Advice and Help for Churches Looking to Leave the ELCA
Some of the following articles were written before the ELCA made changes to the process of leaving the ELCA. A few more steps were added to the ELCA disaffiliation process, which is described here.
ELCA council proposes changing rules to make it harder for congregations to leave
. . .The proposed changes — all of which make the process more difficult for congregations — include. . .
"Leaving the ELCA" Series
Should I leave the ELCA? This is a question that many congregations and members in North America’s largest Lutheran church body are beginning to ask. Recent changes in ministry policy that allow the ordaining of practicing homosexuals are bringing a significant challenge to the traditional understanding of the Bible and its authority for Christian life. However, this is only the most recent development in a long history of problematic decisions by the ELCA. After a decade of concerted effort WordAlone has reached the conclusion that the theological decay of the ELCA cannot be stemmed or reformed. . .
Standing Up For The Truth - Be Strong in the Lord (pdf Power Point)
Be Strong In The Lord presentation - Color version PDF by Hosanna! Lutheran in St. Charles, IL. What you and your ELCA congregation can do. . .
How to Write a Successful Petition
Need a little help writing a petition? Here is a website that will guide you. It is a great resource to use as you encourage your church council to take action to leave the ELCA.
Helping Churches in Transition
(If your church has interest in becoming a member of the LCMC) . . .
There are people you can talk to for guidance and support. Below are listed some individuals who have offered their assistance. They do not officially represent our District, but they are "friends" of Augustana who are willing to help in whatever ways they can. . .
There are people you can talk to for guidance and support. Below are listed some individuals who have offered their assistance. They do not officially represent our District, but they are "friends" of Augustana who are willing to help in whatever ways they can. . .
Pastor Tom Brock gives the following advice on his website pastorsstudy.org/faq/:
"How can I tell if my church is a Biblical church?
Pastor Brock recommends asking your pastor the following questions:
Do you believe in the infallibility of Scripture?
Do you believe that Jesus is the only way of salvation (John 14:6, Acts 4:12)?
Do you believe heaven AND hell exist?
What are your views on abortion, pre-marital sex, and homosexual behavior?
Do you believe in the Virgin Birth of Christ and the miracles of the Bible?"
"How can I tell if my church is a Biblical church?
Pastor Brock recommends asking your pastor the following questions:
Do you believe in the infallibility of Scripture?
Do you believe that Jesus is the only way of salvation (John 14:6, Acts 4:12)?
Do you believe heaven AND hell exist?
What are your views on abortion, pre-marital sex, and homosexual behavior?
Do you believe in the Virgin Birth of Christ and the miracles of the Bible?"
What to Expect from the Bishops by James A. Nestingen
. . .Those who stand with the biblical word on sexual matters, who therefore stand with the largest majority of Lutherans and other Christians throughout the world, are in the ELCA a minority without standing. If like Luther, your conscience is bound by the word of God, you can’t count on either the bishop’s respect or encouragement. Rather, you have to expect that no matter what your previous relationship, the bishop regards you as a problem to be solved and will use the office accordingly.
ELCA & Control: The Stories
Disaffiliation from the ELCA
Our congregation has decided we want to consider disaffiliating from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. What are the steps that we need to take? . .
Answers About Pensions and Health Care Issues for Pastors Who Leave ELCA
. . .Pastors who have not yet retired can continue to receive ELCA health, retirement, disability and survivor benefits as long as an eligible employer sponsors them in the ELCA Pension and Other Benefits Program. . .
LCMC’s Status as a "Lutheran Church Body"
. . .Apparently, the ELCA may take the position that LCMC is not a Lutheran church body. Assuming this is, in fact, the position held by the ELCA, then the ELCA is incorrect. . .
Starting a New Lutheran Church
. . .surveyed the surrounding area and there are no other Lutheran congregations that adhere to the Word of God alone or there is no such Lutheran congregation within a respectable distance from home. So where are you to go? . .
Augustana District "Church Talk"
. . . a service to provide conversation and support for people finding themselves in various situations. . . - pastors who have led, or who are leading, their churches out of the ELCA. - Surviving the bruises and personal hurts experienced. . .