This is a very sad article for me, because I know several of the signers of this “declaration”, and I know some of them well. The ELCA used to have a core of conservative Christian leaders who were respected even outside of the ELCA, plus a large number (perhaps a majority) of conservative laity. Those days are long gone.
Since being received into the Orthodox Church in 2008, my former ELCA parish has gone from bad to worse. It is now a haven for “gay couples”, some with children, and has at least one vocal transgendered member. It also has had muslim spokespeople in to practice “da’wa” (i.e., propaganda), in one case with youth without adult supervision. The pastor has also become a vocal supporter of the most radical muslims.
Of course, that parish, or almost any ELCA parish, can hardly expect to maintain its numbers by taking in moderate-to-conservative Christians. So it has to turn to gaysbians and flaming liberals to stay in “business”.
The parish seems to be a success. It has completed a major renovation, and has had a modest increase in members. However, worship attendance has declined to 29%, and no youth have been confirmed since 2007, when only one was.
Meanwhile, of members removed since 2008, NO ONE was counted as removed via transfer to another parish. People who are removed either die, or else fall into the category of “Other & Statistical Adjustment”. That included yours truly, who left to become what I already was in my heart, an Orthodox Christian! Some “statistical adjustment”!!!! I wonder whether any others of the “statistical adjustments” left to join other churches that would be equally embarrassing to report to the current ELCA establishment!
It is one thing to stay “in business” by catering to gaysbians and hipsters. But what about being faithful to our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ? ELCA liberals are deluding themselves into thinking that they are operating “successful” parishes, while the entire liberal protestant community comes crashing down around them!
There are many real Christians who feel “stuck” in the ELCA. Some of them have Orthodox hearts, and belong in the Orthodox Church. In any event, anyone who feels that they are “stuck” and cannot move need to (by the help of God) get free from the shackles that Satan has bound them in, and leave the ELCA ASAP!!!! It is crucial for their salvation, and for the salvation of their loved ones!!!!
We publish our yearly budget and we don't contribute to the ELCA, and we don't take their blood money either. We have year round missions thanks to a great leadership team, great volunteers and the benefit of being in one of the wealthiest suburbs of Chicago. I'm not on staff anymore but from what I've been hearing from some on the Pastoral team is the ELCA is angry, but don't want to boot us for fear of losing our numbers!!!
It's funny because one of our Pastors is very close to my family and he is probably just as conservative as everyone else here. He absolutely despises the ELCA, but is tied to our church due to friends and family. That is the benefit of being self-sufficient. If however, things changed and money of ours flowed to Hanson's propaganda I will leave the church immediately.