The 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly passed two resolutions that called for reconsideration of the 2009 social statement, “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust.”

• Reconsideration #1: A review of specific text references that “would consider the import that marriage legally is now a covenant between individuals;” review specific wording “in light of public acceptance of marriage of same-gender and gender-non-conforming couples;” and “consider references to diversity of family configurations.”
• Reconsideration #2: A fresh consideration of the “church’s current concept of the four positions of bound conscience” found on pages 19-21 of “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust.”

The task force that has been appointed to work on these reconsiderations will have recommendations for the 2025 Churchwide Assembly regarding Reconsideration # 1.  They describe these recommendations as “simply editorial.”  After the 2025 Assembly the task force will begin work on Reconsideration # 2.  This work will include recommendations which have been described as substantive.

The task force has released draft edits related to the first reconsideration, and the public comment period on these draft edits is open until January 31.  The following resources can be found on www.elca.org/Reconsiderations.

• A copy of the entire social statement with draft edits underlined and highlighted
• A document with Explanations of the Draft Edits, which helps connect each draft edit to the authorization from the 2022 Churchwide Assembly
• A conversation guide for groups
• A survey for people to submit their feedback on the draft edits

The task force has also updated the FAQs on the webpage.  Most of the resources are available in Spanish and large-print.

The task force will review the feedback at its next meeting in mid-February.  You can email comments or questions directly to the task force at reconsiderations@elca.org, but they would prefer that people fill out the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8PMDXQM.

I am very grateful for the two opportunities I was given to have conversation via zoom with the two churchwide staff members who are working with the task force.  I found them very easy to talk with and very respectful of my views and concerns.  When I was asked what hopes I had for the process, I told them that I have no hopes for the process.  Rather it is obvious that from the beginning there have been powerful and preferred voices who have been working relentlessly to eliminate the provision for bound conscience and that if they do not succeed this time they will not stop until they eventually succeed.  Also I believe that when the ELCA does finally eliminate the provision for bound conscience, it will be committing a massive breach of trust. 

Please join with me in praying for the friend of Lutheran CORE who is a member of the task force.  Pray that he will be bold in his witness and clear, articulate, effective, and compelling in his contributions to the discussion.

I encourage friends of Lutheran CORE who are still in the ELCA to participate in this feedback process.  There are basically two things that I have to say about changes being recommended as part of Reconsideration # 1.  I have sent this communication to the leaders of the task force as my response.

Comment # 1

The original 2009 social statement was 48 pages in length.  The document containing recommendations related to Reconsideration # 1 is 51 pages in length.  True, the recommended changes are clearly highlighted and the “Explanation of the Draft Edits” is only 11 pages in length.  But why are ELCA social statements always so long, convoluted, and complex?  How many people – what percentage of people – do they really think will thoroughly and carefully read, analyze, and evaluate all those pages?  It is easy to wonder whether the reason for so much verbiage is to include things in all those words and pages that people will not catch.

Comment # 2 

I do not believe that the task force is being accurate when it calls the recommended changes in Reconsideration # 1 “simply editorial.”  Nor was a January 7 communication from the Theological Ethics Staff of the Office of the Presiding Bishop accurate when it described them as “small word changes that update the text without changing its meaning.”        

To support that claim I would point to the resolution’s calling for changes “in light of public acceptance of marriage of same-gender and gender-non-conforming couples.”  The key phrase is “gender non-conforming couples.”  The 2009 social statement affirmed publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same sex relationships.  The new wording being recommended goes beyond that as it considers “lifelong, monogamous relationships of same-gender or gender-diverse couples” (page 19 of the “Human Sexuality Social Statement Draft Edits”).  On the same page it speaks of “life-long, monogamous relationships between individuals of diverse sexes, genders, or sexualities.”  A footnote on that page defines “gender diverse” as encompassing “a wide diversity of identities and expressions in relationships between individuals, including gender non-conforming, non-binary, genderqueer, and transgender persons.”  That kind of change is far more than “simply editorial” and “small word changes” that do not change the meaning.    True, the recommended revised version still says, “The predominant historic Christian tradition has recognized marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman, reflecting Mark 10: 6–9” (page 15).  It also states, “The Lutheran Confessions assume and reflect this understanding of marriage” (pages 15-16).  But it is neither the Scriptures nor the Confessions that inform the recommended changes, but “public acceptance of marriage of same-gender and gender-non-conforming couples.”  Those with traditional views knew that the ELCA would not stop with what was approved in 2009.  Nor will it stop with what is now being recommended in this revised social statement.         

Many thanks to Dr. Mark Mattes of Grand View University, Des Moines, Iowa, for the video recordings of the lectures he recently gave on how we can be sure of our salvation.  These lectures were given at Lutheran Church of the Master in Corona del Mar, California, where Russell Lackey serves as pastor.  Until recently Russell was campus pastor at Grand View.    

Mark Mattes has been a Lutheran pastor for 38 years.  He served congregations in Illinois and Wisconsin and has taught theology at Grand View University for over 29 years.  He has authored and edited numerous books in theology and has lectured both across the country and in various parts of the world.

Concerning the theological and spiritual significance of his presentation, Mark wrote, “Many Christians look not just to Christ for the assurance of their salvation but also to changed behaviors, such as a greater engagement with prayer, Bible study, and witnessing.  They have a ‘checklist’ for evidence of conversion and ask you to mark off your progress in spiritual growth.”

In this presentation Mark shows us that this approach is simply not scriptural.  “The Bible tells us that Jesus alone is sufficient for our salvation.  If we look to changes in our lives and not to Christ alone, we jeopardize our assurance of salvation.  Anxiety, not security, is found when we look to the quality of our faith or righteousness for comfort.  Growing in devotional practices is a good thing but it does not guarantee our salvation. Nothing other than Jesus can secure those consciences anxious about God’s judgment.”

After watching these videos and reading his book on the same subject, “Ditching the Checklist,” I told Mark, “What you are saying I wish I had heard sixty years ago.  It would have saved me so much stress and anxiety.”

Here are links to his two You Tube videos.

The NALC Life Ministries team is once again preparing for the March for Life in Washington D.C. this January, but our plan is a little different. Instead of holding a life conference, NALC Life has decided to team up with Lutherans for Life (LFL) and participate in their events at the March! Their youth conference, Y4Life, will be held at the Hilton Arlington Landing Hotel (2399 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA 22202) from Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 through Saturday, January 25th, 2025 and it has over 400 kids already registered (register at https://y4life.org/event/y4life-in-washington-d-c-january-23-25-2025/ ). We encourage all our NALC youth to participate in this free conference.

On Friday, January 24th we will be once again participating in the March for Life under the NALC banner, and I hope you can join us at 12th and Madison Sts., N.W at noon as we march to the U.S. Capitol. Before the march there is a prayer service at DAR Constitution Hall 1776 D St. NW (18th and D St.) Washington, DC 20006 starting at 8:30am. All our NALC members are invited to attend this service and our clergy are invited to participate (stoles are white). If you have any problems at the march, please contact Pastor Dennis Di Mauro at (703) 568-3346. Pastor Di Mauro can also host you in his home if you would like to stay overnight in DC. We can’t wait to see you in our nation’s capital this January!!

“And if it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray.  So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven for one of these little ones to perish” (Matthew 18:13-14).

The Lord loves us all.  He rejoices when any of His wandering sheep come home.  Our age has ravaged the sheep and so many are wandering.  Many have wandered and are no longer a part of any fellowship.  Some wander and choose only a place that gives them an appearance of faithfulness.  Wolves have ravaged the sheep, and many have been wounded.  Our Lord desires that no one perishes.

Lord, You know how difficult this world is.  We are in a time of great upheaval.  Help me to keep my eyes upon You, for only You know what is coming.  No matter what comes, You knew it would come, so help me to trust that You are leading us through this Valley of the Shadow of Death.  You will bring us home.  Your will is going to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Our Father in Heaven, help me to see that You are with me.  Help me to not wander off the path of righteousness that You have set me on.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to be one who willingly obeys all the commandments You give.  LORD, lead me to reach out to others, for You know those who are Yours.  Through all things, help me to stay close to You and walk in Your ways.  Amen.

“What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains, and go and search for the one that is lost?” (Matthew 18:12)

We each understand this, for if there is something of ours that we find missing, we go looking for it.  We do not just throw away or even in our mind dismiss that which is precious to us.  Every human soul is precious to the Lord.  Yes, there is plenty of wickedness, but He loves us none-the-less.  He has pursued you all the days of your life.  When you were off in some other place ignoring Him, He was there.

Lord, I understand that You love each one of us.  You desire that none would perish.  Help me come to the place where I see things through Your eyes.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to help you in going off my usual routine to encounter others whom You are calling to come home.  Just as You came to me, so also, through me, go to others that they too may be found, be given faith, and walk in Your grace.

Lord, You know that I do not think of myself as the one wandering sheep, but there are many times when I have wandered astray.  You have come to take me back to be with You.  Help me to not wander.  As one who has wandered, help me to reach out to those who are wandering in this world so that I may share with them You who is the One we all need and are looking for.  Lead me always, Lord, and help me to stay close to You.  Amen.

“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 18:10).

Every human is an image bearer.  Do not look down upon anyone.  In the eyes of the Lord, they are equal and are those whom He has made and loves.  We are each unique and have the gifts the Lord gives us, but we are equally beloved.  Do not think that one is better than another, for the Lord has purpose for each of our lives.  Children may like or dislike certain others, but they are often very receptive to others and make friends easily.

Lord, I do judge others, and I have been caught up in the “I am better than you” attitude that many have.  When I meet someone that I think superior, I think “I’m as good as you.”  Help me to move away from this wickedness and to the place where I see that each person is who they are and that You love us all equally.  Guide me out of the ways of the world and into the way of eternity.

Lord Jesus, You have told us plainly things that are right and true.  You have given me the instructions I need to walk farther along the path of righteousness.  Lead me, O Lord, to humbly walk in the direction You have set before me, loving all whom I meet, and knowing that You are the Lord of all.  Take from me any attitude that is either inferior or superior and help me to live faithfully in this life which You have given me.  Amen.

“And if your hand or your foot is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; it is better for you to enter life maimed or without a foot, than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire.  And if your eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fiery hell” (Matthew 18:8-9).

Why carry around the things that hurt or maim you?  The Lord is not talking about us disfiguring ourselves, but about letting nothing get in the way of our walk with Him.  He who is faithful will lead us all the days of our life.  Walk humbly with the Lord and let nothing get in the way.  Yes, sometimes, like an amputation, it will be painful to see the old Adam killed, but the Lord will stop at nothing to save you.

Lord, I often do not take this faith You have given me as seriously as I should.  Guide me in Your goodness to understand that You have given me the words of eternal life and that You will stop at nothing to prepare me to live that life.  I need Your help to not only understand, but to realize that this is truly a matter of eternal life and death.  Lead me so that I become willing to do whatever it takes to be Your disciple.

Holy Spirit, go deep within me and help me to begin to understand what it means to truly follow in the footsteps of Jesus.  Help me to be willing to cut off whatever part of my life that gets in the way of me becoming what You will make of me.  Aid me to learn how to keep my eye on the prize of my salvation and to boldly walk in the way of faith.  Lead me to avoid all the obstacles that will get in the way.  Amen.

Scripture:

Luke 4:14-21

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Mic drop!

Pastor: Well, good morning to you, too, Sammy.

Sammy: Mic drop!

Pastor: Mic drop?

Sammy: Mic drop!

Pastor: Boys and girls, I need a little help. I am a lot older than you, and I seem to be out of touch with the lingo the kids (and sheep) are using these days. What is a mic drop? What is Sammy talking about?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: Mic drop!

Pastor: Oh, I get it, Sammy! You are saying that Jesus had a mic drop—a big moment of triumph—in the Gospel today.

Sammy: Exactly!

Pastor: What would you consider his mic drop, Sammy?

Sammy: Well, Jesus reads the scripture from Isaiah to everyone in the temple just like we read the scripture here in church. When he is done reading about the coming Messiah that Isaiah prophesies about in the scripture, he says that he is the Messiah.

Pastor: Yes, Jesus says that he is the Messiah. He shares this information with the people of Nazareth, which is the town where he grew up.

Sammy: I love what Jesus says, Pastor.

Pastor: Me too, Sammy. Jesus says that the Spirit of the Lord is upon him, and he will bring good news to the poor, set the captives free, and help the blind see.

Sammy: And Jesus does all of these miracles. He truly is the Son of God.

Pastor: Yes he is—Jesus is our King and Savior.

Sammy: When Jesus shares that he is the Messiah, that’s his mic drop—his moment of triumph.

Pastor: If you want to call that moment a mic drop, that’s okay, Sammy. Jesus is victorious over many things: sin, death, the grave. He is victorious over declaring who he is to us as well. Boys and girls, would you please fold your hands and bow your heads in prayer with me? Dear Jesus, thank you for sharing who you are with us. Thank you for setting us free from sin, helping the blind to see, and giving us the power of your Holy Spirit. We love you, Lord. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture:

John 2:1-11

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, boys and girls! Good morning, Pastor! Hey Pastor?

Pastor: Yes, Sammy?

Sammy: I was listening to you read the Gospel message this morning, and I would like to share some of my thoughts about what you read.

Pastor: Sure, Sammy. I think we have a couple of minutes for you to share your thoughts.

Sammy: That’s great! First of all, all of our mamas know us really well.

Pastor: Of course. Our mamas are there on the day we are born, and they feel us before we are born, too. They raise us from when we are tiny babies.

Sammy: Jesus’s mama knows him really well. She knows that he is capable of miracles.

Pastor: Jesus’s mother, Mary, was told by the angel Gabriel that she would carry and give birth to the Son of God.

Sammy: I have another observation based on the gospel today: Mamas need their wine.

Pastor: …

Sammy: Mary encouraged the servants to do whatever Jesus told them to do. The wedding guests were out of wine. And I know all mamas need a glass of wine from time to time. And lots of mamas go to weddings.

Pastor: Yes, Sammy. The servants listened to Jesus as he told them to fill very large purification jars with water. He then told them to take some out of the jar and give the wine to the chief steward.

Sammy: That’s right. That brings us to my third point: Jesus always gives us the very best. When we follow him, we receive the best gifts from him. And we have to think about the little things he gives us, too. More wine at a wedding isn’t really important to me—I’m just a little lamb—but it’s really important to the bride and the groom and all the mamas who like wine.

Pastor: Sammy, I am grateful you shared your thoughts about the gospel today. The wedding at Cana is Jesus’s first public miracle, and this miracle is certainly a very special one. Our God always provides for us and gives us good gifts. Let’s give thanks to him. Boys and girls, would you please bow your heads and fold your hands in prayer? Dear Jesus, thank you for the gifts you give us. Help us to see the little gifts as miracles, too. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, Pastor! Bye, boys and girls!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to the person through whom the stumbling block comes!” (Matthew 18:7)

The world is often placing before us things that will cause us to go astray.  Be wary of the way of the world.  Do not buy into the lies of this age.  With stealth and shrewdness, be obedient, but do not believe all that you are told.  Believe rather what the Lord says.  A child often has more wisdom in discerning than many adults.  Listen to the Holy Spirit and be guided by what is right and fitting for every situation.

Lord, I am unable to discern all the fraud and lies that bounce around in our hurried world.  Give me eyes and ears that discern so that I may obey Your counsel.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to walk humbly under Your guidance so that I know garbage when I see it.  Through all things, continually remind me that You know what I am facing, and that You have a plan for my next steps.

Holy Spirit, help me to always be aware of and listen to You as You guide me through the stumbling blocks of this age.  I need Your guidance to keep me from falling into the pit of lies and deception which are all around me.  Despite what others may think or say, help me to remain faithful to Your calling now and always.  Speak Your word to me that I may have understanding and wisdom.  Amen.