though he advanced the Lavender Mafia cause
while denouncing traditionalists.
ALPB Forum:
The latest item on the ELCA News Release is "ELCA Worshiping Communities Intent about being Welcoming" (full story can be found at http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4528).
It concerns two new worshipping communities, Elk River Lutheran, Elk River, Minnesota, and Lord of Love! Lutheran in Galena, Illinois. Both "worshipping communities" are the result of members leaving a congregation that has voted to leave the ELCA. But wait! It turns out that the Lord of Love folks have left St. Matthew Lutheran in Galena, which has NOT taken any vote to leave the ELCA! Pastor Baltz from St. Matthew Lutheran is quoted in the article as saying, "We had small group discussions after the assembly, and the result of those was that the consensus was that we would take no action to leave the ELCA at this time." However, some folks were unhappy at St. Matthew, so they began their own "worshipping community" with the help of the synod bishop, Rev. Gary Wollersheim, who is quoted as saying, "Our synod council set a goal to be supportive of those who want to stay in the ELCA while their congregations are in the process of leaving."
In other words, the Bishop of the Northern Illinois Synod has helped to organize a "worshipping community" just a few blocks from an established ELCA congregation consisting of disgruntled members of that congregation, even while that established congregation has stated that they have no plans to leave the ELCA, have not taken any vote to leave the ELCA, and continue to be a viable congregation in good standing in the synod. Furthermore, it is the hope that this "worshipping community" may "become a new mission start". For those who are looking for an example of schismatic action, here it is, carried out by a bishop of the ELCA! And lying about the actions of the congregation he is undermining in the process...
There are other troubling things about this news release, but this is so blatant it makes the rest of it seem tame.
Marshall Hahn
***
GJ - This same serpentine bishop organized a group from Faith Lutheran in Moline, called SavingFaith, to oppose the exit from ELCA and to take away the congregation's name. In other words, he did his best to polarize one of his own congregations...twice.
I give Lord of Love five stars for having a suggestive name. What ever happened to the "love that dare not speak its name"? Now it is the love that will not stop yakking.
