Eric (a good friend) presents a false dichotomy in an otherwise fine reflection.
There is absolutely nothing improper--indeed, nothing could be more proper--with conformity to the one holy, catholic, and apostolic church, to the historic creeds and Councils, and to the witness of the early Fathers.
Of course, that is not the conformity which he has in mind. Nevertheless, may the ELCA REFORM in order to CONFORM to the apostolic faith!
Are you or were you ELCA? I was a member of ELCA churches since the merger of 1989. Because of this year’s gay vote, I started attending a Missouri Synod church. My dad is a retired ELCA pastor, and my parents will probably join a Missouri Synod church.