Finding Your Ministry
by James G. Wenzel
As a semi-retired business executive who has counted Christ as Lord for over 60 years, I have become very concerned over the challenges facing the committed Christian and the organized church. We are being openly confronted over the fundamentals of our faith, on significant social and family values, and on the validity of Scriptural truths. Never have we seen such pressures from die mass media, from special interest groups, and even elected leaders, to compromise our spiritual strengths, our personal morals, and the respect for each operand society. The focus of many of these attacks is based on so-called personal rights, individual choice, and freedom to do as we please, rather than to "love one another", or to live as a member of the Body of Christ.
When we are challenged to set our priorities, to take a position, to determine whether we should speak out or stay in the shadows, it pays to look back over our lives, count our blessings, and define the source of our strengths and the keys to our own spiritual growth. Such an inventory can open our hearts to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, give us strength to take what actions are appropriate for us, and share our rediscovered strengths with others.
IT HAPPENED TO ME
Just so, one of the significant milestones in my life occurred about 18 years ago. While serving as a Vice President of Lockheed Corporation, I was faced wim a very demanding schedule at the office, a lot of travel, and demands on my time from my participation in professional, civic and church-related activities. I became frustrated with the pace, and my life was confusing. One night I shared will) my dear wife that for the first time in my career, I felt that I was doing nothing well. In discussing how to solve this problem, the usual alternative for most of us came upù"Why don11 you drop some of the things that you are doing at church?"
Being honest with myself, I pointed out that I had an even more important problem, namely, a strong feeling that I was not really serving my Lord. What I was doing at churctiùchoir, solos, Bible study, etc.-ùwere simply things I enjoyed, but widi no real service motivation fromme. Ineeded togive priority first to establishing what God really wanted me to do, and then to structure my time and life as appropriate.
This period of indecision was most troubling. While on a trip to Washington, D.C., I knelt beside my bed and asked God to provide an answer to the question of service, to give me peace of mind, or a new direction so that I could sort things out. Our Lord is faithful and gracious, and the response came quickly. In a telephone conversation the next day with my wife, I learned that my pastor, Rev. Gerald (Jerry) Amundson of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Saratoga, wanted to see me on my return.
Pastor Amundson discussed with me a new program called "Lutheran Lay Renewal" (LLR), which was begun in the state of Washington. It was an opportunity to share with other visiting Christians what God was doing in our lives, to review our spiritual needs, to renew our faith and strengthen our church and each other. I told him that it sounded like an interesting program, but fearfully asked, "What do you want me to do?" He showed me die manual with its general committee, 14 subcommittees, and a not too well defined schedule, and said, "I would like you to organize and lead the program, Jim."
I was dumbfounded. I told Pastor about my personal problem, our family discussions and my concerns and prayer in Washington. He smiled and said, "I could have asked someone else, in fact you were third on my list. But something told me – 'Ask Jim!"*
As hard as the invitation was to accept, 1 knew that the Lord was giving me an answer. But I didn't expect to get hit over die head with a two-by-four. I told Pastor that I really needed to pray about his request, but I knew what the answer had to be. I told my Lord that I had absolutely no idea how to find the time or the energy to do such an important task, or the wisdom to handle the responsiblity, but lhat I would leave those problems up to Him.
It was an awesome experience for me, with many events and spiritual uplifts I will never forget. I put in a tremendous amount of personal time over the next four months, and everything got done;ù including all my other commitments. We have an amazing Lord!
The Lay Renewal Weekend was a wonderful success. Our congregation was renewed and changed, new priorities were set for spiritual growth, and 70 people committed themselves to go out to other churches to share (heir blessings. There was no question but the Lord had provided me with a direct answer to my question. I found a ministry, and my life has truly been changed, with a continuing drive to serve Him and my brothers and sisters in Christ, and with a wonderful peace of mind. God is good!
IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU
Working with congregations who want to experience personal spiritual growth and bring new life to their church through sponsoring a Lutheran Lay Renewal weekend,* has been a rewarding commitment. To listen to lay people share their hungers, joys, sorrows, and discoveries of new strength in a personal relationship with Christ, sends one home uplifted, thankful and encouraged. Witnessing to the work of the Holy Spirit in my life, seeing His activity of striking sparks and His stirring of renewal fires within a local congregation, is a continuing ministry I will treasure all my life. To see how the LLR program in Washington and California has expanded to Hawaii, Canada and the remainder of the United States, is profoundly exhilarating.
If we Christians are concerned for the spiritual strength of our church, our families and our nation, it is so important that we begin by looking inward in order to renew our personal commitments to serve our Lord, to love one another and to strengthen the body of Christ. In a confused and self-centered world, we of the laity need to return to our "first love", to wake up our congregations, to reach out and make a difference in the lives we touch. We have, in Christ, the answers that the world and our neighbors need, and we must rise up in this critical time to the challenge.
So, if you too are a concerned Christian, and you are wondering what you can do – first share your concerns with our precious Lord. He will provide answers and a plan for your life. He will give courage and strength to take a stand in your area of influence, and an increased love for others. Establishing a strong personal relationship with Christ and serving Him in strengthening His church can be one of the most exciting steps in your spiritual growth. Maybe it will result in participation in, or leading a Lay Renewal in your own congregation. And maybe you too will find a new and precious personal ministry.
*LLR can be an exciting and aggressive approach to congregational rejuvenation, as testified to by the Rev. Gerald Nerenhausen from Oshkosh, WI. He says,"'For a pastor, having a renewal weekend is sort of like watching one of your younger children wake up in the morning. You stand there in the half-light where they are sound asleep. You want to pick them up and hug them, but it's better if you wait – and you do wait. The reward is a shy little smile, often followed by a grin, followed by a scramble, and then an armful of child. It is wonderful to see a congregation wake up in the early sun at a Lutheran Lay Renewal weekend The unconscious stretching of this part of the congregation, then the stretching of another pan, followed by a shy smile or a large grin, and then arms full of God's children rejoicing in their oneness in Christ." And Pastor Lester Hoffman in Phoenix: "We had a Lutheran Lay Renewal event here at Prince of Peace. It was truly the spiritual highlight of the year. Our members who participated and those who visited would agree that the weekend opened the door for people to share some of the treasures of faith which have been buried in their lives. Following the event itself, there has been more interpersonal sharing, more intentional prayer in our congregational life, and a spiritual growth which has been clearly discernible." Inquiries for materials and scheduling an LLR event can be directed to Lutheran Lay Renewal, 780 Ashbury Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530, (510) 526-9548.
Red Herrings
by Gordon Selbo*
The Sierra Pacific Synod is now on record pastoral blessing of homosexual relationships. More distressing than the actual vote (53% in favor) was the fact that the two sides of the question never really met each other. The debate was not "joined."
The basic issue was not addressed by those who wish the church to alter and reverse its belief and practice. That issue is the counsel ofthe Word of Cod. Since the Bible speaks of homosexual behavior in terms which are bom specific and strong, one would hope that such would be the basis for whatever debate ensued, not least in Lutheran circles.
At die recent Assembly meeting a single comment was made that the Apostle Paul was not fully informed on the matter, otherwise no appeal was made to the Scriptures on which the Church has based its doctrine for nineteen centuries. It tends to confirm the conviction of manyof usthatacase against thechurch 's traditional witness simply cannot be made on biblical grounds.
We are all familiar, or ought to be, with the church's historic position: God's created order of male and female, the holy limitation of marriage, the sacredness of sex, it's use and abuse, and themany passages of Scripture which warn against sexual promiscuity.
The several references to homosexual behavior are clear and intense in their disapproval (e.g., Leviticus 18: 22 and 20:13)
Romans:24-27;1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:10). To make a case otherwise, these statements must cither be reinterpreted or ignored. If, after honest examination, the case for reinterpretation appears tenuous or convoluted, we have no choice other than to conclude that the Christian Church has been right all along. This would be true if the infrequently heard, feirt biblically related assertions claiming to support homosexuality, are unconvincing. These assertions include that new meanings to the key Greek words have been discovered, or that the culture of the times can explain Paul's antipathy, or the context in which he wroteùe.g., his ignorance regarding sexual orientation, etc. To engage the Assembly delegates in this biblical arena would be a debate at the level at which Lutheranism has thrivedùa dedicated examination of the Scriptures.
The Assembly speakers instead offered "red herrings", which Webster defines as diverting attention from the basic issue. With this characterization no attempt is made to deny anyone's sincerity. But it is clear that such appeals, often quite emotional, were inserted into the discussion. Close examination shows they are diversionary in characterandimpact. The appealsmostfrequently heard from fhe microphones were:
1. "God loves all people. We are all his children. The gospel and the church we inclusive."
Who could take issue with that? It'snot debatable. But when used as a premise for the conclusion that therefore homosexual conduct must be accepted and blest, it is flawed. Logicians call this a "non sequitur" or a faulty syllogism. The conclusion does not follow from the premise. As has been said so often, "We love the sinner, but not the sin". Inclusiveness is nota standard of right or wrong. Theologically, as every pastor should know, a confusion of law and gospel is at workhere. The gospel does not invalidate the law.
One therefore tires of or even resents the inference from this faulty logic that those who oppose the homosexual agenda are somehow unloving or unaccepting folk. No one's love is at stake here. We must lift the debate above that dismal level.
2. "The question is one of justice and non-discrimituttion."
This appealstoonc's sense of fairness. Butdoesilconfront the issue or evade it? The Bible views homosexual behavior from a moral standpoint, not as a question of justice.
3. "The church has been wrong before." Microphonists cited medieval ideas of the universe, or more recently, the ordina lion of women.
This is a classic case of diversion. It can also be said conversely, that more often than not, the church has held to its faith and practice against the claims of the world around it The issue at hand needs to be considered on its own merits.
4. "It is Lutheran policy to allow pastors discretion and free dom of conscience in their ministry. We must trust our pastors . . ."
No standards? No boundaries? Really? Of course pastors use discretion regularly. All clergy are aware, however, lhat there must also be restrictions. This is a subtle argument, but an evasion nevertheless. It does not address the propriety of thepastoral blessing of homosexual unions.
5. "Homosexuals have civil rights – housing, employment, the military."
Civil rights in society are a related matter, but not identical with die question of sexual conduct Toe two items ought not be equated.
6. "Homosexuals are such by nature. As an innate orienta tion their sexuality ought to be allowed full expression."
The influence of heredity and environment on sexual prefer-ences remains theobjectof scientific and social study. Is it really proper to say that because one is born with certain proclivities, therefore his/her ensuing conduct is thereby justified?
The argument deserves examination, for we are sinful by nature – all of us. Lutherans call it"original sin." Geneticists tell us that individuals enter this world with a host of inborn tendencies, some of them unhealthy at best. That an individual acts in a certain way because he is so inclined, does not make it necessarily right To contend otherwise is very poor theology. It just could be that St. Paul, in his sharp repudiation of homosexual behavior, saw into the human condition more deeply and in a broader context that we seem willing lo do.
7. "We must catch up with society."
This microphone appeal to join the late 20th century, heard even ftom a few clergy, is a sad commentary on the confused view some hold oa the nature and calling of the church hi society. Howoften must we relearnthelessonthatwe are not only a part of society. but also a witness over against it? We can thank God that the church hasn't "caught up" with our world in a myriad of other ways, and surely not in this one which seems hopelessly lost in a morass of sexual misuse-confused, drifting, and despiteitsdespairing wail to use more condoms, beginning to reap the bitter fruit of sexual looseness under the guise of freedom,
REMAINING QUESTIONS
These were the "red herrings" that, without benefit of Scriptural reference, apparently swayed the Assembly. Their use and success leave us with a few questions:
1. Will our Lutheran liturgical capita] now be eroded by chasing after the development of rites and ceremonies of the blessing for homosexual couples?
2. Is tills the first step toward a general advocacy of sex outside marriage, a position already boldly and publicly advocated on the floor of our Synod's Assembly?
3. What are the implications for evangelism and ecumenism when no major denominationùCatholic, Orthodox, or Protestantùhas been willing to take the action our synod now endorses?
4. How can we now reasonably refuse ordination to practicing homosexuals? Right for laypeopte, but wrong for pastors?
5. Where does our leadership stand? Is there a subtle promotion of an agenda through our official publications like The Lutheran, Lutheran Partners, and the churchwide study document on Human Sexuality?
6. How divisive will the Assembly's action prove to be? Is the loss of members inevitable among the disappointed and disillusioned? At what point can a Bible-guided Christian no longer support a church body?
Whatever the future, let the debate be joined on Scriptural grounds. We must give our ELCA Constitution more than lip service. It categorically states: "This church accepts the canonical ScripturesoftheOIdandNewTestament as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and life."
That we should have arrived at this point in out history surely calls for confession. Wewhoseelhisasacjuestiononwhichwemust first seek biblical guidance have not done our job convincingly, if fundamental things are at slake which cannot be treated casually, we should be better prepared and probably more aggressive in future dialogues in the church's decision-making.
If we believe mat the church now blesses what the Bible condemns, a strong word needs to be spoken. If mere is evidence in the Scriptures to thecontrary.wemust be open to hear lhat The Assembly theme was "God’ s Power– Our Future."God's power is in His Word. Our future rests in faithfulness to that Word.
From another time come these words: "The great masquerade of evil has played havoc with all our ethical concepts. For evil to appear disguised as light, love, historical necessity, or social justice, is quite bewildering to anyone brought up on our traditional ethical concepts, while for the Christian who bases his life on the Bible it merely confirms the fundamental wickedness of evil." (Detrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison.). Are his words really too harsh to apply to this issue?
*Pastor Selbo, former faculty member at Luther College and mission pastor of the American Lutheran Church, is the president of the Fellowship of Confessional Lutherans.
Why Can't We Love Them Both?!
by Rev. Dr. George Muedeking
SENATOR TOM HARKIN (D-IA): "Abortion would not even be an issue if this entire committee were made up of women, because abortions happen to women."
SENATOR DANCOATES(R-IN): "And children!"
SENATOR HARKIN: "They happen to women."
SENATOR COATES: "And children and fetuses."
It is difficult to express more precisely what the issue of abortion means to the Pro-Life movement than this little exchange within the U.S. Senate Committee. In a single farcical half hour hearing on the "Freedom of Choice Act" (FOCA) on March 24ih, this Labor and Human Resources Committee highhandedly approved Senate Bill 25. How flippantly the deaths in the U.S. of one and a half* million unborn children a year (4100 per day, 3 per minute) can be disposed of!
How can this be so brazenly pursued? How can "wrongs become rights" so cavalierly? How can it be that 59.1% of Americans over 18 years of age, randomly sampled nationwide by Command Research said "yes" to the question, "Would you say you generally favor the right of a woman to decide if she needs or wants an abortion even if you personally oppose abortion?"
It is all done under the slogan of "Freedom of Choice." But whose choice? Not the innocent child in the womb, as Senator Coates tried to remind this railroading committee. Not even the choice of the same respondents to the Command Research poll cited above. When the issue is restated for them in the exact terms of the reality-question, 62.6% "agreed strongly" (another 10.6% "agreed somewhat") with the statement: "No matter howyou slice it, the fetus is a human baby. Killing is wrong, no matter what the month or stage of development"
This is what pro-lifers believe; it is what has supported them through the weary hours since the Supreme Court in Roe-Wade wiped out every legal protection previously granted 30 million innocent womb-dwellers who have lost their lives in the abortion holocaust.
That conviction puts us directly in frontof the Creator Himself, the giver and only disposer of life. We must answer to Him for our attitude towardhis supreme gift of life. And that is why the abortion problem will not go away, no matter how the politicians and the media frame their easy solutions. Too much is at stake when lif e is at stake.
Despite the sensitivity of 3/4ths of the American electorate, the present political leadership expects full support of the nation for FOCA. This actùif passed by the "representatives of the people" because pro-life defenders sit on their keyboards or fountain pens and do not let their legislators knowù will prohibit all popularly-supported state laws now regulating abortion (such as parental notification, being informed medically about abortion proceduresùinformed consent, and providing a waiting period for this elective surgery). Gone also will be theright for religious hospitals to refuse to abort and a doctor's duty to care for babies born alive during post-viability abortions as well as the right to speak out against abortion on demandùlong prison terms and huge fines for anyone who "interferes with" a woman wanting an abortion, as proposed in the Freedom of Access bills now sailing through Congress.
Bible-guided Christians should not be put off by the specious assertion that poor women should have the same "right" to destroy their offspring as do rich women. As Myrna Gutierrez reports in the Chicago Sun-Times (4/3/93), "While 70% of women with incomes of less than $25,000 disapprove of abortion, compared widi 52% of more affluent women, poorerwomenaccountfor two-thirds of abortions. As poor women fall prey to the deception that abortion is the quick fix to their problems, the wealthy cheer from the sidelines." And she adds, "Since abortion was legalized, feminization of poverty, child abuse, single parenting and sexual exploitation have skyrocketed. Millions of women now face die emotional and physical scars left by abortions, and women who have had abortions face a suicide risk nine times greater tiian that of those who haven't."
Even Planned Parenthood, the foremost purveyor of pre-birth deaths through abortion, concedes in its "Three Year Plan and Long Range Program Goals" that 9 out of 10 women who have abortions suffer some form of post abortion syndrome.
Yes, the issue is "rights." And those who have struggled for twenty years to return the "right to life" to the unborn, must continue to put the real issue before a media-mesmerized nation: "WHY CAN'T WE LOVE THEM BOTH?" Child and mother are both precious to God and will win his protection through the prayerful perseverance of the pro-life movement.
The Truth Test Read
1 John 4:1-6*
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits. Every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit which does not confess Jesus is not of God.
As editor of the Emporia Gazette, William While received many articles from aspiring writers, but he returned most of them to their authors with rejection slips.
One disappointed and bitter person wrote to White: "Sir, you sent back a story of mine. I know that you did not read it because, as a test, I pasted together pages 19 and 20. The manuscript came back with those pages still stuck together. So I know that you are a fraud and that you turn down articles without even reading them." White sent a brief reply.
"Dear Madam: At breakfast when I open an egg, I don't have to eat it all to determine if it's bad."
That's also true in detecting whether a religion is good or bad. Many people despair of knowing which religion is true because there are so many different beliefs in the world. But you don't have to examine every belief of a religious group or sect to know if it is false. If it denies the deity or humanity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His perfect life, His atoning death, His bodily resurrection, or His personal return, it is a "bad egg" and should be rejected. It is not of God, who has revealed Himself in the Bible.
What a religious group believes about Christ is all-important. It's the real lest of truth!
* From Our Daily Bread, Radio Bible Class, Grand Rapids, ML 3/2U93
Reader Responses
DEAR EDITOR:
Every year about this time I get talked into attending the Synod Assembly. I summarize this time with: "Why Life in The Gay Synod Isn't Very." Of course it's not just a matter of talk. The ELCA Constitution makes attendance at such events compulsory for its clergy. Each time I hear numerous presentations from numerous organizations who allege good causes and the need for greater funding.
I also hear any number of stand-up delegates at microphones addressing resolutions before the floor, many of which are controversial and intentionally so, and many of which deal with homosexuality and its implications for church and society. At least, such has been my experience since our church's inception in 1987.
Unfortunately, this synod has gained the reputation of being beyond the pale of national church policy. And so I was not all that surprised when the distinguished pastor, the Reverend Ross Hidy (previous LC A) made the suggestion early-on at this year's Assembly that the Sierra Pacific Synod should secede from the ELCA, as it apparently marches to a different drummer than that of the national church body.
Such "different drummer" status held true to form again this year. The Assembly, encouraged by the San Francisco gay and lesbian lobby, passed several resolutions of questionable integrity. Among them: a resolution commending the Synod Council for its action implying acceptance of and blessing of same sex liaisons, and a resolution encouraging private groups using church facilities to practice inclusivity in leadership positions (i.e., code language for openly gay persons being hi charge of Boy Scout troops, etc.). Judging by the content of the resolutions and the consistent pattern of adoption, this Synod has really become a showplace for gay innovation.
The trouble with all this, besides the overwhelming question of Christian faithfulness, is that while its avant-guard clergy and their followers may force their win over the deeply-held principles of others in attendance, it is not done without consequence. A local pastor recently returned from a trip to New Zealand. He observed that the Episcopal church in that country was experiencing similar problems. While the far left leadership of that church pushed its agenda upon the church and won, its winning had turned into a hollow victory, as many of its churches are now empty. It remains to be seen to what extent the same will happen here. New this year to the Assembly were the tactics of activist clergy who put parliamentary maneuvering and winning above any sense of community and congeniality. This has left a number of more conservative clergy embittered. The net effect of all this is that while life in this synod is becoming more gay in some respects, it is less gay in others.
Pastor Bill Bragstad, Ph.D.
Perspectives
THE MAIN POINT
Hennan Barth, newly installed as "the leading theologian in the Evangelical [Lutheran] Church in Germany", according to Lutheran World Information (5/93), has indicated that "oneofhispriorities will be to focus attention on the main point as to why the church acts and comments". He says, "It is worth considering that the church's conspicuous presence and its statements in the area of social politics could stem from the fact that we no longer know what to say as far as the main point of it all is concerned."
When asked what he mean t by the main point, Barth framed it as a question: Are we still aware in the church that the main issue is: "Whatisouronlysolaceinlifeanddealh?"
Would it make a difference in the vitality of our own church if in the ELCA's own Assembly and its Synods, in its presumptuous directives to the President and Congress of the US and the various state legislatures, as well as in the 5000 pulpits of the ELC A, all were to devote a like priority in their deliberations and resolutions to the main issue: "WHAT IS OUR ONLY SOLACE IN LIEE AND DEATH?"
SO THE REST STAND IN FEAR
Groups of pastors and laity in Minnesota and N. Calif, have petitioned the ELCA Church Council, its Conference of Bishops and the Bishop, to "act immediately to prevent any further harm to the Body of Christ" arising from "the homosexual-union services being performed by ELCA rostered clergy in the Sierra Pacific and Minneapolis Area Synods." The petitioners report that "at least three churches in Calif, are openly performing such services" and note that no disciplinary action is planned. "These services are dividing the body of Christ and are a scandal to the church. We believe the participating pastors are in serious violation of their ordination vows to uphold the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions." They "believe the hurt, scandal and division will proliferate in the two synods and perhaps spread to other synods as well. We write because we love the church and desire to see God's Word honored in all we do." Since the petition was sent, the pastor of a venerable Oakland church has from the pulpit introduced his "lover" to his shocked members.
Willy-nilly, the bishops are now about to be counted. Will they heed the Apostle Paul's exhortation to one of their own kind, to St. Timothy: "As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest also may stand in fear"? Or will they look the other way in the hope that, as one of them is on record, if no attention is paid, in the near future die church will accept practicing homosexual pastors as it has adjusted its morals to do with divorcees up to and including the bishop and the theological professor level?