Scripture:

Luke 3:1-6

Script:

Pastor: Good morning Everyone! Let’s say good morning to our friend

Sammy and see if she is there. 1, 2, 3 GOOD MORNING SAMMY!

Sammy: (Singing favorite advent or Christmas hymn) Good Morning Everyone, Good morning, Pastor.

Pastor: Sammy what song are you singing

Sammy: It’s my favorite Christmas song Pastor. Boys and girls do you have a favorite Christmas song? Wait for answers.

Pastor: Those are some great songs everyone. My favorite song is Insert favorite here. Did you know there are songs in the bible.

Sammy: No I didn’t. That’s amazing Pastor.

Pastor: In one of today’s readings Zechariah burst into song after his the birth of his son John.

Sammy: That sounds fun pastor. Maybe I will start singing a song every time I’m happy!

Pastor: He wasn’t just happy Sammy, he was singing in praise of the Lord.

Sammy: Like we do every Sunday pastor?

Pastor: Yes and it’s very important. We have a whole book of songs in the bible we call them psalms.

Sammy: I guess God’s people have always been a singing people haven’t they been pastor?

Pastor: Yes they have. In worship we should sing loudly and proudly. Can everyone please fold their hands and bow their heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for giving us music. So we can sing in praise of you. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye Everyone, Bye Pastor!

Pastor: Bye Sammy!

“The disciples said to Him, “Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd?”  And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few small fish” (Matthew 15:33-34).

We often think in what we call practical terms, limited by our understanding of how things work.  From nothing, the Lord created all things.  If He commands something to be done, it will be done.  Do not be limited by Your understanding, rather come into the reality that our Lord is more than able to do all things according to His will.  Be led by the Lord and not by the limitations of what you know.

Lord, without thinking it is a power You will give me, guide me to understand that You can do all things.  You can move mountains, heal any infirmity, and save us from eternal damnation.  In faith, guide me to live understanding that all things are in Your hands.  Help me to answer all questions that You give me, such as when You asked the disciples what they had, so that I see Your hand in all things.

Lord Jesus, help my unbelief.  I often stop short because I do not believe that You will do what You can do.  Help me to go forward even when I am doubting, so that I may see that You are the One who is acting.  Guide me in Your goodness to live out the Father’s will for my life.  Through all things help me to learn true obedience and humbly do all that You command.  Lead me today to live faithfully in the Father’s will.  Amen.

“Now Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way” (Matthew 15:32).

Our Lord is filled with compassion.  Are you?  The world moves on, often uncaring, but our Lord asks us to become compassionate as He is compassionate.  Too many are uncaring of others, but our Lord has commanded that we love our neighbor as we love ourselves.  Seek the path of compassion and mercy, learning to love others as our Lord loves you.  He will fill you with all that is needed.

Lord, You know that I have my own ideas about things.  Take me from the place of judging others to the place where I am willing to meet them where they are.  Guide me in Your goodness so that I learn how to be compassionate.  You know all that is needed.  Lead me in the way of salvation so that I see in others the hope those who have shared the faith with me saw when they looked at me.

Come Holy Spirit and minister through me in order that I may reach out to others.  Keep me from the things that would hinder me from being compassionate and merciful.  Take away that which would cause me to judge another, but in the patience You give, help me kindly meet people where they are.  Thank You for leading me on this journey.  Work on my heart so I become one who is willing to follow Your lead.  Amen. 

Response to

The Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church: Myths and Facts

Nov 23, 2024

By Bishop Michael Rinehart

Note from the Director:  I was absolutely amazed to read the response from an ELCA synodical bishop to what he calls myths and untruths that are circulating regarding the work of the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church.  I am equally amazed over how totally non-communicative the ELCA is about that work.  Here is my response to Bishop Rinehart’s comments.  My responses are in all bold and are preceded by my name, NELSON.   

NELSON: The website for the Lutheran Congregations Support Network did not go public until Tuesday, November 26.  Will his responses become even stronger if and when he becomes aware of that website?

To be honest, I hesitated to write this. I hate giving any airtime to fake news, but the misinformation I’ve seen touted about the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC) is so bizarre, it requires addressing. People have asked me, “Where can I go to find the truth?” This article will hopefully answer that question.

At the last Churchwide Assembly in Columbus Ohio, a memorial was brought by several synods to take a look at the structure of the ELCA. Our current operating system was built in 1988 when the ELCA was formed. It was a bit of a hybrid of the polities of the LCA, the ALC, and the AELC, with a smidgeon of 1980’s corporate culture thrown in to boot. Many, including me, feel our structures were built for a former reality, one that no longer exists. Personally, I feel it was built to maintain what existed, rather than adapt to the mission context. Others suggested we should examine our governing documents for any systemic racism that might be built in. I voted for the motion, and the CRLC was created.

NELSON:  The sentence “Others suggested we should examine our governing documents for any systemic racism that might be built in” minimizes the prominence given to dismantling racism in the motion to form the CRLC.  First, “being particularly attentive to our shared commitment to dismantle racism” is the only specific instruction given to the CRLC.  Second, the phrase “dismantle racism” is not ideologically neutral and without context.  Rather it reveals a whole Marxist way of viewing reality.  Third, Bishop Rinehart’s comment does not acknowledge the fact that 7 out of 35 – or a full 20% of the membership of the CRLC – is made up of DEIA officers and/or leaders at their place of employment and/or influence. 

Committees do excellent work, but they rarely bring about the kind of institutional reform I think we need. Once they started the listening process, they got an earful of ideas. Their work then became how to just decide what to do and make it manageable. The language of the motion was their guide. The CRLC shall:

…reconsider the statements of purpose for each of the expressions of this church, the principles of its organizational structure, and all matters pertaining thereunto, being particularly attentive to our shared commitment to dismantle racism, and will present its findings and recommendations to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly in preparation for a possible reconstituting convention to be called under the rules for a special meeting of the Churchwide Assembly.” [CA22.01.06]

So the motion was to review the purposes of the three expressions of the church: congregations, synods and the Churchwide Organization, looking closely at its organizational principles and being attentive to our shared commitment to dismantle racism. The group will prepare a report for the 2025 assembly.

Suggestions completely unrelated to the original motion were put forward. Then afterward, rumors about the nefarious things the CRLC was doing began to float around the Internet.
If you’d like to know what’s going on, here’s a summary of topics and conversations, as well as a schedule of meetings.

Imagine my surprise when I saw detractors of the ELCA reporting that the CRLC was planning to take over the ELCA, take possession of all church properties, grounds, and finances, remove bound conscience, demand a double supermajority (??) for disaffiliation or even make disaffiliation illegal, and more.

NELSON: No ELCA leader who knows and understands people should be surprised that people will become very concerned and fearful of what may be coming when there is so little communication regarding the work of the CRLC and what the ELCA Church Council will be doing with the recommendations from the DEIA audit which the ELCA had done of its governing documents.   

Most people are smart enough to easily recognize this as propaganda from outside the ELCA designed to stir up suspicion, fear, and anger. I don’t like to respond to rumors, but I’ve also found, in the absence of credible information, people can take advantage of the ill-informed.

So I took this opportunity to make contact with some folks who are on the CRLC and get the low down. I learned that the CRLC doesn’t have authority to change polity.

Myth: The CRLC is going to remove Bound conscience.
Fact: The CRLC has not discussed bound conscience at all. It’s outside of their scope. There are conversations about updating the outdated language of our human sexuality statement, which was adopted before the marriage equality act passed. Congregations and clergy cannot be forced to marry or to not marry anyone.

NELSON: That is true that discussing bound conscience is outside the scope of the CRLC.  There is another task force that has the responsibility to review the 2009 human sexuality social statement and reconsider the provision for bound conscience.  So far there has been no report from that task force, even though the 2025 Churchwide Assembly is less than eight months away. 

Myth: Instead of a 2/3 vote, the ELCA is going to require a double supermajority (whatever that is) to disaffiliate.
Fact: No it isn’t. Discussing or amending the process of disaffiliation is not a part of the CRLC’s work at all. There are no conversations about this on the CRLC or anywhere in the ELCA that I’ve heard.

NELSON: I also am not aware of any movement to require a double supermajority to disaffiliate.  I also do not know what a double supermajority is.  Instead what the ELCA requires is two separate, supermajority votes with a certain amount of time in between.  It is a cheap shot to mock those who have mistakenly said “double supermajority.”  With the lack of information regarding the discussions and actions of the CRLC – and with another church body (the United Methodist Church) making it more difficult for congregations to leave – it is natural that people will fear that amending the process of disaffiliation will be a part of the report and recommendations from the CRLC. 

Myth: The ELCA is going to make it illegal to disaffiliate. If you don’t disaffiliate before 2025 you will not be able to.
Fact: This is completely false. This is obviously made up by someone who wants to encourage congregations to come over to their denomination.

NELSON: Again, because of the lack of information it is easy to understand that many people will be fearful that the changes recommended by the CRLC will make it impossible to disaffiliate – or impossible for a congregation to keep its property if it disaffiliates.  

Myth: In order to dismantle racism, colonialism, and patriarchy, the whole ELCA structure is going to be dismantled. The “new CRLC committee” is going to be in charge of the ELCA.
Fact: No it isn’t. The CRLC has no legislative authority. The CRLC has discussed issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion and how some aspects of the structures of the church have caused pain.

NELSON: True, the CRLC has no legislative authority.  It is the Churchwide Assembly that has legislative authority.  The “new CRLC committee” is not going to be in charge of the ELCA.  But they will be making recommendations to the ELCA Church Council, who will be making recommendations to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly.  And with all the talk about racism being systemic, the need to dismantle racism, the ELCA’s being the whitest denomination in the United States, and white people’s inability to not be racist, it is not too far down the road to say that the ELCA needs to be dismantled.   

Myth: Every ELCA church will need to go through a financial audit. One post claimed there would be fines if a church has not spent money on social justice committees “at the government level.”
Fact: Someone made this up. The fact is, every congregation does an annual internal audit, and it should for its own safety. Synods have an annual external audit.

NELSON: With all the “Recommended Minimum DEIA Standards for Congregations” which are a part of the DEIA audit which the ELCA had done of its governing documents, and with neither the CRLC nor the ELCA Church Council so far saying anything publicly about what will be done with that audit, it is natural for congregations to fear what they may be expected or even required to do and what will happen to them if they do not. 

Myth: The ELCA is going to take possession of all church properties.
Fact: Nope. There is no discussion about or desire to acquire church properties. (And since each ELCA congregation is a separate 501.c(3) it would be nearly impossible.) The idea that some entity (synod, churchwide, etc.) wants to steal your property or close your church is a bizarre, old trope.

NELSON: A synod’s taking over a congregation and its property and closing the congregation is not “a bizarre, old trope.”  Rather it is something synods are doing as they make use of S13.24 in the model constitution for synods. 

Myth: If your congregation does not give a certain amount to LGBTQIA causes or social justice committees “at the government level,” you will be reprimanded and ordered to pay a certain amount to the ELCA structure.
Fact: I truly don’t know where people get this stuff. This has no basis in reality.

NELSON: See comments above re the lack of communication from the CRLC and the ELCA Church Council regarding the work of the CRLC, the recommendations that will be coming from the CRLC, and what the ELCA Church Council will do with the recommendations from the DEIA audit.  Also Bishop Rinehart ignores the fact that people will understandably be concerned in light of the fact that 7 out of 35 – or a full 20% of the makeup of the CRLC – are LGBTQ.  And this does not take into account the additional number that are activists on LGBTQ issues.    

I get to wondering who is making up this stuff and why? (I have some suspicions.) Who stands to benefit? Consider this: Suppose you are part of a small splinter denomination that broke off for this or that reason. When you broke off, you imagined an avalanche of congregations would follow you, but it didn’t come to pass. Now you’re a small struggling denomination, with congregations that are not growing. You have no seminaries, no colleges, no camps, and are no longer part of the Lutheran World Federation. The only way you grow is by poaching congregations from other denominations by stirring up division. How do you do that? You make up stuff and play to their fear. “The bishop is going to close your congregation.” “The synod is going to steal your property.” “The denomination is going to take control of your finances.”

There are lots of other rumors floating around, but I hate to give them the light of day. If you have questions or concerns, give me a call. I’m happy to look into things and find out what’s what. I try to follow my parents’ advice: “Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see.”

A Churchwide Assembly will be held again in the summer of 2025 as it is every three years. Any recommendations from the CRLC that require a constitutional amendment will be published in advance. Constitutional amendments can be proposed but not ratified until the following assembly.

At the end of the day, people will believe what they want, for whatever conscious or unconscious reasons they have. I am reminded of a Luther quote, which may be apocryphal:

You cannot keep birds from flying over your head,
but you can keep them from building nests in your hair.
– Martin Luther

NELSON: I would hope that all this will show ELCA leaders that they need to do a far, far better job at communicating what will be coming to and what will be voted on at the 2025 Churchwide Assembly because of the work of the CRLC and the DEIA audit.  The lack of communication and transparency has been astounding. 

 

“So the crowd was astonished as they saw those who were unable to speak talking, those with impaired limbs restored, those who were limping walking around, and those who were blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel” (Matthew 15:31).

Our lord heals.  In this world, it is not for the length of life but for the age to come. It is the supernatural healing which gives life eternal.  We may be plagued in this age with infirmities, but they are temporary.  Why some are healed and not others we can only speculate.  Experience the true healing which comes by grace and through faith.  Our Lord is showing us that all power belongs to Him and that He, who created all things, is able to accomplish what He promises.

Lord, I am fascinated when I hear of a miraculous healing; but let me not stop with that.  You physically heal whom You heal.  Help me to not look at circumstance, but to You who see all things.  Yes, I love healing but guide me to focus on the real healing You have given me in this life You give which springs to eternal life. Keep me from being conditional in my faith but instead learn to trust You in and through all things.

Guide me, Lord Jesus, in the way of everlasting life.  Help me to bring the healing You have given me to others that they too may be healed of the sickness of sin.  You know every circumstance and You know what is needed.  Lead me today, Lord, so that I obey all that the Holy Spirit will direct.  In Your goodness, help me to know that You are the One who will bring healing to all who believe.  Amen.

December 2024

Dear Friends in Christ –

Luke tells us that the angel Gabriel said to Mary, “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.  He will reign over the house of Jacob forever and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1: 31, 33).  This was in fulfillment of the promise God made to David through the prophet Nathan – “Your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7: 16).

This fall I have been teaching a Sunday morning adult Bible class at the ELCA congregation where my wife and I are members on the life of David.  I have entitled the series, “A Man After God’s Own Heart,” which is the way that Samuel described the next king after Saul had been rejected because of his disobedience.

I have shared with those attending that I believe that the two best days of David’s life were (1) when he was anointed to be the next king of Israel (1 Samuel 16: 13) and (2) when the prophet Nathan told him that his throne would be established forever.  I also asked them what have been the best days of their lives. 

I am sure that from the time when he was anointed, David looked at himself and his life in a completely different way.  As we read the accounts of his being chased by a severely threatened and fiercely jealous King Saul, there were extremely difficult situations that David handled differently and better because he was completely secure in who he was as the one who had been chosen by God.  In the cave at En-Gedi (1 Samuel 24) and in the Wilderness of Ziph (1 Samuel 26) David would not allow his men to kill the king – even though they had the opportunity to do so – because Saul was “the Lord’s anointed.”  Knowing that he would be the next king, David was willing to let things work out in God’s way and according to God’s timing.

And think of what it must have meant to David – on the darkest days of his life – to remember that God had said that through his descendant (whom we know is Jesus) his house, kingdom, and throne would be established forever.  It would not end with him – or after one or two more generations.

I have now been serving as executive director of Lutheran CORE for nearly ten years.  Previously I had served as pastor of an ELCA congregation in southern California for forty years.  I feel that my work with Lutheran CORE is the culmination and high point of my entire professional ministry career.  I believe that all that I have done, learned, and been through as a pastor was preparing me for what I am doing now. 

The board of Lutheran CORE and I are fully committed to keeping you informed about the structural and governance changes that are likely to come from the work of the ELCA’s Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church.  The Commission continues to hold its cards close to its chest.  I interpret their behavior as their not wanting us to know what they will be recommending until close enough to the time of the August 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly that there will not be adequate opportunity to make people aware and give people a chance to process the potentially drastic changes.  The board of Lutheran CORE and I are also fully committed to alerting you to the all-encompassing redefinition of mission and ministry that will most certainly result from the DEIA audit which the ELCA had done of its governing documents.  We are deeply concerned about how many of these so-called “Recommended Minimum DEIA Standards for Congregations” will become expectations or even requirements and what will be done to congregations that are not DEIA compliant.  Third, we will let you know whether the provision for bound conscience is at risk when there finally is some official word from the task force that is reviewing and reconsidering the 2009 human sexuality social statement.

The board of Lutheran CORE and I feel that we have been called by God to do this work of alerting you to what is coming and helping you prepare and be ready to respond. 

We are encouraged and inspired by the way in which being anointed by God was a great source of definition of calling and strength for David.  We also think of what it must have meant for him to know that the kingdom would last beyond him.  His efforts would not be in vain. 

Many people have asked me, “How do you keep going?  Do you ever become frustrated, discouraged, or feel overwhelmed?”  I always reply No.  I work with no delusion that our efforts will get the ELCA to change.  Rather I work with the hope that more ELCA pastors, congregations, and leaders will become aware of the seriousness of what is coming and will be equipped with knowledge and tools to make good decisions and take action.  I cannot imagine that God will bless what the ELCA is doing and that what the ELCA is doing will end well. 

In Matthew 16: 18 Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”  In 1 Corinthians 15: 58 the apostle Paul wrote, “Be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Thank you for your prayers and your faithful, generous financial support.  Please find below a link to print a form which you can use to let us know how we can be praying for you.  You can also use that form to send a year-end gift that will enable us to continue to do our work, including the above as well as providing resources such as worship aids, prayers, daily devotions, weekly lectionary-based Bible studies and children’s messages, video book reviews, webinars, and support and assistance for congregations in transition.  Direct links for online payments are also found below.

In the Name of Christ, in Whom we are chosen and through Whom we have a secure future. 

Dennis D. Nelson
Executive Director of Lutheran CORE

“Departing from there, Jesus went along the Sea of Galilee, and after going up on the mountain, He was sitting there.  And large crowds came to Him bringing with them those who were limping, had impaired limbs, were blind, or were unable to speak, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet; and He healed them” (Matthew 15:29-30).

Jesus heals.  First, He heals us of the deadly disease of sin.  Then He heals us of the unrighteous way of life.  He is our healer.  Anything else He does is for the good of us all.  We are led to the place where we learn to trust the Lord above all things.  Be guided by the goodness and mercy of our Savior.  Believe in the truth that all things exist because of Him and through Him.  Do not go your own way, but in the narrow way of the Lord.

Lord, You know the state of my heart.  I have come thus far, but You know how much farther I will need to go in this life.  Lead me in Your goodness and mercy to walk with You all the days of my life.  Guide me so that I continue to grow in Your likeness.  Help me Lord, as I come to those places which are difficult, to know that this serves a purpose in my walk of faith.

Lord Jesus, Great Physician, You have healed many of the diseases and disorders caused by a sin-sick heart.  You have given me healing.  With that healing, lead me so that I do not fall back into the life that made me sick.  Keep me in Your goodness on the narrow road, always walking with You leading the way.  Guide me to take seriously the call You have placed before me and walk in Your ways all the days of my life.  Amen.

“And she said, “Yes, Lord; but please help, for even the dogs feed on the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”  Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed at once” (Matthew 15:27-28).

Jesus loves a response of faith.  She was persistent, but not insistent.  Knowing that our Lord can do anything does not mean that we should expect Him to do what we ask.  But, knowing that we can ask in faith, we should be bold and realize that our Lord will always do what is just.  Jesus told us to ask in faith for anything in His name knowing that the Lord will hear and answer every prayer.

Lord, teach me to live the kind of faith that is bold, but humble.  Help me to understand the difference between persistence and insistence.  Lord, encourage me to be content with the crumbs from the table, and not demand the best portion.  Guide me to know that being a part of Your kingdom is already the best part.  In all things, keep me looking to You as the source of all things so that I may grow in the likeness of Christ my Savior.

Lord Jesus, what an incredible story this is.  May I learn that I too am an “outsider” whom You have redeemed.  Only by Your grace can I come into Your presence.  Lead me in the way You know I need to go.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to live into the life of faith that You have given me.  Help me to be persistent in faith but never demand that my way be done.  Through all things, show me the way of eternal life.  Amen.

“But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”  Yet He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs” (Matthew 15:25-26).

Our Lord knows everything.  He is not being rude, but He knows what it will take to get her to come out of herself and live by faith.  Sometimes He will do that with us.  He is always gracious and always kind.  What our Lord does for us is to call us out of ourselves and into faith.  The Lord is serious about making us into children of God.  He will do what it takes to lead us in the way of truth.

Lord, I often do not like it when You do something that challenges me.  Help me to move beyond myself and get to the place where I willingly do as You command.  Unlike the world, You are trustworthy.  You will lead me in the way I need to go.  I may not like it at first, but it will be what is needed.  Guide me always that I may live in the hope You give me through faith in You.

Holy Spirit, when I am resisting, help me to see that I am seeking my will above Your will.  Where I am offended, help me to understand the difference between my own indignation and the place where, when offended by others, tolerance is called for.  In all things, teach me to be gracious and kind, seeking what is right no matter how I feel about any situation.  Lead me to live a life of righteousness.  Amen.

 

Luke 21:25-36

Script:

Pastor: Good Morning Everyone! Let’s say good morning to our friend

Sammy and see if she is there. 1, 2, 3 GOOD MORNING SAMMY!

Sammy: (Tired) Good morning everyone. Yawns

Pastor: Why are you so tired?

Sammy: I’ve been up ALL day and night looking up at the sun, moon, and stars looking for something.

Pastor: Boys and girls what are some things we can find in the sky? Wait for answers.

Sammy: Those are all great answers. But I wasn’t looking for those things Pastor.

Pastor: What were you looking for then Sammy?

Sammy: Pastor, you haven’t been listening to Jesus have you? Jesus said he’d be coming in a cloud and we should look for signs in the sun, moon, and stars to see when he is coming back. So, I’ve been looking, but I haven’t seen him yet? I don’t even know what to look for.

Pastor: Well Sammy you might be waiting for a long time.  

Sammy: But Jesus says he’s coming back soon.

Pastor: Yes, he does Sammy. But all times are soon to Jesus. He is God. He lives forever. So, time does not really apply to him.

Sammy: I cannot look up at the sky forever pastor. I have important things to do.

Pastor: Yes, we all do. Jesus tells us to be alert and prepare for his coming. But he also tells us not be anxious about it. Remember he is doing the work of coming back not us. So we don’t have to worry about it.

Sammy: What do I do while I am waiting then?

Pastor: Jesus says, love the Lord your God, and love your neighbor as yourself. We can focus on that while we wait.

Sammy: Thank you, pastor. I will.

Pastor: Can we fold our hands and bow our heads in prayer? Dear Jesus, thank you coming to be with us. Thank for teaching us to love. Thank you for rescuing us. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!