genetics plays role in congregations’ votes to leave ELCA.

+ ELCA cuts budget, cuts churchwide structure.
Churchwide organization experiences dramatic decline in support from congregations.

The December issue of the NALC News is also now available.

In addition to some of the above articles, you can read:

+ "A Call to Prayer" by Bishop Paull Spring.

+ New translation of Luther's Small Catechism is published by Reclaim.

+ Women's group is being formed for Lutheran CORE and NALC.

+ Getting to know other NALC congregations.

+ NALC is experiencing rapid growth.

November "CORE Connection" newsletter

2010-11-24T08:41:00.000-06:00

CORE Connection - News from Lutheran CORE - November 2010 is now online.

Here is what you can read in this month’s newsletter:

+ ELCA council proposes changing rules to make it harder for congregations to leave.

+ We have so much for which to be thankful in Lutheran CORE.

+ NALC offices to be in Columbus, Ohio.

+ NALC is experiencing rapid growth.

+ New book featuring lectures from Lutheran CORE theological conference is coming soon.

+ Women’s group is being formed for Lutheran CORE and North American Lutheran Church.

+ Ethiopian Lutherans reiterate rejection of ELCA actions on same-sex sexual relationships.

+ How the Size of Your Congregation Can Impact Worship Outreach by Pastor Don Brandt.

+ Pursuing Great Commission Evangelism in your congregation.

+ An Open Letter to the editor of "The Lutheran" by Prof. Carl Braaten.

+ A look at Lutheran CORE - North Carolina.

+ DVD on NALC is available.

The November issue of the NALC News is also now available.

In addition to some of the above articles, you can read:

+ We take the Great Commission seriously by Bishop Paull Spring.

+ National youth event set for Chicago.

+ Getting to know other NALC congregations featuring St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Carleston, W.Va., and Saint Luke's Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, Colo.

October "CORE Connection" newsletter

2010-10-26T21:04:00.001-05:00

CORE Connection - News from Lutheran CORE - October 2010 is now online.

Here is what you can read in this month’s newsletter:

+ Lutheran CORE plans future ministry.

+ A new season has begun for Lutheran CORE.
New Moderator reflects on Lutheran CORE’s future mission.

+ NALC announces provisional regional deans.

+ Synod refuses to let congregation leave ELCA.

+ ELCA synod services attack "bound consciences" of those who uphold Biblical teaching on sexuality.

+ Reply to Bishop Chilstrom.

First issue of "NALC News" is now online

2010-10-26T21:02:00.000-05:00

The first issue of the new NALC News is online.

Here is what you can read in the October newsletter:

+ North American Lutheran Church is constituted.

+ Provisional leaders to guide NALC for first year.

+ Provisional regional deans are announced.

+ Hope does not disappoint us.

+ NALC is experiencing rapid growth.

Parishes leaving ELCA find an unexpected price to pay

2010-10-06T09:42:00.001-05:00

Religion News Service offers an interesting article entitled "Parishes leaving ELCA find an unexpected price to pay."

The article notes the difficulties faced by mission congregations, especially those composed of immigrants from Africa. These congregations are steadfastly opposed to the ELCA's new teaching and practice on same-sex sexual relationships. But the ELCA expects them to repay all mission support received if they leave the ELCA.

The article opens with a pastor from Sioux Falls formerly supported by the ELCA.

You can read the article here.

September "CORE Connection" newsletter

2010-09-17T10:20:00.001-05:00

CORE Connection - News from Lutheran CORE - September 2010 is now online.

Here is what you can read in this month’s newsletter:

+ North American Lutheran Church constituted.

+ Lutheran CORE to continue as unity movement.

+ Provisional leaders to guide NALC for first year.

+ Lutheran CORE Moderator, Steering Committee elected.

+ Theological Conference addresses crisis in Lutheranism.

+ Excerpts from speeches at the Lutheran CORE Theological Conference.

+ Theological Conference is "seeking new directions for Lutheranism."

+ DVD on North American Lutheran Church is now available.

Audio presentations from Theological Conference are available online

2010-09-01T08:33:00.000-05:00

Listen to audio recordings of the main presentations at the Lutheran CORE Theological Conference August 24-26 at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church.

Video recordings of the Lutheran CORE Convocation in DVD format may be ordered using this form.

Printed and expanded presentations of the lectures from the theological conference will be available soon in a book to be published by the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau. Proceeds from sale of the book will benefit Lutheran CORE.

New church body to be formed for Lutherans in North America

2010-08-19T16:54:00.001-05:00

North American Lutheran Church to be constituted. Lutheran CORE to continue as unity movement for all confessing Lutherans.

More than 1,000 Lutherans from throughout North America will gather Aug. 26-27 in suburban Columbus, Ohio, to form a new church body for confessional Lutherans in North America. The annual Convocation of Lutheran CORE will adopt a constitution and proposals that will give birth to the North American Lutheran Church (NALC).

“The NALC will embody the center of Lutheranism in America. The NALC will uphold confessional principles dear to Lutherans including a commitment to the authority of the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions. Members and congregations of the NALC will have direct involvement in the decisions and life of the NALC,” said the Rev. Mark Chavez of Landisville, Pa., director of Lutheran CORE.

Provisional leaders for the NALC, including a bishop, will be elected at the Convocation. The provisional leaders will be elected for one-year terms to allow those who join the NALC to elect their own leaders at its first annual meeting.

The Convocation will take place at Grove City Church of the Nazarene in Grove City, Ohio. This church was chosen because its very large facility will enable as many Lutherans as possible to be a part of this historic event.

A theological conference featuring some of the most significant Lutheran scholars in America will precede the Convocation. “Seeking New Directions for Lutheranism” is the theme of the Aug. 24-26 conference at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church’s Mill Run campus in Hilliard, Ohio. More than 800 people have registered for the conference.

Changes in ELCA have caused divisions

Lutherans throughout the United States have been reacting to recent actions by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America reversing the ELCA’s policy on pastors in same-sex sexual relation-ships. ELCA pastors are now allowed to be in same-sex relationships and to officiate at same-sex union ceremonies. The ELCA Churchwide Assembly approved a social statement in August 2009 that changed ELCA teaching on sexuality and authorized a reversal in policy regarding pastors in same-sex relationships.
Lutheran CORE leaders note that the problems in the ELCA are really not about sexual behavior but rather about an ongoing movement away from the authority and teaching of the Bible throughout the ELCA, on issues far broader than simply human sexuality.

“It was not our choice to leave the ELCA, but the ELCA has chosen to reject ‘the faith once delivered to the saints,’ so now we are acting to maintain our position within the consensus of the Church catholic,” said Ryan Schwarz of Washington, D.C., chair of Lutheran CORE’s Vision and Planning Working Group.

The ELCA decisions have created a crisis in many ELCA congregations and resulted in many congregations choosing to reduce financial support for the ELCA. Some ELCA congregations have already voted to join the NALC even though the church body does not yet officially exist. Many more congregations are expected to join as the NALC takes shape.

International Lutheran leaders to attend Convocation

Two of the largest Lutheran churches in the world are among the church bodies that are sending official representatives to the Convocation. Representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus will address the Convocation. These two church bodies from Africa are the second and third largest Lutheran churches in the world, each with 5.3 million members.

Both African Lutheran churches have been supportive of Lutheran CORE and have taken stands against the actions of the ELCA in changing its teaching and policy on same-sex sexual relationships in spite of the clear teaching of the Bible.

“The presence at our convocation of so many ecumenical and international guests is very significant,” said the Rev. Paull Spring of State College, Pa., chair of Lutheran CORE. “Their presence among us is a reminder that we are not alone in our ministry and that we intend to forge strong ties and relationships with other Christian communities as we go forward in the North American Lutheran Church.”

A way to move forward together

The proposals to be considered by the Convocation have been designed to provide a way for Lutherans who uphold Biblical teaching to move forward together. In addition to creating the NALC, Lutheran CORE’s 2010 Convocation will also consider proposals for the continuation of Lutheran CORE as “a confessional and confessing unity movement for all Lutherans regardless of church body.”

“These proposals are a way for those who uphold traditional Christian teaching — both those who are leaving the ELCA or the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and those who will remain in those bodies — to remain in fellowship and to work together,” said Chavez. “We are committed to helping all traditional Lutherans in North America to remain united in faith and mission.”

“The future that we envision for confessing Lutherans in North America is one that is centered on the absolute truth of Christ Jesus and committed to making disciples for Him,” said Ryan Schwarz of Washington, D.C., chair of Lutheran CORE’s Vision and Planning Working Group. “Both Lutheran CORE and the NALC will stand in continuity with the tradition of the Christian Church over the past 2,000 years and will orient their activities primarily for the support of congregations in their ministries.”

“Lutheran CORE and the new NALC are two pathways for faithful, confessing Lutherans in North America to remain connected to each other and to the vast majority of Lutherans and Christians globally who reject the theological innovations of the ELCA and ELCIC,” he added.

The NALC will be a member of Lutheran CORE and will do much of its mission and ministry in conjunction with Lutheran CORE to help maintain unity among confessing Lutherans and to carry out mission and ministry efficiently.

Both Lutheran CORE and the NALC will be centered on four key attributes: Christ-Centered; Mission-Driven; Traditionally-Grounded; and Congregationally-Focused.

Lutheran CORE’s 2009 Convocation Sept. 25-26, 2009, in Fishers, Ind., asked that a proposal for the “reconfiguration of North American Lutheranism” be prepared and brought to the 2010 Convocation. In response, “A Vision and Plan for The North American Lutheran Church and Lutheran CORE, a Community of Confessing Lutherans” was released in February.

Spring noted that Lutheran CORE and the NALC are committed to faithfully teaching the historic Christian faith as it has been confessed by Lutherans and also to moving forward in faith and mission.

“We have a great opportunity before us. We not only want to look back toward the past, but to look ahead to the mission God has given us — to confess Christ faithfully, to witness to others, and to grow in God’s mission. This is our opportunity now in Lutheran CORE and in the North American Lutheran Church,” said Spring, who is nominated for election as the NALC’s provisional bishop for one year.

“The North American Lutheran Church places great emphasis on congregational ministry and congregational renewal.” Spring said. “We know that the congregation is not the sole form of ministry in the church. But the congregation is surely the chief community of faith for ministry and renewal. We are hoping that our congregational focus will be evident in the way we carry out our ministry.”

“We are inspired by the groundswell of congregations interested in joining the NALC, as well as the other Lutheran and Christian church bodies interested in discussing fellowship and shared ministry opportunities with the NALC,” Schwarz said.

“Our common commitment to Christ’s Great Commission — making disciples of all nations — is a firm foundation for continued growth of the NALC, broader unity through Lutheran CORE, and building of church-to-church relationships in coming years.”

August "CORE Connection" newsletter

2010-08-18T09:18:00.001-05:00

CORE Connection - News from Lutheran CORE - August 2010 is now online.

Here is what you can read in this month’s newsletter:

+ Convocation to give life to new church body for confessional Lutherans in North America.
Convocation to set future directions for NALC and Lutheran CORE.
Lutheran CORE to continue as unity movement.

+ Theological Conference is "seeking new directions for Lutheranism."

+ Nominees announced for Lutheran CORE, NALC.
Paul Ulring nominated for Lutheran CORE moderator; Paull Spring for NALC bishop.

+ Amendments proposed for Lutheran CORE constitution.

+ 40 days of prayer precede historic Convocation.

+ Seven Marks Society to hold constituting convocation.

+ Lutheran CORE leader reflects on LWF Assembly.

+ Tanzanian and Ethiopian leaders elected to LWF council.

+ Representatives of Lutheran Churches in Africa, Anglican Church, LCMC, LCMS to attend Convocation.

+ Provisional constitution for NALC to be considered.

+ North American Lutheran Church Questions & Answers.

+ North American Lutheran Church DVD.

+ ‘Rite of Reception’ shows ELCA changes are about more than accepting same-sex relationships.
Synod service includes goddess elements, deviations from Lord’s Prayer.

Things are getting nasty in Mobridge

2010-08-06T10:46:00.001-05:00

Things are getting nasty in Mobridge, S.D.

Bishop Zellmer met with Trinity Lutheran Church in Mobridge on July
28. The meeting was scheduled to be a Q & A on the ELCA sexuality
decisions. In addition, the bishop decided to make it a forum on the
ministry of the pastor and to call for a vote to remove the pastor.
The pastor believes the ELCA actions violate the teaching of
Scripture. They have had discussions about leaving the ELCA. The
congregation is divided.

The bishop is recommending that the pastor be removed. With this
recommendation, only a simple majority vote is needed to end the
pastor's call to the congregation.

The audio of the bishop's presentation is available on You Tube. It
is divided into five sections, the fifth section includes the change
in the meeting.

Here is the link to the audio on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSSRd8e6qKA

David

July "CORE Connection" newsletter

2010-07-18T14:44:00.001-05:00

CORE Connection - News from Lutheran CORE - July 2010 is now online.

Here is what you can read in this month’s newsletter:

+ Lutheran CORE leaders call for 40 days of prayer preceding historic Convocation.

+ Devotions from 40 days of prayer preceding Convocation.

+ Lutheran CORE Steering Committee finalizes NALC proposal, makes plans for future of Lutheran CORE.

+ Lutheran CORE leaders to attend LWF Assembly.
Lutheran World Federation facing division caused by ELCA actions on sexuality.

+ Register for Convocation and Theological Conference.

+ Ecumenical representatives to attend Convocation.

+ North American Lutheran Church (NALC) DVD coming soon.

+ Congregations can join NALC.

+ National youth gathering set for 2011 in Chicago.

+ Resources for congregational life, pastoral support.

+ Missouri Synod addresses ELCA actions, commits to support confessional Lutheranism.

+ Synod assemblies highlight deep divisions in ELCA Assemblies offer little hope ELCA can restore Biblical teaching on sexuality.

+ Northeastern Iowa Synod Secretary resigns, notes commitment to ordination vows, Confession of Faith.

+ Institute of Lutheran Theology opens online bookstore.

+ "ELCA house is sadly and irreparably divided," a letter by Mark D. Hanson.

Lutheran CORE leaders call for 40 days of prayer preceding historic Convocation

2010-07-15T21:38:00.002-05:00

The leaders of Lutheran CORE are inviting Christians around the world to join in 40 days of prayer as Lutherans in North America gather to form the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) and to shape the ongoing ministry of Lutheran CORE as a community of confessing Lutherans regardless of their church body affiliation.

Lutheran CORE’s 2010 Convocation is set for Aug. 26-27 at Grove City Church of the Nazarene in Grove City, Ohio (suburban Columbus).

The 40 days of prayer begin on July 19 and continue through Aug. 27, the day the NALC will be constituted. Devotions and prayers have been prepared for each of the 40 days by members of Lutheran CORE’s Steering Committee and Advisory Council and by pastors and church leaders in North America and around the world.

“The significance of this undertaking to form a new church body must be undergirded by the prayers of God’s people, not only in North America but around the world,” said the Rev. Rebecca Heber, a member of the Lutheran CORE Steering Committee who is coordinating the prayer effort.

“All of us in Lutheran CORE have been encouraged by the support of Christians around the world. We are especially grateful for their prayers and covet their prayers during these 40 days,” Pastor Heber said.

Heber and her husband, the Rev. Bill Heber, are developing Oasis Church, a new NALC mission congregation in the Orlando, Florida, area.

The devotions and prayers will be posted on Lutheran CORE’s website.

June "CORE Connection" newsletter

2010-06-18T10:50:00.001-05:00

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.

2010 South Dakota Synod Assembly

2010-06-15T14:42:00.003-05:00

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:

South Dakota Lutherans to consider their response to ELCA’s reversal of policy on homosexuality

2010-06-09T10:58:00.002-05:00

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

May "CORE Connection" newsletter

2010-05-15T10:16:00.000-05:00

CORE Connection - News from Lutheran CORE - May 2010 is now online.

Here is what you can read in this month’s newsletter:

+ Discipleship to be DNA of Lutheran CORE, NALC.
Working Group recommends Discipleship Networking plan for reconfigured Lutheranism.

+ Plans for Lutheran CORE, NALC future taking shape.

+ Congregations can now join the NALC.

+ "Why I am joining the North American Lutheran Church" by Bishop Paull Spring.

+ Lutheran CORE Convocation to move to 3,000-seat church.

+ Seven Marks Society to hold constituting convention.

+ Synod assemblies react to ELCA sexuality decisions.

+ Lutheran Church in Tanzania affirms Biblical teaching on homosexual behavior and rejects ELCA changes.

+ LCMS addresses implications of ELCA decisions.

+ WordAlone changes its name and ministry emphasis.

+ ELCA reinstating pastors removed for misconduct.

+ S.D. Synod bishop censures four congregations.

Bishop censures pastor and 4 congregations in South Dakota for expressing opposition to new ELCA teaching and policy on homosexual behavior

2010-05-08T17:56:00.005-05:00

Four congregations and a pastor in western South Dakota have been censured by their bishop for expressing their belief that changes in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s teaching and policy on homosexual behavior violate the teaching of the Bible by joining Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC).

The Rev. David Zellmer, bishop of the South Dakota Synod, “censured” the Rev. Frezil Westerlund of Philip, S.D., and the four congregations she serves for joining LCMC, an association of traditional Lutheran congregations.

Pastor Westerlund was notified of the censure Wednesday, May 5, by an assistant to the bishop. The congregations were notified by mail.

The congregations — First Lutheran Church, Philip; Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Long Valley; Trinity Lutheran Church, Midland; and Deep Creek Lutheran Church, rural Midland — each voted to join LCMC and to redirect their mission giving at congregational meetings in October. Pastor Westerlund has not joined LCMC. The congregations work together as Western New Hope Lutheran Parish.

“This act of censure belies the promise that orthodox Christians will have a place within the ELCA,” Pastor Westerlund said. “We did not withdraw from the ELCA because we believed that the course of the church could still be righted. Now who knows what will happen.”

“This is not an issue about human partnerships. Our issue is Biblical authority. We can’t just take scissors and cut out the parts of the Bible we don’t like. That lacks integrity,” she said.

Pastor Westerlund comes from a long line of Lutheran pastors willing to take a stand for their faith. “My family has been pastors for 500 years. My great, great, great, etc. grandfather, the Rev. Johann Von Heyl, signed the Augsburg Confession. At my ordination, I promised to teach and preach in accordance with Scripture and that confession. We have a duty to stand for what is right and faithful.” she said.

The Augsburg Confession is the primary Lutheran confession of faith and one of the most important documents of the Lutheran Reformation. It was presented at the Diet of Augsburg in 1530 as the first Lutherans took their stand and confessed their faith before religious and civil authorities.

At age 63, Pastor Westerlund is a petite, white-haired woman who stands all of 5-foot-2 in high heels. She has been undergoing treatment for colon cancer and is on medical leave. She recently returned to Philip from Rochester, Minn., where she had surgery at the Mayo Clinic.

“It was quite a surprise to come back from Mayo to find out that I am an outlaw,” she said.

“I question why we as a small rural congregation, a member of Western New Hope Parish, and also our Pastor Frezil Westerlund — who is recovering from major cancer surgery at this time — have been singled out by being censured because of the fact that we have joined LCMC,” said Karen Pinney, a member of First Lutheran Church in Philip, and also Associate Coordinator of the Bear Butte Conference Women of the ELCA.

“We studied and sent a response from our parish in regard to the Social Statement on Human Sexuality prior to the vote by Churchwide August 2009 in Minneapolis. We have been prayerfully discussing and considering what is best for our parish and congregation. We have taken time to consider the possibilities of either staying or leaving the ELCA,” she said.

“I truly believe the decision of ELCA to put practicing homosexuals in the pulpit totally goes against the teaching of God’s Holy Word,” Pinney said. “If Bishop Zellmer wants to draw a line in the sand, I join with Martin Luther by saying ‘Here I stand!’ I am proud to say I stand firmly with Scripture.”

As a means of protest and a more faithful means of stewardship, the congregations have chosen to directly support ministries rather then to send undesignated support to the South Dakota Synod.

“The people of Western New Hope Lutheran Parish are people of faith and kindness. Like other South Dakotans, we are a self-reliant, caring community When someone is hungry we feed them. We continue to support our statewide Lutheran ministries,” Pastor Westerlund said.

“Instead of sending our funds to the South Dakota Synod for them to distribute the funds to our various church agencies, we send directly to these agencies. With benevolence money sent to the South Dakota Synod main office, 43 percent is sent to the national ELCA.” explained John Kangas, a member of First Lutheran in Philip. “Our local congregation not only gives support to our Lutheran statewide mission groups, we also started funding local food banks and help for people’s prescription drugs.”

Shirley Kangas noted that this designated giving by individuals and congregations is resulting in more funds for actual ministry rather than for staff salaries at church headquarters. “At the Bear Butte Conference meeting in Rapid City on April 10, Bishop Zellmer spoke of the deficit of monies coming into the synod because congregations were sending their money to specific mission projects. Both the national ELCA and the South Dakota Synod are short in their budgets and had to lay off staff. The monies going directly from the congregations to the mission projects have increased more than they would have received from the synod,” she said.

ELCA national leaders have been encouraging synod leaders to take a hard line against congregations that seek to add an additional church affiliation.

In a January memo to synod bishops and vice presidents, ELCA Secretary David Swartling announced that the ELCA will not allow congregations to be members of more than one church body. He said that bishops could choose to discipline a congregation for affiliating with an additional church body.

Swartling’s announcement marked a change in the ELCA’s posture toward congregations that have more than one church body membership.

Some ELCA congregations have had dual affiliations with LCMC since 2001 with no conflict or threats of discipline from their synods. It is believed that Zellmer’s actions mark the first time a congregation has been disciplined for having dual affiliations, but a California synod announced April 1 that it is considering the possibility.

Zellmer announced April 10 at the Bear Butte Conference Assembly in Rapid City that he would seek to discipline any congregation that joins LCMC. He said that he made the decision based on conversations with other bishops at recent meetings of the ELCA Conference of Bishops.

Nearly 200 ELCA congregations — 11 in South Dakota — have joined LCMC since the ELCA Churchwide Assembly voted in August 2009 to change ELCA teaching and policy to permit pastors to be in same-sex sexual relationships. The significant number of congregations joining LCMC may explain the ELCA’s new tough stance against dual church body affiliations.

Most of those congregations voted to leave the ELCA at the same time. The four congregations that were censured by the bishop are the ones that didn’t vote to leave the ELCA. Some wonder if the bishop is trying to force the congregations to make a decision about whether or not to stay in the ELCA.

The actions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly have caused conflict in many congregations in South Dakota. Many individuals and congregations are discerning whether they can in good conscience continue to be a part of the ELCA. Many are waiting to see what actions the South Dakota Synod Assembly will take in opposition to the ELCA’s reversal of its teaching and policies on same-sex relationships. Many are also waiting for the North American Lutheran Church to be constituted in August.

Lutheran CORE, an association of traditional Lutherans is aiding in the formation a new church body, the North American Lutheran Church, which is to be constituted Aug. 26-27 in Columbus, Ohio. Lutheran CORE will continue as “a community of confessing Lutherans, a way for traditional Lutherans to work together regardless of their church body affiliation.

The South Dakota Synod Assembly, the annual meeting of the synod, will consider resolutions expressing the synod’s opposition to the ELCA’s new teaching and policy when it meets June 11-12 in Rapid City. The assembly will also consider a resolution asking that the synod express its willingness to continue in shared ministry work with congregations in South Dakota that leave the ELCA because they believe the ELCA’s new policies violate the teaching of the Bible.

Susan Marone, assistant to the bishop, told Pastor Westerlund that Bishop Zellmer will be asking the South Dakota Synod Council about pursuing further disciplinary actions against her and the congregations. Censure is the least severe of the disciplinary actions that can be taken by the synod. The most severe would be expelling the congregations and pastor from the ELCA.

Bishop Zellmer is traveling in Africa May 2-14.

April "CORE Connection" newsletter

2010-04-24T21:08:00.000-05:00

CORE Connection - News from Lutheran CORE - April 2010 is now online.

Here is what you can read in this month’s newsletter:

+ Lutheran CORE Convocation to move to larger facility.

+ Ecumenical representatives to attend historic Convocation.

+ ELCA finalizes changes in standards to allow pastors to be in same-sex sexual relationships.

+ “The View from the Upper Room” by Erma Wolf.

+ ELCA threatening discipline against congregations.

+ Lutherans in Africa are “extremely disturbed” by ELCA, Swedish actions on homosexual behavior.

+ Groups shaping NALC, Lutheran CORE.

+ Tonya Rike is new Lutheran CORE staff.

+ Gravity of situation created by ELCA sexuality votes by Dr. J. Larry Yoder.
Do the ELCA sexuality decisions rise to the level of error or heresy or apostasy?

Steadfast in the Word - Toward a Renewed Lutheran Church

2010-04-15T15:17:00.001-05:00

Mark Your Calendars:

"Steadfast in the Word: Toward a Renewed Lutheran Church."

Saturday, May 15 - 10 a.m. to noon

Crossroads Hotel and Convention Center in Huron, SD

Speakers: Pastors Erma Wolf and Scott Grorud.

Contact Cliff Hadley at 605-350-6210 for more information.

Bear Butte Conference Assembly

2010-04-11T22:12:00.003-05:00

Here's the news from the Bear Butte Conference Assembly which was held Saturday in Rapid City:

+ Three resolutions were approved asking for rescinding ELCA decisions on sexuality. Two of those were the same as the ones approved by Prairie Coteau (similar to the original from NE Iowa Synod). The third was the first of ELCA Secretary Swartling's model resolutions (as shared by the synod) asking for rescinding ministry policies actions. The resolutions were approved by a very solid majority vote (it was a ballot vote and the total was roughly two thirds).

+ A resolution asking for the synod to find ways to maintain whatever unity might be possible with those congregations that leave the ELCA was also approved.

+ The big news was the Bishop Zellmer announced that he plans to discipline any congregation (or individual?) that joins LCMC. This is truly big news because I think it's the first time an ELCA bishop has said this publicly. He did say that the hard-line approach is the result of conversations with the Conference of Bishops.

March "CORE Connection"

2010-03-17T22:17:00.001-05:00

CORE Connection - News from Lutheran CORE – March 2010 is now available.

Here is what you can read in this month’s newsletter:

+ Reconfiguration proposal receiving positive responses.
Proposal recommends new Lutheran church and continuation of Lutheran CORE.

+ Synod won’t let Florida congregation leave ELCA
In spite of two unanimous votes to leave ELCA, Synod Council refuses to let them go.

+ “Charitable Behavior” by Pastor Mark C. Chavez.

+ “Seeking New Directions for Lutheranism” is the theme of Lutheran CORE theological conference.

+ “I Think I Finally Get It” by By Pastor Erma Wolf.

+ LCMC, WordAlone Network to host events in April.

+ ELCA churchwide funding reaches “historic low.”

+ Conference asks that Lutheran CORE members be prohibited from holding offices in NE Iowa Synod.

+ ELCA releases draft of revised standards for pastors.

+ Bishops moving quickly to receive persons in same-sex relationships ordained in defiance of ELCA standards; Synod has already approved prominent proponent of changing ELCA teaching.

+ ELCA Board of Pensions approves benefits for same-sex couples; ELCA council to act in April.

Lutheran CORE releases proposal for reconfiguration of Lutheranism

2010-02-18T09:17:00.004-06:00

Lutheran CORE releases a proposal for reconfiguration of Lutheranism
Proposal recommends new Lutheran church and continuation of Lutheran CORE

Leaders of Lutheran CORE released a proposal for the reconfiguration of Lutheranism in North America on Thursday, Feb. 18. The proposal calls for the continuation of Lutheran CORE as “a community of confessing Lutherans” and for the formation of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC), a new Lutheran church body.

Lutheran CORE’s national Convocation Sept. 25-26, 2009, in Fishers, Ind., asked that a proposal for the “reconfiguration of North American Lutheranism” be prepared and brought to Lutheran CORE’s 2010 Convocation Aug. 26-27 in Columbus, Ohio. The proposal released Feb. 18 is a response to that request. It was released now so that Lutheran CORE members can provide input to aid in drafting the proposals that will be considered by the 2010 Convocation.

“We are committed to maintaining the unity of as many faithful Lutherans in North America as possible,” said Ryan Schwarz of Washington, D.C., who chaired the Vision and Planning Working Group that created the proposal.

Many individuals and congregations are considering whether or not to remain affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) because of what they see as the ELCA’s continued drift from the teachings of the Bible and traditional Christianity. “These proposals are a way for those who uphold traditional Christian teaching — both those who are leaving the ELCA to join the NALC or another body, and those who will remain in the ELCA — to work together,” Schwarz explained.

“There are deep divisions in the ELCA as a result of the Churchwide Assembly’s recent actions,” he added.

The actions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in August to affirm same-sex sexual relationships and to allow pastors and other rostered leaders to be in those relationships in spite of the teaching of the Bible have been seen by many ELCA members as evidence that the Bible no longer functions as the ultimate norm for the faith and life of the ELCA. Similar concerns are being expressed about the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC).

“These proposals are a way for Lutherans to move forward in carrying out the true mission of the Christian Church — which is sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ — while leaving behind past struggles to reform the ELCA,” Schwarz explained.

North American Lutheran Church
“Confessing Lutherans have raised their voices over the past several months, asking for a church body which is faithful in its preaching and practice to the Holy Bible and to the teachings of the Lutheran Confessions. Lutheran CORE has heard these requests and, in response, now proposes to form the North American Lutheran Church (NALC),” the proposal explains.

“The NALC is being established in response to those members and friends of Lutheran CORE who have expressed a preference for completely withdrawing from the ELCA or ELCIC. They are looking for a new Lutheran church body which stands in the tradition of the Church, is denominationally structured for leadership, oversight and accountability, enhances representative governance by congregations and affirms and supports ministry and mission at the congregational level.”

The NALC and Lutheran CORE will function cooperatively in shared ministry and mission. To express and build unity amongst their respective members, most ministries of the two bodies will be carried out jointly: domestic and global evangelism, theological education, and human service.

Lutheran CORE
“Lutheran CORE affirms that both staying in and leaving the ELCA and ELCIC can be faithful courses for confessing Lutherans. We envision a reconfiguration that maintains the highest degree of ongoing unity and cooperation possible among those who leave and those who stay,” the document states. “A primary vehicle for this unity will be the continuing ministry of Lutheran CORE, reconfigured as an association of confessing Lutherans spanning denominational bodies.”

“Lutheran CORE intends to be a community of Lutherans who acknowledge that Scripture is the only and final authority in matters of faith and life, and who accept the Lutheran Confessions as a faithful and trustworthy witness to the Word of God. It will be composed of individuals, congregations, partner renewal movements and church bodies, including the NALC, who agree with its constitution,” the proposal explains.

“Lutheran CORE is not becoming the NALC. It is aiding in the formation of this new church body,” explained the Rev. Paull Spring of State College, Pa., chair of Lutheran CORE’s Steering Committee and a member of the working group that prepared the proposal.

“Lutheran CORE will continue as an association of confessing Lutherans spanning denominational bodies. Lutheran CORE will serve those in the ELCA, those in the NALC, and hopefully those in other Lutheran church bodies such as LCMC who share a commitment to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions,” explained Spring, the retired bishop of the ELCA’s Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod. “The NALC will provide a church body for those who choose to leave the ELCA.”

Four Key Attributes
The proposal outlines four “key attributes” of both Lutheran CORE and the NALC: “Christ-Centered,” “Mission-Driven,” “Traditionally-Grounded,” and “Congregationally-Focused.”
“The vision statement’s commitment to prioritize making disciples of Christ in congregations, communities and in all nations is key. That’s the ‘main thing’ and if Christian churches don’t do it, no one else will,” said the Rev. Mark Chavez of Landisville, Pa., director of Lutheran CORE.

“The people who drafted the proposals for Lutheran CORE and the NALC come from several different backgrounds and traditions in North American Lutheranism. They are united in a common confession of the Christian faith and commitment to submit to the authority of God’s Word over all matters of faith and life. That’s hopeful and exciting,” Chavez said.

The proposal was drafted by an eight-member working group. It was reviewed and approved by Lutheran CORE’s Steering Committee and its Advisory Council of theologians and church leaders.

Members of the Vision and Planning Task Force are two lay people: Schwarz and Carolyn Nestingen, Dallas, Ore.; four ELCA pastors: the Revs. Cathi Braasch, Smithfield, Neb.; Dan Selbo, San Jose, Calif.; David Glesne, Fridley, Minn.; and Mike Tavella, Abington, Pa.; and two retired ELCA bishops: Spring and the Rev. Ronald Warren, Grove City, Ohio, former bishop of the ELCA’s Southeastern Synod.

“It is fitting that these proposals are being announced on the day that the Lutheran church remembers the great reformer Martin Luther. Luther brought new life and renewal to the church of his day. We pray that God will use these proposals to bring new life and renewal to the church of our day,” Spring said.

Feb. 18 is the date on Lutheran church calendars for the commemoration of Martin Luther as a renewer of the Christian Church. Luther died Feb. 18, 1546.

Congregations already leaving ELCA
Congregations around the country are already taking votes on whether to leave the ELCA. ELCA Secretary David Swartling reported that, as of Feb. 3, 220 congregations in 49 of the ELCA’s 65 synods have taken votes to leave the ELCA.

Two votes at least 90 days apart — each receiving a two-thirds majority — are required for a congregation to end its affiliation with the ELCA. Swartling reported that 156 congregations attained the required two-thirds majority on their first vote. Twenty-eight congregations already have taken their second vote. All of those votes attained the two-thirds majority for the congregation to leave the ELCA.

Several congregations have had a significant majority vote to leave the ELCA but failed to reach the two-thirds majority, increasing the crisis and division in those congregations.

Many ELCA congregations are facing divisions among their members and financial difficulties as a result of the ELCA assembly’s actions. Revenues to the ELCA churchwide organization and to many synods have decreased as congregations have chosen to redirect their benevolence giving to ministries other than the ELCA.

Additional information and the proposal draft are online at www.lutherancore.org.

ELCA / SD Synod's hard line is getting harder

2010-02-15T10:52:00.002-06:00

Our congregation has been told that the SD Synod will not allow any of the amendments we approved (similar to those on Lutheran CORE's website) in our congregation's constitution.

I just got off the phone with Ruth Hamilton in the ELCA Office of the Secretary. She said that the ELCA will not allow any of the items we approved: 1. The Common Confession; 2. The V & E statement on marriage; 3. a statement of membership in Lutheran CORE in any congregational governing documents -- not constitution, not bylaws, not continuing resolutions. She also said that the ELCA will not allow congregations to be members of Lutheran CORE.

She said the Conference of Bishops will be meeting soon to discuss what to do with congregations that have joined Lutheran CORE.

For my congregation, telling them they won't let us do this will be a last straw. We've been trying to wait for our synod assembly -- looking for permission to stay in the ELCA. But this hard line is going to make this very hard for us.

David

Pastor David Baer
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Whitewood, SD

Argus Leader features ELCA divisions in Sunday's paper

2010-02-14T21:00:00.003-06:00

Today's Sioux Falls Argus Leader features an article on what is
happening with South Dakota congregations considering leaving the
ELCA. It features East Lake Andes Lutheran Church and conversation
with Bishop Zellmer.

You can read it here.

A second story features Bishop Zellmer's experience with "tough tasks."

Lutheran CORE January newsletter

2010-01-21T10:32:00.001-06:00

CORE Connection - News from Lutheran CORE – January 2010 is now available online.

Here is what you can read in this month’s newsletter:

+ Lutheran CORE moving forward on two fronts: Proposals are being drafted for continuation of Lutheran CORE as free synod and for a new Lutheran church body.

+ Renewal movement leaders meet with planning group.

+ Northeastern Iowa Synod is laboratory for ELCA crisis.

+ Lutheran CORE becoming independent charitable organization.

+ ELCA sexuality decisions among top news stories of 2009.

+ ELCA issues Christmas Eve news release on expelled congregation’s celebration of ELCA sexuality decisions.

+ Mark Chavez to become full-time director of Lutheran CORE.

+ A look back at 2009 . . . and ahead in 2010
2009 was historic year for Lutherans in North America.
2010 will be a year of new beginnings for Lutherans.

+ Bishop Crumley: ELCA actions violate Confession of Faith.

+ "Why There Must Be New Beginnings" by Dr. Robert Benne.

Bishop's Forum in Sioux Falls

2010-01-16T22:17:00.006-06:00

News coverage of Bishop Zellmer's forum Thursday in Sioux Falls is available from the Argus Leader, Christian Post, Associate Press (via WCCO), KSFY-TV, and KELO-TV.

Videos of the bishop's Sioux Falls forum are available at the synod's website.

Bishop's forum in Rapid City

2010-01-13T07:41:00.006-06:00

The headline in the Rapid City Journal accurately describes Bishop David Zellmer's Jan. 12 forum in Rapid City: "Bishop tries to calm waters over gay clergy issue." Read the story here.

KOTA-TV headlined their coverage: "South Dakota ELCA bishop speaks out on gay friendly stance."

Here are some thoughts on the evening:

There were a lot of people there. I would guess 500.

I think the bishop did a good job of public relations for the synod. Although I found the card packets to be a very expensive and glitzy way for a synod that claims to be short on funds to provide information that could all have fit on two sides of a sheet of paper.

Bishop Zellmer continues to defend the actions of the CWA and thus to disappoint me and many others.

The tone of the evening was pretty good with a lot of joking around by the bishop until the very end when Bishop Zellmer got a bit angry and antagonistic toward those who find the ELCA actions to be contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture. He even received a standing ovation for his expression of anger from many of those in attendance. As I think about that part of the evening it's hard to keep the 8th commandment.

There was one little ray of hope in a response the bishop gave to a question about ways that the synod assembly could express the bound conscience of the synod given its previous actions. Bishop Zellmer said he is working on a "sense of the synod" resolution where we could state our position. On the other hand, the bishop said he would rule out of order any attempt to establish a synod position on the sexuality issues because they restrict the actions a congregation can take in calling a pastor (as if the rule that a congregation must call someone on the ELCA roster isn't a restriction on the freedom of a congregation).

I found the evening to be more encouragement to move toward the ELCA exits than encouragement to stay connected. My guess is that whatever opinion people brought to the evening was confirmed and reinforced. Those supportive of the ELCA will feel affirmed. Those concerned by the actions of the Churchwide Assembly will feel that their position is no longer tolerated in the synod in spite of statements to the contrary.

Keep the faith!

Bishop's Forum in Aberdeen

2010-01-12T09:28:00.002-06:00

The Aberdeen American News has coverage of Bishop David Zellmer's forum on January 11 in Aberdeen as the bishop continues to defend the ELCA actions and encourage people to support the ELCA. You can read about it here.

Forum in Sioux Falls attracts 500 people

2010-01-11T22:48:00.001-06:00

About 500 people attended the forum with Jim Nestingen and Ken Sauer Sunday in Sioux Falls. It sounds like it was a great day for the Lutheran Church in South Dakota.

The Sioux Falls Argus Leader provides coverage here.

Bishop Zellmer's Vermillion forum on sexuality

2010-01-05T19:25:00.002-06:00

News coverage of the first of SD Synod Bishop David Zellmer's forums on the ELCA sexuality decisions is available from the Yankton Press and Dakotan.

Here is the schedule for the forums:

January 4, Trinity Lutheran, Vermillion, 6:30 p.m.
January 10, Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Watertown, 7:00 p.m.
January 11, Bethlehem Lutheran, Aberdeen, 6:30
January 12, Calvary Lutheran, Rapid City, 6:30 p.m.
January 14, First Lutheran, Sioux Falls, 6:30 p.m.

Church, Bible and Culture: ELCA at the Crossroads

2009-12-30T22:12:00.004-06:00

"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.

An Open Letter from Bishop David B. Zellmer

2009-12-16T10:20:00.000-06:00

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

CORE Connection Newsletter for December

2009-12-14T14:20:00.000-06:00

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.

Lutheran CORE to hold meeting in Sisseton on ELCA changes

2009-12-04T14:09:00.007-06:00

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.

Northeastern Iowa Synod Council asks that ELCA Sexuality Social Statement be overturned and synod's "bound conscience" be respected

2009-11-25T09:46:00.003-06:00

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.

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.

Call to Faithfulness hosted the "Faithful Voices" on Saturday, November 21, 2009, at St. Peter Lutheran in Greene, Iowa. More than 125 laity and pastors from four synods gathered to be encouraged by their mutual faith in Christ and organize to renew and reform the Church.

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

2009-11-25T08:50:00.004-06:00

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.

Lutheran CORE leaders announce that a new Lutheran church body will be formed for those leaving the ELCA

2009-11-19T08:32:00.000-06:00

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

2009-11-19T08:30:00.000-06:00

"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

SD Synod Bishop David Zellmer responds to Watertown Lutheran CORE gathering

2009-11-13T19:54:00.005-06:00

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

Lutherans gather in Watertown to discuss options following ELCA sexuality decisions

2009-11-12T12:19:00.002-06:00

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.