We recently reported that the Southeast Michigan Synod, of the ELCA, was promoting an event held by the US Social Forum (USSF). (read here) It has been learned that this forum had the known terrorist Bill Ayers as a speaker. (read here and here)
Is the type of gathering our denomination should be promoting? I highly doubt the proclamation of the gospel was happening here.
Keep an eye out for what resolutions are passed at your ELCA synod and churchwide assemblies this year. The Metropolitan Chicago Synod Assembly is meeting June 4 and 5, 2010, and will be voting on a resolution called "TO ENCOURAGE UNDERSTANDING OF AND ENDORSEMENT OF THE KAIROS PALESTINE DOCUMENT 2009." (see here)
The Kairos Palestine Document is a propaganda piece against the nation of Israel. "The document. . . is meant to mobilize churches worldwide in a program of boycotts, divestment and delegitimization directed at the State of Israel. It alludes explicitly to a similarly named document issued in South Africa years ago, thus deliberately comparing Israel with the regime of apartheid. It employs extreme language, such as declaring that 'the military occupation of our land is a sin against God and humanity,'" says Malcolm Lowe in his article, "The Palestinian 'Kairos' Document: A Behind-the-Scenes Analysis."
Please read Malcolm Lowe's Analysis of the "Kairos" document. (see here) The ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod Assembly will be voting on the endorsement of this document. (will there be something similar at the churchwide Assembly?)
I have a bad feeling the ELCA will be passing many of these types of resolutions in the months and years to come.
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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