From ELCA:
As of June 3, we have been advised that 419 congregations have taken first votes to terminate their relationship with the ELCA (some congregations have taken more than one first vote). Of these 419 congregations that have taken first votes, 283 passed and 136 failed. Synods also have informed the Office of the Secretary that 161 congregations have taken a second vote, 140 of which passed and 21 failed.
One of the ELCA liberals is gloating that so few congregations have voted and left, and that two different new church bodies have formed.
Here is another perspective - mine - which is far more sagacious, not a bunch of wishful thinking:
1. The largest congregations are the ones voting to leave. They also give the most benevolence money to ELCA.
2. Even a failed vote to leave means the congregation is divided.
3. The process has revealed the true nature of ELCA leaders, such as Ghoulish Gary, the bullying bishop in Northern Illinois.
4. When people jump from a burning hot-air balloon, it rises even faster. Stay with me on this. As members and pastors leave ELCA, the tendency of Holy Mother ELCA to become more lavender is difficult to resist. That will make even more people leave. A crash will follow.
Missouri and WELS will have more trouble figuring out ways to excuse joint ministry with ELCA via Thrivent. Joint projects give ELCA credibility with conservatives. If Missouri and WELS would start shunning ELCA they way they shun their own confessional members, ELCA would be embarrassed. So far ELCA is safe from experiencing any public pain.
WELS has stopped the blatant unionism with ELCA. I posted something about joint prison ministry with ELCA, but that would need updating.
Missouri is in bed with ELCA at the moment. Is that the result of apostasy or the cause of apostasy. Reu says both go together.
