ELCA Vice President Addresses Dissatisfaction with Assembly Decisions

ELCA News Service ^ | 26 October AD 2009 | Staff

[lightman]

ELCA Vice President Addresses Dissatisfaction with Assembly Decisions

09-236-FI

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Carlos Peña, vice president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), wrote an Oct. 23 letter to the church's 4.6 million members, asking them to consider actions of the ELCA's 2009 Churchwide Assembly "as a catalyst to further strengthen our church and our relationships with each other."

Peña related his experiences of devastation after Hurricane Ike struck his hometown of Galveston, Texas, in September 2008. "One year later, I can see the benefits of this experience," he wrote. "Galveston is coming back stronger than before and welcoming citizens and businesses, both old and new."

"I feel as though I have experienced a resurrection. Good things are coming to light out of the chaos and darkness of what seemed like a hopeless situation," Peña wrote.

The assembly adopted a social statement on human sexuality, and it adopted proposals to change ELCA ministry policies, including a change to make it possible for Lutherans in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous same-gender relationships to serve as ELCA associates in ministry, clergy, deaconesses and diaconal ministers.

Peña's letter responded to reports of dissatisfaction with the assembly actions from some in the ELCA. Some members have talked about leaving the church, and some say they are thinking of stopping their donations to the church.

"I have lived through vast changes and come out better and stronger for it," Peña wrote. "I know with all my heart that, with diligence and hard work, we can come through this together as a renewed church, boldly proclaiming God's mission for the sake of the world," he said.

Peña reminded ELCA members of the work their dollars do through the church. "Working together, we help alleviate hunger close to home and abroad. Without our help, people around the world would have a harder time recuperating from disasters. They need us and we need each other," he wrote.

"I pray for the continuing efforts of the ELCA, my understanding of people different from me, and the future, though sometimes it is hard to predict. And I pray for my fellow Lutherans that they may have the strength to commit and weather the storm," Peña concluded.

The 2009 Churchwide Assembly elected Peña to a second six-year term as ELCA vice president, the highest office a layperson holds in the church, and he chairs the ELCA Church Council. He is president of two companies in the Galveston and Houston areas.

-- -- -- The full text of Carlos Peña's letter is at http://bit.ly/nNgvG on the ELCA Web site.

For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog

[lightman]

"Working together, we help alleviate hunger close to home and abroad. Without our help, people around the world would have a harder time recuperating from disasters. They need us and we need each other,"

And ELCA congregations can continue to "work together" in these areas by redirecting money that would have simply gone into the (cess)pool called "Mission Support" to designated giving for Lutheran World Relief and Lutheran Disaster Response.

You don't have to give to Higgins Road in order to support the mission of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church!

[lightman]

Lutheran (EL C S*A) Ping!

* as of August 19, AD 2009, a liberal protestant SECT, not part of the holy, catholic and apostolic CHURCH.

[firebasecody]

One of the reasons that I left the Lutheran Church. It was becoming Lutheran Lite.

[DManA]

I can’t believe that the people who supported the motion to celebrate homosex weren’t told that they could expect a significant reduction in giving if it passed. But they have priorities that take precedence over helping the poor.

[PhilCollins]

I know an ELCA member who supports ordaining gays, although she knew that some churches would leave, if the CWA passed that resolution. She told me, “Churches should conform to society.” I said, “No, society should change, to obey the Bible.” We argued for about a half-hour, but she didn’t change her mind.

[DManA]

The only two pieces of advice concerning moral living coming from ELCA churches are

1. Give more money
2. Homosexuality is a gift - go for it and we will celebrate it with you.

[so_real]

Peña reminded ELCA members of the work their dollars do through the church. "Working together, we help alleviate hunger close to home and abroad. Without our help, people around the world would have a harder time recuperating from disasters. They need us and we need each other," he wrote.

What an over-inflated sense of self-worth! Please! Does Peña truly believe that those leaving the ELCA would not join another church body and continue good works elsewhere? Moron. God administers to the hungry through what means He chooses. If the ELCA chooses not to be a vessel for that use, so be it. But to say God won't provide if not through the ELCA is preposterous and contemptible.

[Nosterrex]

The Church is more than a charitable organization. If that is all that the Church stands for, just join the Red Cross. Who needs the Church? This is the ONLY excuse/reason for the existence of the ELCA. The Church used to be about proclaiming the Gospel and teaching how to lead a God-pleasing life. The ELCA is a gloried “meals on wheels.”

[RinaseaofDs]

“They need us, and we need each other.”

Only half right. They may indeed need us (the poor), but for them to make this policy change knowing what the ramifications were going to be, they had to know that the apostates need us for funding, but we have other options.

[hinckley buzzard]

The homosexual lobby that seized control of the ELCA has been reliably rumored to have decided ahead of time, that a 20% loss of members was an acceptable price to pay for the inclusion of sodomite preachers and their followers. They allegedly were foolish enough to believe that an incoming tide of perverts would make up for it with increased giving.

A glance at the pathetic fate of TEC would have disabused them of this pipedream, but the "revisionists" like most liberals have a stubborn aversion to facing reality. Sadly, the ELCA will die for their sins.

[gogeo]

Peña related his experiences of devastation after Hurricane Ike struck his hometown of Galveston, Texas, in September 2008. "One year later, I can see the benefits of this experience," he wrote. "Galveston is coming back stronger than before and welcoming citizens and businesses, both old and new."

There's a difference, of course...the people of Galveston were helpless victims of an act of God.

The problems and headaches the ELCA leadership is whining about are entirely self-inflicted.

Carlos Peña, vice president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), wrote an Oct. 23 letter to the church's 4.6 million members, asking them to consider actions of the ELCA's 2009 Churchwide Assembly "as a catalyst to further strengthen our church and our relationships with each other."

Why?

[MinuteGal]

"One of the reasons that I left the Lutheran Church. It was becoming Lutheran Lite."

I hope you weren't including the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church as "Lutheran Lite".

As a baptized and confirmed conservative Missouri Synod member I consider my church organization and doctrine to be strong, nourishing, substantial, clear, refreshing...... and blessed with a good head.

Prosit!

Leni

[Elsiejay]

Jesus died on Calvary’s cross in order to inspire his followers to do all they can to alleviate physcial biological hunger. During countless Bible study sessions over the past several decades I have somehow failed to apprehend this basic truth. Thank you, Rev. Pena.

[lightman]

I share your cynicism, but please remember that Carlos Pena is a layman.

[javachip]

"I know with all my heart that, with diligence and hard work, we can come through this together as a renewed church, boldly proclaiming God's mission for the sake of the world," he said.

Mr. Peña is right about this. The problem is he and other ELCSA* leaders have opted to proclaim leftist society's mission, not God's. Until that changes, there can be no renewal of this church.

* Revised ELCA abbreviation stolen from lightman without permission :)

[From The Deer Stand]

We argued for about a half-hour, but she didn’t change her mind.

Is she preparing her arguments pleading her case for entry into Heaven while standing at the Pearly Gates?

[WashingtonSource]

The ELCA Assembly’s decision was a destructive as a powerful hurricane. Is that what he said?

[aliquando]

You won.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

We left the ELCA many years ago for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. There is Lutheran and then there is LUTHERAN. The ELCA is not Lutheran.

[PhilCollins]

Yes, she’s probably going to argue with St. Peter. She’ll probably say that, since Jesus didn’t tell us to disriminate, against gays, we should ordain gays and hold gay weddings.