Is it God's will to stay in the ELCA and work from within to attempt to restore that body to faithfulness, or is it God's will to persuade others to join me in leaving the ELCA for a Lutheran church body that hasn't sacrificed the clear word of scripture on the altar of contemporary social pressure?
All the generic rehashes of good, general purpose theology are fine, but in this current, very specific situation, the generalities aren't very helpful.
George,
Do you in your heart of hearts believe that an entire church body can be restored to its previous faithfulness?
Not really. I mean, I believe it could happen. I just don't believe that it
will happen. I believe that with God, anything is possible. But I also think that the people in the ELCA who have drunk the Kool-Aid will probably be returned to faithfulness by changing their hearts and minds (which I believe the Holy Spirit can and will do), and by transferring their membership affiliations away from the unfaithful church body. I don't discount the possibility that there might be a "believer's backlash" that will see Hanson replaced when his term of office is up, but I fear too many of the traditionalists will have left the ELCA by then for there to be enough to get him out.
I obviously don't know what's happening in your current congregation, but if the teachings/preaching aren't on par with Lutheranism as you see it, would it hurt to get out and visit a few other churches in your area? You'll know when you're home when you experience it! Just my two cents for what it's worth . . . I will continue to pray for those trying to make these tough decisions.
As I've said before, at my current church the Gospel is rightly preached and the sacraments are properly administered. Our involvement with the ELCA is minimal at best. The truth be told, if we could transfer to the NALC or LCMC with nothing but a Church Council vote, I doubt if more than a handful of members would even notice. But, if the matter were brought to a congregational vote, I fear it might tear the congregation apart.
Which puts me in a difficult position. When (and if) our current pastor accepts a call elsewhere (and that's normal course of events for most pastors), then the issue of whether or not we'll consider a homosexual in a pseudo-marriage if the Bishop's staff sends us such a candidate. Given that we're in the same synod as Brad Schmeling, I'm not sure what to expect from Bishop Gordy. At that time, the issue could suddenly become important, and we'll be caught unprepared. Or, if Augsburg Fortress comes out with a new Sunday School curriculum that includes teachings that, "Heather has two mommies, and that's OK". Or if a homosexual couple wants to use our church for a pseudo-marriage. That's why I'd like to get the congregation to join CORE and go on record as picking which of the various optional teachings our conscience will be bound to in advance, before we're forced to by circumstances.
As for visiting other Lutheran Churches, the only ones in close enough geographic proximity to me are all ELCA except for one LC-MS and one in the Church of the Lutheran Confession, which appears to be a more conservative offshoot of the WELS. Considering that my pastor has never said anything from the pulpit in support of the 2009 CWA decisions, nor anything that wasn't orthodox Lutheran Christianity, my only objection to remaining in my present congregation is that by doing so, it means I'm technically a member of the ELCA. I am prayerfully consider declining to run for re-election to church council when my term is up, resigning my membership, and continuing to attend services as a visitor.
My wife and I were "visitors" for almost a year before we became formal members, and we still were active in the life of the congregation. If I revert to being a "visitor", I can still continue to play guitar for worship services when needed, and continue to help in the kitchen whenever needed, and otherwise participate in church life. Best of all, I'll no longer be part of the ELCA.
