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A Time of Great Opportunity
The Lutheran confessional movement in America is today presented with a remarkable opportunity for revitalization and growth. The Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Texas (ELST), originally founded in 1851 in Houston, is now being re-established to lead the renewal of American Lutheranism, by example.
Overcoming Division
For centuries the promise of Lutheranism on North American soil has been thwarted by needless and often petty divisiveness. Despite the 20th-century achievement of the unification of hundreds of independent synods (including those of German, Norwegian or Swedish ethnic origin, those established before or after the Civil War, those from the North, South or Midwest, and so forth) into a small number of church bodies, the dawn of the 21st century has brought a new round of discord which threatens to splinter American Lutheranism again. Recent action by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) allowing the ordination of clergy who are in lifelong, monogamous, same-gender sexual relationships now threatens to set off a new round of splintering and disunity.
No Place in the Middle
Looking at the role of women in the Church, for example: in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS), women cannot be ordained and in many congregations cannot even vote or teach men. In the ELCA, women are given quotas for leadership at all levels, except of course in congregations. Neither of these extremes represents the vast majority of American Lutherans in the pews, who accept women in the pulpit and in leadership, but see no need for quotas of any sort at any level. These American Lutherans find increasingly that they have no church home. Is it any wonder that over the past ten years American Lutheranism has lost over 700,000 members, almost ¾ of this loss in the ELCA? The situation is even worse in Texas, where Lutheran church membership has declined from 3% to 1% of the population in just several decades. Since the creation of the ELCA in 1988, its membership in Texas has actually declined, and new mission starts in growing communities have become rare.
Unless something changes, Lutheranism in America, and in Texas, will continue to decline. And no greater mistake can be made than to suppose that Lutherans can retreat into their congregations and stick their heads in the sand. The vitality and even the survival of local congregations depends in no small measure on the viability of the denomination of which they are a part. Look, for example, at the former Evangelical Synod congregations in Texas which are now a part of the dying United Church of Christ. What one will see is a lot of lights being turned off and doors being locked. This must not become the fate of the Lutheran church.
The Promise of the Future
Lutheranism in America, and in Texas, can become a growing, thriving movement again only if confessional Lutherans, not bound to the extremes of left or right, join together in a God-pleasing church which confesses the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in accordance with the historic doctrine and biblical teachings of the symbolic books of the Lutheran church. These doctrines not only preclude the ordination of practicing gays, but also command an open, loving church consumed by passion for the Gospel, and the care of all people and all creation. Some call such a church and people Lutheran traditionalists.
What Must Be Done
Lutheran traditionalists must work through and resolve their differences and go forward on a united, positive basis. There is every reason to believe that the splintering apart of American Lutherans into a variety of small denominations will not be effective. If history repeats itself, there would likely be further splintering in the future.
This is difficult work. It requires not just ‘servanthood,’ but also ‘serpenthood’; that is, focused thinking and good strategy. Lutheran traditionalists range from Pietists to Evangelical Catholics, Midwesterners to Easterners, Southerners to Texans, and everything in between. They must agree on what is important, and find structures that bring together the strengths of their traditions. Some have said this is like herding cats. And time is of the essence.
What the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Texas Will Do
Lutheran traditionalists in Texas include every strand represented in the country. The ELST is being formed to “think globally, and act locally,” to lead by example. The goal is to get Lutheran traditionalists in Texas together in one boat, and show that these issues can be worked through, unity on essentials can be achieved, and the Church among us can be set on a positive, open and expanding course. What a gift that Texans are bound together by seemingly limitless good will and optimism, and can put these attributes to work on behalf of Lutheran Christians all across America.
Some have already decided to leave the ELCA, some may intend to stay,
and many are unsure which way to jump. The ELST will function as a synod in formation, comprising congregations which retain their status within the ELCA or other existing denominations (such as the LCMC or the UCC, for example), or independent congregations. Congregations may first become “Participating Congregations” by Congregation Council action, or later “Member Congregations” by action at a meeting of the congregation. A structure will be provided for participation by individuals who are in other congregations as well.
After a period of discernment, the shape of the future will emerge. Traditional Lutherans may find themselves in a new synod, or in a special synod within the ELCA, or perhaps held together in some structure encompassing both.
But the Lutheran confessional movement will not have splintered apart, or disintegrated, or turned anxious or even bitter, and will have begun to achieve its destiny on North American soil.
Questions and Answers
Q: Is the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Texas (ELST) a new Lutheran denomination?
A: No. For now the ELST will provide a structure within which Lutheran congregations from the ELCA and any other church body will work in unity to discern their future paths.
Q: Will congregations have to leave the ELCA or their synod to join ELST?
A: No. They will remain where they are.
Q: Why is this synod being formed in Texas and not the entire United States?
A: The ELST is in formation at present, a work in progress. Its intention is to seek unity among Lutherans who sense alienation from their respective denominational affiliations and want to return to more traditional Lutheran doctrines and values. The ELST is meant to be a model for the entire church on how this goal might be accomplished.
Q: Is this not just another split within Lutheranism?
A: No. The split already exists in the minds and hearts of many Lutherans. The ELST is an effort to preserve unity around traditional Lutheranism.
Q: When will bishops in the ELCA learn of the ELST?
A: They have already been advised and will be kept fully abreast of all developments. The ELST will have total transparency with the whole church, including other existing denominations.
Q: Is the ELST limited to ELCA congregations?
A: No. The only criterion for affiliation is an affirmation of traditional Lutheranism.
Q: Will the ELST welcome both Lutheran pietists and those who regard themselves as Evangelical Catholics and also those in between?
A: Yes. It will be a synod that is inclusive of ‘high,’ ‘middle,’ and ‘low’ churches.
Q: Is the ELST merely a reaction to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly’s adoption of the Statement on Sexuality?
A: Not at all. The adoption of the Statement on Sexuality is only a symptom of a far greater crisis in Lutheranism. The vast majority of Texan and American Lutherans desire a more centrist Lutheran tradition that avoids the extremes of harsh legalism and an undisciplined drift toward a purely social Gospel.
Q: How is the ELST funded?
A: Participating and Member Congregations are encouraged to redirect one half of benevolence moneys otherwise sent to their synods to the ELST, on the condition that this accomplish a dollar for dollar reduction in the amount sent to the ELCA. Congregations may find ways to fund specific ELCA ministries which they wish to support. Individuals and congregations may also direct contributions to the ELST. See the website.
Q: Does the ELST have a Confessional Statement?
A: Yes. The provisional Confessional Statement consists of a Confession of Faith, a Statement as to the Nature of the Church and Affirmations. See the website.
Q: How does a congregation or individual join the ELST?
A: A congregation may become a Participating Congregation by action of its Church Council, and may become a Member Congregation effective March 1, 2010, by action taken at a congregational meeting. For this and other information, go to the website,
www.elstx.org
The Prayer of the Church
Most gracious Father, we humbly beseech thee for thy holy catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where anything is amiss, reform it; where it is right, strengthen and confirm it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided and rent asunder, heal the breaches thereof, O thou Holy One of Israel; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
September 24, 2009