Church, Pastor or Group-Made Resources
To help you and your church in making your decision regarding the ELCA, I have taken materials, which other ELCA churches have produced, to help you and your church in making your decision. You will find some of these resources posted elsewhere on Exposing the ELCA. But because of requests for these materials, I have made this page. If you know of other church/pastor made resources we should include here please contact me.
Inquiry into the ELCA's Actions and Rationale
. . .Thus, it seems very clear that pushing on with the issue of rostering of non-celibate homosexuals was a “social agenda goal” driven by a just few people (ELCA church council) who chose to ignore the 2005 and 2007 votes and respond to external pressure from gay activists. . .
Sense and Sensuality by Rev. Gary Blobaum
Pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Chruch in IL. Pastor Blobaum wrote over 10 articles filled with information about the ELCA, homosexuality and more. Upon going to the site, choose articles from the scroll down list.
How does LCMC compare with the ELCA?
by Pastor Tony Stoutenburg. Click below. This is a pdf file.
| comparison_elca_and_lcmc.pdf |
Community Church of Joy, Arizona.
HOLY SCRIPTURE (PDF File)
ELCA & NATION OF ISRAEL (PDF File)
ACTIVITIES PROMOTING HOMOSEXUAL CLERGY (PDF File)
Another Large Church Leaves ELCA Over Unbiblical Stance
ELCA & NATION OF ISRAEL (PDF File)
ACTIVITIES PROMOTING HOMOSEXUAL CLERGY (PDF File)
Another Large Church Leaves ELCA Over Unbiblical Stance
IT'S ABOUT DOCTRINE - Pastor John Nelson, Hosanna Lutheran Church (PDF File)
. . .I believe that God put His laws in stone because He was so serious about us keeping them. Deuteronomy 7:9 says, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.” A growing number believe the ELCA has strayed from the Bible, the Lutheran Confessions, and the theological bearings which have supported the Church for centuries. . .(Right below you will find this churches final report. Lots of information)
Hosanna's Taskforce Final Report
. . .The erosion of the authority of scripture and the elevation of relativistic human interpretation of the Bible has been occurring within the ELCA for more than 10 years now. This movement away from historical confessional Lutheran and global Church understanding gained momentum in the 1999 “Called to Common Mission” agreement between the ELCA and the Episcopal Church. Through the actions approved in Minneapolis this past August, the new ELCA policy of “bound conscience” has effectively changed the Doctrine of Sin as no longer being defined by God through His Word, but rather as a matter of personal opinion which cannot be questioned by
others. . .
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Awareness Task Force - Report on ’09 Churchwide Assembly Decisions on Sexuality - (link below)
The purpose of this special newsletter is to fully inform you about important decisions about sexuality, with particular regard to homosexuality, made at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly (“CWA”) by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (“ELCA”), with whom we are affiliated. . .
| Awareness Taskforce Report_05_10_2010_for_website2.doc |
How We Left ELCA - by Rev. Dr. Daniel G. Gilbert (pdf file)
(tells this churches' experience & has lots of helpful information on leaving the ELCA) “. . .But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory.” (2 Chronicles 20:17)
This is not “your” battle. This is the Lord’s work. If you truly believe that you are standing in the will of the Lord then there is no need for you to “fight” but simply take your “position,” “stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. . . ”
This is not “your” battle. This is the Lord’s work. If you truly believe that you are standing in the will of the Lord then there is no need for you to “fight” but simply take your “position,” “stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. . . ”
Affiliation Committee Report - St. Peter Luth. Church (Chapin, SC)
. . .Bound conscience
– Term coined by the ELCA’s task force on human sexuality.
– Humans determine what sin is, not God.
– Takes Scripture and Luther out of context in its defense
– Pastoral care efforts are scrutinized and diminished
– Affects Doctrine of Sin, Forgiveness and Salvation . . .
FAQ -Presentation of the Affiliation Committee - St. Peter Lutheran
. . .During our research we have discovered that we share different views with the ELCA on many areas of faith and God’s Word. Scripture, or the Authority of Scripture, the ELCA’s view of salvation and its stance on “universal salvation” (everybody is going to heaven no matter how religious or irreligious you are), and the ELCA’s structure and political involvement are just a few of the areas that we are in disagreement with and have focused on. . .
– Term coined by the ELCA’s task force on human sexuality.
– Humans determine what sin is, not God.
– Takes Scripture and Luther out of context in its defense
– Pastoral care efforts are scrutinized and diminished
– Affects Doctrine of Sin, Forgiveness and Salvation . . .
FAQ -Presentation of the Affiliation Committee - St. Peter Lutheran
. . .During our research we have discovered that we share different views with the ELCA on many areas of faith and God’s Word. Scripture, or the Authority of Scripture, the ELCA’s view of salvation and its stance on “universal salvation” (everybody is going to heaven no matter how religious or irreligious you are), and the ELCA’s structure and political involvement are just a few of the areas that we are in disagreement with and have focused on. . .
Robert Gagnon, Associate Professor of New Testament
Prof. Gagnon, who teaches at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary presents Biblical grounds against the practice of homosexuality. (mp3)
Reasons for CLC’s Transition to LCMC -What does it all mean? (Christ Lutheran Church - Whitefish, MT)
. . .Yet the recent decisions by the ELCA assembly in August 2009 are a clear indication that how the Bible is used by the ELCA has changed. That different view of Scriptural authority has been developing for a long time with other authorities given equal or at times greater status than Scripture. . .
Standing Up For The Truth - Be Strong in the Lord (pdf Power Point)
What you and your ELCA congregation can do. . .
What You Need to Know About the ELCA
. . . We often hear most about the topic of lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships within the ELCA and possibly because of this it is often perceived as the mainissue. A group of us in our congregation who were concerned about the ELCA's interpretation of Scripture in this area decided to look at other areas that we also care about (but it is in no way considered to be a complete list of concerns). . .
Calvary Lutheran Church of Golden Valley, MN
Pastors’ Response to Affiliations Assessment & Council Resolution
Over the last few weeks and months, many in the congregation have asked that the pastors make their views known on the issues before the congregation. You as members of the congregation are entitled to know your pastors’ views. . .
Presentation on ELCA Resolutions by Rev. Jaynan Clark
(Audio. Rev. Clark is the President of WordAlone Ministries. Presentation was given at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove, MN)
Q. and A. on ELCA Resolutions by Rev. Jaynan Clark
(Audio. This is the Question and Answer session to the above presentation. It took place at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove, MN)
Red Hill Lutheran Church and School Tustin, California
Red Hill Lutheran Church Position Paper: Proposed Changes in the ELCA Regarding Clergy and Sexuality
. . . To vote on something that is already Biblically clear and historically settled is dangerous and bizarre. When we start voting on truth we venture into our own options and away from a rule and norm in Holy Scripture. . .
A pastoral reflection on our current decisions (regarding the ELCA)
. . .Secondly, we understand Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6) He is not one way among many ways to eternal life, but he is THE way and thus we preach that it is only through Christ that we have salvation. As the ELCA has moved away from this exclusive call of Christ we have had to cling more closely to this revealed truth. . .
Findings - Our Saviour's Lutheran Church - Stanwood, WA
The following 34 pages documents the research and analysis conducted by the nine member Task Force over the past 5 months. . .
The ELCA – The Music Doesn’t Sound the Same
(scroll down to the bottom half of the webpage). . .The ELCA’s view of scripture has been shifting. It seems to me that as the ELCA has immersed itself in the “historical critical method” for examining scripture, over time an under current of “distrust” for the Bible has surfaced. . .
ELCA Background Information - Timothy's Lutheran Church and School in CA
. . . What is at stake is the interpretation and authority of scripture, and the place and purpose of the Lutheran Confessions in our faith and life, as well as our partnership with the rest of the Christian community and the witness we have to share with the world.
ELCA Versus LCMC: Myths and Facts - From Bethel Luth. in CO
Myth:
A pastor who leaves the ELCA will loose their retirement benefits.
Fact:
A pastor who leaves the ELCA may retain all their retirement accounts with the ELCA Board of Pensions (BOP), transfer them to
the LCMC-provided investment opportunities, or transfer them to any private retirement programs of their choice. Likewise, the
served congregation can continue to contribute to the pastor’s retirement plan regardless of where that plan is held. . .
A pastor who leaves the ELCA will loose their retirement benefits.
Fact:
A pastor who leaves the ELCA may retain all their retirement accounts with the ELCA Board of Pensions (BOP), transfer them to
the LCMC-provided investment opportunities, or transfer them to any private retirement programs of their choice. Likewise, the
served congregation can continue to contribute to the pastor’s retirement plan regardless of where that plan is held. . .
A Fork in the Road
(I read that an ELCA pastor put this together but I have no idea who) . . .Luther reminds us: “Doctrine directs us and shows us the way to heaven…we can be saved without love….but not without pure doctrine….The devil would dearly love to corrupt and overthrow our doctrine; that is why he attacks us so cleverly with this specious argument about not offending love and the harmony among churches” (Luther’s Works 27:41-42). . .
Calvary Takes a Stand
(Calvary Lutheran Church in Kalispell, MT) . . .The ELCA by adopting the social statement “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust” and “Report and Recommendation on Ministry Policies” believes that God's grace is now a license for sin, faith is more about seeking the god you want rather than the God who is. God's written Word can be modified anytime it contradicts one's personal choice or the values of the culture. . .
The Changing ELCA - Timeline and Summary of Issues
. . .Adopting the Episcopalian priesthood and hierarchical structure was contrary to the Lutheran concept of the Priesthood of all believers, which holds that all Christians stand on equal footing before God. . .
Leadership from First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Idaho Falls, ID, Speaking about the ELCA (Audio Files)
- Pastor Larry Cudmore (the real "meat" of his talk starts 1/4 of the way into it.)
- Pastor Larry Cudmore Part II
ELCA Review Committee Report to the UALC Church Council
. . .By officially condoning behavior expressly condemned by Scripture, the ELCA has called into question the idea of, or need for, confession of sins (or at least some of them) and God’s divine mercy to be freed from the effects of sin. To the committee’sknowledge, these actions by the ELCA for the first time condone behavior expressly prohibited by the Holy Scriptures. Moreover, they established mechanisms to effectively celebrate such conduct by its rostered clergy. . .
A Biblical Approach to Human Sexuality
. . .As we fail to control our sinful impulses, we often indulge in impure thoughts and open ourselves to seductive influences in what we watch and read, which can lead us ever deeper into sin. . .
A Biblical Approach to Human Sexuality
. . .As we fail to control our sinful impulses, we often indulge in impure thoughts and open ourselves to seductive influences in what we watch and read, which can lead us ever deeper into sin. . .
Teachings from St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Latrobe, PA
- Teachings of the ELCA: Biblical Authority and Human Experience
. . .When
arguments are based on experience we fall into one of the ancient
heresies of the church called Gnosticism. Gnostic expressions currently
thriving in the ELCA include first, a rejection of the law of God. . .
- Teachings of the ELCA: Marriage
. . .the social statement leaves the door open for the Lutheran Advocacy departments in each state to advocate for homosexual marriage, particularly for clergy in a publically accountable life-long monogamous same-gender relationship. . .
- Teachings of the ELCA: Gospel of Redemption - Gospel of Inclusion
. . .The danger of denying sin is that in so doing we deny that there is an aspect of our life that needs Christ. The response to this among many in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, but also in other denominations as well, is to teach universal salvation. . .
- Teachings of the ELCA: The Trinity
. . .The trend away from using the triune name of God in worship or more specifically, not referring to God as Father, has become prevalent in worship resources authorized by the ELCA. . .
- Teachings of the ELCA: Marriage
. . .the social statement leaves the door open for the Lutheran Advocacy departments in each state to advocate for homosexual marriage, particularly for clergy in a publically accountable life-long monogamous same-gender relationship. . .
- Teachings of the ELCA: Gospel of Redemption - Gospel of Inclusion
. . .The danger of denying sin is that in so doing we deny that there is an aspect of our life that needs Christ. The response to this among many in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, but also in other denominations as well, is to teach universal salvation. . .
- Teachings of the ELCA: The Trinity
. . .The trend away from using the triune name of God in worship or more specifically, not referring to God as Father, has become prevalent in worship resources authorized by the ELCA. . .
Shepherd of the Hills Church ELCA Findings and Documents
Twenty-three documents and audio files from Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Richfield, WI concerning their investigation into leaving the ELCA.
St. Timothy Lutheran Church in San Jose, CA - Materials and documents
Analysis of Lutheran Church Bodies in the United States: Information to Support an Affiliation Recommendation
Prepared by the Affiliation Team for St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church Council, San Jose, CA
Church Body Affiliation Presentation
Theological…What are the theological concerns that have caused us to recommend that we leave the ELCA?
• Let me focus my comments on two areas: 1) The place and authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions for matters of faith and life; and 2) The centrality of Christ and the cross
• Let me focus my comments on two areas: 1) The place and authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions for matters of faith and life; and 2) The centrality of Christ and the cross
ELCA vs Wels
. . .WELS teaches that Jesus' words and actions as reported in the Gospels are true and accurate history. The ELCA tolerates the teaching that Jesus did not say or do many of the things ascribed to him in the Gospels. . .
Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Export, PA made documents
10 Questions (be sure to read the Endnotes)
. . .But doesn’t Jesus direct us to love our neighbor? Absolutely, and every Christian must take this command with the utmost seriousness. The only area of debate is how that love is expressed. It is significant to note that the injunction to ”love your neighbor as yourself” that Jesus cited (Lev 19:18 cited in Mark 12:31) is intimately coupled to the injunction to “You shall reprove your neighbor, or 2 you will incur guilt yourself” (Lev 19:17). Since Jesus has warned us in the strongest terms that unrepentant sexual immorality is a matter that places human souls at risk (Matt 5:27-30), we cannot lovingly condone that which we believe to be contrary to our Creator’s will. . .
Continuing Problems in the ELCA (downloadable document)
The following is a listing of some of the significant concerns we have about the theological departure of the ELCA in these important matters of faith. . .
Begining the North American Lutheran Church
. . .It is to be noted that those who support the NALC believe that the issue over marriage and same-sex relationships is only a symptom of the overall shift of the ELCA’s ministry and theology to a more secular humanism / Gnostic view of life. . .
