Free Republic

Fishers Saturday morning Saturday began with Holy Communion, presided over by Paull Spring, with Jaynan Eglund preaching. She began with a few comments about the CWA, explaining that she wanted to get the speech out of the way before preaching the Word of God. Her sermon was rousing (though I must admit it left me wondering how it would have been different if it were a speech; in conversation with others, the terms “angry” and “unhelpful” came up). The service went 15 minutes longer than scheduled—something that could have been avoided if (a) the hymns had been played at a...

New rules about gay clergy have boosted interest in Lutheran CORE group's national meeting: They'll discuss leaving the ELCA. If the largest Lutheran church body in North America splits over a recent controversial vote on gay clergy, the foundation likely will be laid this weekend.Opponents of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's recent vote to permit gay ministers are meeting in Indianapolis, where the No. 1 item on the agenda is: "A possible reconfiguration of North American Lutheranism."Organizers of the annual Lutheran CORE meeting were unprepared for the huge response, finally capping attendance after 1,200 people signed up -- far...

September 4, 2009 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This is an exciting and hopeful time for confessional Lutherans in North America. I am glad to report that in the past couple weeks we have received an incredible outpouring of support for Lutheran CORE's ministries and plans for the future. People and churches are joining at a rate with which we can barely keep pace. During the churchwide assembly and after we have made connections with important leaders of other Lutheran groups in the ELCA and beyond. We are most encouraged by these responses. We look forward to being with...

Lindenhurst Meeting Report Oct. 5, 2007 When 250 people gather from around the country, mostly at their own expense, to consider a topic such as "'This Church' and God's Church," one might assume that they see a difference between those two. Hence, participants at Lutheran CORE's national gathering at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Lindenhurst, Ill., on Sept. 28, reflected on ways they believe the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is not being faithful as God's Church, and how they can testify about God's call to the ELCA to practice obedient discipleship. Meet the Leaders Pastor Erma Wolf, vice-chair of...