The ELCA Vault - Room 12
The ELCA Vault is a collection of articles, blogs, and documents related to issues with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Queer Eye for the Faith Guy. . .The misconception that one must accept sinful behavior as somehow pleasing to God in order to properly love the neighbor, makes no sense whatsoever. Do I expect that my brothers and sisters in Christ look upon me as righteous, even though I am a greater sinner than they? Do I withhold my love of my brother until they accept my sin as acceptable to God?. . .
The Vanishing Lutheran University.... . .California Lutheran University. . .ELCA has apparently chosen to have secular schools with a thin veil of Lutheranism as a nod to their past (or, more importantly, to the donors who are generally Lutheran and who think Lutheranism a good thing even on the college campus). . .
Reclaiming the Church for the Bible. . .The ELCA has a problem with the Bible, and the Bible has a problem with the ELCA. What is the solution? Being wary of the evil one, growing deep roots in the Word, and not being fooled by the needs of this life. . .
I Love Big Brother. . .There was discussion regarding what to do with pastors who are exploring leaving the ELCA. Someone suggested proactively removing them from the roster, kicking them off all committees, etc. . .
Binds of faith stretched thin. . .In December, when Norway Lutheran ceased its weekly services, there were only eight members – including those from Aal. Three of those eight are older than 90. . .
Sola Scriptura, the Formula of Concord, and Lutheran Doctrine. . .The debates with the ELCA have rightly focused our attention on how the truth of sola scriptura is to be determined. Liberal theologians argue that the Holy Scriptures must be forever [re]interpreted within the reader’s contemporary context. The Formula of Concord has something to say about the idea. . .
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Grace Eau Claire takes final vote to leave the ELCA, ordered to mediation
. . . the Grace, Eau Claire case may be an attempt by the ELCA to set judicial precedent in this regard without establishing denominational ownership in their organizational documents. . .
Convicted
. . . We have seen what happens when misguided organizations like the ELCA, UCC and Episcopal Churches, decide to author their own version of Scripture. . .
Evangelical Leaders Split Over Violence Against Women Act
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorized by Congress Wednesday removes protections for immigrant women who are victims of violence. Some faith leaders. . .
Owning Up
. . . The leaders of the ELCA may believe that God is telling them new things, but these new things are whispers and murmurs spoken to them by the very prince of darkness. By urging their members to disregard Scripture, they are simply doing the evil one’s bidding. How sad for these enlightened elites. . .
More room in the pew
. . .Bishop Bill Rindy in the ELCA’s Eastern North Dakota Synod said fallout from the 2009 church-wide decision to allow clergy members to have same-sex partners and an earlier one to link with the Episcopal Church led to the loss of some congregations. . .
On Sounding Unfriendly?
. . .I say again… “marriage is strictly the province of heterosexual couples.” In stating this clearly and firmly, I know that I risk standing in the path of powers already stoutly anchored in both church and state. In my Lutheran orthodoxy I do not acribe to an evolutional theology. I object to distortions of scripture based upon political aims. . .
St. Paul Lutherans vote to oppose November marriage amendment
. . .St. Paul-area congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted Saturday, May 19, to oppose the proposed state constitutional amendment that would prohibit same-sex marriage. . .
ELCA grapples with financial crunch
. . . Bishop Marcus Lohrmann said in a report to the synod Friday and in an interview with The Blade this week that the synod's budget has been shrinking for years and has reached the point where drastic changes, not just temporary fixes, are necessary. . .
St. Paul Lutherans expected to oppose marriage amendment
. . .The vote is expected to follow earlier ones held by the Minneapolis Area Synod and three other Minnesota synods, all of which went against the marriage amendment. . .
Question for the ELCA: Is evangelism our first business?
. . .There are some 9,800 ELCA congregations and last year there were 4,978 adult baptisms. That must mean almost half of our congregations didn't have one adult baptism and the other half spent an entire year converting one person. If Pentecost had a similar track record, it would have been a colossal flop. . .
Always a Bridesmaid
. . .Self-esteem is paramount to this misguided denomination. Self-identity is so very important, more important than our identities as Disciples of Christ. What God prohibits, this denomination selfishly proclaims acceptable so that no one needs to deny oneself! Place God first in our lives? A loving God would never demand that. For the ELCA, the children make the rules and tell their Father what they want, not the other way around. . .
ELCA position doesn’t represent all Lutherans
. . .There are Lutherans of many denominations who will continue to uphold what was once a core conviction of all Lutherans: that the word of God alone is the source of norm of our life and faith. We will preach Jesus’ words. . .
Local ELCA Votes to Oppose Marriage Amendment
. . .Evangelical Lutheran Church of America made a big decision on a controversial topic. The Southeast council of the church – the synod - passed a resolution opposing the upcoming state marriage amendment which would define marriage as between one man and one woman. . . This is a big deal for the ELCA, because it could lead to a loss of membership according to some congregations. . .
To be or not to be: Relevant
. . .The pastor declined to state his position, leaving the congregation to “duke it out.” Come to your own conclusion; I know I did by asking: Are not pastors supposed to lead their congregations and stand for the values they espouse? . . .
Bullied into Adultery
. . .Dan Savage, gay activist and founder of the anti-bullying "It Gets Better" campaign, in a Time magazine interview. Bishop Mark Hanson contributed a chapter to Savage's book. Other ELCA bishops have shot videos for the his U-Tube project. . .
Pastor: 'Where Would Jesus Frack?' (ELCA pastor)
. . .She was one of many speakers at a Capitol rally to oppose proposed legislation that would pre-empt local zoning in locating and regulating deep natural-gas wells. The groups attending were as varied as Clean Water Action and the Sierra Club. . .
ELCA's Northeast Minnesota Synod Assembly Against MN Amendment Defining Marriage as Between One Man and One Woman
. . .the Northeast Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America passed a resolution publicly opposing “legislation or public policies that would prevent same-gender couples and their families from pursuing ordinary legislative or legal means to gain the support and protections afforded to all others.”. . .
Suprise! Suprise! Suprise! ELCA Bishop Opposes MN Marriage Amendment
Bishop Peter Rogness, St. Paul, MN has boldly stepped forward to oppose the Marriage Amendment to Minnesota's constitution being voted on this November. Furthermore, he is urging all Lutherans to join him in voting against it. . .