The purpose of this communication is to inform you about a movement called the Lutheran Congregations Support Network.  Their goal is to develop a means to inform ELCA congregations of coming constitutional changes in the ELCA and to help congregations be prepared and know how they can respond.

The Network will not deal with theological or culture war issues.  Instead they will deal with constitution issues – what property rights and protections congregations have in the current ELCA constitution and how those rights and protections could be at risk in a new, revised constitution. 

A November 20 news release regarding the November 14-17 meeting of the ELCA Church Council reported the following as among the key actions taken by the Council –

• Approved amendments to “Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the ELCA” that were drafted in response to the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility (DEIA) Audit. The audit report was presented to the council at its fall 2023 meeting.
• Recommended to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly certain amendments to “Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the ELCA” that were brought to the council by the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church.

As has been typical, the ELCA is not communicating what those amendments entail, nor do they tell us how much advance notice they will give us prior to the July 28-August 2 Churchwide Assembly which will consider these recommendations.

As part of their goal and purpose of helping congregations protect their property and keep from being taken over, the Network is putting together a list of contract law attorneys that will help congregations think and act strategically. 

Here is a link to the website of the Network. 

lutherancongregationalsupportnetwork.org

This website will activate on Tuesday, November 26 and will contain links to three videos –

• interviews with pastors and congregations that have experienced ELCA tactics
• a description of the process by which a congregation can lose autonomy and come under institutional oversight
• publicly available information about the 2025 Churchwide Assembly.

May the Lord give you courage and wisdom as you consider this information.  Please help us get the word out to others.

Blessings in Christ,
Dennis D. Nelson
Executive Director of Lutheran CORE

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“Leave them alone; they are blind guides of blind people. And if a person who is blind guides another who is blind, both will fall into a pit” (Matthew 15:14).

The one who has been given sight should look and truly see.  The Lord has come that we may have sight, for in Him, there is light and life.  He is the Light and He gives life.  But there are those who think they know better.  In their arrogance they speak words that entice the people of this age away from the truth.  Do not be led astray by smooth words.  Hear and understand the word of the Lord and live into the life He gives through faith.

Lord, I have heard many words that tickle my fancy.  Your word is forever, for You have spoken the words of eternal life.  Lead me away from the blind guides in this world, to hearing You where Your word is spoken, in order that I may grow ever more deeply in the truth You have revealed.  Let me see, if only a few steps at a time, the path You have set before me so that I may not fall into the pit.

Lord Jesus, so many complain against the truths You have spoken.  Humble me so that I see more clearly those places where I rebel against You.  Guide me to hope in You alone.  Lead me to follow where You go so that I may be conformed to You.  Through all that comes in this life let me neither listen to, nor be, a blind guide, but one whose hope is always in the truth that You alone save.  Amen.