June 1, 2005
Dear Members and Friends of Zion:
After much prayer and discussion over several years the Church Council, Pastor Chancellor, and six of our retired pastors unanimously believe that it is imperative we immediately explore the possibility of affiliating with another Lutheran denomination. We believe that, while there are many good things about the ELCA, the denomination as a whole has moved too far away from our Christian values and Lutheran heritage, which we so highly esteem.
To that end, the Church Council respectfully proposes, for the purpose of discussion and consideration, the following resolutions:
Be it resolved, that Zion Lutheran Church of Kerrville, Texas end its affiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Be it further resolved, that Zion Lutheran Church of Kerrville, Texas affiliate with the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ.
To this end, the following dates have been scheduled:
Sunday, June 5th at 1:30 p.m. - Congregational Open Forum
Monday, June 13th at 6:30 p.m. - Congregational Open Forum
Wednesday, June 22nd at Noon - Congregational Open Forum
Sunday, June 26th at 12:15 p.m. - Congregational Meeting and Vote
Over the last 104 years, Zion has been affiliated with approximately five different Lutheran denominations. In 1988 Zion joined the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) which is a union between three former North American Lutheran church denominations: The American Lutheran Church (ALC), the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, and the Lutheran Church in America.
In a general comparison of the ELCA to the ALC, to which Zion previously belonged, the ALC was a more congregationally based denomination having district presidents rather than bishops, and the ALC was also more oriented toward the authority of scripture and our Lutheran Confessions (statements about our basic Christian beliefs) than is the ELCA.
Lacking strong Christian leadership and clear direction, the ELCA has shrunk in size by half a million members in less than sixteen years. Many in the ELCA believe that a growing disregard for scriptural authority in matters of faith and life is the core problem within the ELCA. Various churches and church groups have tried to reform the ELCA from within, but to no avail.
Actually, the drift from scriptural authority and our Lutheran heritage has only increased in the last few years. A few examples:
Movement toward hierarchy and episcopacy: Pastors must now be ordained by a Lutheran bishop who has been "ordained" by at least three other bishops, one of whom must be an Episcopalian. This move to a hierarchical system of church leadership (called the episcopacy) whereby pastors and bishops claim their priestly function has more validity because they have been touched by a bishop who has been touched by other priests all the way back to the Apostle Peter himself, is contrary to the biblical and Lutheran understanding of the priesthood of all believers. While a majority of our congregations and 65 synods were against taking on the episcopacy, nevertheless, on the third attempt, it was approved at the national level. The Conference of Bishops, a non-legislative body of our denomination, pressed for the episcopacy and is increasingly becoming a ruling body within the church, moving us further away from our ALC roots and the biblical principle of the priesthood of all believers.
Joining forces with some of the fastest declining liberal-protestant denominations in the country: While it is important for all Christian denominations and individual Christians to work together wherever and whenever possible for the common good of the Church universal, the ELCA has entered into agreements with other denominations such as the United Church of Christ, Episcopal Church USA, Presbyterian Church USA, and United Methodist Church. ELCA churches can now call a pastor who has never had any Lutheran training or certification. While this is rare, it’s a good indicator of things to come, the merger of declining denominations into liberal, quasi-protestant denominations. And while there are many devout Christians and well qualified pastors outside of the ELCA, some of the denominations with which we've entered into agreements are way outside our Lutheran understanding of Word and Sacrament. Two of American Lutheranism's most respected Lutheran scholars, Jim Nestingen and Gerhard Forde, recently sent a letter to all ELCA congregations declaring that the ELCA was in a state of "confessional crisis".
Rapid acceptance of homosexuality: Major portions of the ELCA fully accept homosexual behavior, blessing of homosexual unions, and the ordination of practicing homosexuals. All of these are merely symptomatic of a deeper problem within the ELCA, drifting away from scriptural authority. Even our national youth organization (LYO) has officially endorsed all sexual orientations (including bi-sexuality and trans-genderism) for sexual behavior, marriage, and ordination. The ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries has included a "genderless" marriage rite in the upcoming new hymnal. And in the last few months the Conference of Bishops (by a vote of 36 for, 26 against), the national Church Council (by a vote of 32 for, 2 against), and our current national Presiding Bishop have strongly endorsed allowing practicing homosexuals to serve as pastors. Augsburg Fortress, the official publishing house of the ELCA, and other divisions within the ELCA regularly promote the gay agenda while restricting the publishing and distribution of traditional orthodox teachings on sexuality. Our own synod is a member of the Reconciling in Christ network, an advocacy organization which works for the full acceptance of all sexual orientations in all aspects of the Church, to include trans-genderism. Also, Lutherans Concerned, a homosexual lobby, is now a formally recognized organization of the ELCA and eligible for grants. The new sexual ethic being promoted within the ELCA and even by a former national Presiding Bishop is that any "flavor" of sexuality is OK as long as the participants are "loving" and "committed" when they do whatever they do. The largest ELCA seminary, with the knowledge of the school president, recently sent a trans-gendered seminarian on internship to an ELCA church led by a lesbian pastor. This "whatever" attitude about sexuality is what led a jury in Marshall, Texas to award approximately sixty million dollars to the plaintiffs in a multiple-child molestation civil case which proved that an ELCA seminary, a synodical candidacy committee, and a pastoral assistant to the bishop of North Texas, all did nothing to prevent a known predatory pedophile from serving in the ELCA. Our Division for Outreach has actually encouraged churches to fly a rainbow flag as an evangelistic tool to show solidarity with the gay movement.
Pushing a political agenda: The Lutheran Governmental Office (LGO) in Washington D.C., an official office of the ELCA, regularly takes public positions on behalf of the entire ELCA, even when there is no consensus within the Church. For instance, the LGO has decreed that we are against any legislation restricting marriage to be between one man and one woman, any privatization of Social Security accounts, or stopping illegal immigration from Mexico. By promoting one political agenda over another, whether liberal or conservative, Republican or Democrat, the LGO confuses the gospel of Jesus Christ with personal political opinion.
No denomination can be perfect, but it is clear that the ELCA has little in common with Zion's 104 years of faithful Lutheran heritage. If the membership of Zion votes to affiliate with another Lutheran denomination, it won't be that Zion is leaving the ELCA; it will simply be an acknowledgement that the ELCA has already left Zion.
Questions and Answers
In summary, what are our options?
What denomination would we join?
We recommend joining Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC). LCMC is a new and rapidly growing denomination of like minded Lutheran congregations, mostly from the former ALC, who are accountable to one another, rooted in the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions, and working together to fulfill Christ's Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations. More information on LCMC can be found at www.lcmc.net
What is the process of leaving the ELCA?
Our constitution states, "Severance of membership in the ELCA shall require a two-thirds majority ballot vote of all voting members present and voting at a legally called and conducted meeting of Zion Lutheran. Such a decision shall not be effective until at least ninety days after the synod bishop has been notified and until the initial action has been ratified by a two-thirds majority ballot at a subsequent legally called and conducted meeting of Zion Lutheran." Basically, it requires a two-thirds majority, on two written ballots, at two separately called congregational meetings for Zion to end our affiliation with the ELCA.
By changing affiliation, are we saying that homosexuals are not welcome at Zion?
Absolutely not! We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. Yet, because we desire to love all people as Christ loved us, neither will we encourage or bless homosexual behavior or any other sinful behavior. People struggling with homosexuality need healthy Christian friendship and support, not rejection.
Can we keep our property?
Absolutely! Unlike congregations in many other denominations, Lutheran congregations own their property.
Will the pensions of our retired pastors, spouses, widows, or Pastor Chancellor be affected by our withdrawal?
Not at all. We have it in writing.
If we drop our affiliation with the ELCA, won't some of our members leave?
Hopefully no one will leave, but a few might leave. On the other hand, we have already lost members because of the ELCA and will lose even more in the future if we don't sever our ties with the ELCA.
Will the synod or Bishop Ray Tiemann try to stop us from leaving?
There is nothing the bishop can actually do other than through persuasion and direct mailing to the members. When St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bulverde voted last month to drop its affiliation with the ELCA by a 95% majority vote, Bishop Tiemann was only kind and gracious.
Aren’t unity and love more important than any disagreement we might have?
Unity is important, but not more than scriptural integrity. There comes a time when enough is enough. If the leadership of the ELCA were truly concerned about Christian unity, they would have never pulled the divisive maneuvers they've orchestrated over the last decade. A wise Lutheran pastor once answered this question: No, my dear man, do not recommend to me peace and unity when thereby God's Word is lost, for then eternal life and everything else would be lost. In this matter there can be no yielding nor giving way, no, not for love of you or any other person, but everything must yield to the Word, whether it be friend or foe. The Word was given unto us for eternal life and not to further outward peace and unity. The Word and doctrine will create Christian unity or fellowship. Where they reign all else will follow. Where they are not, no concord will ever abide. Therefore do not talk to me about love and friendship, if that means breaking with the Word.... - by Martin Luther, 1531 (WA 3411-387).
Will we need to change our constitution?
Upon completion of the second vote to end our affiliation with the ELCA, Zion would need to slightly adapt the constitution to reflect our new affiliation.
What impact will our change in affiliation have on our relationship with Camp Chrysalis and Camp Ebert?
Camp Chrysalis and Camp Ebert are owned by the churches of the Southwestern Texas Synod of the ELCA. Although we would no longer own l/160th of the two camps, the camps are open to use by all, regardless of religious affiliation. In addition, Zion would be able to continue to provide financial support to the camps.
Will the people of Zion still have a way to extend relief and support to others around the world, especially through Lutheran World Relief (LWR)?
LWR is a global ministry that works on behalf of the ELCA, LCMS, and other denominations as a common expression of our faith through international relief and development. LWR is not an ELCA organization. Zion will be able to continue to send financial support directly to LWR as well as our quilts, health kits, etc...
How will our WELCA groups be affected?
The women's groups can continue to use WELCA materials, but they'll probably want to change the name of their organization. In addition, Zion is free to associate with other churches in the area, including ELCA congregations, to conduct joint ministries and studies.
What about the congregations we are helping support in Eagle Pass and Laredo?
As a community of faith, we may continue to send financial and other support to the missions in Eagle Pass and Laredo. Both congregations are currently struggling with the same issues regarding the ELCA, but since they are newer and have received financial support from the ELCA, it is difficult for them to take a formal action based on national issues without risking loss of their property and being required to find new facilities and furnishings.
Will this change our benevolence spending?
In the 2004 budget, we shifted our financial benevolence away from the synod and national office to specific local, national, and international causes. No changes would be needed.
How will this impact our relationship with Texas Lutheran University?
TLU accepts students regardless of religious affiliation. In addition, Zion, as a Lutheran congregation, is still eligible to participate in the Congregational Aid Program which, based on donations from the congregation, offers financial assistance to students from the congregation who attend the university.
Where will we get our Sunday school curriculum, devotional materials and other educational resources?
We use very few Augsburg Fortress Press (ELCA) materials. In today's world, multiple publishing houses and resources are available and readily accessible for our use, including resources from Augsburg Fortress Press. The criterion used when we consider any materials for use at Zion will be that they are true to scripture and our confessions.
What about the youth and future gatherings and trips?
There are literally hundreds of high quality youth gatherings that we can attend. The mission trip last year to Arizona and this year to Los Angeles were arranged through YouthWorks, a multi-denominational ministry dedicated to providing resources that enable churches to do life-changing youth ministry and mission work.
How will Zion get pastors in the future?
Currently, the LCMC has a roster of pastors available for call, and is establishing quality seminary programs to develop future pastoral candidates.
Do we have any loans, insurance, medical plans or any other administrative issues that might be impacted?
No.
Will this change what we are all about at Zion?
There is no reason to think that it should. Actually, it will only reinforce what Zion has been about for the last 104 years. As Luther succinctly put it:
faith alone, grace alone, scripture alone
Please prayerfully ask for God’s guidance in these matters. And during our deliberations in the coming weeks, may we be gracious and respectful of one another in all matters.