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The Spiritual State of the ELCA, Illustrated With Answers to One Question

11/8/2015

5 Comments

 
The ELCA’s Saint Paul Area Synod held a number of visioning process gatherings asking ELCA members this question: “Where do you sense God calling us to be more deeply present as the ELCA?” What kind of answers do you get from people attending a denomination that has little desire to evangelize and tell people about the good news of salvation in Christ for those that believe? You get responses regarding liberal social policies and very few responses about God.

Here are the answers they received:
​
  • “…one table group suggested that the synod continue to lift up LGBTQ issues.”
  • “One person sensed that we need to be more deeply present with the changing immigrant communities.”
  • “Another table group impressed upon the need for the synod to be equipping people to talk comfortably about Jesus, to share our own stories, and listen to others.”
  • “someone championed that we must address gun violence as it relates to race, mental illness, and suicide.”
  • “Another table group sensed that the synod needs to be deeply present in things that are bigger than ourselves, such as income inequality, climate change, and addressing racism.”
  • “there was a call for tools and training to address racism.”
  • “Another person asked how can ELCA Lutherans keep relevant with millenials?”
  • “someone sensed that the synod must be actively aware of human trafficking and intervening to stop it.”
  • “There was a call for divestment in fossil fuels.”
  • “Another table group advocated for more churches to keep vegetable gardens, engaging families and children from the communities in learning about growing their own food, and donating produce to local food shelves.”
  • “Yet another person sensed a need for shared meals with congregations and faith practices outside of the ELCA.”
  • “Another person made the analogy that the ELCA must be a ‘remarkable experience, with depth, like a triple Belgium in a Bud Lite world.’”
  • “A table group wrote that we must switch our obsession with numbers to an obsession with impact.”
  • “One person sensed the need to issue unique pastoral calls to specialized ministry, such as specific family issues or ministry for people with special needs, as well as more ministry in jails and prisons.”
  • “There was a call to evangelize pop culture.”
  • “Another table group sensed a need to be present with those who are homeless.” (see here)​ 

This provides a clear picture of the spiritual state of most of the leadership and members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
5 Comments
W. James Young
11/12/2015 09:40:11 pm

Their faith isn't Christianity. It's Liberalism.

Reply
Dave from Minnesoat
11/20/2015 11:37:09 am

I thought the same thing. There is nothing about the Bible, our faith, Christian doctrines, etc. The ELCA is a liberal social club trying to figure out how to get new members to join their club. It's like a restaurant with a theme to its décor.

No matter what, church attendance is going to be a larger struggle in the future, but a church with no true theological beliefs will not last. A true Biblical church will struggle also, but at least it gives people a reason to belong and be active other than just social reasons.

Reply
Chuck Braun
11/13/2015 03:28:43 pm

Well, one group did mention telling people about Jesus, but which Jesus does the ELCA have? Not necessarily the Savior crucified, buried and risen for you and for me for the forgiveness of our sins and eternal salvation. Perhaps the Jesus who was just a nice man who said nice words about doing nice things for people...

My last ELCA pastor told the children that "Jesus came to show us how to live". Oh no, that's just the Law. Jesus came to die so that we could live with Him forever. That's the Gospel.

I've heard it said that the Devil wants to join the Church. And boy, are the ELCA leaders rolling out their red carpet for him now.

Reply
Frank
11/16/2015 05:33:19 pm

Actually, Jesus was both of those things. The prayer after communion in the 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship says: "Almighty God, you gave your Son both as a sacrifice for sin and a model of the godly life." (see John 13:13-15; 1 Pet. 2:21; 1 John 2:6) That prayer is also in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer (the collect for the 2nd Sunday after Easter).

Reply
Stephen
8/27/2018 03:08:05 pm

Sadly words mean nothing. Gresham Machen wrote a good book on all of these types of issues, and that was over 80 years ago. Telling people about Jesus, the question is; "What about Him?" Statements of faith have little bearing on the reality that goes on within 4 walls. The Book is LIberalism and Christianity (noting, they are not the same thing).


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  • Home
  • ELCA Exposed News
    • on The Bible
    • on Homosexuality & Sex
    • on Universalism & Hell
    • on Goddess/Mother God/Gender Neutral Lang.
    • on Israel
    • on Abortion
    • on Social Media (ELCA Wolves Blog)
    • on Radical Hospitality and Prophecy
    • on Transgenders and Drag Queens
    • on Social Justice & DEIA
    • on Gospel Reductionism / Antinomianism
    • on Called to Common Mission & "Christian Nationalism"
    • on Other Critical Issues
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    • The Bible vs. ELCA
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    • Pastors Respond
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    • ELCA Seminaries
    • Want to Know Jesus?
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    • Submit Tips