CHICAGO (ELCA) — The 2009 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) directed that ministry policies berevised to eliminate prohibitions against partnered gay and lesbian members serving as lay and ordained leaders of the church. When the policy documents have been revised, congregations will have the option of calling a person in [...]
According to a news release from The Christian Post, Lutheran ministers who are in same-sex relationships will not be allowed to serve as clergy in United Methodist congregations despite the new full communion agreement between the two denominations. You can read the full article at The Christian Post
Courtesy of Paul McCain’s blog, a statement regarding the ecumenical decisions of the ELCA from former LCMS president Dr. A.L. Barry. McCain comments, I was reviewing my files and came across this statement that Dr. A. L. Barry, President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, made to our Synod after the ELCA entered into full communion [...]
Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ has released an updated version of a brochure published a few years ago, entitled “Consider Your Options.” LCMC is an association of Lutheran churches and individuals made up largely of people who saw the direction of the ELCA moving away from its Biblical and Lutheran Confessional roots, and wanted [...]
Statement of the president of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in response to certain actions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America August 24, 2009 The two largest Lutheran church bodies in the United States are the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) with 4.8 million members and The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod [...]
Here is the handout, from Bob and Cathy Mattson, for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost: Pentecost 13 (.doc) Pentecost 13 (.pdf) 09 Pentecost 13th Sunday
by Jaynan L. Clark To all believers, not just Lutherans, and to all not-yet believers in Jesus Christ: Have ears to hear! It is very important for you to hear today that Jesus died for you to save you from your sin through repentance, forgiveness and new life, which are true freedom in Him. That [...]
by Jaynan L. Clark Some things are not up for a vote. Some things we as creatures do not have the right to even think we can change. We as creatures have forgotten our place. Instead of prostrating ourselves face down on the ground before God, Our Father and Our Creator, in humble obedience and [...]
The Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) disagrees with the recent resolution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), which voted 55% on August 21, in favor of ordaining homosexuals in an “active” relationship. This press release may be used by ELS churches and pastors for submittal to their local newspapers. Evangelical Lutheran Synod disagrees with [...]
by Uwe Siemon-Netto(via The Center for Lutheran Theology & Public Life) As one whose profession it has been for many years to observe the plight of Christianity, I am always grateful for signs that our God is truly a Jewish God – one with a hilarious sense of irony. This happened again during the ELCA’s [...]
Here are the reports from today’s proceedings of the ELCA churchwide assembly: ELCA Assembly Welcomes Peter Mayer, Buffett’s Lead Guitarist http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4256 ELCA Assembly Actions Draw Criticism, Praise from Advocacy Groups http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4255 ELCA Presiding Bishop Comments on Decisions Regarding Ministry Policies http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4254 ELCA Assembly Opens Ministry to Partnered Gay and Lesbian Lutherans http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4253 ELCA Assembly Picks [...]
A statement from Lutheran Church–Canada Ordination of Homosexuals in The Lutheran Church AUGUST 21, 2009 – In Minneapolis this afternoon, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America adopted a resolution to allow for the ordination of those in committed, monogamous, same-sex relationships. The vote was 559 in favour, 451 against. The following statement was prepared at [...]
The following sermon by Henric Schartau (1757-1825) is featured prominently in the classic Lutheran novel The Hammer of God by Bo Giertz (Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1960), in the chapter entitled “Transfiguration Day” (pp. 182-227). This English translation of the sermon is from Henric Schartau and the Order of Grace by S.G. Hagglund (Rock Island, [...]
by Eric Jonas Swensson Today is the end of the Line for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s “Journey Together Faithfully.” They vote on the second of two big issues in human sexuality and the one that the media deems so important, gay clergy. You can expect headlines and pictures of people in tears. I [...]
Check the special news page for reports and commentary on the ELCA churchwide assembly at: http://www.wordalone.org/cwa-news.shtml The news and comment articles posted there include: God will not be mocked—especially when steeples fall – http://www.wordalone.org/nr/God-will-not-be-mocked.shtml ELCA assembly passes social statement by one vote – http://www.wordalone.org/nr/by-one-vote.shtml ELCA adopts social statement in close vote – [...]
Today (August 20) in 1886 Paul Tillich, German philosophical theologian, was born in Starzeddel, Germany (d. October 22 1965). The theological value of his work is debatable, due in part to his morally decrepit life (not to mention that on his deathbed the word he was dying to hear was a Zen koan). Here is [...]
Estonian Lutheran theologian Heino O. Kadai was born on this day in Tartu (d. June 3 1999). From Concordia Theological Quarterly, you can download a brief biographical statement, and his essay “Luther’s Theology of the Cross” (originally published in Accents in Luther’s Theology).
Here, via ELCA News Service, are links to the reports from today’s proceedings at the Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis: ELCA VP Says He’s Willing to Serve Second Termhttp://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4229 ELCA Assembly Hears Finances Remain Positivehttp://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4230 ELCA Assembly Begins Balloting for Vice Presidenthttp://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4231 ELCA Assembly Adopts ‘Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust’http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4232 ELCA Assembly Endorses Immigration Reformhttp://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4233 ELCA [...]
Please pray for John Gebuhr, who leaves for Pastor Revenel Benoit’s mission in Haiti early Thursday morning/Aug. 20; he returns Aug. 27. He will be working diligently on installing a low power transmitter and working on the FM radio, plus several other things for the Lutheran church there. May all go well for the mission [...]
The following are the reports available from yesterday’s proceedings of the ELCA churchwide assembly. ELCA Assembly Host Synods Celebrate Diversity, Present Assembly with Gifthttp://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4219 ELCA Assembly Asked, What’s ‘Our Witness?’ by Presiding Bishophttp://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4220 ELCA Assembly Begins Work on “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust”http://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4221 ELCA Assembly Begins Discussing Proposed Social Statementhttp://www.elca.org/News/Releases.asp?a=4222 ELCA Assembly to Consider $10 [...]
On this day in 1688, John Bunyan, author of the classic Pilgrim’s Progress, preached his final sermon in London. You can hear the sermon below presented as a YouTube video, read by Pastor Joshua M. Wallnofer. You can also find an extensive collection of Bunyan’s writings at The John Bunyan Page.
Here is a hymn for today, written on this day in 1832 by James Montgomery (1771-1854). Pour out Thy Spirit from on high;Lord, Thine assembled servants bless;Graces and gifts to each supply,And clothe Thy priests with righteousness. Within Thy temple when they stand,To teach the truth, as taught by Thee,Savior, like stars in Thy right [...]
Beginning today the Evangelical Church in America will be gathering for its churchwide assembly in Minneapolis, MN. You can get up to date commentary from the ALPB Forum Online, and view the live stream through the ELCA website.
Here is a hymn for today from Sarah Flower Adams, English devotional and hymn writer, who died on this day in 1848 in England (b. February 22 1805). The hymn has been influential in a variety of ways historically: This hymn is sung at the end of the 1936 movie San Francisco, which was nominated [...]
Issues Etc. has made available this article by Andrew A. Das, who has appeared on the show to discuss, and written a book on the topic of infant baptism. Placed within the narrative of the author’s personal encounter with the issue, it is helpful preparation for approaching conversations with friends and family on what can [...]
Here is the handout, from Bob and Cathy Mattson, for the 11th Sunday in Pentecost. Pentecost 11 (.doc) Pentecost 11 (.pdf) 09 Pentecost 11th Sunday
by P. Nelson (Editor’s note: This article is a combination of an article written for the WordAlone Network and a letter to WordAlone from a woman. Paragraphs enclosed within four asterisks at the beginning and end, like the second through fifth paragraphs are from her letter. All other paragraphs are from her article.) Jesus said, [...]
Recently released reports from Public Religion Research analyze the views of Americans, mainline Protestants, and ELCA clergy on a variety of same-sex issues. Here are three of them: New Findings from the 2008 Faith and American Politics Study (FAPS)* Public Religion Research released a new report on same-sex marriage that examines trends in support and [...]
Here is a hymn for today (followed by a performance of the hymn) from Nahum Tate, who died on this day in 1715 (b. 1652). While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around, And glory shone around. “Fear not!” said [...]
Today in 1827, English poet, painter, and printmaker, William Blake died (b. November 28 1757). Here is The Vision of the Last Judgment, followed by Blake’s reflections on the theme. Blake From a Vision of the Last Judgment View more of Blake’s art work here.
