Grace Lutheran Church Austin Votes to Stay with ELCA

 

 

Published 11:44am Monday, April 23, 2012

Grace Lutheran Church will stay with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America after a vote to leave failed to garner a two-thirds majority Sunday.

The vote fell short at 64–78, according to Grace’s Council President Brad Johnson, deciding a dispute between members of the congregation over the administrative role the organization plays.
“We’re satisfied that it was fair,” said Bill Young, a member of the church’s council who supported the split. Members can try to leave the church body again after a year, he said.

“We are not done yet,” said longtime church member Lavona Johnson. “We are not totally defeated.”
Supporters of the split have not yet made plans to try again. “We haven’t talked about whether we want to do it or not,” Young added.

Young pointed out the minimum one-year delay last month as part of an in-depth description of the process he wrote for Grace Church’s newsletter. The article prepared congregation members for the scenarios, including which church body Grace Church would look to join in place of the ELCA.
The ELCA has been the presiding body for Grace Church since 1988.

“It was decided after much deliberation to have the vote,” said Grace Church Pastor Jeff Forbes on Friday.  Forbes remained neutral on the subject, saying Friday that anything he said about the issue would be misconstrued. He added that the congregation took the vote seriously. Forbes declined to comment for this story.

Part of the reason supporters of the split cited for leaving surrounds concerns that the ELCA believes itself to hold a higher authority than the Bible.  “In our nearly 500 years of the Lutheran church we have held the Bible — the word of God — to be the sole authority for what we believe,” said former church council members Gene and Jean White in a letter to members of the church. “In good conscience we cannot support or be part of a church which denies the Bible.”

Johnson, a member of the church for the last 51 years, agreed. She said there is a trend among churches across the nation of leaving the ELCA, as part of a “tremendous movement to get back to the Bible.”  “We truly believe in the preaching and teachings of Martin Luther,” she added.

In addition to the question of authority, supporters of Grace’s separation from the ELCA expressed concern about the presiding body’s allowance of non-celibate homosexual pastors, which the organization voted to allow in 2009. While Grace Church itself has not had a homosexual pastor between then and now, some of its members disapprove that the ELCA adopted that policy.

“We have long held that celibate homosexual persons can be pastors,” the Whites’ letter said. The controversy, it said, was over actively homosexual pastors. “How can a practicing homosexual hold to a higher standard and be an example to the men, women and children of the congregation?”

In order to vote at Sunday’s meeting, attendees had to be confirmed members of Grace Church and have both communed and given to the church in the previous 12 months, according to Young’s newsletter entry. Members also needed to ensure they met those requirements before the day of the vote. They did not have to be 18 years old.

http://www.austindailyherald.com/2012/04/23/grace-church-votes-to-stay-with-elca/

Uncle Roy Turns 90!

Happy 90th Birthday to Dr. Roy A. Harrisville, Jr., Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Luther Seminary of St. Paul, MN!  (Although the esteemed professor does not appear to be enjoying his birthday celebration at the moment.)  Dr. Harrisville is pictured wearing a Norwegian sweater (genser) and the the ruffled, fluted collar (prestekrage) typically worn by Norwegian Synod and United Church pastors a century ago.  The use of the prestekrage generally went out of fashion in this country in the language transition to English.

Dr. Roy and Norma Harrisville appeared to be enjoying the party as the celebration progressed.  This fun-loving countenance is more typical of Dr. Harrisville, who has been affectionally referred to as "the world's oldest teenager".  Dr. Harrisville can be heard at one moment to give an insightful commentary on the New Testament and then in the next moment giggle as he operates his remote-controlled flatulence machine. 

Dr. Harrisville's party at Bockman Hall at Luther Seminary was also attended by colleague, Dr. Walter (Skip) Sundberg, professor of Church History.  Drs. Harrisville and Sundberg recently co-authored their book, "The Bible in Modern Culture".

In Memory of Rev. Leah Cook McDowell

 March 22, 2012

Rev. Leah McDowell (right) and her mother, Sonja Cook, were 2011 Churchwide Assembly voting members from the Southeastern Minnesota Synod. Leah spoke of her own experience in respect to the proposed Social Statement on Genetics. Read Bishop Usgaard's comments and watch her statement at http://semnsynod.org/witnessing-both-diversity-and-familiarity-at-the-2011-churchwide-assembly/

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death yesterday, March 21, 2012, of the Reverend Leah Cook McDowell, 35, after a long illness. Leah was pastor of St. Paul’s UCC/ELCA in Lewiston. A memorial celebration is scheduled for Saturday, March 31 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s, Lewiston. Pastors who are attending are invited to robe and to wear blue stoles. There will be no processional, but special seating for clergy will be reserved. Enter as ready.
I want to share Leah’s obituary written by her good friend, Rev. Kimberly McSheehy, with Leah’s assistance.

PRESS RELEASE:

Rev. Leah Nicole Cook McDowell Accepts a New Call With the Heavenly Choir and Joyful Music Section

After a courageous 2 1/2 year long argument with cancer, Rev. McDowell reluctantly left her family and friends on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 to assume this new position. During a conversation in February after starting hospice she stated, “I don’t like what this puts Dave and my parents through, and I fear the pain…but I don’t fear death.”

Pastor Leah’s faith and trust in God and the resurrection promise began at an early age. She was born October 30, 1976, in Winona to Sonja and Duane Cook. She attended Rushford-Peterson Schools, spending her junior and senior years as a full-time PSEO (Post Secondary Enrollment Options) student at St. Mary’s University. Leah spent her teen-age summers with her special boys, Robby and Bradley Ebner and also worked at Luther Social Service Camp Knutson during two college summer breaks.

She graduated from St. Olaf College in 1998 with majors in political science and religion. She began utilizing this degree to serve the greater good by serving a year as a public policy advocate as a member of the Lutheran Volunteer Corps, in Baltimore, Maryland. In Baltimore, she lived the command in Micah 6: 12, “…to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.”

When her year in LVC concluded, Pastor Leah began her studies at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. At LTSP, Pastor Leah specialized in Urban Ministry and began to fully embrace her playful nature: first as the tight end on the LTSP flag football team, and culminating by becoming the first LTSP student to scale the Martin Luther statue at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, the rival seminary, and decorate it. She interned at Resurrection Church in New Haven, Connecticut with Pastor Ruth Drews, and beyond normal ministry, worked tirelessly on social justice issues, especially around the city government using eminent domain to take private property.

It was during this internship time period that she met Dave. Their first contact via telephone was two young adults talking about the terrorist attacks on September 11th, and later they met in person. Those who talked to her in the coming months will always remember the bubbling joy in her voice when she said, “I’ve got a boyfriend.”

She married David McDowell in Philadelphia on May 17, 2003, and graduated from seminary the next day. During their marriage, she and Dave shared travel adventures in England, Mexico, France, and Italy and throughout the United States. They enjoyed kayaking, biking, hiking, and snow-shoeing. They shared their beautiful country home with their precious four-legged kids: Sydney, Speck, Thor, and Gonzo.

She was ordained an ELCA Lutheran pastor on November 16, 2003, here in her home synod. She was pastor and director of the day school at Zion Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, remaining there until 2008 when she was called to St. Paul’s UCC/ELCA Church in Lewiston. She was overwhelmed by the love and support of the people of St. Paul’s during her illness.

Throughout her life music was important, whether it was singing, playing clarinet, or playing piano. Pastor Leah honed her skills and shared her musical talents by playing with the Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestra and St. Mary’s concert band. She sang with the Minnesota All-State Lutheran Choir, St. Mary’s concert choir, St. Olaf Manitou Singers, Yale Camerata, Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, Rochester Symphony Orchestra & Chorale, and Rochester Choral Arts Ensemble.

In addition to her beloved congregation and treasured friends, Leah is mourned by her husband, Dave; parents, Sonja and Duane Cook; three brothers and their spouses, nieces, a nephew, her grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  May Martin Luther’s words from “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” remind us, death does not have the last word, God does and it is good news.

Though hordes of devils fill the land all threatening to devour us, we tremble not, unmoved we stand; they cannot overpower us. If they take our house, goods, fame, child, or spouse, wrench our life away, they cannot win the day. The kingdom’s ours forever!

Thanks be to God! Enjoy your new call Pastor Leah. We will miss you.

Sincerely,

Harold Usgaard
Bishop

Condolences can be addressed to the family at 19618 Maland Dr, Peterson, MN 55962

Covenant Church Says ECO Presbyterian Name is too Close to Its Own; ECO Keeps Acronym but Changes Name

 

What’s in a Name?

It was December, December 6th to be precise, in Chicago, where those of us who had been wrestling for months to come up with a name for the baby we affectionately referred to as the “new Reformed body” returned to the table, committed to its Christening. We had come up with all kinds of names, but nothing had really stuck. To that point we had assembled collections of words, accurate in meaning but uninspired. We wanted a name that caused us to think and live differently, embrace a larger mission and higher calling with more creativity. We wanted a name that was God-inspired.

As we talked and prayed that morning, three descriptive words emerged – evangelical, covenant and order. Evangelical directs us to be witnesses to the hope of the gospel, engaged in our culture and planting missional communities. Order is a word rich in heritage but not typically used in American denominational circles these days. It conveys commitment to live life together around a common theological core. Covenant reminds us that God initiated a relationship with us that then connects us to each other. We added Presbyterian. Presbyterian certainly describes our style of government, but even more it describes our continuity with a larger, global family of faith.

As we continued our discussion, these words took hold of us. We began to see the beauty of the message they conveyed. We left Chicago in agreement on Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians, ECO for short to bring to mind our desire to create an ecosystem for flourishing congregations. We announced the name at the January conference in Orlando. John Ortberg outlined the vision for ECO in his opening presentation. Since then ECO has taken hold of the imagination of many individuals and congregations.

Shortly after the Orlando conference, we were contacted by the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), a denomination of 800 congregations based in Chicago, expressing a concern that that our new name is too close to the ECC and has the potential to cause confusion. Our subsequent conversations with the ECC have been nothing but beautiful and respectful. We have looked at our core values and tried to live into our relationships as Christian brothers and sisters with mutual respect and affirmation of ministry.

Because we value this relationship and want to honor their concerns, we have agreed to modify our name slightly. We will keep the acronym ECO, but we will change the descriptors. Beginning today, April 9, 2012, we will be known as ECO: a Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. It is a small change for us but has major significance for our partners in ministry in the ECC.
What’s in a name? A good name communicates identity. We are and want to be an accountable community of Resurrection people. ECO: a Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians.

http://www.fellowship-pres.org/

New LCMC congregation in Detroit Lakes

Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church

Greetings!

We are a new mission congregation that gathers together at the Holiday Inn in Detroit Lakes each Sunday morning. Come for coffee fellowship and then stay and join us as we worship the Lord. We are dedicated to what God has spoken as it is perfectly revealed and recorded in scripture. We believe the Bible is the authoritive source and norm of our proclamation, faith and life. We believe God not only saves us by grace through faith, but He also transforms, empowers and equips us to live new lives in humble obedience to His good will.

Come and be refreshed by the Good News we celebrate in Jesus Christ! There's always room in the Inn!!!

Pastor Jim Osvold

http://www.shepherdofthelakesdl.org/index.html

Shepherd of the Lakes has the benefit of sharing a pastor with Lund Lutheran Church, a rural congregation outside of Detroit Lakes also in LCMC.  Pastor Osvold is originally a graduate of the Lutheran Brethren Seminary in Fergus Falls and was previously a pastor at Triumph LB Church in Moorhead.

More Embezzeled Than Previously Thought

Audits show bookkeeper transferred over $714,000 from Northwestern Minnesota ELCA Synod

Moorhead, Minn. (WDAY TV) - More details are coming out about a bookkeeper who's accused of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Moorhead church synod.

By: WDAY Staff Reports, WDAY

Moorhead, Minn. (WDAY TV) - More details are coming out about a bookkeeper who's accused of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Moorhead church synod.

Preliminary audits now show 60-year-old Robert Larson transferred more than $714-thousand dollars in unauthorized funds from the Northwestern Minnesota ELCA Synod. Larson has not been criminally charged in this case.

Back in January, police believe he took $250-thousand dollars by transferring it into a nonprofit program for which he served as a volunteer bookkeeper. A final audit report could come out this week, but the $714-thousand dollar amount isn't expected to change much.

Police think Larson used the money to pay off a car loan and a home loan and toward a $150-thousand dollar renovation of his home, and also for his living expenses.

http://www.wday.com/event/article/id/60521/

Former AFLC President to Give Commentary on Tour of Norway

Brekke Tours of Grand Forks, ND will be leading a tour titled, "Roots of Faith", July 6-17, 2012 in Norway.  Through this excursion, one will gain a deeper understanding of the evangelical influences in the Lutheran faith on this tour.  Enjoy daily commentaries from the Pastor Robert Lee, past President of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations.  Pastor Lee is presently a professor of Church History at the Free Lutheran Seminary.

www.BrekkeTours.com

Bishop Bradosky Meets with Leaders of Augsburg Lutheran Churches

Bishop Bradosky suggested that "a more organic relationship than full communion is possible because the two bodies are of such close kinship theologically." 

Bishop John Bradosky of the North American Lutheran Church met with leaders of Augsburg Lutheran Churches to discuss closer cooperation between the two church bodies. The meeting took place Feb. 15 in Houston,Texas.

Augsburg Lutheran Churches (ALC) was represented by Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) John Rasmussen of El Paso, Texas, Executive Chair of Augsburg Lutheran Churches; the Rev. Timothy J. Swenson of Arnegard, N.D., Doctrine and Church Relations Chair; and the Rev. Lenae Rasmussen of El Paso, Texas, Communications and Outreach Committee Chair.

Building on their previous cooperation in securing Augsburg Lutheran Churches and Pastor Lenae Rasmussen as the endorsing agent for NALC military chaplains, she announced that Augsburg Lutheran Churches has been approved as an ecclesiastical endorsing body by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Bishop Bradosky was pleased to hear this news and invited Pastor Rasmussen to address the NALC Convocation in August as the NALC’s official endorsing agent.  The NALC will establish a liaison to work with Pastor Rasmussen to provide for the orderly flow of memoranda and certifications regarding military chaplains. 

Chaplain John Rasmussen and Bishop Bradosky invited one another to bring greetings from their church body to the other church body’s annual meeting.

Pastor Swenson and Chaplain Rasmussen proposed ongoing dialog between theologians of both church bodies — a conversation centering on the cross and its impact upon the various loci of church dogmatics.  Bishop Bradosky agreed and expressed interest in extending such a dialog to other Lutheran church bodies as well.

In terms of closer structural ties between the NALC and Augsburg Lutheran Churches, Bishop Bradosky suggested that a more organic relationship than full communion is possible because the two bodies are of such close kinship theologically.  Dual rostering of pastors and of congregations already exists.  Dual rostering is the situation when pastors and/or congregations are members of both church bodies. As the relationship matures, Bishop Bradosky suggested that it could lead to a more direct form of organic unity between Augsburg Lutheran Churches and the NALC.

Looking to the future and the annual conventions this summer, both the NALC and Augsburg Lutheran Churches will explore these opportunities further. Bishop Bradosky will greet, preach, and lead a break-out session at Augsburg Lutheran Churches’ convention in July at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in El Paso, Texas, where Dr. Robert Benne of Roanoke College will be the keynote speaker.  Chaplain Rasmussen will bring greetings from the ALC to the NALC Convocation Aug. 16-17 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Golden Valley, Minn. He and Pastor Swenson will lead a break-out session on the Societas Crucis. 

Much good will and theological fellowship was shared between the representatives of these two church bodies working to bring about the reconfiguration of North American Lutheranism. Both the NALC and Augsburg Lutheran Churches are members of Lutheran CORE, an umbrella organization bringing together confessional Lutherans throughout North America.

NALC and ELCA Dialog

NALC, ELCA leaders meet for the first time

In response to a resolution passed by the 2011 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), seeking conversation with the North American Lutheran Church (NALC), four representatives of each church body met on Feb. 6-7, 2012, in Indianapolis for discussion of areas of disagreement, interest and concern.

The NALC representatives were: the Rev. Dr. David Wendel, Ministry Coordinator and Ecumenical Relations Officer; the Rev. Dr. Michael Tavella, Dean of the Atlantic Mission District; the Rev. James T. Lehmann, Dean of the Great Rivers Mission District; and Mr. Ryan Schwarz, Treasurer.

The ELCA representatives were: the Rev. Donald J. McCoid, Assistant to the Presiding Bishop: Executive for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Relations; the Rev. Dr. Marcus Kunz, Assistant to the Bishop: Executive for Theological Discernment; the Rev. Dr. Marcus C. Lohrmann, Bishop of the Northwestern Ohio Synod; and the Rev. Kathryn Tiede, pastor of Living Waters Lutheran Church and member of the Church Council.

In the 24 hours spent together, the representatives prayed, had Bible study and devotions, and engaged in cordial and candid conversation. This meeting was not intended to, nor did the participants seek to, resolve issues between the two church bodies. Rather, the participants sought to share and clarify disagreements to improve mutual understanding.

Practical matters related to local mission and ministry were also significant topics of discussion, with hopes of future resolution. This meeting, which was the first between the two bodies since the formation of the NALC in 2010, constituted an opening of lines of communication between the two churches. The representatives discussed the possibility of future meetings.

Pastor Dan Baker to Lead Mount Carmel Ministries

March 20, 2012

Dear Friends of Mount Carmel,

It is with great joy and enthusiasm that we announce the new Executive Director of Mount Carmel Ministries. The Search Committee, Board of Trustees and Mount Carmel staff thank you for your prayers covering this entire process. We felt them and are fully confident that it is God who has called Pastor Daniel Baker of Albert Lea to lead Mount Carmel into our next chapter. Pastor Baker will begin his work with Mount Carmel mid-April.

Pastor Baker comes to us from southern Minnesota where he currently serves as Associate Pastor of First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Physics and went on to attend Luther Seminary where he earned his Master of Divinity in 1992. He currently serves as the Executive Director of “ReClaim Resources for Lutherans,” a ministry that produces Lutheran worship resources.

Pastor Baker attended Mount Carmel family camps as a youth with his family. More recently he has brought groups from his church to Mount Carmel for various Elderversities. He has a heart for local and global missions, kids’ programming, church renewal and Biblical teaching.

The Search Committee and Board of Trustees were most excited about Pastor Baker’s vision and heart for Mount Carmel. We feel strongly that he will make an exceptional leader with both an understanding of our heritage and a strong vision to continue moving Mount Carmel Ministries forward with the focus of Jesus Only.

Pastor Dan wrote in his letter of acceptance, “I graciously accept your invitation to serve the Lord through Mount Carmel Ministries as your Executive Director. I am looking forward to joining with you in the mission of helping people come alive to God through the clear message of Jesus Only. I pray that God will continue to use Mount Carmel as His instrument to transform lives for generations to come.”

Please keep Pastor Dan and his wife, Karina and two children Caleb (12) and Marissa (9) in your prayers as they transition into this new call. The family will move into the Welcome Home House the beginning of June after Caleb and Marissa have finished their school year in Albert Lea.

To God be the glory for using us as His hands and feet, for calling the faithful to be used in His service, and fulfilling His promise to lead us into a future filled with hope.

Serving you as the Board of Trustees,

Keith Anderson, Carol Anderson, Corey Bjertness, Dan Bryngelson, Becca Groves,

Paul Lindbloom, James Steffen, Fred Townsend and Lloyd Wallace

http://www.mountcarmelministries.com/about/news/76-executive-director-ad 

Orthodox Lutheran Confessional Conference Welcomes New Pastor

 

Photo provided by Linda Diers

The Rev. Bruce King, third from left, was installed as associate pastor of Augustana Lutheran Church, Chaska, Minnesota, on March 13, 2011. Pictured with King from left to right are Pastor Roger Fehr, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Jefferson, South Dakota; Pastor Martin Diers, Augustana Lutheran Church, Chaska, and Faithful Word Lutheran Church, Hovland, both in Minnesota ; and Pastor James Shrader, Augsburg Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. All four congregations are members of the Orthodox Lutheran Confessional Conference (OLCC).

The OLCC is a confessional movement with no official organizational structure, according to its website. The conference was established in 2006 when its charter congregations left the Lutheran Church of the Reformation over issues around its acceptance of permitting women the opportunity to vote in congregational meetings. For more information, visit www.olcc.us.

http://metrolutheran.org/2011/07/orthodox-lutheran-confessional-conference-welcomes-new-pastor/

Fred Mueller Nov. 29, 1920 - Apr. 13, 2012

WILLMAR - The Rev. Fred Mueller, age 91, of Willmar, died Friday morning, April 13, at Bethesda Pleasant View Nursing Home in Willmar.  

WILLMAR - The Rev. Fred Mueller, age 91, of Willmar, died Friday morning, April 13, at Bethesda Pleasant View Nursing Home in Willmar.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 20, at Vinje Lutheran Church. Interment will be at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Clara City. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 19, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Pastor Fred Mueller was born November 29, 1920 in Burnstad, North Dakota. He was the second of seven siblings of the Henry A. and Emelia Mueller family. He died April 13, 2012 at the age of 91 years.

He completed his formal education at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa and Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. He was ordained into the Lutheran ministry on June 16, 1946 in his home congregation, St. Luke's Lutheran of Wishek, North Dakota.
On June 2, 1946 he was married to Lorraine G. Laabs, his loving and supportive wife and pastoral partner of 43 years. They had 5 children, Tom, Sandra, Paul, Joan (still born), and John. After Lorraine's death in 1989, Fred was married to Tetkea G. Grussing for 13 years and after her death, he married Margaret T. Trulson.

Pastor Mueller served congregations in Max, North Dakota, Madison, South Dakota, Clara City, Willmar and Mapleton, Minnesota during 36 years of active ministry. In retirement, he was a supply preacher for 27 years to over 78 congregations. He was noted for his gospel oriented, persuasive and powerful preaching along with strong church administrative skills. During his pastoral career, he held numerous elected offices on the conference, district, and synod levels including Secretary and Vice President of the Dakota District, Vice President of the Minnesota District and Treasurer of the SW Minnesota Synod. He also served 3 years as full time Administrative Assistant in the SW Minnesota Synod.

His avocations included wood working and relief carving, fishing, writing and RV family vacation activities. He constructed many furniture pieces, carved numerous small still life figures and relief scenes, caught many large fish, and wrote numerous short essays on topics including family history, social and theological issues in addition to many sermons, homilies, and Bible Studies.

His life was guided by lessons learned in his parental home including obedience, respect, diligence, thrift, foresight, decisiveness and determination. But his most important guide is summarized by his favorite Bible verse from the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be yours as well." His favorite hymns, "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Wake, Awake", emphasize his unshakable belief in the forgiveness of sin, the resurrection of the dead and the gift of eternity in heaven for all true believers. 

He was a good man, a caring husband, father, and grandfather, and a concerned and believing Christian who had a sense of humor. He was loved and will be missed.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret of Willmar; his four children, Thomas (and Vickie) Mueller of Willmar, Paul (and Jamee Aard) Mueller of New York City, John (and Bea Soong) Mueller of New York City and Sandra Mueller (and Dan Boyd) of St. Michael; two grandchildren, David (and Kari) Mueller of Minneapolis and Sara Lynn (and Greg) Zastoupil of Coppell, TX., and three great grandchildren, Aiden, Andrew and Thomas. Also surviving are five siblings. Arnold Mueller of Topeka, KS., Alvina Boschee of Petaluma, CA., Leonora Mindt of Coeur D'alene, ID, Hulda (and Glen) Chambers of Aitkin and Irene Sayler of Wishek, ND; besides other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Lorraine in 1989; his second wife, Tetkea; a stillborn daughter, Joan and one brother, Theodore.

Windmills of Denmark Shall Turn Again in Blair

Dana College campus to find new life as renewable institute

April 3, 2012

The Omaha World-Herald reported in its Sunday, March 11, edition a tentative purchase agreement for the Dana College campus in Blair, Nebraska. Dana College was a church college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America until it closed in 2010.

Vermont native Allan E. Baer has agreed to a purchase price of $5.9 million for the campus and its facilities. Baer expects to raise more than $10 million additionally to renovate the buildings on the campus. He said that half of the buildings will be retrofitted with new windows and materials to increase heating and air conditioning efficiency.

Baer will launch the Renewable Nations Institute at Dana College, which he believes will be a national energy-efficiency institute serving students and producing programming for syndication.
According to the World-Herald, the institute will offer classes year-round; it will take two years to complete a degree in fields such as energy and environmental economics, clean energy technologies, environmental impact studies, and geospatial mapping.

Baer believes that demand for increased energy efficiency will grow, especially because the U.S. Department of Energy has established a goal of reducing energy consumption by 25 percent by 2017.

http://metrolutheran.org/2012/04/dana-college-campus-to-find-new-life-as-renewable-institute/

Augustana Lutheran MPLS moves location

On the religion beat: Historic Minneapolis Lutheran church has new home

• Article by: ROSE FRENCH , Star Tribune
• Updated: April 13, 2012 - 10:49 PM

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In its heyday, Augustana Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis once swelled to more than 1,000 members. These days, the number is closer to 75.

On April 29, the congregation will hold its last worship service at the brick church on 11th Avenue South near the Metrodome. Augustana is selling the nearly 130-year-old church to a nearby congregation -- Hope Community Church -- and moving five blocks south to a smaller church building.

"We saw the handwriting a few years ago that we were small enough we couldn't afford to keep that big building up," said J. Paul Carlson, president of Augustana's church council.
One of the oldest Lutheran congregations in the metro area, Augustana will also celebrate its 146th anniversary at the final farewell service. The Rev. William Berg -- who is 102 years old and served as Augustana's pastor from 1965 to 1980 -- will give the last sermon at the church, Carlson said.

"There are some people absolutely devastated at the thought we are not going to be in that structure," said Carlson, who was married at the church in 1968. His children were all baptized and married there as well. "My own feeling, and a lot of others, is that we're very happy there's a vital, growing congregation that's going to be worshipping there for probably decades to come."

The church has played a vital role in Twin Cities Lutheran life for decades. Some of its members went on to establish other prominent metro area Lutheran churches -- including Mount Olivet in Minneapolis, considered the largest Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregation in the U.S.

Carlson said the congregation is expected to hold its first service at its new home, a former Methodist church at 19th Street and 11th Avenue, on May 6.

"We'll do a processional down 11th Avenue from Augustana. That will be symbolic of our move, which will have taken place a few days and weeks earlier."

Rose French

http://www.startribune.com/local/147381995.html

Skip Sundberg Releases New Book

Against contemporary trends that conceive of Christian worship primarily as entertainment or sheer celebration, Walter Sundberg argues that repentance is the heart of authentic worship. In Worship as Repentance Sundberg outlines the history of repentance and confession within liturgical practice from the early church to mid-twentieth-century Protestantism, advocating movement away from the "eucharistic piety" common in mainline worship today and toward the "penitential piety" of older traditions of Protestant worship.  

ELCA Campus Ministry at Grand Forks Hosts Jesus Seminar

Grand Forks, North Dakota Friday & Saturday April 13-14, 2012

Sex, Death, and Evolution Ethics in the Second Axial Age

Jack A. Hill & Joe Bessler

LECTURE

Why the Classical Christian Tradition Couldn't Deal with Sex and Death, much less Evolution
In order for us to begin to understand the complex realities of sex, death, evolution and many other issues in our global society, we need to understand that the way Christians came to think about Reality in the ancient world kept them-and still tries to keep us-from facing these issues honestly. (Joe Bessler)

Friday, 7:30–9 P.M.

WORKSHOPS

Ethics in the Digital Age: Are There any Moral Anchors?
How can we get some commonsense moral handles on the dividing issues of our day-marriage equality, euthanasia and evolution? The key is to appreciate both the possibilities and pitfalls within our own moral heritages, in the light of Jesus' ethic. (Jack Hill)
Probing our Moral Experience/Brainstorming on Gospel Moral Insights
In small groups, participants discuss some of their own moral struggles, both in childhood and today; and explore how the historical Jesus could be an ethical resource for reflecting on these struggles. Then, Jack and Joe provide input on these explorations. (Jack Hill & Joe Bessler)

Saturday, 9:30 A.M.–Noon

An Ethics for Tomorrow
Drawing on a wide range of experiences in Africa, the Caribbean and the South Seas, Hill argues for a pragmatic, global ethics which could transform moral life today. Citing stories of moral heroes at home and abroad, he stresses a community ethics of forgiveness, sharing the wealth and sustaining the earth. (Jack Hill)
How Then Should We Live?
An interactive dialogue with Joe and Jack, in which the two presenters will engage each other and the audience in a discussion of the practical ethical and theological issues that have surfaced in the seminar. (Joe Bessler & Jack Hill)

Saturday, 1:30–4 P.M.

FACULTY

Jack A. Hill (Ph.D., Vanderbilt University) is Professor of Religion at the AddRan College of Liberal Arts, Texas Christian University. He is a specialist in social ethics and the author of Ethics in the Global Village (2008); Seeds of Transformation (1998) and I-Sight: The World of Rastafari (1995)
Joe Bessler (Ph.D., University of Chicago) is the Robert Travis Peake Associate Professor of Theology at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, OK. He is the author with law-school dean Martin Belsky of Law and Theology (2005) and is presently at work on a book for Polebridge Press, Scandalous Jesus: A Political Theology.
ALL EVENTS AT

University of North Dakota
Friday night: River Valley Room, Memorial Union
Saturday: Christus Rex Lutheran Campus Ministry Center
Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202

Nelson to Sioux City

Andrew Olaf Nelson, associate pastor of education and youth at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN will soon be leaving his call.  His wife, Dr. Jessica Pleuss has accepted a tenure-track position on the psychology faculty of Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa.

Dan Smith to Colorado Springs

Dan Smith, current associate pastor of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Hibbing, MN has accepted a call to Ascension Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, CO.  Pastor Smith is the first parish pastor to promote the use of the Narrative Lectionary--a 9 month cycle of scripture readings for preaching that begins with Genesis in September which helps teach the overall story of the scriptures.
 

Jason Meyer to Replace John Piper at Bethlehem Baptist Church

 

On March 27, 2012 · 3 Comments

Former Louisiana College (L.C.) professor and current Bethlehem College & Seminary professor Dr. Jason Meyer has been unanimously approved by the elders of Bethlehem Baptist Church to replace Dr. John Piper. Meyer still must be approved by a congregational vote. According to TGC:

The vote will come in two stages: (1) on May 20, 2012, the congregation will vote on him as associate pastor for preaching and vision, beginning that role on August 1, 2012; (2) then, as Piper’s pastoral ministry draws to an end, there will be a vote for Meyer as pastor for preaching and vision.

John Piper recently wrote this about Meyer:

I joyfully and expectantly commend him to you with all my heart. Not only because of a long list of gifts and graces and competencies, but also because I believe God has chosen him and anointed him for this role. May the Lord confirm this with a hope-filled, happy, unified vote of the Bethlehem family.

Though I came to Louisiana College the semester following Meyer’s leaving L.C., my fellow students have talked more about Jason Meyer than any other professor at the college. He made a huge impact in the lives of so many Louisiana College students and while it is surprising that a former Louisiana College professor is potentially replacing John Piper, the fact that it is Jason Meyer replacing such a man as John Piper makes much sense.

http://thedailybleat.com/jason-meyer-to-replace-john-piper-at-bethlehem-baptist-church/

Lutheran CORE Director Says ELCA is Not Honoring Bound Conscience

Where Does “Mutual Respect” Stand?

The 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopted a statement on human sexuality which acknowledged four different opinions the ELCA held “with conviction and integrity,” ranging from “same-gender sexual behavior is sinful” to “same-gender couples should… seek the highest legal accountability available for their relationships.” It called on members “as we live with disagreement… to accompany one another in study, prayer, discernment, pastoral care, and mutual respect.” So how is this going? Three recent announcements cast into question just how seriously the ELCA is officially holding to the balance among these four convictions.

First, Bishop Mark Hanson was announced as the keynote speaker for “Reconciling Works 2012,” the gathering of Lutherans Concerned/ North America, to be held in Washington, D.C., in July.  The website of Lutherans Concerned notes, “This is the first time a presiding bishop of any denomination has delivered the keynote address at our assembly.” Lutherans Concerned is the leading group advocating within the ELCA for full acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender relationships.

We asked Bp. Hanson whether his presence there upsets the balance among these four opinions. He responded:  “As presiding bishop I am called to provide servant leadership for this whole church. I believe that it’s an important time in the life of the ELCA to reach out broadly to members of this church by taking opportunities to proclaim the gospel and share stories of how we are engaged together in God’s mission.

“My address will focus on the state of the ELCA and will not advocate for further divisions. It is my hope that my commitment to being available to diverse groups to speak about the gospel that unites us will not be used by anyone to further divide us.”

Another person being put forward in several official ELCA events is perhaps less worried about dividing people. Pr. Nadia Bolz-Weber has cultivated a public image which can charitably be called “edgy” in her attempts to reach out to young adults.Her website and email address are “sarcasticlutheran,” and her mission congregation “House for All Sinners and Saints” proudly abbreviates itself as HFASS. The mission describes itself on its website as “a group of folks figuring out how to be a liturgical, Christo-centric, social justice oriented, queer inclusive, incarnational, contemplative, irreverent, ancient–future church with a progressive but deeply rooted theological imagination.” She published online a “liturgical naming rite for a transgendered church member” and has boasted on the Internet about her use of profanity.  Pr. Bolz-Weber has been designated as the opening night speaker for the ELCA National Youth Gathering in July in New Orleans, where she will travel shortly after serving as Bible study leader for the same Lutherans Concerned conference at which

Bp. Hanson will be keynoter. She will also be the keynote speaker at a worship conference in San Antonio in June sponsored by the Southwest Texas Synod.

(Side note: A smaller but much more doctrinally-reliable youth event, “Impact,” sponsored by

Youth Encounter, will be held July 5-8 in Nashville, Tennessee. Pastors, youth leaders, and parents might want to consider this event, advertised below, instead.)

Finally, we note an action by the Minneapolis Area Synod at its assembly this year, in which it overwhelmingly adopted a resolution to “oppose the Minnesota state constitutional amendment on marriage proposed for the 2012 general ballot that would prevent one group of committed couples and their families from pursuing ordinary legislative or legal means to gain the support and protections afforded to all other(s).”

In other words, the synod is clearly advocating marriage or its equivalent for same-sex couples.

One must ask, “Why did the synod take this action?” (We understand there will be a similar resolution presented to at least one other Minnesota synod).  Their resolution will be unlikely to change one vote regarding the amendment, but such a declaration further marginalizes the large number of ELCA members who hold to one of the other three opinions that the sexuality statement says are held “with conviction and integrity.”

Lutheran CORE calls on the ELCA leadership on every level to be aware of how these actions seem to move the denomination in a direction quite different from the conclusions of the 2009 social statement. Especially as so many congregations and members have felt conscience-bound to withdraw from the ELCA, it behooves ELCA’s leadership to work very hard to build bridges with the traditional members who remain, instead of burning those bridges by inflammatory actions.  Pr. Shipman, director of Lutheran CORE, can be reached at sshipman@lutherancore.org.

Matthew Kennedy Sees Parallels in Evolution of Mainline Denominations

March 19, 2012

http://www.standfirminfaith.com/?%2Fsf%2Fpage%2F28532#.T2sgYI3DesM.facebook

How Revisionist Activists Subvert the Church

One of the things we’re intentionally setting out to do now that we’ve broadened Stand Firm’s scope of coverage is to shine a spotlight on those troubled areas where revisionist activists are beginning to eat away at the Body of Christ.

Theological liberalism is parasitic. It survives and thrives by attaching itself to a healthy orthodox Christian denomination or communion, and subverting its weakest members—namely, those who are insufficiently grounded in scripture, those nursing past hurts and resentments, those who want desperately to be seen as “smart”, and those looking to make a name for themselves by playing the maverick.

The pattern usually plays out as follows:

1. A small group of revisionist activists embrace an unbiblical but culturally popular idea.

2. Orthodox leaders respond by reasserting the Faith.

3. Those styling themselves “moderate” (who often don’t quite grasp the theological issues at stake) emphasize the need for unity and patience. Three of the most common moderate templates are: an appeal to the “Gamaliel model” from Acts 5; an attempt to re-cast the conflict as adiaphora—a dispute over “non-essential” issues; and/or an argument from Jesus’ command not to “judge”.

4. The theological liberals congratulate and fawn over “moderates” for their “open-mindedness”, feeding the moderates’ need to be liked/admired.

5. At some point the secular media (perhaps alerted by the revisionist activists) is attracted to the conflict and various outlets report on the “growing controversy”. The media portrays orthodox leaders as stodgy reactionaries. Theological liberals are showcased as cutting edge enlightened thinkers, courageously challenging the powers-that-be on behalf of the downtrodden. “Moderates” who hold traditional views but counsel “dialog” are featured as the “voices of reason” in the troubled denomination.

6. What had been a tiny group of relatively harmless revisionists now begins to gain steam as members of the denomination uninformed and unprepared for the controversy are exposed to revisionist arguments for the first time via the media alongside gentle calls for moderation, patience and open-mindedness.

7. Well-meaning, conflict-averse orthodox pastors hope to shield their flock by “focusing on mission” and avoiding the topic.

8. Having leveraged the moderates and the press, the tiny group of revisionist activists now has the political clout to influence the direction of the entire denomination. They “put facts on the ground” and initiate legislative action.

9. Many otherwise orthodox leaders do not speak forcefully against these measures because those who have already done so have been successfully characterized as “angry zealots”, “fundementalists” and “rabble rousers.”

At this point it is generally only a matter of time before “facts on the ground” become legislative facts and the denomination begins to crumble. Traditional-minded members quietly leave for other churches. Others hole up in “safe” ghettos hoping to ride out the storm. The vast majority seek desperately to continue on as if nothing has happened. But as traditionalists leave the revisionists gain power and a vicious cycle picks up steam.

This process, or one like it, is working itself out in the United Church of Christ (UCC), the Episcopal Church (TEC), the Lutheran Church (ECLA), the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA), and the United Methodist Church (UMC). It looks to be gaining steam in the Reformed Church in America (RCA). And revisionists like Rob Bell and Brian McLaren are busy exporting theological liberalism from the mainlines into the wider evangelical realm.

Key to building an effective response, I believe, is recognizing that the fight in the Episcopal Church is the very same fight playing out in the PCUSA, the UMC, the ECLA, the RCA, the wider evangelical world and, increasingly, within Catholicism. The revisionist activists use different tools determined by differing denominational structures but the process is almost always the same as is the result—a once healthy body gutted and corrupt.

Identifying disputes over human sexuality, the truthfulness of scripture, the uniqueness of Christ, the existence of hell and judgment, the relationship between “social justice” and evangelism as part of a larger single conflict extending across many different denominational fronts, will make it easier to recognize the process revisionist activists use and identify effective means of undermining it.

How do orthodox Christians in a given denomination stop and roll back the cycle? I wish I had definitive answers to that question. I do have some initial thoughts below. None of them are new, unique, or especially creative but I do want to get the conversation going.

1. Produce biblically literate orthodox, theologically discerning congregations that understand the need both for prayer and political involvement; congregations that are prepared to endure both scorn and loss for the sake of biblical fidelity.

2. Promote and support politically astute strategic minded orthodox leaders prepared to use the media, the church courts, and legislative action to defend and implement orthodoxy.

3. Organize politically minded orthodox groups committed to working locally, regionally, and nationally to thwart theological liberalism and create denominational structures and laws that prevent further revisionist incursions.

4. Create online orthodox communication hubs—places where the words and deeds of revisionist activists can be publicly exposed and disparate orthodox leaders and people can network and strategize.

5. Follow the Apostolic model and contend zealously for the faith. Publicly identify, name, and critique and criticize ideas and leaders who challenge orthodoxy. Do it early and often from the pulpit, in print, and online.

6. Make a practice of ignoring calls for “patience”, “moderation” and do not allow those who make such calls to set the tone of the debate.

7. Habitually eschew the spiritual sounding advice from well-meaning allies who suggest political involvement and action is unworthy of the Christian.

So what would you add to this list?

Assistant to the Bishop of SW WA Synod's Wife's Congregation Joins NALC

Pastor Lori Hoyum

Assistant to the Bishop Ronald Hoyum

Port Madison Lutheran Church, Bainbridge Island, WA passed second vote to leave the ELCA (81%) and join the NALC. (Reported by Lori Hoyum, pastor of the congregation. Her husband is assistant to ELCA bishop in Tacoma.)

(Editor's note:  Pastor Lori Hoyum grew up in Fertile, MN and participated in the youth program of the Lutheran Evangelistic Movement.)

As general information and as a prayer request, we include part of her communication:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I wanted to write and let you know that Port Madison Lutheran Church of Bainbridge Island, WA held a second vote today to leave the ELCA and join the NALC. The vote passed with 81% agreeing to this change in affliliation.

Even though our congregation has not experienced severe conflict over this matter, we have lost a number of members. We are asking you to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for our leadership as we seek to unify the congregation and plan for the future.

By the way, PMLC will celebrate 100 years since the dedication of our historic sanctuary on May 20, 2012. The first baby baptized at the baptismal font turns 100 years old in a couple weeks and hopes to attend the celebration in May. We are very excited, and hopeful that the next 100 years at PMLC will be our best years of serving Christ!

Finally, some of you know that our 18 year old daughter, Gretchen, has been very sick since August. In late January she was admitted to the hospital with acute renal failure, weight loss (45 pounds -- she was literally starving to death!), an abscess and a massive abdominal infection that had not been properly diagnosed. On Feb. 10th, after her kidney issues were resolved, she had surgery to remove the mass of infection, plus a over a foot of diseased intestine. The diagnosis is severe Crohn's Disease. She was miraculously discharged on Feb. 17th, and will begin Remicade infusions next month. Already she is feeling much better!

To be honest, the last 6 months have really tested my faith. Nothing has mattered to me as much as Gretchen's restoration to health -- not even this change in affiliation. But because we saw God's hand on Gretchen's life in such a miraculous way, I have been able to rest in His goodness and strength as we anticipated this second vote.

God's peace!

Lori Hoyum, Pastor
Port Madison Lutheran Church
Bainbridge Island, WA

No Dual Roster for First Lutheran--White Bear Lake

FYI: FIRST LUTHERAN in White Bear Lake, MN, St. Paul Area Synod
is no longer a member of the ELCA as of about 3 weeks ago. They
were unhappy with the decisions made at the ChurchWideAssembly in
2009 so their lead pastor spoke to Bishop Rogness about dual membership
with LCMC. Bishop Rogness told him that it was against the constitution
to have dual membership but he would not disallow their joining, so First
joined LCMC.

Recently, the dual membership has become a problem and the ELCA has
NOW decided to enforce their ruling on the problem. First Lutheran is no
longer affiliated with the ELCA.

FYI: Grace Lutheran in Eau Claire continues to need our prayer support as
they continue their battle with the court system to retain their property.
Please uphold them in your prayers and if you feel the need to financially
support them, they would be most grateful as their expenses are huge.

Blessings,
Gerry Peterson
WA/CORE Coordinator, MAS
952 473 8124

Archbishop of Canterbury: Who are the Contenders?

16 March 2012 Last updated at 09:13 ET

 

As the Archbishop of Canterbury announces his intention to stand down in December, who are the favourites to replace him?

Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, 62

Dr Sentamu studied law in Kampala and is an advocate of the Ugandan High Court

Dr Sentamu, the sixth of 13 brothers and sisters, came to the UK in 1974 from Uganda, where he was a critic of dictator Idi Amin.

Known for dramatic interventions, he cut up his dog collar on television in 1997 in protest against Robert Mugabe's rule. He vowed not to wear it until the Zimbabwe president had been removed from power.

Dr Sentamu also pitched a tent and camped in York Minster for a week, foregoing food, in solidarity with those who had suffered in the Middle East conflict.

A former barrister and judge, he was ordained in 1979, serving in churches across south London before being consecrated the Bishop of Stepney in 1996.

As Bishop of Stepney, Dr Sentamu acted as an adviser to the Macpherson Inquiry into the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence. He has also campaigned against guns, knives, drugs and gangs.

More recently, he attracted controversy and racist emails when he spoke out against gay marriage.

Dr Sentamu is married with two grown-up children and two grown-up foster children.

Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, 64

Dr Chartres delivered the sermon at last year's Royal Wedding

Dr Chartres recently hit the headlines after protesters Occupy London set up camp outside St Paul's Cathedral.

He took over the running of the site after top clerics, including Canon Dr Giles Fraser, resigned after the City of London Corporation and the cathedral took action to evict the protesters.

A friend of Prince Charles, he delivered the sermon at the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge last year.

Dr Chartres, who became the 132nd Bishop of London in 1995, attended Hertford Grammar School before studying history at Trinity College, Cambridge.

He taught Ancient History at the International School in Seville, before ordination in 1973.

Appointed Chaplain to Robert Runcie, then Bishop of St Albans, in 1975, he was consecrated Bishop of Stepney in 1992. He is married, with four children.

Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Rev Nick Baines, 54

Rt Rev Nick Baines is a keen blogger

The Liverpool-born bishop attended one of the city's comprehensive schools before studying modern languages at Bradford University.

He worked as a translator in Germany and for GCHQ as a Russian linguist before being ordained in 1987.

Consecrated as the Bishop of Croydon in 2003, he took up post as the Bishop of Bradford in 2011.

A keen blogger, under the title "Musings of a restless bishop," the bishop is a user of Twitter and regularly appears on BBC Radio 2's "Pause for thought" slot.

Bishop Baines, who is married with three adult children, he says he is "passionate about Christian engagement in the big wide world" meaning the church should "get stuck in" whenever it can.

Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Tim Stevens, 65

The Bishop recently accompanied the Queen on the first event of her Diamond Jubilee tour

The leader of Church of England bishops in the House of Lords, Bishop Stevens recently criticised the government over the proposed benefits cap.

He said he feared it would discriminate against children from poorer families and wants to see Child Benefit removed from the calculation.

Raised in a rural Essex vicarage, he spent a year in Zambia with Voluntary Service Overseas after leaving Chigwell School.

After studying Classics and English at Selwyn College, Cambridge, he worked for the British Overseas Airways Corporation and the Foreign Office.

Married with two adult children, he was ordained as Curate in East Ham, East London, in 1976 and consecrated as Bishop of Leicester in 1999.

His says his particular interests include interfaith relations, as Leicester has the largest Hindu population in the UK, plus substantial Muslim, Sikh and other faith communities.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17400568