Pastor Steve Shipman wants to be clear that the political statements below are his opinions and do not represent official positions of Lutheran CORE. He served as a pastor in the ELCA for more than 45 years including as Director of Lutheran CORE. He is now an NALC pastor serving an interim pastorate in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. You can contact him at prsteveshipman@gmail.com.

One could almost feel sympathy for ELCA
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton as she tries to navigate the minefield that is
the current political debate over legislation permitting or restricting
abortions.

As I noted in a previous article, the ELCA published a social statement on abortion a number of years ago, probably the last such statement that truly included a variety of opinions and was not simply stacked on one side along with a token “conservative” or two to make the outcome look legitimate.

Radical Feminist Cabal

The reality is that nobody in the ELCA officialdom seems willing or able to challenge the radical feminist cabal who are evidently the power behind the crozier. The ELCA has become what Secretary Almen warned against when it was being formed: It is the far left wing of a certain political party at prayer.

Correction

At the end of May poor Bp. Eaton issued a
letter on abortion, followed swiftly by a “correction.” Obviously she stepped
over a line on the first try, which did fairly accurately represent the
statement. The original letter from the Bishop said, “Through this social
teaching and policy statement, this church seeks to travel a moderating path by
supporting abortion as a last resort for pregnancies that are unsafe or a
result of rape or incest.” And that is basically true. But less than an hour
later she issued a correction, dropping “for pregnancies that are unsafe or a
result of rape or incest.”

Bp. Eaton’s Political Issue

Let’s review what the ELCA Abortion Statement actually said. It was quite clear: “…this church supports legislation that prohibits abortions that are performed after the fetus is determined to be viable, except when the mother’s life is threatened or when lethal abnormalities indicate the prospective newborn will die very soon. ” And of course the political issue which Bp. Eaton cannot or will not address is that laws are being passed and celebrated in shameful ways which permit any and all abortions up to the moment the baby comes out of the birth canal. Some political figures even leave it up to the mother to decide whether doctors should be permitted to treat a baby born after a botched abortion.

Abortion and Slavery

I personally believe that the
abortion issue in our time is the moral equivalent of the issue of human
slavery two centuries ago. If the Lord tarries, in another century the ELCA and
the other oldline churches will be seen much as we view those Christian groups
that justified slavery, often on biblical grounds.

Incapable of Biblical Truth

It is ironic that while the ELCA eagerly accuses every white person of being a horrible racist who needs to be re-educated to give up our “white privilege,” (which is even worse if you are a male), it is incapable of speaking a word of biblical truth in defense of vulnerable life unless it serves a certain political agenda.

The Science is Clear

And while on other issues the ELCA champions truths of science to support its political lobbying, the science is very clear that the unborn child has a very different DNA from its mother. The unborn child clearly has a higher moral claim than a spleen or an appendix.

So what can you do?

Goddess Choice

First, pray. Pray because just
as we are still experiencing what the prophets would call God’s judgment over
the practice of human slavery, God will not be mocked over the sacrifice of
innocent life on the altar of the goddess Choice.

Second, join Lutherans for Life, support them with your prayers and financial gifts, sign the petition they have recently posted (links are also on our Facebook page), and learn more about what they are doing.

Nothing is More Important

And third, I’m sorry to say
this, but please reflect on this issue when you cast your vote.  I am unapologetically a single-issue voter. I
believe that nothing is more important today as a political issue than the
protection of all life from conception to natural death. Yes, there can be a
few squishy areas on the extremes. But I cannot support any politician or
political party that advocates and even celebrates abortion without any
restrictions whatever.

March for Life 2020

So maybe that brings up a fourth point. I have gotten involved again in political campaigns to support some strong pro-life candidates. And they know why I support them (although they aren’t about to pander to the abortion lobby to save their political careers). Politics may not be for everybody. But at the very least, I hope to see many of you at the March for Life on January 24, 2020 in Washington (or you can look for a local march). We need some ELCA folks too, since I can no longer hold one end of the “ELCA for Life” banner.

Photos of baby in the womb by Life Issues Institute

Some startling statistics were included in a newsletter article by the president of an ELCA seminary.  According to the president, there are currently 2,776 vacancies in the nearly 10,000 congregations of the ELCA.  That is over one out of every four.  One thousand of those vacancies are for a full-time position.  What makes these statistics even more startling is the fact that the majority of the baby boomer pastors have yet to retire. No wonder there is such an extreme urgency about what Lutheran CORE’s Congregations in Transition (CiT) ministry initiative is doing.     

CiT is a new ministry, sponsored by Lutheran CORE, to assist churches facing the departure or retirement of their solo pastor.  CiT can be especially helpful in two kinds of ministry scenarios: 1. When the pastor has recently announced — or is planning to announce — his or her upcoming retirement; and 2. When congregational leaders who are already dealing with a vacancy have found the search and call process to be longer (and perhaps more frustrating) than they had anticipated.

Each congregation that “signs on” is assigned their own trained coach/consultant to provide customized counsel to the church for up to six to eight months.  These trained coaches are mostly recently retired Lutheran pastors, which means that they are volunteering their time.  This is a pan-Lutheran effort.  We have pastor/coaches who are rostered with ELCA, LCMC, NALC, and AALC.  The only costs to the congregation are the reimbursement of actual travel expenses incurred by the coach, plus a nominal $150 administrative-cost fee paid to Lutheran CORE.  This ministry is not designed to replace the ministry support and resources available to your congregation from your own church body.  Instead it is designed to supplement those resources.

Chuck Amdahl, retired LCMC and NALC pastor and one of the trained coaches, describes CiT in this way:

“It is all about people whose hearts are great for the people of God, for the life of the congregation. . . . As coaches they come alongside of congregations in transition, encouraging and equipping – empowering leaders whose responsibilities include navigating the congregation through uncertain transitions.  These coaches are building awareness, strength, and confidence among its members, renewing purpose (mission) and vitality all the while. 

“I am privileged to work alongside of these coaches.  They are brothers and sisters serving the Lord Jesus and His Church – your congregation, and the very Church which as Samuel Stone so rightly reminds us in that old and favorite hymn composed well over a century ago:  ‘…with His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.’”   

For more information contact Don Brandt at pastordonbrandt@gmail.com or Dennis Nelson at dennisdnelsonaz@yahoo.com.  You can also read more about Congregations in Transition by visiting the Lutheran CORE website.  A link to that portion of the website can be found here.

“And all the kingdoms of Canaan; and He gave their land as a heritage,
a heritage to Israel His people.  Your
name, O Lord, is everlasting, Your remembrance, O Lord, throughout all
generations.  For the Lord will judge His
people and will have compassion on His servants.”  (Psalm 135:12-14)

Our modern world still fights
the struggle that was spoken of many millennia ago.  What the Lord gives, the Lord gives.  What the devil fights over he fights over.  This too is a witness of the truth of the
ages.  God is LORD and all that He made
is His.  Do not war over things of this
world, but come into the Lord’s presence and walk humbly with Your Maker, for
He will lead His servants.

Lord, You have called for us to serve one another.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way You would have
me go.  Lift me up to see in You the hope
of glory.  Guide me according to Your
never-failing principles to see that in You alone is hope for all who will come
to You.  May I learn from You to walk in
Your provision and know that only in You is there hope and a future.  Grant compassion upon Your faithful.

Through the Holy Spirit, Lord
Jesus, lift up my countenance to see Your way of truth amidst a world at
war.  Guide me today in the way of truth.  Lead me according to the principles You taught
Your disciples that I would learn to live life as it is meant to be lived.  Guide me this day in the way I should go that
I would not tarry, but live into the promises You have given for the
faithful.  Amen.

“He sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh and
all his servants.  He smote many nations
and slew mighty kings, Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan,” (Psalm
135:9-11)

Generation after generation the
nations come and go.  The mighty deeds of
the Lord are evident to any who will look, but many do not look and so do not
see.  The Lord delivers the faithful and
the church continues.  The wicked go down
to the pit, but the way of the Lord abides. 
Come into the house of the Lord and although times are tough, know that
the Lord provides for all.

Lord, I do not understand the times or seasons, but I see the witness
of goodness of Your provision throughout the ages.  Lead me, O Lord,  to see in You the hope You provide for those
who trust in You.  Guide me into the good
life You offer for those who follow You. 
You will watch over our going out and coming in.  Let me understand this and be affirmed in
faith that I may always trust in You.

Lord Jesus, there are many thing
You have taught us.  You have provided
and led the way that each of us might become like You.  Guide me this day, Lord Jesus, so that I
learn from You and do what is pleasing in the Father’s sight.  Help me now and always to look to You as my
example and be guided by what You have taught us to do.  Your ways are wonderful and forever.  Amen.

“He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; who makes
lightnings for the rain, who brings forth the wind from His treasuries.  He smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man
and beast.”  (Psalm 135:7-8)

The earth is the Lord’s for He
made all things.  Know that He who made
all things knows His creation.  Do not
trust in the words of mere mortals, but in the One who created all things.  In Him alone is life and light.  In Him alone is goodness.  Come then and dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.  Come and be nurtured by the One
who made you and all things that you may know your Maker.

Lord, I am often led off the path of righteousness by the cares of this
world.  Help me, O Lord, to live into the
life for which I was made.  Guide me
according to Your goodness to see the hope of glory which You have placed
before me.  Lead me ever deeper into the
unimaginable depths of the faith You have given me.  According to Your goodness, lead me to live a
life of faith.

Jesus, my way, truth and life,
guide me this day to understand a little more about the faith You have given
me.  Guide me according to Your goodness
to see that in You is all hope.  Lift me
up to see today Your guidance as I live out this day.  Help me to see through the clouds that will
come that I may now and always abide in the light of Your countenance.  Lead away my Savior; I will follow.  Amen.

“For I know that the Lord is great and that our Lord is above all
gods.  Whatever the Lord pleases, He
does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.”  (Psalm 135:5-6)

Who can know the mind of the
Lord?  Who can fathom His ways?  All things are possible with God.  Come then and dwell in His presence.  Come and walk in His ways.  Know the Lord, for He knows you.  From the depths and heights He is present and
He who created all things has invited you to come into His presence and dwell
with Him now and forever.  Abide with the
One who made you.

Lord, there things are too deep for me. 
Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would now and forever abide
in the hope You have given.  Lead me ever
deeper and ever higher into the depths and heights of the faith which You have
given me.  Teach me to abide with You
that I may become what You have always intended.  Lead me, O Lord, according to Your goodness.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead
the way for as many as would follow You. 
Help me now and always to see in You the hope of glory.  Open my eyes to see the steps I need to
take.  Guide me in the way You know I
need to go that I would always marvel at the gift You have given me.  Teach me to abide in You as You have
instructed and to walk as You walk.  Lead
me, my Savior.  Amen.

Photo by Talia Cohen on Unsplash

“Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praises to His name, for
it is lovely.  For the Lord has chosen
Jacob for Himself, Israel for His own possession.”  (Psalm 135:3-4)

Do you see the Lord?  Do you see Him in what He has made?  Do you know His presence in all you do?  Look and see. 
Open your ears and hear.  Know
that the Lord has made this creation for His own purpose and you are a part of
His purpose.  Be guided by the goodness
of the Lord and walk in His grace and mercy. 
Taste and see that the Lord is good. 
Draw close to Him and He will draw close to you.

Lord, You are around me all the time. 
Your creation speaks of Your glory.  
Unstop my ears and open my eyes that I may hear and see.  Guide me into the salvation You have prepared
in the sight of all people.  Keep me on
the path of righteousness for Your name’s sake that I may dwell with You now
and forever.  Through these things, bring
me to the place of praise and thanksgiving.

Lord Jesus, You have accomplished salvation for all those who believe.  Help me to walk humbly with You this day, doing those things which are pleasing in the Father’s sight.  Lift up my countenance that I may now and always live according to Your purposes.  May I see and hear this day Your presence, power, and purpose.  May I lift up praise and thanksgiving in all I do today.  Amen.

Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash

“Praise the Lord!  Praise the
name of the Lord; praise Him, O servants of the Lord, you who stand in the
house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God!”  (Psalm 135:1-2)

What is the purpose of your
life?  Is it to bring about praise of
your good works?  Is it about the Lord
who made you?  We are reminded that we
are to be a people who praise the Lord in all circumstances and at all
times.  Come then and learn to praise the
Lord in season and out of season.  He who
made all things is worthy of your praise and worship.  See that the Lord is good.

Lord, I have wandered many places in my life and I am often distracted
by the things of this world.  It is not
that I need to flatter You, but rather to learn to properly praise You in and through
all things.  Teach me, O Lord, to live
according to the goodness of Your Word that I may become like Christ and live a
life of praise of You who alone is worthy of all honor, praise and glory.

Lord Jesus, bring me close to You that I may walk alongside You and learn from You.  Guide me in the way of eternal life that my life might become one of continuous praise.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of life that I would honor all of those around me.  Guide me according to the Father’s purpose to do those things which are pleasing in His sight.  Bring me to see that You alone must be the author and finisher of my faith.  Amen.

Photo by Feliphe Schiarolli on Unsplash

“Behold, bless the Lord, all servants of the Lord, who serve by night
in the house of the Lord!  Lift up your
hands to the sanctuary and bless the Lord. 
May the Lord bless you from Zion, He who made heaven and earth.”  (Psalm 134:1-3)

Bless and be a blessing.  Do what the Lord asks of you knowing that He
first did all that is needed for You. 
Bless and do not curse.  He Who
made all things made You.  He knows what
He is doing and has called you into His presence.  Come then and be blessed by the One who leads
you forward ever closer into His eternal presence.  Come and do not tarry.  Become like Jesus.

Lord You know all the steps of my life. 
Guide me, O Lord, in the way You know I need to go.  Help me this day to overcome those obstacles
that will get in the way.  Lead me
according to Your goodness to see the hope You have given me.  Let me not be hindered, but in all things
move in the way You know I need to move. 
Show me by Your goodness how to be in Your will.

Holy Spirit, come minister to my heart that I would walk in the way of Jesus.  You are with me and there to guide me.  Teach me to listen.  Teach me to obey.  Teach me to trust every time You speak.  Come, Holy Spirit, and be my guide that I may this day become more like Jesus.  You are my sanctuary.  You are my guide.  May I bless and not curse this day, following the example of my Lord and Savior, Jesus.  Amen.

Photo by Ronaldo de Oliveira on Unsplash

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together
in unity!  It is like the precious oil upon
the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard, coming down upon the
edge of his robes.  It is like the dew of
Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the
blessing – life forever.”  (Psalm
133:1-3)

How well do you get along with
those around you?  Are you compassionate
and gracious with others as you would like them to be with you?  The Lord desires that we dwell with one
another in peace and unity, not compromising His law or precepts, but so that
we love one another as He loves us.  Come
then to Zion and learn to live according to the righteousness of the Lord.

Lord, teach me to live this way: not asking,” who is my neighbor?”, but
loving whomever I find in my company. But I do not love others as You first
loved me.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way
of righteousness that I would learn to live as You created me to live.  Bring me to Zion that I would dwell in unity
with those who are Yours.  Create in me a
clean and willing heart, O Lord.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead on the narrow path of righteousness all those who follow You.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way You know I need to go.  Help me now and always to look to You, the author and finisher of my faith. That I would learn from You true righteousness.  Help me through all of the difficulties I will face to become more like You each step of the way.  Amen.

Photo by Limor Zellermayer on Unsplash