Monday, August 31, 2009

ELCA Lutherans and Episcopalians Together in Christ!

There are different ways of coping with church controversies. There is the walk away to save your soul and the souls of your family approach, there is the stay and fight to your last breath approach, and then there is what I consider to be a non-political approach of staying and testifying to the Word of God as revealed in Christ and Scripture. This last approach requires perseverance in the face of prosecution and constant prayer. The last approach inevitably draws even the non-political into a political fray because it demands testifying, and it is impossible to follow the Lord by withdrawing completely from the company of man forever (going to the mountain alone to pray from time to time is okay, Luke 6:12).

This ad appeared Sunday in our local newspaper, The Herald. It was signed by several men of the cloth from our region. Sadly, none of these churches are in our fair city of Rock Hill, SC. I have added links to the Biblical and historical references and made one minor correction where the word "to" was left out (highlighted in red).

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are writing as individuals to disassociate ourselves from certain actions taken at the recently concluded General Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the General Convention of The Episcopal Church (TEC). We believe that by their actions, the ELCA and TEC have abandoned the authority and plain teaching of Holy Scripture; overturned two thousand years of Christian thought and teaching; and sought to conform the church to this world/age instead of discerning the will of God (Romans 12:2)

In response to these actions, we wish to affirm that:

* Jesus Christ is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6) and that "there is salvation in no one else" (Acts 4:12).

* We believe the Holy Scriptures to be God's Word written and to "contain all things necessary for salvation." In addition, we feel that "it is not lawful for the Church to ordain anything that is contrary to God's Word written" (Article XX - Articles of Religion).

* The ideal set forth by God in Holy Scripture for human sexuality is found within the bounds of Holy Matrimony between one man and one woman, or chastity in the single state. And if this be the case, the church cannot bless relationships outside of this standard, and ought not ordain those whose lifestyle does not conform (to) this standard.

We call upon all men, women and children to put on the Gospel armor, especially taking the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:10-17). We call upon all ordained ministers to heed what Jesus says to us, lest we miss our eternal commendation from the Lord (Matthew 5:19, Luke 12:48b). We call upon all Christians to heed the words of the Apostles (Acts 5:29b).

We acknowledge our own sinfulness and the need we have for repentance and amendment of life. We rejoice that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom we are chief (1Timothy 1:15). As we do believe that since all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:23), all are welcome to join us in the fellowship of the church and we invite everyone, regardless of who you are, to come and worship with us.

Finally, we ask for your prayers (Ephesians 6:19-20) as we continue to preach the Gospel in this portion of the vineyard.

In Christ's love and service,

The Rev. Robert Gaillard Kirkland
Rector, The Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal), York, SC

The Rev. Chearles Aurand
Pastor, Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, York, SC

Pastor R.E. Lybrand Jr.
Lake Wylie Lutheran Church, Tega Cay, SC

The Rev. Kenneth "Corky" Spitler
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Gaffney, SC


Lord bless these clergymen. Lead them and teach them; "Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day." Psalm 25 v.5.

14 comments:

  1. It takes nothing, NOTHING, away from these brave and faithful ministers to note how few of them there are. May they inspire others to match their courage and fidelity to our faith!

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  2. God bless and encourage these brave men as their witness encourages us. It delights the soul to see faithful leaders in these churches. The Lord does not leave Himself without a remnant.

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  3. Anonymous3:22 PM

    If someone claims they are against interpreting of the Bible, then they themselves have done some interpreting. Too Funny!

    Our ELCA Pastor in Columbia has always said that the state of a parish is on a downward spiral if all your new members are poor and/or homosexual. Which sadly, his church fits the model of decline...

    Several brave senior members have chosen to only contribute to the building loan, so that none of their money goes to support of the tainted ELCA ideals.

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  4. Wouldn't a healthy church include in its congregation all sinners, rich and poor, straight and gay?

    To my understanding, the issue is a failure of leadership to abide by scriptural recommendations and commands as to how to lead and teach us miserable sinners. When did they come to the conclusion that their own sexual behaviors were of no consequence? When they redefined sin. Where did they find such guidance? the Integrity website? Since when do our leaders feel obliged to approve of our sexual foibles? We come to them for help, not approval.

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  5. Anonymous3:48 PM

    Former COOS Memeber says, I am socked that Father Foss did not sign up with these men.

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  6. Anonymous....

    Surely you jest.

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  7. Anonymous12:57 AM

    Well the Lutherans are sure doing a good job of self destruction. So goes organized religion in the US. Church attendance and stewardship has been dropping quickly, and this new Lutheran resolution will only quicken their decline, Perhaps the Catholics are behind all of this, in a twisted way to get the true believers to rejoin the mother church?

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  8. Anonymous11:14 AM

    Personally - I am thrilled that Charlie and the COOS didn't sign on to that load of excrement. I am shocked and horrified that those people who claim to be "Men of God" and their flocks would go out of their way to publically exclude an ever growing portion of the world's population. You can quote the Bible and twist the verses to say anything you want - "Christians" have been doing just that for 2000 years as a way to put down, control, and religiously abuse anyone who is different - for example - the Inquisition! - the Branch Dividians - Henry VIII - Excommunications for political gain - the list goes on and on and on.

    This is not what Jesus would want us to do.
    I will pray for these narrow minded souls - when the day of judgement comes, may they be able to explain to God their reasons for excluding his loved ones from their midsts - because God loves us ALL.

    I may not like or agree with everything that is going on right now but I don't feel the need to persecute those who may choose a different lifestyle - that was not Jesus' way nor is it mine!

    Member of COOS longer than the Pewster

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  9. Anonymous12:37 PM

    I also am shocked and horrified that so many "Men of God" and their Episcopal parishioners would go out of their way to publically exclude an ever growing portion of the world's population -- those who are same-sibling sexually oriented and expansive-love sexually oriented.

    Not only do people "twist the verses" to denounce such minority sexual expressions, but Jesus himself had nothing to say about either sexual orientation and certainly both sexual orientations were evident in the Scripture, which we don't "believe in" anyway as good God-fearing Episcopalians. "Christians" have been doing just that for 2000 years as a way to put down, control, and religiously abuse anyone who is different - for example - the Inquisition! - the Branch Dividians [sic] - Henry VIII - Excommunications for political gain - the list goes on and on and on.

    This is not what Jesus would want us to do.
    I will pray for these narrow minded souls who deny the natural expression of inborn sexual orientations such as same-sibling and expansive-love sexual orientations, denying them the right to marry and excluding them from leadership in our Episcopal church that when the day of judgement comes, may they be able to explain to God their reasons for excluding his loved ones from their midsts - because God loves us ALL.

    I may not like or agree with everything that is going on right now but I don't feel the need to persecute those who may choose a different lifestyle such as polyamorous marriage or same-sibling marriage - that was not Jesus' way nor is it mine!


    Consistently and rationally yours,

    Sarah, the DUSC Episcopalian


    PS: Keep up the great work, Pewster -- good grief, you're funny and smart and I wish I could get to know you. What a blessing you must be to the traditional Episcopalians in your parish [but, er . . . what a pain to the others!] ; > )

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  10. Anon,

    "This is not what Jesus would want us to do."

    Perhaps He would first enumerate our sins and then tell us what to do... to go and sin no more.

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  11. Thanks Sarah,

    My poly pals thank you too!

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  12. This is not what Jesus would want us to do.

    My recollection is that Jesus said "Go and sin no more."

    Of course, since liberals don't believe in sin as an absolute, this proposition becomes a bit dicey. Please remember that Jesus was a practicing Jew and sin is defined in the Talmud in absolute terms. Apparently, certain of our congregation have difficulty in interpreting "Thou shalt not". As another example, men are forbidden to lie down with another man as with a woman. I don't see why that is so difficult to understand.

    Indeed, God does love us all. But he may not love our specific behavior. Acceptance of each person is not any issue. However, certain behavior cannot be accepted.

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  13. Anonymous3:19 PM

    How very Christian of them. Nothing like hypocrisy.

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