Reflection on the Assembly

[John Mundinger]

One of the Montana pastors who also was part of the synod's delegation shares a daily devotion with his listserve.  Today he reflected on the work of the Assembly.  I think it is worth sharing here.

Check out Ephesians 1:15-23.
 
What a blessed gathering.  We came together to do the work of Christ’s church.  We made decisions for the future.  We chose new leaders.  We listened and often there were those who saw things differently.  We were drawn together in worship.  We met new friends and old as we broke bread together.
 
We were Christ’s body this past week.  Again and again, we were reminded that as his body our calling was to embody the gospel of salvation given to us in Christ Jesus.  In the one who was crucified and raised, in the one now seated at God’s right hand in the heavenly places, God made unmistakable God’s claim upon us; we are God’s children now.
 
So with the eyes of our hearts enlightened, we came together.  Seeing clearly the free gift of grace God bestowed upon us in Christ, we did the work of Christ’s body.  As the Spirit animated us, we celebrated the inheritance we have in Christ.  And with knees bowed to him, we rejoiced that Christ had chosen us as his disciples and witnesses.
 
Bless your church, Lord Jesus, that the world might see in it your presence.  Amen

[Coach-Rev]

That is my main critique of the ELCA:  Notice the frequent use of the word "we."  That, coupled with the assumption that what "we" do is automatically the work of the Holy Spirit, or what God intended, or ?  ?  Is an egocentric power trip that stifles any real ongoing dialog with the "malcontents."

I remember in the run up to 2009, as our Lutheran Core group in Illinois got together to draft a response to the proposed statement, one pastor commented that not a day goes by where he does not question whether or not his view is in fact the wrong one, and whether or not God could be calling the church to this "new" direction.  Whereby the "other side" automatically knew without question or reserve that such things were God's action, because God was "doing a new thing."

He concluded by saying that he has no choice but to hold to where he'd been, since he could not be convinced through Scripture that this so-called "new thing" was the right thing.

To put it another way:  A little more humility and less presumption is never a bad thing.

One of the Montana pastors who also was part of the synod's delegation shares a daily devotion with his listserve.  Today he reflected on the work of the Assembly.  I think it is worth sharing here.

Check out Ephesians 1:15-23.
 
What a blessed gathering.  We came together to do the work of Christ’s church.  We made decisions for the future.  We chose new leaders.  We listened and often there were those who saw things differently.  We were drawn together in worship.  We met new friends and old as we broke bread together.
 
[b]We[/b] were Christ’s body this past week.  Again and again, we were reminded that as his body our calling was to embody the gospel of salvation given to us in Christ Jesus.  In the one who was crucified and raised, in the one now seated at God’s right hand in the heavenly places, God made unmistakable God’s claim upon us; we are God’s children now.
 
So with the eyes of our hearts enlightened, we came together.  Seeing clearly the free gift of grace God bestowed upon us in Christ, we did the work of Christ’s body.  As the Spirit animated us, we celebrated the inheritance we have in Christ.  And with knees bowed to him, we rejoiced that Christ had chosen us as his disciples and witnesses.[/i]
 
Bless your church, Lord Jesus, that the world might see in it your presence.  Amen

[Charles_Austin]

But you, Pastor Cottingham, assert that what you did - leave the ELCA - was God "calling you to a new direction." You and others contended that you were listening to the Holy Spirit. Why is that not arrogant or self-serving? What is that "you" any different from any other? You do presume, do you not, that in your leaving and forming a new church body, you are being called by God to do that?
And if your "main critique" of the ELCA was that people use the first-person pronoun too much.... well, I wonder!

[Coach-Rev]

Charles, do you think for a moment - just ONE moment! - that the decision was made in a cavalier or spontaneous fashion?  Do you suppose that not a single day goes by where I do not wonder the very same things myself as the aforementioned pastor?  Get over your pompous arrogance.    You of all people here could stand for a little more humility and less presumption.   

p.s.  rant on all you wish, but I will not respond to you again on this.  You are not worthy of it, and you most definitely have not earned it. 

[Brian Stoffregen]

Charles, do you think for a moment - just ONE moment! - that the decision was made in a cavalier or spontaneous fashion?  Do you suppose that not a single day goes by where I do not wonder the very same things myself as the aforementioned pastor?  Get over your pompous arrogance.    You of all people here could stand for a little more humility and less presumption.   

p.s.  rant on all you wish, but I will not respond to you again on this.  You are not worthy of it, and you most definitely have not earned it.

However deep the discernment and prayers and struggles over the decision, it was still a decision that you made. I imagine that you believe that God participated or even led to to making that decision and that God has led you to the convictions you hold about homosexuals relationships - just as I believe God has led me to my decision to stay and support the ELCA; and the convictions I have concerning homosexual relationships. You will argue that yours come from God's Word; and I argue the same thing. Where does that get us?

[John Mundinger]

That is my main critique of the ELCA:  Notice the frequent use of the word "we."  That, coupled with the assumption that what "we" do is automatically the work of the Holy Spirit, or what God intended, or ?  ?  Is an egocentric power trip that stifles any real ongoing dialog with the "malcontents."

Pr. Cottingham - on behalf of the author, I apologize for his having written this piece in a way that tempted you to put something other than the best construction on it.

I believe, as does the author, that when two or three are gathered in Christ's name that Jesus is faithful to His promise to be present with us.  We experienced that in Pittsburgh and, having experienced it, it is hard not to be a little bit enthusiastic.

The difficulty in all of this is coming to terms with the reality that Christ fulfills His promise among all who call on His name, not just those who do so while also being in agreement with me.  The same Spirit can lead ELCA in one direction and NALC in another, yet both remain at the foot of the Cross.

I think it is instructive that Christ's promise to be with those who call on His name occurs in the middle of His instruction to brothers who are in disagreement.  I am critical of the manner in which the 2009 decision was made.  To express that criticism in the context of this conversation, I think Matthew 18 and a corresponding commitment to listen for the still small voice of the Spirit got lost in the cacophony of too many people who were too impatient to wait for God to lead the ELCA through a very difficult conversation.

As a footnote, please recall that Bishop-elect Eaton spoke to the matter of reconciliation.  Those words were not aimed at the "malcontents".  She spoke about the ELCA's duty to reach out to them.

[Dave Likeness]

I just found out from someone who attended
the Pittsburgh Assembly that there was an
emphasis on prayer partners.

Every voting delegate was paired with a
prayer partner 5 weeks  before the Assembly.
Then in Pittsburgh they had the opportunity
to pray together face to face.  Before each
vote the pray team of the Assembly led all
those gathered in prayer.

This person said that prayer was one of the
main strengths of the Assembly.  Did anyone
who attended have a similar reaction?

[Charles_Austin]

Prayer proceeded practically ever major vote, balloting, sometimes even on amendments to resolutions. Each session began with hymns and prayers. I don't know if the "prayer partner" plan was unique to this Assembly, but previous assemblies have always had an emphasis on prayer, daily celebration of Holy Communion, Bible study and other services, even outside the opening and closing prayers.

[Brian Stoffregen]

Prayer proceeded practically ever major vote, balloting, sometimes even on amendments to resolutions. Each session began with hymns and prayers. I don't know if the "prayer partner" plan was unique to this Assembly, but previous assemblies have always had an emphasis on prayer, daily celebration of Holy Communion, Bible study and other services, even outside the opening and closing prayers.

Every voting member was assigned a prayer partner and we were asked to pray for each other and the assembly every day during the 25 days leading up to the assembly. I continue to pray for mine as I learned from her about her new Call.

[John Mundinger]

I just found out from someone who attended
the Pittsburgh Assembly that there was an
emphasis on prayer partners.

Every voting delegate was paired with a
prayer partner 5 weeks  before the Assembly.
Then in Pittsburgh they had the opportunity
to pray together face to face.  Before each
vote the pray team of the Assembly led all
those gathered in prayer.

This person said that prayer was one of the
main strengths of the Assembly.  Did anyone
who attended have a similar reaction?

We also were assigned to tables for the daily Bible study and our prayer partners were assigned to the same tables.  I would say that worship was the main strength of the Assembly.  Prayer also was a strength.

I also attended the 2007 Assembly.  That year the rules were amended to include a break for prayer every 20 minutes during the floor debates.

[pearson]

I just found out from someone who attended
the Pittsburgh Assembly that there was an
emphasis on prayer partners.

Every voting delegate was paired with a
prayer partner 5 weeks  before the Assembly.
Then in Pittsburgh they had the opportunity
to pray together face to face.  Before each
vote the pray team of the Assembly led all
those gathered in prayer.

This person said that prayer was one of the
main strengths of the Assembly.  Did anyone
who attended have a similar reaction?

I was assigned a prayer partner (per your description) when I was a voting member in 2009.  I suspect this has become a traditional practice at ELCA CWAs.

Tom Pearson

[Richard Johnson]

Really hard to be against prayer. Have to say, though, this all strikes me as a bit gimmicky. (Well, by "all" I really mean primarily the stopping to pray before every vote.) IMO, the assembly would be well-served to build prayer into the proceedings at regular intervals (you know, like maybe Terce, Sext, None  ). That way the prayer might actually be focused on God, rather than on whatever issue we're about to vote on. And I have to say that on occasion the prayers did seem to anticipate what God was about to tell the assembly to do.

At the Constituting Convention in 1987 (the last time I had the privilege of serving as a voting member!), one of the impressive things was that there was a chapel room set aside where Compline was prayed each night. Perhaps three or four dozen people were present each night. I thought it was one of the highlights of the convention.

[Marshall_Hahn]

Really hard to be against prayer. Have to say, though, this all strikes me as a bit gimmicky. (Well, by "all" I really mean primarily the stopping to pray before every vote.) IMO, the assembly would be well-served to build prayer into the proceedings at regular intervals (you know, like maybe Terce, Sext, None  ). That way the prayer might actually be focused on God, rather than on whatever issue we're about to vote on. And I have to say that on occasion the prayers did seem to anticipate what God was about to tell the assembly to do.

At the Constituting Convention in 1987 (the last time I had the privilege of serving as a voting member!), one of the impressive things was that there was a chapel room set aside where Compline was prayed each night. Perhaps three or four dozen people were present each night. I thought it was one of the highlights of the convention.

As I have said before, when I pray at mealtime, I do it once.  I do not stop and pray for the potatoes, then stop and pray for the meat, then for the corn, and then have a final prayer for the dessert.  One prayer covers the whole meal. 

And if I were asked to pray before each action taken at our congregational council meeting or annual meeting, I would simply say the Lord's Prayer to avoid making the prayer some kind of attempt to inject my opinion concerning the issue at hand.

Marshall Hahn

[Paul L. Knudson]

Does anyone know exactly what action was taken regarding the Means of Grace.  Some have thought there was some action that might lead to seeing the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper more as a way of focusing on hospitality?  This relates to whether or not baptism is expected to be or not be a prerequisite for receiving the Lord's Supper.  It's important for clear understanding of the action taken to keep from making false statements.

[Steven Tibbetts]

Does anyone know exactly what action was taken regarding the Means of Grace.  Some have thought there was some action that might lead to seeing the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper more as a way of focusing on hospitality?  This relates to whether or not baptism is expected to be or not be a prerequisite for receiving the Lord's Supper.  It's important for clear understanding of the action taken to keep from making false statements.

The Memorials Committee recommendation regarding the Northern Illinois Synod's memorial was:

To receive with gratitude the memorial of the Northern Illinois Synod requesting a process to review the ELCA’s guiding documents on communion practices;
To invite members, congregations, synods and the churchwide organization into conversation and study regarding the Use of the Means of Grace;
To request the Congregational and Synodical Mission unit, in consultation with the Office of the Presiding Bishop and the Conference of Bishops, to establish a process to review current documents concerning administration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion; and
To request the Congregational and Synodical Mission unit to bring a report and possible recommendations to the April 2014 meeting of the ELCA Church Council.


I believe that recommendation was approved.

Pax, Steven+