Area churches leave Lutheran denomination
Area churches leave Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America
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EVENTS LEADING TO SPLIT
In August the Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America voted on a social statement about human sexuality. The statement detailed that congregations who wished to do so could "recognize, support and hold publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender ...
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EVENTS LEADING TO SPLIT
In August the Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America voted on a social statement about human sexuality. The statement detailed that congregations who wished to do so could "recognize, support and hold publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships." A separate resolution also addressed finding a way for people in those relationships to serve as rostered leaders.
What exactly the section means by "recognize" is still being determined, said Bishop Ray Tiemann with the ELCA's Southwest Texas Synod.
The ELCA is the nation's largest denomination of Lutheran churches with 10,500 churches and 5 million members in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
The decision has created tension within area churches and has led to three churches to begin the process to leave.
Tears twinkled in Barbara Schmidt's eyes as she spoke of her church's decision to sever ties with the Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America.
"I feel like we are now looking at the Bible as gray instead of black, like it is," she said, her voice breaking with emotion.
Schmidt, a member of Zion Mission Valley Lutheran Church, was raised in the congregation her family helped establish. She was baptized when she was two weeks old by a minister who rode to her grandparents home on horseback.
"I feel like we all have a purpose, and I think we're getting weighted down with politics," she said. "Why can't we just love one another and just live like the Bible says?"
Oct. 31 marks Reformation Day, a Lutheran observance to commemorate Martin Luther's posting of the 95 Theses and the start of the Protestant Reformation in Germany.
Now, the Mission Valley church, a 348-member congregation, will be involved in a reformation of their own. One that will make them the first in the Southwest Texas Synod to act.
The decision follows an August vote by the ELCA general assembly regarding human sexuality. The vote allows for churches who wish to do so to "recognize, support and hold publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships."
A separate resolution also addressed finding a way for people in those relationships to serve as rostered leaders.
Zion Lutheran voted Sept. 6, by a 95 percent margin, to sever ties with the ELCA. The vote is the first of two that must happen for the church to formally leave the denomination.
"It has to do much less with pastors than it does with the fact that it says that we can do what scripture says is not OK," said the Rev. David "Mike" Couchman of Zion Lutheran. "We're not losing them. They've already left us and Lutheranism in the process."
The church is searching for a new Lutheran association to join and expects to choose one on Nov. 1, said Henry Wood, the church council president. They have until December to do so.
The decision entails more than just theology. The church must also consider pastoral pension plans, nonprofit status and the role of women. The church must join another recognized Lutheran association or they will lose their property to the ELCA, Wood said.
Zion Lutheran joins two others in the Southwest Texas Synod, who have decided to leave including St. Andrew, a 230-member church in Weesatche, and St. Paul Church in New Braunfels.
"It's sad for congregations to make decisions to leave the church body as strongly as they feel about it because there is opportunity for them to stay in the church," said Bishop Ray Tiemann, with the Southwest Texas Synod. "They're not compelled to have these resolutions in effect in their congregation. We have plenty of room to 'say we won't do that here.'"
Nationwide, church leaders are unsure how many congregations have begun the process to leave the denomination. In an informal count, the ELCA reports only six churches are in the process, including megachurch Community Church of Joy, a 5,000-member church in Glendale, Ariz., said John Book, ELCA spokesperson.
Jerry Wirtley, pastor of First English Lutheran Church in Victoria, believes the issue is much more widespread.
"There are meetings happening all over the place as to what churches will do," he said. "It is something that is to be discussed."
At Monday's meeting, there was a respectful dialogue of biblical theory, references to scripture and the consequences of Zion's action. Some members bit their nails and others fidgeted in pews as Tiemann announced what the church would be giving up by leaving the denomination.
His words did not sway the congregation's opinion.
"I'm not going to get emotional over it because if this church stayed, I'd probably leave," said Myrlene Diekhoff, a member who was present at the meeting. "He came to a congregation that's pretty well made up its mind and he didn't change my mind."
Comments
I am a mother of 2 young children and teach sunday school in a local Lutheran church. ELCA has only made things difficult for us, since we had no vote in the matter. They have allowed this and have left all the mess for the congregations to deal with. The ELCA is sitting pretty because everyone sees that human rights are being challenged. So unless you are a member of a Lutheran church you don't have any idea what we are going through. We don't take lightly who we want to be our Pastor. Our children who are our future are depending on our decisions. This is not just about lesbians and gays, ELCA has said this is what we voted on so deal with it...we have no say so in any matter...so let each Lutheran congregation make thier choice and mind your own bussiness!!!! It's not about excluding the gays and lesbians from church...I just don't want that leadership for my church!
November 13, 2009 at 11:13 a.m.Ok Folks I read the first draft of the human sexuality study several times. it was a lot more than Homosexuality, trust me. I learned a lot about human sexuality from this study. I do believe in what the Bible says, as it gives instructions for living ones life. I also believe in the power of Satan. Satan despises children of God with a passion and will not give up until he has them in his posession. Some he will succeed in getting and others are of a strong enough demeanor that they will not succumb to his mind games. This "decision" made by the ELCA at the Churchwide Assembly passed by one "VOTE" only. Just a tiny crack, yet large enough to invite Satan in to try his tricks and yes, a lot of Lutherans fell for it. Some individuals will leave the church because it left the ELCA. Some will leave because their church did not. Some will loose their Pastors and some will simply shut the door and a for sale sign will soon show up on their property. All of the above will extremely pleaseing to Satan. Do we serve him or do we serve God.
Why do we run when we disagree. Why dont we stand up for our rights in a manner pleasing to God. I am not saying that Gay relationships are ok. In God's eyes, they are not. Several years ago Lutherans in the ELCA made the decision by vote to allow a Homosexuals who are celibate to serve as rostered leaders. No huge fuss at that time, so now that step two has ensued, everyone is up in arms. Ladies and Gents, we are all walking billboards for God. We show without saying a word how we serve God and our fellow brotheres and sisters in Christ in this community. Walking out and starting all over doesnt solve the problem nor does it make it go away. A hand full of congregations pulling out and going elsewhere isnt going to wake anyone up. All Congregations who oppose this decision, standing up and saying, we do not accept this vote makes a lot more sense. No congregation in the ELCA will be required to make the decision to allow anyone they dont want to lead their congregation. I think all the Lutheran Churchs need to make a public statement against SATAN, saying not only will they not follow this decision, but they will not hand Satan any power by leaving the ELCA. Satan is waiting for a weak moment and will always be. Satan found a weak link in the Lutherans, will your church be next?
October 25, 2009 at 2:03 a.m.Hello Hwood,
As one who follows these types of movements, I ask what you might say to the ECLA member who would kindly say they also were following Sola Scriptura?
The New Testament does record homosexual acts as sinful. However, you cited 2,000 years of Christian practice to support your point of view. That supporting scripture with tradition.
To me, it seems Sola Scriptura can't apply here, as you both have the same scripture yet come up with different points of view.
I would add that an ECLA saying she supported Sola Scriptura yet found homosexuals acts not sinful would be odd too. I think personal preference and current cultural influence would have more to do with the viewpoint than any New Testament verses.
Don't mean to rub salt into the wound, but this seems to be a problem that can't go away if our culture keeps changing and we see people promoting such things as euthanasia as biblical according to their interpretation of scripture.
October 24, 2009 at 4:36 p.m.Our thanks to the Victoria Advocate for covering this story. There are a couple of things that need to be cleared up. The reference to a December deadline is not a deadline but a date that minimizes impact to the Church and its yearly schedule. More importantly the Advocate chose as did the Synod Bishop to focus on the issue of homosexuality because they know it divides and sells copy. Our vote was about belief in Scripture. There were supporting resolutions passed at the Church Wide Assembly who's impacts go far beyond a social issue. Zion Lutheran chose to stand by Scripture, the ELCA chose to over rule the Authority of Scripture with a vote. Our church is terminating its relationship with ELCA so that we may continue to follow scripture the same way we did before the vote. The Bishop is quoted as saying we could choose not to follow the social statement but one of the ELCA implementing resolutions stated that the "Church Wide Body" support the sexuality statement not just those congregations that choose to. Though conservative in our Christian faith, we are not full of hate. Being Lutheran in faith, we believe that none are above sin. Our vote is a statement that what was a sin 2000 years ago is still a sin and it's not up to us to decide. As we try to follow the true beliefs of the Lutheran Denomination, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone, Grace Alone, We ask that you keep our congregation in your prayers.
October 24, 2009 at 11:21 a.m.You'd reckon this would teach 'em about faith in human institutions...
October 24, 2009 at 9:59 a.m.I am disappointed Our Saviour's Lutheran Church left ELCA several years ago because of this issue and they were not recognized in this article. As you can see in the Lutheran Church section in Saturday's newspaper Our Saviour's Lutheran Church is affiliated with LCMC!
October 24, 2009 at 9:50 a.m.A hard choice, to be sure - but glad that you are taking a stand for what you believe. I think that each person has to "work out their own salvation" (to borrow a phrase) and they should worship at the church that most closely refects their values and beliefs. Hate to say it, but if my church passed resolutions like these - I would be moving on as well... praying for y'all.
October 24, 2009 at 7:46 a.m.all that hate is going to burn you kid !
October 23, 2009 at 5:06 p.m.