THE ELCA VAULT - ROOM 34
|
The ELCA Vault is a collection of articles, blogs, and documents related to the ELCA. The purpose of the Vault is to provide this important information to its readers, and at the same time, not overload other sections of the website so as they become too convoluted.
A pastoral letter on the United Methodist Church General Conference. . .These significant actions and the UMC's witness to the ecumenical vocation we share come as we celebrate 15 years of full communion. The ELCA rejoices and gives thanks to God for the opportunity to proclaim together, from this point forward, that Christian teaching is for all people and that the gifts of all are welcome and needed to serve Christ's church. . .
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church to kick off Pride Month with family-friendly event. . .From painted faces to decorated bicycles, the parking lot at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will be bursting with rainbows on June 1. . .
The Most EVIL Christian Denomination... Christian Reaction!Tucson Lutherans Discuss Allyship and Justice. . .We discussed a range of Tucson realities - access to housing, food insecurity, need for visible LGBTQ+ welcome from congregations, and the rise of Christian Nationalism, among other topics. . .
Naz Likely Leaving the ELCA & Closing Blessed Beginnings. . .In the first of two votes Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls has overwhelmingly decided to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or ELCA. . .
More Heresy and More of Your Bible Questions(Political, Woke) Holy Week Message From (ELCA) Bishop Davenport. . .Systemic racism is on the rise with white supremists attempting to erase our civil rights. With the former president leading the charge: “Now if I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a blood bath for the whole – that’s going to be the least of it. It’s going to be a blood bath for the country.” This divisive presidential election is breathing fear in our communities of color. Beloved, our LGBTQIA+ community is also feeling the pressures of what can be rescinded. . .
Commentary: Rapidly Declining Mainline Church Seeks to Require Ministers to Support Transgenderism, Gay Marriage. . .The Presbyterian Church (USA) has permitted, but not required, its ministers to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies since 2014. But that allowance is no longer sufficient for the progressive denomination; it now aims to mandate that future ministers affirm transgenderism and same-sex marriage as prerequisites for ordination. . .
What Is a Christian University? A New Book That Answers This Question. . .After teaching for ten years at [a regional state university], I accepted a post at [an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)] college. I naively assumed that this ELCA college would be deeply rooted in Christian values. What I experienced was deeply disturbing. As a born-again Christian, I experienced more resistance at [this ELCA college] than I did at the ‘secular’ [regional university]! . .
Jews ‘Canary in the Coal Mine’ in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ideology |
|
. . .While American Mainline Protestant religious denominations have accommodated to the DEI agenda and suffered huge losses, a strong remnant has not. Indeed, orthodox Christianity is flourishing under the surface. . .
Is This What You Want?
. . .The preparatory materials are filled with examples of ways in which the ELCA is indoctrinating its young people. For example, the “Go Deeper” section of Session 2 of Unit 5 (Disciples) makes the statement, “Many of our young people have experienced Christians who do harm, speak hatefully, and work for laws that hurt our neighbors.” The youth are then asked, “What negative words come to mind when you think of Christians or disciples? What harm have you seen people do in Jesus’ name?” In contrast, in the “Go Deeper” section of Session 1 of Unit 5 the young people are asked, “Is your church a Reconciling in Christ congregation? If so, how long did your church take to make that commitment and adopt a welcome statement? If not, what would it mean for you if your congregation became a Reconciling in Christ congregation? . .
2024 Heresy Update - Part 2
Standing with Methodists leaving
. . .Back in 2010, many of us Lutherans stayed true to the Biblical call for marriage and were forced to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) because of its change away from the Biblical truth. . .
2024 Heresy Update - Part 1
Once You Know the Makeup, You Know the Outcome – Part Two
. . .Based on who was chosen by the Church Council to be a part of the Commission, I listed four things that are certain to characterize the Renewed Lutheran Church – social justice activism as the main mission and purpose for the church, an ever-diminishing role for men, LGBTQ+ activism, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as the primary value system for the church. . .
Call to Prayer
. . .The ELCA has been like parents who raised an out-of-control child who are now dealing with an out-of-control young adult who would be more than happy to destroy the family business and burn the house down. . .
Across the Pastor’s Desk: There is always another way
(ELCA Pastor about not picking sides during Israel and Hamas war). . .War is already divisive enough, and as a church I can’t help but wonder if we only add to it by picking a “side.” A majority of us are surrounded by privilege. We have access to resources, jobs, shelter, families, etc. and have a safety net that most of the world does not have. Who are we to pick a “side?”. .
Abuse of Power in the ELCA’s Metropolitan Chicago Synod
. . .I gave a very detailed account of how Bishop Yehiel Curry of the ELCA’s Metropolitan Chicago Synod committed egregious acts of abuse of power, threatening, bullying, and intimidating against a retired pastor rostered in another synod and lay leaders of a congregation in that synod. . .
Open Letter to ELCA Friends
. . .publication in the official ELCA Magazine titled, "My Take: Lessons from the Ghost Dancers" clearly celebrates paganism. However, that is not the biggest concern. The more significant problem is that after the author mentions division, racism, classism, environmental apocalypse, the need for reconciliation, social oppression, human isolation, and the afterlife, his solution and remedy is to... "start dancing." What wretched, naive, obtuse, and pathetic σκύβαλα coming from a seminary professor! . .
A mother’s lessons from raising her trans daughter in a faith community
. . .As they write in their book, the Bible and Christian faith are being used to marginalize trans youth. That means religious supporters of trans people are essential to stopping harm. . .
What’s the World’s Grossest Pastrix Up To?
. . .Groen isn’t a nobody, even though it wouldn’t matter if she were. Instead, she continues to rise in the ranks through the ELCA. Five years ago, she was elected to the Discipline Committee of the Delaware-Maryland Synod, where she enjoys a close friendship with the Bishop. She has also spoken on at least one panel with Elizabeth Eaton, the head of the ELCA. Those in power know who she is and how she behaves and are entirely and utterly supportive. . .
Central Lutheran Church in Portland considers selling its Pietro Belluschi-designed building
. . .The midcentury modern church, clad in textured brick and stained wood, sits on a 0.57-acre, corner lot at 1820 N.E. 21st Ave. Although the church is exempt from property taxes, Multnomah County values the land at $1,459,630 and the improvements, including buildings, at an additional $7,383,330. . .
Children, not parents, are the ‘only authority’ on gender identity, DFL rep’s book says (book publisher under ELCA parent publishing company - see here)
. . ."Queerfully and Wonderfully Made" encourages teens to "limit contact" with adults who do not affirm their choices. . .
- Celebrating homosexuality, bisexuality, queerness, transgenderism, etc. at an ELCA Lutheran “Pride Sunday”
. . .A number of years ago, Central Lutheran Church of Elk River, Minnesota, had the good sense to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America when that denomination decided to ordain practicing homosexual pastors. The liberals at Central Lutheran were not happy and left to form their own new ELCA congregation, Elk River Lutheran church. . .
. . .I pray for families with transgender children and youth across the country who are being denied access to medical care and safe schools and are even being criminalized for supporting their children. I pray that we all might transform our prayers into action for the sake of these young people. . .
. . . While LWR says not using the name of Jesus allows them to get into places where that would not be allowed, there are plenty of places where they do work where other Christian agencies are able to be explicit about Christ. . .
He super glued feet.
. . . The ELCA is a beautiful tapestry of cultures and identities. We want to celebrate Pride Month with a focus on our LGTBQIA+ Lutherans. We are excited to amplify the voices of our ELCA siblings who are proud to be a part of the LQBTQIA+ community, and to affirm and embrace everyone in the church. . .
Pride and Prejudice: An Apt Description of Our Fractured Times
. . .In late 2022, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) started a series of Town Halls with LGBTQ advocates and open and affirming churches in Fargo about creating a network of “safe spaces” for people to go, . . .
Will Your Church Be Next?
. . .I continue to be absolutely astounded at how quickly the ELCA is departing from Biblical moral values, confessional Lutheran theology, and a Biblical concept of the mission of the church. Once the dam broke, it did not take long for anything holding back the floodwaters to be completely washed away. . .
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in Today's Church
Congregation disheartened and upset at sudden closure of Fordham Lutheran Church
. . .“Our sexton finished his work Saturday evening and locked the doors like normal, but Sunday morning, we found the locks changed and have been locked out of our church ever since,” . . .
Welcome At the Table - WELCA
. . .We are an LGBTQ+-centric congregation. Our mission is to provide spiritual guidance and healing for folks who experience rejection and bigotry due to homo/transphobia as they learn safe and edifying ways to re-engage with scripture, God, and faith-based relationships. . .
Camp hospitality: The ELCA’s outdoor ministries welcome all
. . .“Once the Muslim Student Association realized we were an open, welcoming and affirming community—and word got out". . .
. . .Camp Agape is working with the alliance on a series of LGBTQ+ retreats this fall and will likely host a group next summer for a week of camping. The camp will host the event, and the alliance will coordinate programming. . .
. . .Camp Agape is working with the alliance on a series of LGBTQ+ retreats this fall and will likely host a group next summer for a week of camping. The camp will host the event, and the alliance will coordinate programming. . .
The people appointed to the ELCA's Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church
"comprised of leaders of diverse representation from all three expressions that, working in consultation with the Conference of Bishops and the Church Council, shall reconsider the statements of purpose for each of the expressions of this church, the principles of its organizational structure, and all matters pertaining thereunto, being particularly attentive to our shared commitment to dismantle racism, and will present its findings and recommendations to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly in preparation for a possible reconstituting convention to be called under the rules for a special meeting of the Churchwide Assembly. [CA22.01.06]" (here)
The Creeds Don’t “Sparkle”
. . .The “Sparkle creed” shares none of this history. It was written for entirely different reasons and has not even come close to being vetted by the whole Christian Church on earth. In fact, the majority of the Christian Church on earth would outright reject it. . .
ELCA Moves In and Takes Over
. . . As a former ALC congregation, according to the ELCA constitution, Faith Lutheran Church of San Dimas, California should have had no problem keeping their property as they voted to disaffiliate from the ELCA and join another Lutheran church body. But that synod council used chapter S13.24 of the Model Constitution for Synods, along with rejecting the legitimacy of LCMC as a recognized Lutheran church body, to claim to have the right to the congregation’s property. . .
Culture Wars and Heresy Update
By ELCA Bishop Brenda Bos
A conversation with Rev Kelsey Brown: Celebrating the LGBTQIA+ Community
. . .I find reassurance and a deep peace in the reality that God created me and all people exactly how we were meant to be. For my LGBTQIA+ siblings especially, that means any and all iterations of our identities—not only did God create them but God called them good … all of them. . .
What will be the future of church in Seattle?
. . .While the lot remains large, the congregation at St. John is shrinking. On the books, Pastor Rieke said they have 110 people in their worship community. But at services every Sunday, it’s more like 25 to 35. . .
Local Faith Leaders Practice Inclusivity for Pride Month
. . .They said in a joint statement, “We believe that God made us each, Imago Dei, in the image of God. We believe that when the image of God is denied in our LGBTQIA+ siblings, whether by law, policy, or hatred, the Imago Dei is diminished in all of us”. . .
Lutheran, Presbyterian schools moving to Chicago campus of Catholic Theological Union
. . .Both mainline schools sold their properties earlier this year to the University of Chicago. . .
ELCA Church Council adopts new social message on climate
. . .The document comes at a time when the ELCA at its Churchwide Assembly last summer supported the social target of reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. The social message challenges all expressions of the ELCA to seek that target, as well. . .
Future leaders make an impact
. . .“I learned a lot about intersectional justice as it relates to hunger, and talking about a lack of affordable housing as a social problem rather than a personal problem. Migration and hunger are a result of climate change and a lack of affordable housing. In Minnesota the lack of affordable housing is the No. 1 cause of hunger.” . .
A conversation with Margarette Ouji
. . .We need to prioritize education in our denomination on issues that folks of Arab and Middle Eastern descent face, like racism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia and other forms of injustice. . .
ELCA Church Council appoints members to the Commission on a Renewed Lutheran Church
. . .
- Received a progress report on the "Salary Equity in the ELCA" resolution and affirmed commissioning of a survey concerning inequitable gaps in compensation for rostered ministers in the ELCA.
- Received a response on the "Gun Violence Advocacy" resolution from the Witness in Society team in the Service and Justice home area and commended the continued advocacy efforts being implemented across this church related to gun violence and universal background checks.
- Received a response on the "LGBTQ+ Programming for Events" resolution from the ELCA Christian Community and Leadership home area and encouraged consideration of the development of LGBTQ+-focused sessions for churchwide events whenever gatherings include such sessions for other communities. . .
Why the Assemblies of God Isn’t Dropping in Membership
. . .Denominations like The Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the Presbyterian Church (USA) began long ago to move away from orthodoxy and capitulate to new ideas about sex, gender, and marriage. . .
ELCA Pastor Response
. . .The ELCA is awash in heresy and cares little about preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world in order to bring the lost to Him. . .
Faith Lutheran Church incorporates acceptance of trans, LGBTQ people
. . .Claire Ackleow stepped out of her car, Gernand said, and took the hand of her spouse, Jules Ackleow. Jules is a trans, nonbinary person, and in that moment, Gernand said she knew a lot was going to change for the church she’d attended for so long. . .
A tale of two bishops: What happens when apostasy reigns?
. . .the present and all those denominations have been in precipitous decline for decades. The culture has been secularizing and those churches basically decided to secularize with it. All have been effectively in the hands of theological liberals for so long now that it is hard to remember a time when they were not (at least in leadership) monolithically progressive if not outright heretical. . .
Queer ELCA Pastrix Ordained With Drag Queen Nuns While Jennifer Knapp Serenades
. . .Two years ago, Dawn Bennett became an ordained ‘pastor’ in the thoroughly apostate Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA,) in what is perhaps the strangest ordination ceremony we’ve ever seen. Bennett, who is a self-described she/her bisexual, queer woman. . .
Mainline Protestantism: The wolves in sheep’s clothing have shed their fleeces
. . .a denomination of 3.3 million members that has caved so fully to the spirit of the age that it is rapidly becoming difficult to tell the difference between a church service and Drag Queen Story Hour. . .
Finding Faith: Jesus' message wasn't 'be right at all costs'
An ELCA pastor writes: . . ."Overturning federal protections that provide access to health care, the right to marry, the right to live out one’s sexual orientation, the right to define one’s own gender may make us feel better because of our interpretation of scripture. But in reality, what it does is put lives in jeopardy, impoverish the already impoverished, reduce human dignity, further marginalize the marginalized, alienate those already upset with the church’s hypocrisy and continues to splinter the body of Christ." . .
Queer bars offer sacred space for LGBTQ community
. . .Garcia credits queer bars and drag performers with helping her connect to her inner self. “It really was the bars that gave birth to my first concept of self as Nicole.” . .
Facebook post by the ELCA's Gulf Coast Synod that shares an article they published titled "Why Pronouns Matter":
Pronouns Matter to the ELCA - Witness Stone Blog
Reconciling in Christ Sunday - Video By ELCA Synod Bishop
Some Twin Cities faith communities are becoming more vocal in supporting abortion rights
. . .Edina Community Lutheran Church chose to make its sign universal ("People of faith for reproductive rights") instead of denominational ("Lutherans for reproductive rights"). It also ordered 50 of them, hoping other local congregations would display them, too. . .
Pilger church building finds new use
. . .St. Peter’s Lutheran Church is the unification of three congregations, two German-speaking and one Danish: . .
2023 Heresy Update Plus Your Bible Questions
ELCA opens nominations on commission that could change church’s governance
. . .the assembly determined the time had come to reconsider the language of the 1980s and look at “the principles of its organizational structure … being particularly attentive to our shared commitment to dismantle racism …” per the memorial’s language. . .
“A win-win-win”
. . .From the total offering of $956,251, 60% was designated for specific ELCA ministries and partners (30%, or $286,875, to the ELCA’s congregational vitality efforts and 10%, or $95,625, each to Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, and ELCA Ethnic Specific and Multicultural Ministries). . .
Lawsuit accuses one-time minister at West Des Moines church of sexual misconduct during counseling
. . .The lawsuit, filed earlier this month in Polk County District Court, alleges that the woman met several times in early 2021 with Asa Crow, a minister at Lutheran Church of Hope, seeking "spiritual direction." . .
Woman claims minister, spiritual counselor suggested they get naked for therapy: lawsuit
. . .An Iowa woman has filed a lawsuit seeking compensation for emotional distress and negligence after a former minister at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines, who was also serving as her spiritual counselor, allegedly suggested they get naked in bed as a part of her counseling. . .
Christians must avoid nationalism -- Rev. Dr. Jerry Folk (retired ELCA pastor)
. . .White Christian nationalism is a threat to Christianity. Its message is the exact opposite of Jesus' message. . .
More desexing of God language in the ELCA Lutheran denomination
. . .In 2019 the ELCA passed a social statement that calls upon “Bishops, synods and churchwide organizations to use gender-inclusive and expansive language for God.” . .
Rhetoric rankles Lutheran pastors
. . .Mastriano fired back at the Lutherans in a Facebook Live video, calling their message “hateful” and describing them as “modern Pharisees” that include people with a “hostility toward Jesus Christ.” He railed against the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s more liberal position on abortion rights. . .
P!nk Thanks Pastor for Calling Out Evangelical Silence After Colorado Shooting at Gay Club
. . .All of you Evangelical and fundamentalist clergy who claim to be pastors and shepherds of God’s flock who step into your pulpits and preach hate and bigotry and transphobia and homophobia, you are blasphemers and you are false prophets,” Lerien started. . .
Alleluia Lutheran Church Service of Holy Closure
. . .A Service of Holy Closure led by Bishop Hutterer will be held Saturday 11/12/2022, 4 pm for Alleluia Lutheran Church, 8444 W. Encanto Blvd, Phoenix AZ 85037. . .
St. Mark's celebrates welcoming LGBTQ community since 1985
. . .So, as a pastor, it helps me to empathize with people who have gone through experiences like that," said Scott, who identifies as queer and gender-queer. . .