Keeping the faith
New Lutheran policy challenges churches in faith and fellowshipBy JILL SCHRAMM, Staff Writer jschramm@minotdailynews.com
Article Photos
A decision last August by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to allow pastors to be in committed same-sex relationships awakened a theological tempest for its congregations across the country. Reaction ranged from celebration to despair.
The decision also exposed varying reactions in ELCA churches in western North Dakota. The differences, which have occurred not only among churches but within them, have prompted members to do some soul-searching.
"This has led to a lot of good conversation in a number of churches," said the Rev. Mark Narum of Stanley, bishop of the Western North Dakota Synod. "Some may make a statement or declaration. Some are saying this doesn't affect them at all so they just plan to continue on in the ministries they are involved in."
The synod has prepared a template that interested churches can use to draft a declaration stating they believe homosexuality is wrong and they will not call someone who is in a same-sex relationship. The synod consists more than 75,000 Christians in 193 congregations.
The number of churches considering whether to end their affiliation with the ELCA is few, Narum said. The only churches to vote have been Oak Valley in Velva, which didn't get the necessary two-thirds, and First Lutheran in Harvey, which did get the votes.
The Rev. Tim Johnson at Oak Valley said the church put discussion on hold, although there is enough strong feeling that the issue is likely to revive at some point.
Some congregations also have seen individual members leave, although reports are that those numbers are small.
The Rev. Timothy Swenson, who pastors churches in Alexander and Arnegard, said he no longer will engage in any activity that supports the ELCA. On Dec. 19, he entered "in statu confessionis," a Lutheran tradition of protest done for the sake of the Gospel and those who are in error.
"The decision in August was merely the latest in a long string of errors," Swenson said. "I have been working to try to bring some sensibility to our denomination for a least a dozen years."
Swenson has authored a book, "Stand and Confess: How I came to declare "in statu confessionis" against an idolatrous institution - the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)." The August decision was the impetus for him to complete the book and make it available to the public.
Swenson said his confessional action enables him to remain in the ELCA while staying true to his ordination vows and his call to his churches. He will continue to serve them. Congregation members are considering whether they, too, individually want to enter in statu confessionis.
Swenson said if the ELCA makes no move to change its direction by the next churchwide assembly in August 2010, he will consider leaving.
Narum emphasized that congregations may call or not call any pastor they want without being challenged on grounds of discrimination.
"Anytime a name is put forward to them, it's up for their prayerful decision whom they will call," he said.
For some churches, that's good enough.
The Rev. John Streccius at Zion Lutheran said his congregation has offered no strong negative response to the new policy.
"Our reactions have been reserved," Streccius said. "No action is being taken at this point in terms of any kind of changes in our affiliation with the ELCA whatsoever."
The Rev. Norm Paskowsky with Peace Lutheran in Burlington said the decision of the churchwide assembly isn't a pressing issue with his congregation.
"Our church and the majority of churches in western North Dakota would not call an openly gay clergy person so it's not something that we are concerned about. We are concerned more about the mission," he said. "We have a lot of people that are unchurched, and that's our mission to reach out to them."
The Rev. Mike Pretzer at First Lutheran in Rugby said his church held a four-week session looking at the "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust" document for members interested in learning more. Some people in his church have voiced disappointment with the policy, but response has been subdued.
"Our congregation has been quite low key about it," Pretzer said. "We are just calmly moving on."
The Rev. Heather Brown with the Lutheran churches in Glenburn and Lansford said pragmatism is the best word to describe the response of her congregations.
Brown, who was a delegate to the churchwide assembly, said most of the discussion at the Minneapolis meeting came from people from major metropolitan areas where the church culture is much different than in North Dakota. As is often the case, the things that are important in places like New York City aren't necessarily relevant to North Dakota, which accounts for the local pragmatism, she said.
"People feel that it's not being forced on them," she said of the decision.
Brown added the congregations have had good working relationships with the synod and ELCA and none of that has changed with the assembly vote. They continue to raise money to support missions and they go on with the other ministries of the church as they always have, she said.
For other congregations, the assembly's decision has been more troubling.
The Rev. Mike Pancoast at First Lutheran in Minot said the church wants to reach out with the Gospel to all people, regardless of sexual orientation. However, the assembly's decision is a step further than some pastors and congregation members want to go, he said,
The Rev. Jeff Hoverson at Bread of Life Lutheran in Minot said his church may vote on a declaration in January. Personally, he opposes the new policy and is troubled because, as a pastor, he sees his main role as leading people to God's forgiveness.
"If we encourage someone to deny their sin, we are actually putting up barriers to forgiveness," he said.
The discussion has been difficult for Bread of Life because members hold varying opinions.
"Just having the discussion, it heightens the tension and potential for conflict. That's what we are seeing all across the nation," Hoverson said.
Many area churches have held forums to provide information and allow members to discuss the new policy. At times, participants have been asked to privately rate their feelings, whether negative or positive, on a scale of one to five. Regardless of the size of the church, Narum said, the surveys come back with ratings that cross the entire scale.
The Rev. David Maxfield of Christ Lutheran in Minot said the conflict comes because the new policy is a fundamental change in the church's teaching on a topic that is very personal. At the extremes, views are diametrically opposed, yet churches are trying to find a balance, he said.
"One of the neat things about us in Minot is we try to struggle through this together. I don't see a lot of polarization," Maxfield said.
For churches that can't see their way clear to adopt the new policy, leaders of Lutheran Coalition for Renewal are proposing to create a new Lutheran church body. Lutheran CORE plans to exist as a free-standing synod for break-away ELCA churches but will continue to provide fellowship with ELCA-affiliated churches that share its mission. It hopes to put a formal structure in place at its annual convocation next August in Ohio.
"It's not the desire of Lutheran CORE leadership to divide the ELCA," Maxfield said. "But in light of decisions that were made in August, they feel that the direction that the churchwide assembly chose to go in is not a direction that is consistent with 2,000 years of scriptural church teaching."
The Rev. Michael Johnson with Christ Lutheran, who attended the August assembly, said there has been confusion about the decision and what it means going forward.
"This becomes a very personal struggle, not just for congregants who are worried about their church but for pastors as well who are trying to figure out what their church has done and what their church is doing," he said.
Pastors at Bethany Lutheran in Minot said the difficulty for pastors is in finding a way to minister to people with diverse viewpoints. Bethany will be considering establishing a church statement on same-gender relationships and the clergy later this month.
"The whole thing would be simpler if all the members of any congregation were of one mind," said the Rev. Janet Hernes Mathistad of Bethany. "The challenge for pastors is we want to be pastor to everybody, not to pick a side."
The Rev. Gerald Roise at Bethany said the challenge is especially difficult for pastors who consider the church's new policy to be in conflict with Scripture.
"We want to be loyal and truthful to the Gospel first, but we are also called to be pastors to our own congregants," he said.
Narum acknowledged this has been a difficult time for pastors. The synod will hold a worship, communion and prayer event for pastors and other church leaders and staff, along with their spouses, in mid-January to encourage them.
"That's one of the things we can do is help go back to our source of strength and that's the Gospel as presented by Jesus Christ," Narum said.
Narum said the differences of opinion among the people in the synod have always existed even if they haven't always been so out in the open. Congregations have figured out how to work together despite differences, he said.
"Now we need to continue to build on that," he said. "Honestly, I would much rather never have had to have gone through these conversations, but the reality is, I think in the end, we are going to come out a stronger church because we have had to sit down together and have discussions where we deeply disagree and at the same time figure out how we continue to walk together as brothers and sisters in Christ."
|
Mjollnir
|
|
|---|---|
|
01-08-10 3:00 PM
|
Leviticus 18:22 identifies homosexual sex as an abomination, a detestable sin. Romans 1:26-27 declares homosexual desires and actions to be shameful, unnatural, lustful, and indecent. First Corinthians 6:9 states that homosexuals are unrighteous and will not inherit the kingdom of God. Since both homosexual desires and actions are condemned in the Bible, it is clear that homosexuals “marrying” is not God’s will, and would be, in fact, sinful.
|
|
Mjollnir
|
|
|
01-08-10 2:58 PM
|
"For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their*****for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due." —Romans 1:26-27
|
|
Mjollnir
|
|
|
01-08-10 2:58 PM
|
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." —1 Corinthians 6:9-10
|
|
Mjollnir
|
|
|
01-08-10 2:57 PM
|
"Knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine," —1 Timothy 1:9-10
|
|
Mjollnir
|
|
|
01-08-10 2:53 PM
|
While it get much deeper in divorce the proof of repentance in on the individual with the same sex union there are no provisions what so ever to even reference. The point ot all of this is, if you make a mistake you take ownership in it and try to do better. The case of a same sex union the ELCA has said it is alright to not take ownership in the sin. Thus the person is not repentant.
|
|
Mjollnir
|
|
|
01-08-10 2:49 PM
|
Though divorce is a serious matter in God's opinion (Malachi 2:16), it is not the unforgivable sin. If you confess your sins to God and ask for forgiveness, you are forgiven (1 John 1:9) and can move on with your life. If you can confess your sin to your former spouse and ask forgiveness without causing further hurt, you should seek to do so. From this point forward you should commit to honor God's Word pertaining to marriage. Then if your conscience permits you to remarry, you should do so carefully and reverently when the time comes. Only marry a fellow believer. If your conscience tells you to remain single, then remain single.
|
|
Mjollnir
|
|
|
01-08-10 2:47 PM
|
Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 24, verse 1, speaks to this question: "When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out from his house,..." Corinthians 7:15-16 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife Matthew 5:32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery. Matthew 19:9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.
|
|
LarsThunder
|
|
|
01-07-10 4:24 PM
|
Mjollnir, You are confusing me to no end. The church doesn't preach divorce - I get that. It allows divorced pastors to preach and preside - how is that not saying divorce is ok? How is that any different than if a gay individual were to stand in front of the congregation and preach/preside? Explain to me how letting a gay person be a leader says its ok to be gay, but letting a divorced person be leader doesn't say it's ok to be divorced? Read Matthew 19 and then try to explain to me how a divorced leader, standing in front of the church, is not preaching that divorce is ok. There is no way that in the eyes of the bible, and thus God, that divorce and being gay are any different. If it is, I invite you to show me and prove it. If you can prove it with scripture that one is ok and the other is not, I promise to take out a full page ad in the MDN and apologize.
|
|
Mjollnir
|
|
|
01-06-10 11:40 AM
|
And for one who claims to know the bible you sure are arrogant. You completely miss the point. If a relationship is bad what is better for the 2 people involved? To separate and live better lives or to continue to live together to what may be physical harm to one or the other. The key is acknowledging the sin and trying to beter better. Also I used the example you brought up to show you the point that the church does not and will not preach divorce (yes they do recognize it and even allow divorced pastors to serve), but in allowing a same sex marriage for someone in a position of leadership is in affect preaching it. This is where the ELCA is at fault, we have always been taught acceptance of the person not the sin. They are separable, no different then having Jewish, muslim or Catholic friends. We except them but do not have to agree with there beliefs. I know several gay/lesbian people and consider them friends, but I know there belief do not match mine.
|
|
LarsThunder
|
|
|
01-05-10 9:02 PM
|
There is no such thing as a "greater sin". A sin is a sin, and the bible tells you that as well. For one who clings to the bible, you certainly don't know the basics.
|
|
Mjollnir
|
|
|
01-05-10 10:20 AM
|
I need to clarify that, Their belief and mine are very different but our struggle is no different then the struggle that is happening in the ELCA.
|
|
Mjollnir
|
|
|
01-05-10 10:17 AM
|
Also I want to be very clear. I have no problem with a gay or lesbian. I have a problem with their act. Therefore I have a problem with them being a leader of me. It is no different to me then a Muslim, Jew, Catholic ect... I can honestly say I have friend that I would do anything for but when it comes to bliefs their and mine are no different.
|
|
Mjollnir
|
|
|
01-05-10 10:13 AM
|
I realize that some states do, But when you look at the U.S. there are still way more states that do not allow same sex unions. Which is the greater sin? Living with someone you can no longer stand or staying with them to a end result that is detremental, the key is acknowledgeing the sin? Using your analogy, I don't know of any church that preaches divorce, but by allowing a same sex union you do preach it in affect. This could be argued many different ways and really to me the decision made by the ELCA was the last straw. The ELCA has been moving away from biblical teachings for sometime, now it will either have to adapt to the loss of several churches or it will fold. Harvey took the step and left, Carrington is voting to dual roster with LCMC and ELCA to try and affect change in the ELCA. If nothing is resolved by next Church wide assembly it will probably leave as well. Remember 3/4 vote X2 is needed to leave, so the decision is not kneejerk.
|
|
LarsThunder
|
|
|
01-04-10 10:20 PM
|
Mjollnir - many states have made same sex unions legal. So now what do you say? Mine is not an ignorant plea - I understand Luther's teaching and I understand the bible. What I don't understand is how we "Christians" can pick and choose which biblical laws we follow and which we don't. Divorce is a sin against God according to the bible and for the female it should result in death. Do we follow that in today's world? Of course not. Then why is it okay to follow the law that being gay is a sin? What is the difference? If someone can tell me the difference between divorce and being gay, then I'll back off and let it be. We have these silly arguments and then wonder why the numbers in our churches are rapidly declining. People are tired of the hypocrites and being told they aren't good enough as they are.
|
|
Mjollnir
|
|
|
01-04-10 4:33 PM
|
Until the state recognizes same sex marriage, this is a change that did not need to come. Simple becasue there is no union and if a Pastor tried to get away with it would be no different then a pastor who is a adulter or living out of wed lock. It was the direct act of people who cannot stand to be told "NO". But then that is what our culture has become. No morals and do not tell me what to do. Killers, Child molesters, thieves and drunkards are next.
|
|
IntelShep
|
|
|
01-04-10 3:52 PM
|
I hope you guys realize that in 25 or 50 years people will view you guys in the same light as slave owners or the racist segregationist bigots of the mid 1900s. If you can live with that, that's fine. But just know that it'll be your legacy. And if you still want to hide your hatred behind the Bible then you should know it also has its say on other civil rights issues. Such as slavery: " However, you may purchase male or female slaves from among the foreigners who live among you. You may also purchase the children of such resident foreigners, including those who have been born in your land. You may treat them as your property, passing them on to your children as a permanent inheritance. You may treat your slaves like this, but the people of Israel, your relatives, must never be treated this way. (Leviticus 25:44-46)" "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. (Ephesians 6:5)"
|
|
madmaximus
|
|
|
01-04-10 2:33 PM
|
Ultimately this comes down to one question, do you believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God or not? If you say its not, why spend your life following fables? If it is, then what God says on the matter is closed to discussion. You can claim its natural, or your were born that way but if you work that out to its logical conclusion you can use that argument to justify anything. Say perhaps they find the kleptomania gene, should we then call that a condition of the thieves nature and avoid calling stealing a sin? What is always avoided in these conversations is what the Bible really says. The arguments like Lars are pleas to emotion. Arguments like Walrus make many Chrisitians just look like bigots. Biblical Christianity is about being obedient to Gods moral will. If you want to make an argument, argue against the scripture. If you are trying to promote the Christian worldview, do so with grace. - A Reformed Christian.
|
|
Walrus
|
|
|
01-04-10 10:47 AM
|
Hey Lars, God love the sinner...He must love us all. You go to your Church, I'll go to mine.
|
|
LarsThunder
|
|
|
01-04-10 10:28 AM
|
Hey Walrus, you come up with that dandy phrase on your own or are you reading bumper stickers again? My prayer for you is that someone you love dearly comes to you and says they are gay/lesbian, then asks for your blessing. What then? Will you disown that person you love so much? Think about it, for the possibility might be closer than you think.
|
|
McSara
|
|
|
01-03-10 1:23 PM
|
Good thing to know when your church is on fire to know where the exits are.
|
|
vietnamvet69
|
|
|
01-03-10 12:16 PM
|
As long as they believe in one God and this belief is very strong within the individual, the sexual orientation should not matter one bit. If two people from the same sex are in love, then that is just fine with me.
|
|
Walrus
|
|
|
01-03-10 1:26 AM
|
Oh my Gawd...Heaven Help Us! So goes the Church; So goes America. GOD CREATED ADAM AND EVE NOT ADAM AND STEVE I won't be planning to attend any of your same sex weddings anytime soon either. I'll cry.
|