Thursday, September 24, 2009

Lutherans leaving ELCA

Alternative church fellowship for Lutherans to be formed as 1,200 gather in Indianapolis, Sept. 25-26 for Lutheran CORE convocation. http://lutherancore.org/ The turn out and interest has been so great, the registration is closed and they've moved it to a larger church.

My first impression at this web site is that I hope they can soon hire a professional web designer. But the information is good.

My church, UALC in Columbus (3 campuses, 9 services),
    "Our future is not in the ELCA. Moving toward wherever our future will be is a fairly lengthy but a critically important process, and one that will be given all the time it needs. . . No funds whatsoever have been given to the ELCA since July. . . We will spend our effort and our energy where they matter most, on people, for Jesus' sake." Senior Pastor Paul Ulring, report to the Congregation, Cornerstone, Sept. 20-26, 2009
There are a number of other options in addition to CORE for ELCA congregations planning to distance themselves from their misguided synod which has been wandering in the wilderness for about 10 years.
  • Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod (this probably isn't an option for UALC since 7 of the 9 services are informal/contemporary or too loud for me to attend (drums, electric guitars, etc.) If you've heard any good music from Lutherans, it's probably from this synod.
  • The Lighthouse Covenant (Ulring is one of the founding members)
  • LCMC Word Alone (UALC is a member)
  • ARC Alliance of Renewal Churches
  • AFLC and AALCAssociation of Free Lutheran Congregations and American Association of Lutheran Churches

5 comments:

amanda said...

And to show the other side, after a long hiatus from ELCA, I'm seriously considering returning.

Anonymous said...

You don't know the LCMS.

Norma said...

Amanda: It's been my experience that Lutherans are congregational in polity, mission and theology. No two congregations seem to be on the same page. Some are pietists, some charismatic, some liturgical. Return only if you find a home where Jesus is preached.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely right! But joining the LCMS does not mean that your church has to abandon contemporary worship services. My LCMS church offers two Sunday services: 8:00 traditional, and 10:45 mixed (In a mixed service, traditional hymns alternate with contemporary hymns led by a praise band. The projector also runs during contemporary services.)

Norma said...

That's good to know. We have many former LCMS members in our congregation (our previous senior pastor, for instance), and perhaps I've listened to too many rumors.