In This Issue

• The only way to rewrite and restructure the ELCA constitution
• Revisit foundational Lutheran principles
• Synod Assembly sans the HS
• Ordination vows
• A chemically and surgically mutilated child
• False gods are demonic
• Video on Christian worldview



Scroll Down for More

by Pastor Dennis D. Nelson, Lutheran CORE Executive Director

   I was amazed but not surprised over how little information was coming from the ELCA regarding the momentous decisions that will be made by and the potentially momentous changes that will be coming from the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, which will be held July 28-August 2. My impression is that the ELCA is saying as little as possible so that there will be as little conversation as possible before the assembly, so that when the decisions are made and the actions are taken at the assembly it will be [...]

by Mr. Paul Flemming, Fredericksburg, VA

As the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) considers sweeping constitutional amendments in 2025, it is crucial to revisit the foundational principles of the Lutheran Reformation—the Five Solas—and assess the implications of these changes for our confessional identity and mission. [...]

by Pr. Megan Ann Shaffer, NALC pastor in Pennsylvania

Six years. That was the length of time St. John’s Lutheran Church of Nanticoke, PA, went without a called pastor.[...]

Over time, conditions worsened as the Synod could no longer provide or guarantee bi-weekly or even monthly pulpit supply, leaving St. John's to fend for itself. [...]

In 2018, the congregation was surprised to learn that an eight-year-old, who had transitioned from his biological sex to the opposite with parental permission, was a featured speaker at [...]

That same year, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton was interviewed by the Chicago Sun-Times, where she expressed her opinion as a representative of the most prominent American Lutheran Church body, suggesting that she believed there may be a hell, and in her view, it would be empty. Her publicly expressed opinion, as a representative of the ELCA, constitutes a denial of her ordination vows, which state [...]

by Pr. Brian Hughes, Lutheran CORE Board VP

It was the early 1980’s and my then first pastoral “boss” (I was his associate) and mentor use to say things like, “In the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., everyone has a puke point. You’ll know it when you reach it.” [...]

At the June 2018 national ELCA Youth Gathering a chemically and surgically mutilated child was paraded across the stage as an inspirational symbol of acceptance. Adults who make such decisions are one thing. I think they need therapy and not surgery, but that’s on them. A child, one whose prefrontal cortex was not yet fully developed, was subjected to irreversible medical procedures and revealed as blessed by God. I was done.  [...]

by Pr. Douglas Schoelles, NALC Pastor in Indiana and member of the board of Lutheran CORE

At Confirmation Camp the girl had scrawled across her forearm four pagan runes. Most folks would look past these symbols as mere doodling. But the images are pagan prayers every bit as a worn cross or scripture tattoo is a prayer to Christ.

While movies like “Harry Potter” or “The Craft” or the show “Charmed” make witchcraft seem innocuous and glamourous, Wicca is a real religious movement, especially resurging among young women and teenage girls. Pagans do not worship the God of the Bible, but rather rely on a pantheon of gods and goddesses. [...]

Even though some have a fallacy of “Christian Witches”, actual Wiccans would say you can’t be Christian and wiccan. Note that “Christian”- being a Christ follower –is modifying the noun to be a witch. Whenever an adjective at odds with the Word of God is used to modify the noun of being a Christian that perspective is pagan. [...]

"A Christian Worldview Primer for Twenty-First Century Americans"

by Pastor Dennis D. Nelson, Lutheran CORE Executive Director

Many thanks to Stephen Heath for providing a video summary of his new book, “A Christian Worldview Primer for Twenty-first Century Americans."  [...]

This primer begins by introducing the basic concepts of worldview. It then outlines Christianity’s answers to the worldview questions of origins, purpose, and destiny. Stephen writes –



“Christianity’s understanding of the universe and life and law within it is unique, comprehensive, and coherent. In every age, the Christian worldview confronts [...]

• BYLD: Building Youth As Leaders Who Are Disciples of Christ—Geneva College, Beaver, PA. July 7-12, 2025. Click here.
• 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly—Phoenix, AZ. July 28 - Aug 2, 2025. Click here.
• NALC Lutheran Week 2025. Pittsburgh, PA. August 3 - Aug 8, 2025. Click here.
• Cross Country Mission III—September 15-20, 2025 — Return to Burnsville, NC (the area damaged by Hurricane Helene). Click here.
• Global Confessional and Missional Lutheran Forum —September 23-25, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya.
• LCMC 25th Annual Gathering & Convention — Lakeville, MN. October 5-8, 2025. Click here.
• Nicaea Pro Ecclesia: The Status and Potential of Our Nicene Heritage in Christian Catechesis and Ecumenical Dialogue — Beeson Divinity School, Samford University, Birmingham, AL. January 12-14, 2026. Click here.

© 2024 Lutheran Coalition for Renewal

Email Editor (Kim Smith)

PO Box 1741 Wausau, WI 54402-1741

1-888-810-4180

www.lutherancore.org

Lutheran CORE's mission:

• A Network for Confessing Lutherans
• A Voice for Biblical Truth

Our purpose can be summed up in two words– Network  and  Voice. As  Network  for confessing Lutherans, we support and connect Lutheran individuals and congregations who seek to live in accord with Biblical and confessional teachings and practices. As a  Prophetic Voice, we advocate for Biblical authority and confessional fidelity among churches of the Lutheran community.

We communicate Biblical truth through our newsletter, mailings, and various forms of social media.