It is no secret that I was disappointed in the outcome of the NE Iowa Synod Assembly. I was not eager for endless debate on the ELCA and its choices of last August. I have no deep-seated need to drag this debate out until our Lord returns, so in at least one way, it is a relief that this is behind us. I still very much believe that the ELCA erred in its votes last August. The Biblical and Confessional justification for leading the ELCA away from the Great Tradition of the Church has not been made by the advocates of change. Our dissent from this path was never so much about sexuality as it has been about the interpretation of Scripture that allows the weak theological arguments for these changes. The Church is never well served by poor theology and the arguments made for this change have never risen to the level that we all could affirm as rightly understanding the will and purpose of God on this matter.
It is, however, the theology of the ELCA and we have seen that for now the ELCA will follow where this theological path leads. The question for many who have been supportive of Call to Faithfulness is whether they can take this path and if they can, for how long?
For some, the answer is already clear: this is a path upon which they will not take one step. These folk either have already left the ELCA, are in the process of leaving or have begun that process. For these folk there is no further reason to remain in the ELCA. They recognize that they will not find a perfect church this side of the resurrection, but they cannot for the sake of their witness to Christ continue their affiliation with the ELCA.
For others, the answer is we will not stay, but will take our time to leave. These folk, depending on their ministry and God’s call to that ministry, will go a bit further down the path with the ELCA, but will not for long. They may need time to sort out what they need to do to serve God well as they leave. They may, for the sake of their local ministry, desire to give everyone involved time to absorb the implications of departing. They may desire to listen as fully to the Spirit as they can before dusting off their shoes and going no further with the ELCA.
There are many, who will continue, for now, with the ELCA even though they believe the ELCA to be in error and the path it is taking is leading to further error. They will do this for as many reasons as there are congregations of the ELCA. We can still be faithful to our Lord even if we are staying in a church that by its actions we no longer see as faithful.
Call to Faithfulness will aid as we can those who have left, who are in the process of leaving or beginning to actively depart. We will try to help them do this well and with as little rancor as possible. Christ is not served if we depart in bitterness and anger. It is hoped that congregations and individuals are leaving to better serve our Risen Lord and not because of anger at the weakness and folly of the ELCA.
Call to Faithfulness will continue to work with those congregations and individuals who are just beginning discern how best to part from the ELCA. We will join with you as you seek God’s guidance in this most important decision. We will encourage, challenge, critique and ponder with you the choices you are beginning to make. We will speak the truth in love to you so you may be as clear as you can about what lies before you.
Call to Faithfulness will continue to walk with those who will remain the ELCA. We will be there to support one another, to encourage sagging spirits, to renew hope and faith as we find ourselves in a foreign land. God’s people throughout the ages have often found themselves in times and places that were not their homes. Even so, it was there they gave their witness to the redeeming power of God’s mercy, so it will be for many of us. The ELCA may no longer be for us the home we once knew, but it will be the place where we give our witness.
However God is leading you, remember to pray for your family in Christ. Remember to pray for those who now rejoice in what the ELCA has chosen to do. Remember that regardless of what we in our weakness and error may do as that part of the Holy Church that is the ELCA, Christ is Still Risen from the Dead! Even the gates of hell cannot prevail against this Good News.
