March
14, 2019

Dear
Bishop Collins –

I
read with considerable confusion and concern your letter to the Rev. W. Stevens
Shipman informing him that action had been taken by the Upper Susquehanna Synod
Council to remove him from the Word and Sacrament roster of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America.

My
area of confusion was in your quotation from section 8.62.15.d of the ELCA’s
constitution which says that “ministers on the Word and Sacrament roster of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America must accept and adhere to this church’s
Confession of Faith, as well as abide by this church’s standards and policies
for ministers of Word and Sacrament.”

We
all know that there are pastors of the ELCA who do not adhere to the ELCA’s
Confession of Faith.  One needs to look
no further than Ebenezerher Church in San Francisco, which promotes goddess
worship; the various versions of the Lord’s Prayer which were options in the
service after 2009 which welcomed or welcomed back people to the ELCA Clergy
Roster; and any followers of Marcus Borg and his version of “Progressive
Christianity,” which denies the deity and physical, bodily resurrection of
Jesus.  There were pastors on the clergy
roster of the synod in which I served before I retired (Southwest California)
who did not believe in the basic tenants of the historic, orthodox Christian
faith as expressed in the ELCA’s Confession of Faith, but the bishop just
looked the other way.

One
needs to look no further than the signers of the “We Are Naked and Unashamed”
movement to find people who are objecting to – and one can safely assume are
not living up to – the ELCA’s standards and policies for ministers of Word and
Sacrament.  And yet not only are they
allowed to remain on the ELCA clergy roster, they are celebrated, endorsed, two
of them were chosen to be keynote speakers at last summer’s youth gathering,
and in many ways one of them, who openly advocates for “ethically sourced porn”
and sex outside of marriage, has been allowed to become the most prominent,
public spokesperson for the ELCA.

In
a letter to Bishop Eaton I expressed my concerns regarding last summer’s youth
gathering.  She wrote back, “Regarding
the ‘We Are Naked and Unashamed’ movement, it is not an official group or
policy of the ELCA.  I do not wish to
give more attention and credence to a movement that is outside this church’s
social teaching by speaking about it publicly.” 
Again, nothing is being done.  It
is not being addressed.  It is being
allowed to continue and even flourish even though it is in violation of “this
church’s standards and policies for ministers of Word and Sacrament.”

In
their “Pastoral Message”, which was released on March 6, 2019, the ELCA
Conference of Bishops said regarding “Visions and Expectations,” “We recognize
and acknowledge that its application has been uneven and inequitable.”  They ended by saying, “We aspire and pledge
in the future to apply the church’s standards for ministry with equity and
compassion.”  Is your removing Pastor
Shipman from the ELCA’s clergy roster while other people are being allowed to
remain on the roster another example of ELCA standards being applied unevenly
and inequitably?

My
area of concern has to do with the Synod Council’s motion, which you quoted at
the end of your letter, in which the Synod Council expressed its support for any
decision that you would make that would prohibit Pastor Shipman from even
attending a synod function and or event, “especially as a representative of
Lutheran CORE.” 

Is
the Synod Council saying that no representative of Lutheran CORE would be
welcome to attend one of your synod’s functions and or events?  Would I, as Executive Director of Lutheran
CORE and a retired pastor on the ELCA roster, or a pastor or member of a
congregation that is a part of the Upper Susquehanna Synod, also not be welcome
to attend a synod function and or event, such as to set up a display table at a
synod assembly?

Bishop
Eaton began the letter which I previously referred to with these words: “Grace
and peace to you and to our brothers and sisters in Christ who are part of the
Lutheran Coalition for Renewal.”  Pages 19-21
of the “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust” social statement, which was approved
by the 2009 Churchwide Assembly, laid out four different positions on
same-gender relationships and behavior, which the document said are held to by
people “with conviction and integrity.”  The
social statement also said, “This church . . . encourages all people to live
out their faith . . . with profound respect for the conscience-bound belief of
the neighbor.”  That same paragraph ended
by saying, “Regarding our life together as we live with disagreement, the
people in this church will continue to accompany one another in study, prayer,
discernment, pastoral care, and mutual respect.”

The
March 6 “Pastoral Message” from the ELCA Conference of Bishops ends by saying,
“We aspire and pledge in the future . . . to listen and take seriously the concerns
of all our leaders – particularly those who historically have been
marginalized.”  Do the leaders of the
ELCA, including the leaders of the Upper Susquehanna Synod, wish to “listen and
take seriously the concerns of all our leaders” – not just those who are
described as “historically . . 
marginalized,” but also those who are currently the most marginalized –
those with a historic, traditional view?

Thank
you for your leadership in the Upper Susquehanna Synod and your attention to my
confusion and concern.  I will look
forward to receiving your response.

In
Christ,

Dennis
D. Nelson

Executive
Director of Lutheran CORE

Retired
ELCA Pastor

“The cords of death encompassed me and the terrors of Sheol came upon
me; I found distress and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the Lord: “O
Lord, I beseech You, save my life!” Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes,
our God is compassionate.” (Psalm 116:3-5)

As you look out at the state of
the world, you see wickedness and destruction. The Lord is good and rightly to
be praised, but the world is bad and alarming. Come to the Lord while He may be
found and know His mercy and grace which lifts up out of the mire those who
turn to Him. Taste the goodness of the Lord and walk in the way He is calling
you that you may know love and compassion.

Lord, You know the state of my heart and the way of destruction of this
world. You know the confusion and the difficulty it is for sinful humans to
discern between right and wrong. Lift up my countenance to see You through the
haze of this world and know the way of goodness. Save me from the insanity of
this always-sinning generation that I may be lifted up to You forever.

Lord Jesus, You are the way and
there is no other way to move through the cloud of this age. You, the Truth,
have come to lead us in the only way of life worth living. Guide me now and
always that I may walk humbly with You in the salvation You have prepared. Lift
me up to see more clearly this day that by Your grace I may abide with You,
giving praise to the Father and being always thankful. Amen.

“I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because
He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I
live.” (Psalm 116:1-2)

The Lord hears you even when it
is tomorrow, you are speaking and the you who is in this moment does not know
what you are going to say. The Lord hears all that is said and even what is not
said. What a privilege to be in the Lord’s presence and by grace to stand
before Him and praise Him. Come before the Lord with all your heart and praise
the Maker of all things, for He alone is worthy.

Lord, I often live in a world of pretend. I pretend that You are not
listening unless I am specifically speaking to You. I pretend that You have not
answered my prayers. Clear my head and my heart to rejoice in the truth that
You are always listening, not eavesdropping as sinners do, but listening
because You love us. Teach me, O Lord, the way I should go and teach me to
listen to others as You do.

Holy Spirit, every day You are here
and You are listening. Teach me to be aware of all that is around me that I
would not be focused upon myself, but become what You intend. Guide me in the
way of eternal life that I might now and always live into the life of Christ to
which I have been called. Guide me in the way of faith to walk humbly knowing
that You are always with me. Amen.

“He will bless those who fear the Lord, the small together with the great. May the Lord give you increase, you and your children. May you be blessed of the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth. The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, but the earth He has given to the sons of men. The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any who go down into silence; but as for us, we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forever. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 115:13-15)

Be clear on what the Lord has
done. He has placed the earth in our hands and we have made a mess of things. Yet,
He still blesses us. Do not be conformed to the ways of this world, but to the
truth of heaven. The goodness of the Lord is given to those who walk with Him
in faith. Know then that the Lord is good always and He abides with us. Walk in
His presence now and forever.

Lord, help me to see more clearly each day the way things are as I move
away from my pride and humbly submit to You. Guide me in goodness and mercy all
the days of my life. May I learn through the power of the Holy Spirit what it
means to be one who fears You Lord and lives knowing that I am always in Your
presence. Teach me to praise You in every circumstance.

Lord Jesus, You are the bearer of
life and light. Guide me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go that this day
I would come even closer to You. Help me to see Your goodness and mercy and
lift up my countenance to abide with You always. May I learn from You how to
praise You in every circumstance and know that this earth is not my home. You
have called me to my true home with and through You eternally. Amen.

“O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. The
Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of
Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron.” (Psalm 115:10-12)

We think that religious people
are those who trust in the Lord. Some do. Some do not. What people are doing
around you is never really the question. The real question is: are you trusting
in the Lord? He will bless those who draw close to Him. To be a priest means to
draw near to God. It is not a matter of physical birth, but of the birth that
comes through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, grant that I would see the hope You give me in faith. Remove from
my eyes the things that get in the way that I would live into the faith into
which You have called me. Lead me along paths of righteousness for Your name’s
sake that I would live as a priest drawing ever closer to You. Bless me in the
gift of faith You have given that I would live in the hope of salvation and
love my neighbor.

Lord Jesus, You have come humbly
to lead the way. I sometimes mistake the humility for some kind of equality,
but it will never be that. You have taught us to draw close to the Father that
He would draw close to us. Lead me past my own pride to come to the place where
I simply submit to the truth of Your presence and dwell with You all the days
of my life. Amen.

“They have hands, but they cannot feel; they have feet, but they cannot
walk; they cannot make a sound with their throat. Those who make them will
become like them, everyone who trusts in them. O Israel, trust in the Lord; He
is their help and their shield.” (Psalm 115:7-9)

You will become like the god you
worship. Is this not the promise of Scripture that those who live by faith will
become like Jesus? Come into the promise of the Lord and do not linger at the
feet of the dumb idols that every age worships. We have been called to worship
the One through whom all things have their being. Know that life is found only
in the One who created all life.

Lord, so many things get in the way of worshiping You. We long for the things of this world and seek after vain things. Guide me, O Lord, to know that only in You is there hope and a future. Lead me to see that the world chases after the same gods wrapped in different clothing. Help me to be free of the illusions that obscure my sight that I may walk in the light of Your presence always.

Lord Jesus, You have come that we
may have life and have it abundantly. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth
which You established from the beginning that I may walk humbly in Your
presence. Lead me, O Lord, that I may follow. You have promised that I will be
like You. Help me through the hindrances with Your salvation which is offered
to me this day. Amen.

THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

5^th Sunday in Lent, Cycle C (April 7, 2019)

 For the Church, the world, and our poor sinful selves, let us pray to our Lord, who is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

A brief silence

Lord Jesus, when we contemplate your self-sacrificing love for us, we can only repeat the words of two beloved hymns: “Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a tribute far too small. Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!” “Thousand thousand thanks are due, dearest Jesus, unto you!”

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant that your Church should count everything as loss, compared to the surpassing worth of knowing you as Savior, Lord, and God. Fill it with the overwhelming desire to make you known to every sinner throughout the world, until you truly are the “all in all,” for all. Especially we pray for the persecuted Church, and for missionaries and evangelists throughout the world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Strengthen and guide this congregation in faithful worship, loving fellowship, generous outreach, and holy living. Make this place a true sanctuary, a place of refreshment and refuge for souls battered by sin, sorrow, and suffering.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those preparing for Baptism at Eastertide; for everyone seeking to renew their relationship with you; and for all pastors, congregations, and ministries in the midst of transition. Be their companion and guide along their pilgrim path; refresh them with the joy of your saving help; and bless them with your lovingkindness.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give peace, justice, health and safety to every nation, especially our own. Grant wisdom and integrity to all who have been entrusted with authority and power, especially our elected and appointed leaders. Teach us to love one another through deeds of mercy and words of understanding.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

There are so many people who hunger for healing and thirst for reconciliation; who long for encouragement and seek understanding; who desire forgiveness, comfort, faith, and hope. Refresh them in the wilderness of their suffering, dear Lord – especially those we lift before you now {List}.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

In gratitude and hope, we entrust our beloved dead into your keeping, dear Lord. Bestow the Holy Spirit, the Comforter upon us all, especially upon all who mourn. Through the same Spirit’s power and gifts, grant that throughout our life, we may know you, O Christ, and the power of your resurrection. Give us grace to share in your suffering. Claim us as your own, clothe us with your righteousness, and, of your mercy, welcome us and all whom you have redeemed into your Father’s  everlasting Kingdom.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear us, dear Lord; and answer our prayers according to your will, to your glory and for the benefit of the people you long to save.

Amen.

“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of man’s hands. They have
mouths, but they cannot speak; they have eyes, but they cannot see; they have
ears, but they cannot hear; they have noses, but they cannot smell;” (Psalm
115:2-6)

Technology is an idol of this
age. Sports and entertainment are idols of this age. We have many things that people
worship and where does it get them? These things consume our time and take our
minds off higher things. We listen to these dead gods and think that in them is
life. Life comes only from the One who has created life. Come to the Lord and
know that He alone is good and worthy.

Lord, clear my mind to see more clearly the truth that tools we have
created answer no questions of meaning . Guide me in the way I should go that I
would not be caught up in the nonsensical thinking of this world. You alone
give life. Lead me to see that in You alone is meaning, hope and the only
future that is good.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead
me into an abundant life. Teach me what I need to know that I may see more
clearly the state of this world. Help me now and always to see through what
this world offers that I may not fall prey to the false gods of this age. They
are unthinking and uncaring. You alone have the words of eternal life. Lead me
ever closer to You my Savior. Amen.

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory because of
Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth. Why should the nations say, “Where,
now, is their God?” But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.”
(Psalm 115:1-3)

The battle in the world is easy
to see. There are those who know that the Lord God made all things and that
honor and glory belong to Him. Then, there are those who are vying for honor to
get glory for themselves. You see it all around you. Which of these people will
you be? To whom shall you render honor and glory? The Lord alone is worthy of
all honor and praise.

Lord teach me where I am caught up in the nonsense of this age. Lead me
away from the way of the world to see things as they always have been. You are
unchanging, gracious and merciful. In Your mercy, open my eyes to see and my
ears to hear the immutable truth that You alone are beyond the ages and yet You
have made Yourself known to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.

Lord Jesus, You have come that we
may see the light and come into a life of praise and worship. Lead me, O Lord,
to the place where, in spite of the noise of the wicked, I live in praise and
worship of You in eternal Trinity. Guide my thoughts and actions to reflect a
life of praise and worship. May I abide in You knowing that in You alone is the
hope of the ages. Amen.

“Tremble, O earth, before the Lord, before the God of Jacob, who turned
the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a fountain of water.” (Psalm
114:7-8)

Those who contend with the Lord
should tremble before Him. It is not a matter of making peace with the Lord,
but accepting the peace He offers. Come into the salvation that belongs to
those who trust in the Lord above all things. Fear not the things of the earth,
but the One who made all things. He who made the rocks is the rock upon which
faith is built and life is lived.

Come then and stop pretending that you have reason to negotiate with
the Lord. He made you and knows you. He knows what you are made of and what He
intends with your life. Come and lay down your arms of hostility and live into
the life which He offers. He is the Lord and great to save those who come to
Him. Know that the Lord offers life and liberty to those who fear Him.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead
the way that this day I may know that You have come in love to those who fear
You. Guide me, O Lord, in the grace You give that I may abide now and always in
the love You offer. You are the love of the Father which has come in human form
to shower upon us the truth of the ages. Lead me, O Lord, in the way You would
have me go that I may go in Your grace. Amen.