Lutherans seek renewal, form new denomination
EDMONTON, AB—Some Canadian Lutherans are looking south of the border as 18 American churches form a new denomination dedicated to upholding "confessional principles."
The North American Lutheran Church (NALC) was founded at the annual convocation of the Lutheran CORE, a coalition of individuals, churches and groups dedicated to seeking the renewal of the church through upholding sound scriptural principles and the Lutheran Confession.
CORE director Mark Chavez says a number of congregations requested help in forming the new denomination, due in part to last year's decision by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to allow the ministry of gay and lesbian clergy.
Founding churches come from across the United States and an additional 200 American congregations have begun the process to join them.
A handful of Canadian churches are also expressing interest. While the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) twice defeated a similar motion on the issue of allowing gay and lesbian clergy, many believe the issue will be brought back to vote.
"A lot of us believe it's time to move on," says Karl Johnsen, pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Edmonton. "Hopefully we can do this in a spirit of Christian charity to one another."
Calvary recently voted to leave the ELCIC and is currently an independent Lutheran Church. They will vote on joining NALC in November.
"A number of us have been concerned about the direction that the ELCIC and the ELCA have been taking," says Johnsen, who is also a member of the CORE steering committee. "It's a revisionist direction, which is manifested most recently in the blessing of same-sex unions.
"The issue is a symptom of a larger disease," he adds. "The real issue is the authority of Scripture and its teaching of the Church." Comparing it to heresies that affected the early church, Johnsen says the decision to condone homosexuality goes against "2,000 years of Christianity and 500 years of Lutheranism."
He stresses that Martin Luther taught one must look to the external, unchanging word of God as the source of right and wrong, and not one's internal convictions.
"Luther says the justification by grace through faith is the article by which the Church stands or falls," Johnsen says. "There is a different gospel at work here, one that does not speak of justification, but speaks of wordly justice. One that does not speak of salvation and redemption as it does of inclusion."
In Canada, individual Lutheran congregations own their church properties. Therefore departing congregations will not face potential property battles similar to those which have plagued Anglican churches in recent years.
Chavez adds that the Lutheran CORE will also seek to help those who join NALC stay in fellowship and communion with like-minded Lutherans who have not currently chosen to leave the ELCA and ELCIC.
"We want to make sure they have a way of connecting with other Lutherans who submit to the authority of God's work over all matters of faith and life," he says.
The new denomination also plans to include congregations in Mexico and the Caribbean.
Dear Readers:
ChristianWeek relies on your generous support. please take a minute and donate to help give voice to stories that inform, encourage and inspire.
Donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable receipt.Thank you, from Christianweek.
