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The following was taken from a blog by Rev. Eric Swensson entitled "The Evangelical Church’s health lies in its members proclaiming their praises. An ambiguous faith has nothing to praise, nothing to proclaim." -

". . . I had an enormous task ahead of me in my research for the writing of a thesis and a book for which I felt I was not equal. While it was of sufficient interest to occupy my mind, still I had time to think, and think I did about it seems like everything, especially the things I loved including my congregation and its crisis in regards to leaving its denomination over the loss of sound teaching. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has many teachers of the faith who do not believe the Bible when it speaks of hell. How widespread this belief is was driven home for me when I was at a luncheon with the pastors of my conference. One of them let it drop while at table waiting for our orders that he did not believe there was a hell and another agreed with him. Out of curiosity, I asked if everyone else felt the same way and three quarters quickly agreed. They gave variations of the theme of alienation for their understanding. The result was my alienation from them! With that and the many other opinions I have heard expressed in the 'Journey to Faithfulness' in the ELCA, which was in effect a decade of controversy, I had plenty of time to think about the nature of faith and how we teach it, and this too, of course, drives us to prayer." (read here)

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The following newsletter and comments are from an Exposing the ELCA reader and pastor.  The main thought that came to my mind when I read the newsletter was, "Lot about justice, little about Jesus." This is todays the ELCA.

Thank you pastor for bring this to our attention. 

"The May 2010 newsletter of the Southeast Michigan Synod (pdf file) is a great example of where the ELCA is (mis)leading us. The lead article by Bishop Stephen Marsh (p.1) explains the Synod's "resurrection of purpose" as "And here is what the Spirit led us to see as the purpose of the SEMI Synod: God is calling the Southeast Michigan Synod to rise up: To bear burdens; To build bridges; To break chains; To bring hope." No mention of Christ, the Gospel,repentance and forgiveness, the Word, the Great Commission, salvation, etc. Justice and social activism, that's it!

But there is more: Most of page 5 of the same Synod newsletter contains a prominent ad by the US Social Forum (USSF) organization promoting a Detroit event at the end of June. The ad has a protest picture that says: "Another world is possible. Another US is necessary." And, most significantly the following inflammatory rhetoric: "The USSF will send a powerful message to people's movements around the world that there are active movements in this country that oppose US policies and are developing strategic community based alternatives to our current destructive economic systems. The USSF will gather social and economic justice organizers, environmentalists, peace & justice activists, community-based organizations, indigenous nations, unions and students to address the key issues of our time." Aren't those words frighteningly reminiscent of early 20th century Russia, China, the Black Panthers, the Weathermen, Abby Hoffman and the Chicago 8?

What is something like this doing in the monthly newsletter of an ELCA Synod? How can Synod leadership reasonably accept this stuff for and promote the USSF, as appears from its inclusion in the newsletter? I guess we already know the answer! This is an insult to faithful, orthodox Lutherans who take responsible American citizenship seriously as well as to those who respect the constitutional separation of church and state. The only other question: Why aren't more ELCA pastors and lay members making more noise about this and standing up to be counted as faithful to the Word of God?"

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"For many years, learned people, clergy and lay, have warned that the ELCA is in dangerous theological waters. It has been increasingly clear in recent months that not only is the ELCA in dangerous waters but is also a sinking ship as it relates to the true expression of Christ’s church.

The reality is that the ELCA is not the church the average Lutheran person in the pew thinks it is. For many, the church is what they see every Sunday and what they participate in during the week in church related activities. However, in giving dollars to the ELCA by way of benevolences is actually promoting a non-Lutheran and even a non-Christian understanding of salvation and the role of Christ’s church in this world. . ."

Read the rest of the article
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There was a great response from the readers of Exposing the ELCA to the sermon "Loving Your Neighbor: What Does Love Mean?" by Pastor Glesne.  This is the follow-up to that sermon, which was preached the following Sunday.  It's called "Living By What Authority?"  I highly recommend it. 

Read the sermon
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Below is a excellent sermon by ELCA pastor David N. Glesne.  It speaks of the recent ELCA decisions regarding homosexuality and is titled, "Loving Your Neighbor: What does love mean?" 

Read the sermon. . .
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Check out this Pastor letter.  This is a church has is standing up for the Lord and His word.  And they have face many trials because of it.  It's worth reading. 

Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus!
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A great blog from a ELCA pastor.  What's going on. . .
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