Life Together?

“The Model Constitution is how we have agreed to live together,” she said.  “No,” I thought to myself, “the Augsburg Confession is how we have agreed to live together.”  The conversation arose because the synod office had asked me to update my congregation’s constitution.  I began work on it, but had a concern about a part of the Model Constitution that seemed to require me to violate the Augsburg Confession.  When I shared concern with the synod office, that was the reply.

One of my greatest frustrations serving as a pastor in the ELCA is the feeling that the Augsburg Confession has been eclipsed as the standard for how we will live together.   A perfect example of this is a video greeting given by Bishop Guy Erwin for the Southwest California Synod at the beginning of the 2019 Pride Month.  He said, “Lutherans believe that God’s love and mercy accepts us as we are, with no prior conditions, and then teaches us to love each other in return.  This is what we call the Gospel.” 

Now why get worked up about a message of acceptance to those who often feel unwelcome and condemned?  It is not the idea of acceptance or the audience that causes me concern, but the message.  I only mention Bishop Erwin’s summary of the Gospel, because I have been hearing the same message for several years and in multiple contexts.  I have heard it from bishops, teaching theologians, and churchwide staff.  You might say that it has become the official definition of the Gospel in the ELCA. 

Article IV Defines the Gospel

What is the problem?  There is no mention of sin and forgiveness.  Article II of the Augsburg Confession defines our problem as sin.  This sin separates us from God and one another and leads to eternal death.  Article IV defines the Gospel as the message of forgiveness of sins for Jesus sake that is received by faith.  Article III connects Articles II and IV by speaking of what God has done in Christ to reconcile us to himself and save us from our sins.  A message of welcome and acceptance is surely appropriate, but it is not the Gospel.  The Gospel is about redemption through Jesus Christ from sin, death and the devil.

I can remember a time in my life when I was acutely aware of
my sinfulness.  I would be horrified by
the dishonesty, selfishness, self-righteousness and ill will of others, only to
realize again and again that it was my own sin that I saw reflected in
others.  If you had told me at that time
that God accepted me the way I was, it would have been of little comfort.  I wanted forgiveness, reconciliation and a
new beginning.  That is what the Holy
Spirit, working through the Gospel and the Sacraments gives.

Later on, in the same message, Bishop Erwin says, “We oppose
all efforts to use our ancient scriptures to condemn others or separate them
from us.”  I certainly have no desire to
use the Scriptures to condemn others or separate them from us.  There is only one qualification for those who
would seek God.  That is to be a sinner
in need of forgiveness.  If the Church
took a page from Alcoholics Anonymous, it might look something like this: “Hi,
my name is David.  I’m a sinner.”  “Welcome, David.” 

However, the statement that we do not use the Law to condemn
others sounds strange coming from a leader of the ELCA.  First of all, while we do not use Scripture
to condemn others, we are to use the Scriptures to proclaim the Law.  This Law reveals our sin and makes us aware
of our need for Christ.  It is the
business of the Church to proclaim the Law and the Gospel.

Condemned by the ELCA

What makes that statement stranger still is that the ELCA
has become quite good at condemning others and making people feel
unwelcome.  If you happen to be a person who
isn’t convinced about Global Warming, doesn’t believe Scripture sanctions same
sex marriage, is a police officer, a member of the armed forces, is a supporter
of Israel, supports enforcement of immigration laws, or who opposes abortion,
you are quite likely to feel condemned by the ELCA.  Although I myself am more of a political
moderate than a conservative, I am quite aware of how it must feel for a
conservative member of my congregation to listen to what is said at synod
assemblies, in print and in various messages from this church.  When I raise these concerns, I do not always
get a sympathetic ear. 

What is most disappointing about all of this, is that in all the condemnation of those with wrong political and theological views forgiveness is seldom offered.  The strange, and I assume unintended result, is the loss of the central mission of the Church. In the midst of talk about acceptance, we are a church that is quite good at condemnation. What we fail to offer to either those we accept or those we condemn is the forgiveness and new life that come through Jesus Christ. The Augsburg Confession, which for Lutherans is “how we have agreed to live together,” points us to a better way. 

The word is definitely getting around.  The ELCA’s Office of Research and Evaluation, this last spring, released the results of their projection regarding anticipated ELCA decline over the next 31 years.  The rather shocking projection is as follows, and is based on the starting point of membership and worship statistics as of the end of 2017.    

ELCA Paper Projects Drastic Decline in Membership

So ELCA membership as of 2017 was 3.4 million.  The projection for 2050 is that membership will be only 67,000!  That’s right, 67,000.

And weekly worship attendance?  As of 2017 just under 900,000 people worshiped at ELCA congregations in a typical week.  The projection, which in this case is for 2041, is that weekly worship attendance will be only 16,000.  You read that correctly: 16,000.

Implications for the LCMC and NALC

So what, if any, are the conclusions and/or implications of these predictions when it comes to confessing Lutheran congregations in the LCMC and NALC?  I can think of at least three.

1.  These predictions regarding the rate of the ELCA’s decline are probably based, to a degree, on the rate of decline between 2009 and 2012.  That was the period when ELCA decline accelerated — dramatically — due to the policy changes in August of 2009.  My point?  The ELCA’s rate of decline has not been as dramatic in the last seven years.  Granted, the ELCA continues to lose tens of thousands of members each year.  And granted, the exodus of most of the ELCA’s more evangelistic churches has had a lasting and permanent effect on its statistical “bottom line.”  However, my guess is that the projections for 2041 and 2050 will not be quite as bleak as predicted.  They will still be dramatic, though.  After all, when the ELCA National Assembly passes an amendment questioning whether Lutherans can ethically witness to people of other faiths, we can’t expect their members and congregations to be engaged in evangelistic outreach.

2. We need to acknowledge that these dire projections are emblematic of demographic trends that, to some degree, are impacting all mainline Protestant bodies.  So while I suspect NALC and LCMC congregations will fare better than the ELCA between now and 2050, here is the painful truth: We too are rapidly aging faith communities.  And we, like the ELCA, have a membership that is considerably older than both the general U.S. population and, I might add, older than most evangelical/non-denominational churches.  So we best not smirk or gloat at these projections from the Office of Research and Evaluation.

3. Third, these ELCA projections should serve as a wake-up call when it comes to our generational challenges in the NALC and LCMC.

Keychain Leadership

One of the congregations that is using the Congregations in Transition process recently signed up for the Fuller Seminary Youth Institute “Growing Young Assessment.”  This assessment is based on the Institute’s book entitled Growing Young.  After completing the assessment the Institute suggested this congregation focus on “Keychain Leadership.”  “Keychain Leadership” is about focusing on opportunities to “hand over the keys” of leadership to young adults, teens, and parents with young children.  The Fuller Youth Institute also suggested this church “prioritize” young people in the life of the congregation, and encourage older members to “dive deeper” into relationships with younger members.  One specific example mentioned in the assessment was to have older members enter into “coaching” relationships with teens and younger adults.

I suspect these suggestions might be appropriate for a great many of our congregations.

It Might Be Time

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2034 the U.S. population 65 and older will exceed the population under 18.  One American journalist calls this the “coming gerontocracy.”  Many of our LCMC and NALC congregations are already there.  It might be  time to start “handing over the keys.”

“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not
in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made
void.  For the word of the cross is
foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the
power of God.  For it is written, “I will
destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set
aside.”  (1 Corinthians 1:17-18)

The Lord does not send us to baptize,
for baptism means to immerse.  Christ is
the One who immerses those who are His into Himself.  But as Paul said elsewhere, how can they hear
if one does not preach.  We are sent to
share the Good News of Christ, for that is what the word evangelize means.  Share the cross of Christ and those who
belong to Him will rejoice in the Lord.

Lord, I cannot save myself, let alone another.  Guide me, O Lord, to see that I am sent by
You to share what You have given me. 
Guide me in the way of truth that I may share truthfully what You have
given me.  Lead me according to Your
goodness to live into the Gospel which You have given me that I may now and
always live in the wisdom of the truth which is in You.

Lord Jesus, in You alone is the
hope of all people.  Lead me in the way
of the cross that I may die to sin, death, the devil, and myself.  Raise me up to see that only in You is the
hope of eternity.  Guide me in the way of
truth that I may now and always abide in You and You in me.  Immerse me in the way You have established
and lead me according to the Father’s will to do what is pleasing in His
sight.  Amen.

“I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so
that no one would say you were baptized in my name.  Now I did baptize also the household of
Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other.”  (1 Corinthians 1:14-16)

Who is the one baptizing when a
baptism is done?  Is it the one who
stands there saying the words?  No!  The one who is giving the promise is the One
who fulfills the promise for His own purposes. He uses whom He uses to deliver
the message.  Do not be as those in the
world who look up to other created beings, but come to the One who created all
things and receive His promises.

Lord, I do become enchanted with celebrity and think of others as above
me.  I am neither below, nor above any,
for I am Your creature.  Lead me in
humility to neither raise myself up, nor lower myself down, but instead stand
before You, the One who has called me through the baptism You gave me.  Lead me in truth that I would walk before You
all the days of my life in Your promises.

Lord Jesus, You have told us that
each of us will be baptized with the baptism You give.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that
You have established that I may now and always walk with You, my Lord and God
and live into the promises You have given. 
Guide me in Your goodness to see through the ways of this world and not
get caught in her traps.  Lead me to be
faithful.  Amen.

THE PRAYERS,

Advent 2, Cycle A (December 8, 2019)

As we await the coming of Christ in mercy and majesty, let us pray for the Church, the world, and for all people according to their need.

A brief silence

Come quickly, Lord! Thank you for promising to deliver us from the threatening powers that seek to harm us – but even so, come quickly! Thank you for being our King and Savior, Healer and Redeemer – but come quickly to establish your reign, perfectly and forever.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Come quickly, righteous Branch from Jesse’s root. Make your Church holy, faithful, and tireless in proclaiming your sure approach. By its witness of words and deeds, lead many to repentance and faith in you.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Come quickly, King foretold by holy prophets. Rule among your servants in this place. Bestow your Spirit upon us. Help us to show mercy and kindness to one another, and to live in harmony as your people.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Come quickly, righteous and faithful Savior. Vindicate those who are persecuted on account of your holy Name. Decide with equity on their behalf. Lay low the wicked who refuse to repent. And hasten the day when no one shall hurt or destroy on your holy mountain.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Come quickly, wise counsellor. Direct the thoughts and actions of everyone learning to be your faithful disciples. Grant them right judgment, godly actions, and joy in your presence. Bestow your Spirit upon them, and upon all proclaimers of the Gospel, until the whole earth is full of the knowledge of your saving mercy.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Come quickly, Ensign and signal to all peoples. Establish your glorious and gentle rule among the nations. Teach the rulers of the world to judge with righteousness, to deliberate with equity, and to care for the poor and needy in their charge. Give us grace to live in peace with one another, and to show one another mercy even when that is hard.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Come quickly, gentle Savior. Protect our little ones from every danger and harm. Keep them safe from the fangs of predators and abusers, the poison of sickness and despair, the venom of lies and hateful words, and the claws of warfare and every form of violence. Protect their innocence and help us to raise them in knowledge, fear, and joy in the Lord.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Come quickly, King of Mercy. Banish those things which trouble your people in body, mind, heart or soul. Especially we lift before you all who crave your healing touch: {List}. Keep them safe from every evil, and restore them to health, hope, and fellowship with all who love them.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Come quickly, Lord of Life. Reunite us with all the saints who from their labors rest. As we walk through life’s dark shadows and winding pathways, bestow on us your righteousness, wisdom, and mercy. Help us to withstand the bitter challenges we face, and support one another along our pilgrim road. Bring us to your holy mountain, where with all the redeemed, we shall delight in your presence and sing of your mercy and love forever.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

All these things, and whatever else you see that we need, grant to us, dear Father, for the sake of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE PRAYERS,

Advent 1, Cycle A (December 1, 2019)

As we await the coming of Christ in mercy and majesty, let us pray for the Church, the world, and for all people according to their need.

A brief silence

Thank you, Lord, for words of warning and mercy. Thank you for your promise to visit your people with judgment and forgiveness. Thank you for Jesus, your final Word and the Yes to all your promises. Make us ready to receive him into our hearts, homes, and world.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Stir up your power, O Lord; and purify your Church. Make it a holy dwelling, fit for your Son. Make it your house, into which the nations stream. Make it the New Jerusalem, the home of all whom you have redeemed.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Stir up your power, O Lord; and cleanse the hearts of all who worship here. Fill us with love for you; affection for one another; and generosity toward our neighbors, especially those most in need of your forgiveness and kindness.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Stir up your power, O Lord; and come to the aid of your persecuted Church. Lift up their heads; strengthen their faith; and deliver them from their enemies. Set free those who hate you from bondage to sin; and give all of us grace to bear witness to Christ until he comes again in glory.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Stir up your power, O Lord, and guide all who walk the path of discipleship. Give them grace to listen, ponder, and obey your Word. In all they do, help them prepare your Way into the hearts of others, especially those who walk in the darkness of doubt or despair.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Stir up your power, O Lord, and grant your Spirit to the leaders of the nations. Teach them to work together for the common good and to put the best construction on the words and deeds of those with whom they disagree. Remind them that they must give an account of their stewardship of authority to you, the Lord of the nations and their King and God.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Stir up your power, O Lord; and banish the evils of violence, chaos, brutality and hatred from this death-shadowed world. Give your Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might to all who defend life and liberty; to all who protect our communities from danger; and to all first responders. Grant success to all they do that serves your will; heal them when they fall; restore them to their loved ones; and speed the day when they may serve you in peace.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Stir up your power, O Lord; and bring healing and hope to all whose need is great. Especially we lift before you: {List}. Deliver them from all that darkens their lives. Restore them to fellowship with all who love them. Give patience, gentleness, and respite to caregivers; and shine the light of your love upon us all.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Stir up your power, O Lord; and raise from the shadows of death all who have fallen asleep in you, especially those whose loss grieves us most. Help us to comfort those whose hearts are heavy in this season of feasting and joy. Give us grace to be children of the day, filled with the light of your love. Help us to encourage one another in steadfast faith and deeds of charity until your dear Son returns in glory. Then, by your mercy, bring us safely into your eternal Kingdom, which you have prepared for all whom you have redeemed.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

All these things, and whatever else you see that we need, grant to us, dear Father, for the sake of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

“Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.”  Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”  (1 Corinthians 12-13)

To whom do we belong?  Is it to one whom we admire?  Is it to one who has taught us?  It is good to have mentors, but there is only
one Who is Lord of all.  The One through
whom all things have their being, the One who made all things, is the One who
is worthy of all honor and praise.  It is
He who is Your Savior and this is He of whom Paul speaks.  Come to the One who saves.

Lord, teach me the way of salvation that I may walk in the way of
truth.  Guide me according to Your never-failing
Word in all that I need to know in order that above all things, I may praise
You.  Guide me, O Lord, in Thy Spirit to
now and always walk in Your will.  Let me
see through those who would get in Your way in order to live the truth which
You have revealed for all people.

Truth made flesh, my Lord and
Savior Jesus, guide me now and always in the way of truth that I would walk
with and in You in the way You have taught Your disciples.  Lead me always to have no other gods before
You, the Triune God who is in all and through all.  May I always abide in You and have good and
godly priorities.  Lead me, O Lord, in
the way of truth.  Amen.

“God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His
Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.   Now I
exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree
and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the
same mind and in the same judgment.  For
I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there
are quarrels among you.”  (1 Corinthians
1:9-11)

We are born into a fallen humanity.  There are divisions and quarreling that happens, but it ought not be so.  We are called by One Lord through one baptism into the one faith by which we are eternally reconciled to One God.  Come into the truth revealed in faith and work together with all whom You fellowship, for this is good and pleasing to the One who calls us by grace into eternity.

Lord, I know how to be contentious and quarrelsome.  Lead me away from the old man and into the
new life to which I have been called. 
Guide me according to Your truth that I would walk humbly with You, my
Lord, God and Savior.  Lead me in the way
of everlasting life that I would now and forever abide in the truth You have
revealed once for all.  Lead me according
to Your will.

Lord Jesus, You have come that we
might have life and have it abundantly. 
Guide me in the Word of truth that I may now and always abide in the
goodness of Your grace and mercy.  Lead
me in the way You know I need to go that I would abide peaceably with others as
You abide with me.  Guide me, O Lord, and
help me to always follow where You lead that I would each day become more like
You.  Amen.

“I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was
given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all
speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed
in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the
revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end,
blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 
(1 Corinthians 1:4-8)

Be thankful not only for the
grace you have received, but also for the grace the Lord grants others.  The Lord knows those who are His, You do
not.  Although all have been called, few
obey the call.  Be one of those who obey
and realize that all you need has been provided by the One who gave Himself for
You that you may stand before the Father as one who is blameless.

Lord, teach me what all of these things mean.  Too often I become wrapped up in the ways of
this world and hurriedly go about my business forgetting that I am to walk with
You as You walk with me.  Lead me in the
revelation You have given that I may learn how to become blameless even as I
know Your grace makes me blameless.  Lead
me by grace to become blameless in eternity.

Lord Jesus, You have empowered
all who believe to walk boldly in the faith You give.  Grant me a willingness to always live by
grace, proclaiming the good and gracious news of the salvation You alone make
possible.  Conform me to You that I may
be like You.  Teach me all I need to know
that I would journey in faith with You until the day I stand before You face to
face.  Amen.

“Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  (1 Corinthians 1:1-3)

We are called and sanctified
through our Lord Jesus Christ.  No one has
authority on their own.  None does
anything for the Lord except in the name of Christ.  At all times and in all places, we are reminded
that, as a person of faith, we are under the headship of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ.  It is by grace alone,
which is a gift of God, that we are redeemed and are thereby able to stand in
the Father’s presence,

Help me, O Lord, with my pride which is at the heart of all rebellion,
that I would remember always that the position I’ve been granted by grace is only
because of what Christ has done for me. 
Guide me to be charitable with others and to reflect genuine
humility.  In You alone Lord do I have
hope and only under Your authority am I able to do all things.  Keep me under Your authority always.

Lord Jesus, by Your blood are we
healed and only under Your grace do we have any merit.  Teach me the line between the boldness of
faith and the humility of service.  Teach
me to always be gracious with others, but also bold in what is right in the
Father’s eyes.  Show me what meekness is
and what standing upon Your Word means. 
Lead me to be faithful to You now and always.  Amen.