Northwoods Seelsorger

In an era when all things liturgical are often characterized as detrimental to effective evangelism and outreach, one man is proving that liturgy and mission may not turn out as such a bad marriage after all. Check out the Christianity Today article about Todd Hunter and his journey from the Evangelical realm to the Anglican church: The Accidental Anglican .

I stumbled on an interesting sentence from Dr. Ed Schroeder on his Crossings website that was quite revealing. Many have long suspected that remnants of Seminex remained ensconced within Missouri long after the "Walk Out." And many have seen the theology of those who left linger around in far corners of the Synod, and in more recent years reappear in more visible ways and more prominent sectors. Northwoods Seelsorger occasionally reviews articles on the DayStar site , noting the liberal perspectives there that seem to have more in common with the ELCA than the LCMS. Even though these folks perport to be defenders of the true Missouri, their words say otherwise. It is Seminex in thinly and not so thinly veiled disguise. In an article noting the success and evidence of "Seminex theology" 35 years later, Schroeder remarks: "A major place, better, THE major place, where Seminex theology is operative today is shown in those numbers Ralph Klein just told us a...

The above title reflects an observation on the different ways that churches define "mission" when it comes to the work of the church. As a Lutheran my understanding of "mission" always involved the active sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - his atoning death and resurrection - with those who had not yet heard this good news of salvation, or in reintroducing it to those who had drifted from the faith. Of course it could also involve charitable acts of kindness that reflected the Gospel, but these acts were reflections of the mission's primary emphasis - to proclaim. In my recent efforts to travel the Net examining the beliefs and practices of other denominations, I stopped at the web site of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and saw their view of "mission" (see side link "U.S. and World Mission.") Under the question "What is Mission?" they include the first section called " Presbyterians express the importance ...

They resist condemning sins so clear in Holy Scripture , yet cannot resist reaching back deep into history to find obscure places to rant. At their recent general convention delegates of the Episcopal Church of the US found a favorite sin of liberal Christianity to once again hammer away at as they passed Resolution D035: "Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery." The Episcopal News Reported: The doctrine began in 1455 when Pope Nicholas V, by way of his order "Romanus Pontifex," gave Portugal's King Alfonso V permission to "invade, search out, capture, vanquish, and subdue all Saracens and pagans whatsoever, and other enemies of Christ wheresoever placed, and the kingdoms, dukedoms, principalities, dominions, possessions, and all movable and immovable goods whatsoever held and possessed by them and to reduce their persons to perpetual slavery." While the principle might seem irrelevant today, the resolution's advocates say its impact echoes t...

With the recent passing of Senator Ted Kennedy, accolades are flowing freely and generously from those who admired him most. Even his critics have found the capacity to offer gestures of complimentary reflections, praising most often his tenacity to hold fast to what he believed. However, when such a topic turns to the deeper issues of faith and church the dedication to doctrine and conviction is more conflicted for this lifelong Catholic. As a recent article in TIME by Amy Sullivan well notes, the "hard-living Kennedys weren't known for being famously devout." Indeed, their indiscretions are only too well documented as are many others of Washington, regardless of religious affiliation. In fact, Ted Kennedy struggled with his faith throughout his life, it appears, and one would hardly blame such soul-searching especially after the repeated tragedies that hit his family with one death after another. Sullivan notes, however, that Kennedy found a way to return to his fa...

One item, among many, that troubles me in this recent decision to include openly practicing gays in the ministry in the ELCA, is how the definition of "life-long, monogamous....relationships" is going to be interpreted (even though I am thoroughly opposed to any sexual orientation in the ministry other than heterosexual.) In search after search on the internet I am left with the impression that "same gender" is virtually synonymous with LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender), even though I am sure that was not the true intent of the original resolution. Bisexual, of course, seems completely at odds with the concept of "monogamous," yet I suspect that many within the LGBT community of ELCA will disregard the language and interpret it as they wish. A recent article by Rod Deher at the blog site "Crunch Con" touches on this point and should be read by those within the ELCA leadership as they contemplate, in retrospect, "what does this ...

[Side note: Personal historic moment - This is Northwoods Seelsorger's 400th pos t since he started blogging in November of 2006.] The Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) disagrees with the recent resolution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), which voted 55% on August 21, in favor of ordaining homosexuals in an "active" relationship. This press release may be used by ELS churches and pastors for submittal to their local newspapers. Evangelical Lutheran Synod disagrees with homosexual clergy resolution adopted by ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) MANKATO, MINNESOTA—Officials of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS), a church body based in Mankato, noted with concern and disappointment the decision of the national convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), held in Minneapolis August 17-23, to allow the ordination of practicing homosexuals and lesbians as pastors of the church. ...

WELS president expresses regret at ELCA decision on gay clergy Milwaukee, Wis.—Rev. Mark Schroeder, president of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), is expressing regret at the vote of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) convention regarding homosexual clergy. Friday, delegates approved a resolution committing the church to find a way for “people in such publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships” to serve as professional leaders of the church. “To view same-sex relationships as acceptable to God is to place cultural viewpoint and human opinions above the clear Word of God,” says Schroeder. “The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, along with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, and other smaller Lutheran synods, maintains and upholds the clear teaching of the Bible that homosexuality is not in keeping with God’s design and is sinful in God’s eyes.” At the same time, Schr...

August 22, 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Minneapolis From the Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick, President of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod: Presiding Bishop Hanson, Members of the Assembly, Special Guests, Friends in Christ, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Over the years of my life and ministry, these words from St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 5 have become especially meaningful: God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not counting mankind’s sins against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:19-21, ESV) What a blessing it is to know that our sin is forgiven, removed from us as far as the east is from the west, because of the atoning sacrifice ...

The following is a timeline of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America , chronicling, in particular, its most controversial and troubling developments. It emphasizes three significant areas of concern: abortion, ecumenical compromise, and homosexual accommodation. The ecumenical compromise can be seen by examining the various denominations with which the ELCA has entered into "full communion," especially those of Reformed background, thus relinquishing their clear confession to the real physical presence of Christ in the Supper. These ecumenical fellowships, along with their association with the large ecumenical organizations mentioned early in the timeline (e.g. LWF), demonstrate how little this church body values the need for clear and uncompromised confession of doctrine. Prior to 1988 : The ELCA, through predecessor church bodies, is a founding member of the Lutheran World Federation , World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches USA. Th...

Well, it's official. The ELCA finally garnered enough votes to make the historic change. Openly practicing gays and lesbians now have full inclusion in the ordained ministry. The original resolutions (final ammendments not noted here), with the votes were: 1. Step one asks the assembly whether, in principle, this church is committed to finding ways to allow congregations that choose to do so to recognize, support and hold publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships. - Passed 619-402 2. Step two asks the assembly whether, in principle, this church is committed to finding a way for people in such publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as professional leaders of this church. - Passed 559 to 451 3. Step three asks this church whether, in the future implementation of these commitments, it will make decisions so that all in this church bear the burdens of the other, and respect the bound consciences of all. - P...

It will be interesting to see what study materials now come out of Augsburg-Fortress to help children fully accept the bi-sexual, transgender, gay and lesbian lifestyle, and if parents will protest at all as it is agressively integrated into the Sunday School and Confirmation programs..... ELCA NEWS SERVICE August 20, 2009 ELCA Assembly Takes Steps to Implement Social Statement on Sexuality 09-CWA-28-CA MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) – Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America have been asked to implement the newly adopted social statement on human sexuality by continuing the study of sexuality, assist members to welcome people who are gay and lesbians, encourage comprehensive sex education programs in public schools, support the church’s work to combat HIV/AIDS and to take the “spirit of this statement” into all appropriate activities. In an action taken Aug. 20 by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the more than 1,000 voting members of the assembly also asked the church’s ...

Again from the ELCA News Service reporting on today's votes at the Churcwide Assembly: MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) – By a vote of 958-51, the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted a full communion agreement with the United Methodist Church (UMC). The agreement is the ELCA’s sixth full communion relationship. In 2008 the UMC General Conference adopted the same agreement...Full communion makes possible a variety of joint ministries, sharing of resources and interchangeability of clergy. This is hardly surprising, given the previous "full communion agreements" with the Reformed, the UCC, and the Episcopalians. But again, it shows their total disregard for the doctrinal heritage of the Lutheran church, especially our teaching regarding the Lord's Supper. From the archives of the United Methodist Church website the following can be found: Do United Methodists believe the communion elements actually become the body and blood of Christ? ...

Take note of the latest decision at their national assembly in this ELCA news brief. One wonders if this is a harbinger of the decision yet to come this week on gay clergy. Side note: You can keep track of the "Assembly Voting Results" on the ELCA website here . To date they have voted on only seven major items. There is little surprise in the other resolution results. ELCA NEWS SERVICE August 19, 2009 ELCA Assembly Adopts 'Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust' 09-CWA-15-MRC MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- The 2009 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust" with a vote of 676 (66.67 percent) to 338 (33.33 percent) on Aug. 19. The passing of the social statement on human sexuality required a two-thirds vote. The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 17-23 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. About 2,000 people are participating, including...

In case you haven't been keeping up with the news regarding the ELCA's upcoming churchwide assembly (convention), especially regarding the issue of the full inclusion of openly practicing gay clergy, make sure to read this Associated Press article from Friday. You can find it at YAHOO! News . Note how many of the local "synods" (equivalent to districts in other Lutheran groups) have already called for their inclusion. The implications of this convention are huge even for those of us outside this denomination. You should also take a look at the ELCA News Service article posted on August 13 entitled "ELCA Clergy Support Gay, Lesbian Rights, Ordination, Survey Says." The article begins: "Results of a national survey show that a majority of clergy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) -- 54 percent -- support ordination 'with no special requirements' for people who are gay or lesbian, according to an Aug. 5 news release." ...

Ever wonder what the U.S. looks like county-by-county according to denominational representation? If so, go here to see a larger version of the map to the right. One better appreciates the influence of the ELCA as a 'Lutheran presence' in the country after seeing this map. In a small way it helps in explaining why we cannot avoid dealing with ELCA matters and relationships on a fellowship level even in isolated rural areas like mine. The ELCA predominates in the northern fringe of the country. This also explains when journalists refer to 'Lutherans' they are often thinking about the ELCA. They outnumber the LCMS two-to-one. Include here, as well, is an additional map of the geographical representation of just the ELCA in the U.S. If you wish to view a larger version of this go here .

The previous post and a recent comment caused me to think about the way the Christian church once viewed itself and those outside of it. Reflecting on the "close communion" debate also made me contemplate how far we have come from the time when we really cared about what the church taught. A line in a Wikipedia article on "heresy" gives a sense of the times: "The use of the term 'heresy' in the context of Christianity is less common today..." I suspect the same could be said as well for other old terms such as "heterodox" and "schismatic" that attempted to describe when a person or group strayed from the accepted biblical and historic boundaries that defined the Church as Christian. I found it interesting that in a Google search of "heterodox" the word "economics" was associated with the word most frequently in the first group of hits. This used to be just a church word. How far we have come. WordNe...

Apparently the topic of pastoral authority remains a lively topic of discussion out there. Doing a Google search of the words in the title within quotation marks I secured 60,800 hits. I then added the word Lutheran outside the quotation marks and still got 8,720 hits. I further added LCMS to the list and received 358 hits. Using the word "Lutheran Church Missouri Synod" only raised it to 396 hits. Interestingly enough, Dr. Mary Todd's book Authority Vested was the first listed in that last search. Having served as a pastor for over 20 years I have seen a variety of reactions to pastoral authority. Some view the Office quite highly, deferring to the pastor on any and all questions pertaining to the church. Others approach the issue from the opposite side of the spectrum, challenging anything and everything the pastor says. Certainly those who hold this office have at time abused its authority and claimed power outside the boundaries of the Call and should be cha...

While many still wonder about the seriousness of differences between the two largest Lutheran denominations in the U.S., reading just a little of what comes out of the ELCA would certainly aid in answering this important question. Interreligious involvement forms the center focus of the August issue of The Lutheran , the ELCA’s official monthly magazine, demonstrating how far this Lutheran church body has drifted from its Christian moorings. While the LCMS has attempted for years to keep mission work to the unbelieving at the center of its global efforts, the ELCA, instead, seems to prefer to remain relatively silent on the imperative to preach the Gospel to those who are without Christ. Its preference, instead, remains to further cooperation between all religious groups, concentrating on themes of fairness, justice, and economic equality, while carefully avoiding any implication of the void that comes without Christ. The Rev. Dr. William Lesher , retired president of the Lutheran...