aid P it No.7149 rm St.Paul, MN St.Paul, US Postage NETWORK Non-Profit Org. Non-Profit Pe NETWORK NEWSNEWS ®

Volume 10, Issue 1 JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2009

® Laypersons are ‘last defense’ against new gospel in ELCA

by Betsy Carlson, editor Laypersons, especially those who realize that was handed down to us is hanging that God’s mercy is the final word, are the in the balance.” ax: 651-633-4260 F last defense against a new gospel that is To Allison, who spoke twice, it is the yeast

ebsite: www.wordalone.org afoot in the North American churches. W

E-Mail: [email protected] of the Sadducees, “yeast that is seldom New Brighton,New MN 55112

2299 Palmer Drive,2299 Palmer Suite 220 Changes in the day-to-day theology of main- seen but that is powerful.” It is self-cen- line U.S. Protestant denominations have teredness along with the illusion of free- el: Free:Toll 651-633-6004 888-551-7254 T been subtle and just below the radar in the dom of choice, which is actually freedom past 20 or more years, said speakers at this to sin and brings with it bondage to sin. ! ! ! fall’s WordAlone Theological Conference. Grorud, meanwhile, said that to him the Scott Grorud, a WordAlone Network most compelling diagnosis came from board member, and Episcopal Philip Turner, a member of The Episcopal C. FitzSimons Allison, speaking at Church and a former dean of the Berkeley ESUS ESUS ESUS Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fridley, Divinity School at Yale University, who J J J Minn., each described various ways in distinguishes “official theology” as the

— which this new theology, or gospel, has “theology of divine redemption,” and the — — MOVING? NEWS NEWS crept into their denominations. new day-to-day “working theology” as the e-mail message at [email protected]. w

ordAlone office. save Or, “theology of divine acceptance.” a stamp and send us an Please help us keep our Please help us keep Grorud gave one address and said, “The records current. Send your W new address, phone number phone address, new and e-mail information to the and e-mail information crisis in Christianity today is not a minor He said, “The ‘theology of divine accept- HING OCLAIM HING OCLAIM HING

OCLAIM dispute over side issues. Christians have ance’ distorts the very essence of R R

R always been fighting about something and Christianity and turns it into a gospel with- T T T P NETWORK

NETWORK often, with time, those disputes seem to be out a cross, without Christ and without P P much ado about very little. conversion.” April 26-27, 2009 Golden Valley, Minn. Golden Valley, AIN AIN Mark Your Calendar!! Mark Your AIN “The temptation is to dismiss this also as But each man was optimistic that the theol- Network is a Network Calvary Lutheran Church Calvary Lutheran

® one more dust-up over adiaphora [a church ogy of salvation, of redemption, will tri- M M M practice that is neither commanded nor umph through Christ’s cross. dAlone Network Annual Convention dAlone Network r prohibited by Scripture]. We in the reform Grorud said it is common to hear laypeople HE

HE movements are often charged with ‘major- HE ordAlone Wo confess their inability to understand our contributions are our contributions greatly appreciated greatly W Y non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation, and your tax- contributions are fully Please use the deductible. in this newsletter envelope support.to help with your ing in the minors.’ T T Pastor Steven Dornbusch will be the Pastor Steven will be workshops on and there preacher churches in various settings evangelism for T Scripture and theology, leaving them to “But in this crisis, I believe the faith (Continues on page two) (‘laypersons...’ Continues from page one) and liking and thus is left with only sadness (‘laypersons...’ Continues from page two) Lutheran confessions and the ELCA consti- and theologians. He said he sympa- and depression but without hope. Grorud described the theology of acceptance tution. Cultural and philosophical forces thizes with laypersons because the issues “It behooves us to understand what a sad- using five key tenets given by author Turner: from outside the faith inspire ‘new,’ ‘cre- are complicated. ness there is,” Allison said, “and what a 1. It asserts that God is love, only ative,’ ‘modern’ and ‘relevant’ teachings. “But you who are laypeople have to under- need there is for a confident witness to the love; pure, accepting, uncondition- “They undermine the Gospel subtly, by ero- stand that you are the last line of defense faith we have been given.” al love. This love eliminates sion, rather than by openly opposing or here,” Grorud said. “You can ‘smell a rat’ judgment and the need for overturning it.” To counter the new theology of acceptance, salvation from sin and resurrection before anyone else and you must take up Grorud said, Christians with traditional Grorud listed some examples of the new the challenge of preserving the faith.” to new life. views must learn and renew knowledge of 2. God taking on a body was not for theology in the ELCA: the claim of direct Allison asked rhetorically if sinners would the faith, hold pastors and teachers salvation of sinners from His wrath inspiration by the Holy Spirit apart from the win. Were Alzheimer’s disease, abuse of all accountable to the faith, cling as never but rather as God’s unconditional Word; sharp erosion of the authority of kinds, dementia, abortion or depression the before to the great solas of the affirmation and acceptance of all Scripture; the diminishing acknowledgment final words, he wondered? Reformation, overcome the legendary shy- people, just as they are. The cross of sin and its ongoing power in our lives. ness of Lutherans and learn to witness, tes- and even Jesus himself soon disap- Also: altering Biblical and Christian texts “No, God’s Word is the Alpha and the tify, preach, teach “in the most gracious, Omega,” Allison said. “Every man must pear from this theology. in service to various ideologies; inviting winsome ways” to family members, 3. Since God is love and Jesus was un-baptized people to receive Holy appear before the judgment seat of friends, pew mates and church leaders. Christ. . . God’s mercy is the final word.” devoted to love, his followers must Communion for the sake of welcome and (Continues on page three) love others in the same way. Love is inclusion; the reduction of grace in He said Sadducees didn’t believe in resur- defined only as unconditional Lutheran theology; strange teachings about rection and their teaching was a rough inclusion and acceptance of all Jesus, for instance rejecting the cross as the equivalent of secularism, “‘this-world-is- Index people. It is not transformational center of God’s salvation, some radically all-there-is-ism’ as Reinhold Niebuhr page one — Laypersons are ‘last love that puts sinners to death and dismissing it as “divine child abuse;” and defense’ against new gospel in ELCA expressed it.” raises them to new life in Christ. the debates over sexuality. Allison asserted, “The Episcopal Church has page four — ELCA council says 4. Since the church no longer can pro- majority vote enough to alter sexuality The text of Allison’s and Grorud’s keynote been increasingly choking on this Sadducee ordination standards claim God’s justification for the addresses can be accessed from the home yeast, this continuous accommodation to the ungodly, its mission is social justice page six — An open letter on synodical page of the WordAlone Network, secular culture. Our churches are pandering option and justice is defined as including www.wordalone.org. ✦ to a secularism that is characterized: the rejected. The only intolerable page eight — A network for any and all 1. by our believing that ideas, sin is any hint of intolerance. confessional Lutherans (‘majority vote...’ Continues from page five) doctrines and teachings are without 5. This new theology results in a pecu- page ten — Reform groups form new liar form of North American or years of ecumenical work and cut off the consequences; North American Anglican church 2. by an arrogance based on a cruel Western liberation theology, includ- ELCA from most Christian churches? page eleven — Lutheran Clergy ing all the excluded. This blurs the Pelagian naiveté regarding sin and Connect Perhaps the most tragic dimension of the evil [Fifth century heresy that man line between God’s kingdom and council majority's decision is the certain is basically good and that original Please this world and is seen as a means to damage that will be done to ELCA congre- sin does not exist.]; create God’s kingdom on earth. gations should the ELCA change its min- 3. by ethics without moral pass Evidence of the crisis in the Evangelical istry standards. Many congregations will foundations; Lutheran Church in America is abundant lose members and many will be deeply 4. by reductionist art devoid of it on! and disturbing, but it is also mostly anec- divided—some already are. transcendent hope; dotal, according to Grorud. 5. by inescapable idolatry; and The majority on the council is concerned 6. by depression.” Network News is published six times “I do not see any organized conspiracy to about pastoral care for gay, lesbian, bisexu- yearly by the WordAlone® Network. destroy the faith,” he said. “I am not aware al and transgendered people, but seemingly In other words, doctrine is not taken seri- of any one book or movement that lays it all oblivious to the overwhelming pastoral care ously; humankind is seen as good, has no Jaynan Clark Egland: president out. I am convinced that many who pro- that will be needed for millions of members sense of transcendent justice in its stan- Mark C. Chavez: vice president mote it would utterly deny that they are and thousands of congregations should the dards of human conduct, does not have art undermining the faith. majority on the council have its way. ✦ with transcendence or any sense of pur- Betsy Carlson: editor pose, can make a god of its own creation “There has certainly been no effort to - Please photocopy & distribute - change the official theology contained in the two three (‘majority vote...’ Continues from page four) ELCA Secretary David Swartling reported ELCA council says majority vote enough of the ELCA; how to move toward commu- that most of the increase in the multiracial to alter sexuality ordination standards nal discernment at churchwide assemblies composition of the ELCA is the result of so there is less vying for votes, and out- marriages—in other words, not drawing in by Mark C. Chavez, WordAlone Network vice president comes with winners and losers; and how to new members who are not Caucasian. The ELCA Church Council decided at its simple majority decision. After much dis- strengthen ecumenical relationships. Does the majority on the church council November meeting in Chicago to recom- cussion the council approved that amend- The ELCA suffered a big loss in donations not know that non-Caucasians—Christians mend a simple majority vote at the 2009 ment 19-10, with one abstention. after the fiasco in 1993 with the first draft and people of other faiths—overwhelming- Churchwide Assembly on recommenda- Council member Mark Helmke, from San of a social statement on human sexuality ly disapprove of homosexual behavior? tions from the Task Force for ELCA Antonio, Texas, then offered an amendment and ELCA leaders know it may happen If the ELCA changes its standards for min- Studies on Sexuality and the ELCA Church to restore the 2005 Churchwide Assembly again if the 2009 assembly approves istry it will make it all the more difficult for Council regarding the rostering of practic- two-thirds rule, which applied to changes in ordaining practicing homosexuals. ELCA congregations to reach Latinos, ing homosexuals as pastors and ministers. existing ELCA policies. The 2005 rule was The council heard a report from church- Asians and African Americans, not to men- News and commentary narrower in scope than the two-thirds rule wide staff and a consultant about a possible tion immigrants from Africa, Asia, Latin The Constitutional and Legal Committee of recommended by the constitutional and five-year major fund appeal in conjunction America and Eastern Europe. Is the major- the church council had voted unanimously legal committee. with the ELCA's 25th anniversary. The ity on the council willing to sacrifice its at its own earlier meeting, with some A council member requested a written bal- consultant said that in working with the multicultural and multiracial goals for the abstentions, to recommend a two-thirds lot (not normally used) for the vote on the churchwide staff it was clear that the major sake of one narrow goal? vote at the 2009 churchwide assembly on Helmke amendment. The amendment was fund-raising initiative would need contin- At its meeting the council expressed con- all matters that relate to the subject of the defeated 18-14 with two abstentions. gency plans for the possible outcomes of cern about the divisive votes at recent the 2009 assembly. He said the ELCA social statement on sexuality, including the In my view, the constitutional and legal churchwide assemblies, but I believe the could be a very different church after next rostering proposals. The committee gave committee had done very good work. The surest way to increase the divisiveness is to August, a clear reference to the question of four reasons for recommending a two- committee's arguments for the two-thirds lower the bar to a simple majority for very rostering practicing homosexuals. thirds vote: rule were articulate and logical, and the important decisions. The legal and constitu- 1. It sets a clear rule for all matters committee had demonstrated great care for Does the majority on the council not realize tional committee had it right—raise the bar and heads off potential confusion the well being of the ELCA. that by pushing its homosexual agenda it higher, not lower so that everyone knows and ambiguity. could lead the ELCA into deeper financial there must be overwhelming consensus However, a clear majority of the council 2. Since the social statement needs a troubles? before making serious changes. Is the two-thirds vote, all matters relating apparently was dead set on getting the majority on the council unable to see that to it should also require a two- ELCA to change its standards for ministry, Every other denomination in North its decision will make assemblies even thirds vote. willing to sacrifice just about everything to America that has approved of practicing more contentious and divisive? 3. If the council wants the churchwide attain its goal. They want the ELCA to homosexuals as ministers has suffered huge The Roman Catholic Church and Eastern assembly to move toward commu- approve of rostering practicing homosexu- membership losses—30 to 50 percent. Orthodox churches have made it very clear nal discernment, then a two-thirds als as soon as possible, which was stated in Most have done nothing more than approve that their relationships with The Episcopal vote helps move the churchwide the discussion, and okayed a simple major- of the equivalent of a local or synodical Church are severely ruptured because of assembly in that direction. ity vote for the assembly’s rules even option. Does the majority on the church the diocesan local option on ordaining non- 4. The church council (and church- though the decision flew in the face of all council think that the ELCA will be the celibate homosexuals that exists in The wide assembly) will have to deal the council's other priorities, which focus exception and not suffer a huge member- Episcopal Church. Churches in the with the rules anyway, so the com- on the vitality of the ELCA. ship loss? Lutheran World Federation in Eastern mittee's recommendation was a The rest of the council meeting was taken The Rev. Stephen Bouman, executive direc- Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America starting point for discussion. up with such serious matters as: how to tor of the Evangelical Outreach and have made it very clear that if the ELCA During the council's discussion of the legal reverse the steady decline in giving by con- Congregational Mission churchwide unit, and other Lutheran churches approve of committee's recommendation, an amend- gregations to the synods and churchwide told the council that the ELCA's new mis- homosexual behavior, the unity of the ment was offered to lower the bar from two- organization; how to reverse the steady and sion congregations have not thrived, espe- Lutheran World Federation is at stake. thirds to 60 percent, but that amendment accelerating loss of ELCA members; what cially those connected with ethnic strate- Does the majority of the council not know was overwhelmingly defeated. to do about the worst ever drop in average gies. He said that thus far "ethnic strategies worship attendance; how to increase the are just words" in the ELCA. Action and that its single-minded focus on homosexu- Next an amendment was offered to delete multiracial and multicultural composition results are needed, he said. ality may well undermine more than 50 the two-thirds rule, thereby making it a (Continues on page three) (Continues on page five) four five To the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality in their public ministry as well as in private homosexual behavior: “Every kingdom and the ELCA Church Council and Conference of : life that is biblically informed and consis- divided against itself is laid waste, and no tent with the teachings of this church.” We city or house divided against itself will An open letter on synodical option affirm this commitment of the ELCA. stand” (Matthew 12:25). We have seen the A debate continues in the Evangelical reject such an approach. We understand the desire of some ELCA truth of Jesus’ words in the divisions taking place in The Episcopal Church and in other Lutheran Church in America about whether Synodical option is not a real compromise members for a compromise on same-sex church bodies that have adopted, in effect, a to change church teaching and policy at all. Its adoption would force synods sexual relationships given the debates rag- synodical option. The teaching of Scripture to allow pastors and other rostered leaders and congregations to agree that there are ing in some ELCA synods. However, given and of the Christian church throughout the to be in same-sex sexual relationships. multiple biblical teachings on these mat- the Bible’s clear affirmation of marriage as ages is clear on these matters. The only The 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly ters. Synodical option would represent a between a man and a woman and its clear question is whether the ELCA will voted “to direct the Task Force for real change in the teaching of our church. rejection of homosexual behavior, it is not acknowledge this reality. ELCA Studies on Sexuality specifically to Even those synods and congregations that possible for the ELCA to allow its pastors address and to make recommendations to might not agree with this change would be to be in same-sex sexual relationships with- We offer this letter because of our commit- the 2009 Churchwide Assembly on forced by synodical option implicitly to out rejecting biblical teaching on sexuality ment to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in changes to any church policies that pre- accept the notion that Scripture is not clear and thus rejecting Scripture as “the author- America. We will continue to pray for the clude practicing homosexual persons from on this subject. itative source and norm of its proclamation, ELCA and for all those entrusted with lead- the rosters of this church.” faith, and life” (ELCA Confession of Faith ership in the Church. ✦ If the ELCA is to continue as one church, it - ELCA Constitution 2.03). As members of the Evangelical Lutheran must have one office of ministry, one roster Church in America—both pastors and lay of pastors and one set of expectations for The question of the authority of the Bible in people—we care deeply about the life and pastors and other rostered leaders through- the Church is not something on which a ministry of the ELCA. Because of our Lutheran CORE Steering Committee out the ELCA. Without a common roster of compromise can be reached. The ELCA The Rev. Mark Braaten, Tyler, Texas commitment to Christ, the Word of God pastors and common expectations for pas- either remains committed to Scripture as and the Church, we call on the Task Force The Rev. Mark Chavez, Landisville, Pa. tors and other rostered leaders, it would be “the authoritative source and norm of its The Rev. Scott Grorud, Hutchinson, Minn. for ELCA Studies on Sexuality, the ELCA very difficult for pastors to move from one proclamation, faith, and life” or the ELCA The Rev. Rebecca M. M. Heber, Lake Mary, Fla. Church Council and the ELCA Conference synod to another. Such an approach would will have chosen to deny its Confession of The Rev. Kenneth Kimball, Waterville, Iowa of Bishops to affirm and to maintain the effectively divide the ELCA into 65 sepa- Faith and chosen to function with a differ- The Rev. Victor C. Langford III, Seattle, Wash. clear standard that the ELCA and its prede- rate church bodies—each with its own stan- ent source and norm for its faith and life. Mr. Ryan Schwarz, Washington, D.C. The Rev. W. Stevens Shipman, Lock Haven, Pa. cessor churches have held for the sexual dards for clergy and its own clergy roster. behavior of pastors—that intimate sexual It is also important to note that a significant The Rev. Paull Spring, State College, Pa. relations are to be reserved for the marriage The interdependent relationship between majority of ELCA members (57 percent) The Rev. Paul Ulring, Columbus, Ohio The Rev. Erma Wolf, Brandon, S.D. of one man and one woman. This is the the churchwide, synod and congregational opposed the ordination of those in same- standard that has characterized Christian expressions of the ELCA requires one stan- sex sexual relationships and the blessing of teaching on marriage from apostolic times dard for clergy throughout the ELCA. same-sex relationships, according to Lutheran CORE Advisory Council Mr. Alan Beaver, Salisbury, N.C. and is maintained today by the overwhelm- “Vision and Expectations: Ordained responses to the 2004 “Journey Together Faithfully” study on homosexuality. Only The Rev. John Beem, Miltona, Minn. ing majority of Christians worldwide. Ministers in the Evangelical Lutheran Dr. Robert Benne, Salem, Va. Church in America” correctly states, 22 percent favored the blessing of homo- The Rev. Dr. Carl E. Braaten, Sun City West, Ariz. Some have suggested allowing synods or “Pastoral identity carries with it expecta- sexual relationships or the rostering of peo- congregations to set their own standards for The Rev. Dr. James R. Crumley, Jr., Chapin, S.C. tions and accountabilities that are deter- ple in those relationships, according to the The Rev. Paul Gausmann, York, Pa. pastors. Such an approach—usually called mined by the whole church and not simply study’s responses. While popular opinion is The Rev. Dr. Jeffray Greene, Rantoul, Ill. synodical option—would effectively dis- by a given congregation, synod, institution, not a reason to make decisions in a confes- The Rev. Gary Hatcher, Greene, Iowa solve the ELCA. The chaos described in the or agency served by the ordained .” sional church committed to Scripture as The Rev. George Mocko, Towson, Md. book of Judges could then describe the “the authoritative source and norm of its The Rev. Dennis Nelson, West Covina, Calif. Vision and Expectations also states: “the The Rev. Dr. James Nestingen, Dallas, Ore. ELCA—“all the people did what was right proclamation, faith, and life,” the faithful ordained minister is to be an example of The Rev. Richard Niebanck, Delhi, N.Y. in their own eyes” (Judges 17:6). A similar confession of such a significant majority of holy living, so that the ordained minister’s The Rev. Russell Saltzman, Kansas City, Mo. recommendation, which would have ELCA members should not be ignored or life does not become an impediment to the The Rev. Kenneth Sauer, Columbus, Ohio allowed synod bishops to grant exceptions rejected. The Rev. Beth Schlegel, York, Pa. to ELCA behavior standards to permit pas- hearing of the gospel or a scandal to the The Rev. Fred Schumacher, Manchester, N.J. tors to be in committed same-sex relation- community of faith. . . . Ordained minis- The words of Jesus are an important The Rev. Eric Swensson, New Rochelle, N.Y. ships, was defeated by the 2005 ters, whether married or single, are expect- reminder for those who suggest that we cel- The Rev. Morris Vaagenes, Shoreview, Minn. Churchwide Assembly. The ELCA must ed to uphold an understanding of marriage ebrate the divisions in the ELCA regarding six seven (‘network...’ Continues from page eight) six-month operating cash reserve, which we A network for any and all beyond through its own ministries, through have never achieved. The need for stepped- new Lutheran ministries that started from up efforts for fundraising in these difficult confessional Lutherans WordAlone and to other independent economic times was noted. by Jaynan Clark Egland, WordAlone Network president Lutheran agencies with whom we relate and Some proposals for organizational/structur- As the WordAlone Board of Directors met With that in mind the board heard reports whom we support. al change were proffered by an ad hoc com- in Burien, Wash., in Oct. they were con- during its meeting of many more additions Preparations for the churchwide assembly mittee tasked previously with reviewing the fronted over and over again with the ques- to the growing number of educational and beyond are in progress including an overall internal functions of WordAlone. tion on so many folks’ minds these days, resources available through WordAlone’s official response to the proposed human One change that was made renames Mark “Where are we going?” educational effort, Sola Publishing. sexuality social statement for the 2009 Chavez’s position from director to vice pres- assembly and contingency plans for differ- ident. This aligns his position better with the Not only while the board was in session was Education director Steve King has been ent scenarios that might result from votes president’s and helps make a distinction in this question confronting each member busy producing new studies for children, women’s groups and adults in addition to a taken there and changes made in ELCA his continuing work as the director for through a number of the different agenda policies and practices. Lutheran CORE. items but also at the evening forum hosted new brochure ministry and eye-catching by Glendale Lutheran Church, Burien. thematic posters. The board was updated on the status of Hopefully, by reading this summary of the People who gathered to meet with members All materials are produced to teach the con- implementation of the ELCA’S 2001 ordi- board meeting, you can see that the question of the board wondered where WordAlone fessional Lutheran faith to those inside and nation bylaw amendment and learned the of leaving the ELCA or staying in the was going to lead them. They wanted to outside of the ELCA. The goal is to get the ELCA records show that there have been 40 ELCA is not the driving question of the know where WordAlone’s commitments Word-based materials out to as many non-episcopal ordinations granted in 21 WordAlone Network. WordAlone will con- were and what the plans were for the future. churches and individuals at as low a cost as synods to date including some eastern syn- tinue its calling of working both inside and ods. The pastors receiving exceptions were outside the institution. WordAlone’s calling As I listened and participated in the board possible. The mission of Sola is not prima- rily to create revenue but to teach the faith. graduates of all but two of the eight ELCA is to network with and bring together any meeting, forum, led adult study and, even as seminaries. WordAlone continues to try to and all confessional Lutherans and other I preached, I kept being reminded of a quote Reports of working together more closely support seminary students in various ways Protestants who still believe in the Word of by H. Richard Niebuhr, “The great with the Solid Ground Lutherans reform including making the Seminary Debt Relief God, its authority over all matters of life and Christian revolutions come not by the dis- group in Canada were heard. The Institute Fund available to them. faith and who know Jesus Christ is the one covery of something that was not known of Lutheran Theology is working with The topic and speakers for the then up-com- Lord and Savior of us all. Considering the before. They happen when somebody takes Lutherans in Canada in the Canadian “letters” of such a network you end up with radically something that was always there.” Association of Lutheran Churches. ing Fall Theological Conference, "A Different Gospel—Christianity at Risk," NACL (network for any/all confessional Within the Christian faith, is a Plans for our presence and witness at the were discussed. Plans were made for the Lutherans). Called to be “salt” of the earth. very radical theology because of its utter churchwide assembly in Minneapolis annual spring convention with a theme of So whether individuals or churches need to dependence on salvation through Jesus August 2009 as an active member of evangelism as the primary work and mis- stay in the ELCA or decide to leave the Christ alone—nothing and nobody added. Lutheran CORE were brought to the board sion of the church. Calvary Lutheran ELCA or even if they are a part of another The dependence of the Lutheran voice on by Mark Chavez, vice president of Church in Golden Valley, Minn., will host denomination, WordAlone is committed to the clarion call of the Augsburg Confession, WordAlone and director of Lutheran the convention on April 26-27. being there to provide resources and a Art. IV, that states nothing new but restates CORE, together with Scott Grorud, member The Institute of Lutheran Theology is work- Network in which to be faithful and to wit- what Jesus preached and Paul taught—we of the WordAlone board and the Lutheran ing with me to launch a series for ness. Perhaps the good Lord will use us to are justified, made right with God through CORE steering committee. WordAlone chapters, in which I would tell draw together the diaspora of Lutherans so that in these troubling times we can confess His grace and the faith He gives us as a gift Discussion included reviewing the relation- the WordAlone story, and explain the new the Living Word of God, teach the faith, and not by our own doing. ship between WordAlone and Lutheran working paradigm of being the church and make disciples and be the church God This is what not only distinguishes CORE. The importance of WordAlone’s doing the mission of the church. The series called us to be. This is our purpose no mat- Lutherans from other Christians but also continuing as an active member of Lutheran will also introduce people to the various ministries that have been birthed by the ter what denomination or institution you what beckons us once more in this time of CORE is a priority because it is the find yourself a part of. turbulence and turmoil to step up to the Network’s primary focus for reform and WordAlone Network. plate and pronounce this clarion call for political activity within the ELCA. It was The audit committee reported that the annu- This way of relating and doing and being Christ Jesus alone in many and various clarified that while WordAlone is part of the al audit of WordAlone produced a good the church, no matter what affiliation you ways. We are called to be the “radical coalition—one member group out of ten report showing WordAlone met or exceeded are or what letters you have on your sign, is Lutherans” and to repeat loudly that which within Lutheran CORE—the WordAlone the standards for non-profits during the fis- not the discovery of something that was not always has been there. network extends inside the ELCA and cal year of 2007. It was recommended again known before . . . it just takes radically that which has always been there. ✦ (Continues on page nine) that WordAlone build up and maintain a eight nine (‘Reform groups...’ Continues from page ten) light of the biblical injunction to avoid liti- Reform groups form new people with different views, and we regret gation among Christians, Virtue Online North American Anglican church that some have felt the need to depart from reported her response as: the diversity of our common life in Christ.” “Well, we tried for a very long time to nego- by Betsy Carlson, editor However, Jefferts Schori, in response to tiate and came to a place where there was no [Editor’s note: This version of the article Responding to the formation of the new questions after her Dec. 17 appearance at willingness for negotiation. So at that point, is a condensed one. To read it all, go to church, the GAFCON Primates Council the National Press Club in Washington, you ask the courts to enforce the law of the www.wordalone.org.] issued the following statement after a Dec. D. C., did comment on the proposed new land. North American church. “I actually think we're past the worst of it. Several groups of North American Anglican 8 meeting in London: We've had positive results in a number of and Episcopal reformers have announced “We welcome the news of the North According to www.virtueonline.org , Jefferts cases. The ones, the large ones hanging fire the creation of a new church, which they American Anglican Province in formation. Schori said, in response to a question about at the moment are the ones in California hope will be accepted as a province in the We fully support this development with our the conflict among Anglicans, one of the (and a decision from the Supreme Court is worldwide Anglican Communion. prayer and blessing, since it demonstrates reasons for the tradition of not having two the determination of these faithful bodies in the same place is that for hundreds expected within a couple of weeks) and the This new Anglican Church of North of years the Anglican Communion has said one in Virginia. America could replace or become an alter- Christians to remain authentic Anglicans. that bishops are responsible for certain areas “And that will undoubtedly be appealed to native province to The Episcopal Church. “North American Anglicans have been trag- of geography, and that the people in that the Supreme Court in Virginia.” Anglican leaders from the United States and ically divided since 2003 when activities area, together with the bishop, are evidence Interestingly, just two days after Jefferts Canada unveiled a provisional constitution condemned by the clear teaching of of the church. Schori made those comments, a Virginia for a new North America church at a news Scripture and the vast majority of the Regarding a question on why The Episcopal judge ruled that 11 parishes had won the conference and worship service Dec. 3 at a Anglican Communion were publicly Church filed lawsuits rather than negotiate legal right to split from The Episcopal Wheaton, Ill., church, according to a news endorsed. This has left many Anglicans property issues with departing parishes in Church and keep their property. ✦ release from a North American coalition without a proper spiritual home.” known as the Common Cause Partnership. Leaders of both the Anglican Communion The Anglican Church in North America is and The Episcopal Church initially issued scheduled to hold a churchwide assembly in statements about the formation of a new Lutheran Clergy Connect the summer of 2009 in Bedford, Texas. church through spokespersons. Clergy Connect is a way for churches seeking a pastor or other leader to connect with candidates The office of Rowan Williams, archbishop who believe that Christ alone is sufficient for the unity of the church and that the Word of God is The leadership of the Common Cause the authority for the church. A full list, including more listings and detail, is posted at: Partnership began forming the new church of Canterbury and head of the Anglican Communion, issued a statement Dec. 4 that www.wordalone.org/clergy.shtml in response to a request from the primates, To list your search on Clergy Connect, mail or fax your request on church letterhead, signed by an or church leaders, of the Global Anglican acceptance of a new province could require a lengthy process. officer or call committee chair, to: WordAlone Future Conference, which met in Jerusalem Network, 2299 Palmer Dr. Suite 220, New Holy Cross Lutheran Church last summer, according to the Common “There are clear guidelines set out in the Brighton, MN 55112 - Fax: 651 633-4260. Brigham City, Utah Cause news release. Anglican Consultative Council Reports . . . Include: title, church’s name (city and state), con- Position: Pastor detailing the steps necessary for the amend- tact person with phone number and e-mail address. Contact: Karen Harvey, Call Committee The preamble to the new church’s provi- Please inform us when you fill the position. sional constitution says they are “grieved by ments of existing provincial constitutions Chair, at [email protected], 435- the current state of brokenness within the and the creation of new provinces,” Living Word Lutheran Church 734-9985 or 112 Ashe Circle, Brigham Anglican Communion prompted by those Williams’ spokesperson said. “Once begun, Grapevine, Texas City, UT 84302. who have embraced erroneous teaching and any of these processes will take years to Position: Director of Youth Ministries United Lutheran Church who have rejected a repeated call to repen- complete. In relation to the recent Contact: send resumés or direct any Waterville, Washington tance,” according to the news release. announcement from the meeting of the inquiries to Pastor David Eibel at Position: Pastor Common Cause Partnership in Chicago, the [email protected] or Deborah Tierney at Contact: Amy Cole, call-committee Leaders of Anglican provinces in Africa and process has not yet begun,” according to [email protected]. representative at [email protected], South America, founders of GAFCON, The Episcopal Church news service. St. John Lutheran Church 509-745-8784 or PO Box 724, have demanded for several years that The Waterville, WA 98858. Episcopal Church repent of approving the The Rev. Charles Robertson, canon to The Williston, Ohio ordination of V. Gene Robinson, a practic- Episcopal Church’s Presiding Bishop Position: Pastor Zion Lutheran Church ing homosexual, as a bishop in 2003. Katharine Jefferts Schori, said in an email Contact: Send resumé to St. John Kerrville, Texas prior to release of the Common Cause doc- Lutheran Church, 21140 Toledo St., P.O. Position: Senior Pastor The issue has brought theological disagree- uments, "And we reiterate what has been Box 235, Williston, Ohio 43468 or Contact: Call committee chair, David ments about the authority of Scripture to the true of for centuries: that there contact the call committee chairman, Weden, at [email protected] or 830- surface in the U.S. church and the world- is room within The Episcopal Church for Philip Estes at 419-836-9609. 377-2909. wide Anglican Communion. ten (Continues on page eleven) eleven