In This Issue

• Jesus is not really necessary in the ELCA's DEIA gospel
• Who is eating "the living flesh of the dying beast?"
• Big changes on the horizon
• Spend time priming the pump of discipleship
• What's happening to make the imposition of DEIA easier?

Scroll Down for More

by Pastor Dennis D. Nelson, Lutheran CORE Executive Director

 The past couple years we have written extensively about the ELCA’s Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church, which was formed in response to action taken by the 2022 Churchwide Assembly. We have expressed deep concern over –

·        The primary mandate that was given to the Commission to be “particularly attentive to our shared commitment to dismantle racism.” 

·        The makeup of the Commission, with 20% being LGBTQ+ persons and 20% being DEIA officers or leaders at their place of employment and/or influence.

·        The DEIA audit which the 2022 Churchwide Assembly instructed the Church Council to have done of the ELCA’s governing documents and how the results of that audit might be incorporated into the work of the Commission. 

·        The consistent lack of specific information in all communications from the Commission.

·        The way in which the ELCA dismissed and ridiculed persons who were concerned through the document which they released, “Myths and Facts about Congregational Governance.”

·        The amendments to the ELCA Constitutions which have been recommended by the Commission, approved by the Church Council, and are being presented to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly, especially the proposed amendments to chapter 22 of the Churchwide Constitution, which would fast-track the approval process for amendments that come from the floor at the assembly.

But my concerns have only grown greater as I have read and analyzed the final report from the Commission, which was recently released. [...]

I have studied and sought to grasp the entire report – all 75 pages of it.  [...]

But what I find most alarming are Recommendations 1 and 7 in the final report, which have accomplished nothing less than cementing a DEIA value system and Marxist critical theory into the ELCA governing documents.  [...]

by Pr. Brett Jenkins, NALC pastor from Pennsylvania and former board member of Lutheran CORE

Editor’s Note: The image above shows soldiers harvesting and cooking a fallen horse. Brett writes, "While originally written in regards to Western culture generally, the thrust of this poem more particularly applies to the Christian orthodoxy at the heart of that culture suffering at the hand of theological progressivism within the Church." Please also check out his blog, The Faith Conservationist.

The soldiers spit and then decry

The rottenness of all their feast,

Snarling as they’re nourished on

The living flesh of dying beast

Whose labor brought them hitherto

With much travail and sacrifice, [...]

by Pastor Dennis D. Nelson, Lutheran CORE Executive Director

 The Lutheran Congregational Support Network (LCSN) has recently released three more videos which tell of big changes that are on the horizon for the ELCA.   

[...] Part 5 – “Changing the Constitution: The Fast Track Proposal.”

In July 2025, key constitutional amendments will be up for a vote – amendments that could reshape the church’s future. This video explains what is at stake and what these changes could mean. We urge you to watch this video so that you will understand the ELCA’s fast-track proposal and why it matters. 

[...] Part 6 – “The ELCA’s Game Changer?”

This video unpacks a seemingly simple question posted by ELCA Vice President Imran Siddiqui: “If you were to change the organizational structure of the ELCA, how would you do it?” It explores how a single footnote in a recent report could have significant implications for congregational autonomy.

What does it mean when a lawyer-vice president calls a proposal to “eliminate congregational home rule” a “game changer (esp. in the legal sphere)”? This video takes a close look at:

·        How and why Section 9.22 of the ELCA constitution could be used in new ways

·        How a simple footnote could point toward a path for imposing churchwide mandates without congregational consent

·        The growing tension between local autonomy and centralized authority in the ELCA

[...] Part 7 – “Churchwide Assembly: Who Gets to Vote?”

This video tells of another change that will be voted on at the triannual gathering this summer – adding voting members who are not part of congregations. [...]

by Pr. Megan Ann Shaffer, NALC pastor in Pennsylvania

“Ugh, discipleship is so law-based.” Sadly, I frequently hear this as a disciple-maker. Quite frankly, I can understand why people hold such a position, which results in their hesitancy as Lutherans to begin making disciples intentionally.

However, this interaction got me thinking. What causes such hesitancy and resistance to discipleship? One answer is [...]

• City Mission: Baltimore & Beyond 2025 - May 13-17, 2025. For more information, click here.
• BYLD: Building Youth As Leaders Who Are Disciples of Christ—Geneva College, Beaver, PA. July 7-12, 2025. Click here.
• The NEXUS Institute 2025--Grand View University, Des Moines, IA. July 24-26,2025 with mentor training July 21-23. 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.
• 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.