Mark Hansen, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA released a challenging message to ELCA pastors last week. I read it and sent him this response. See what you think.
Brother Mark (et al. who work in the office of the Bishop),
thanks for the note.
I'm 34 and this is the first time as an ELCA pastor (8.5 years in ministry and still going) that I have seen such a clear understanding, in the ELCA's home office, of the #1 issue that we need to face as a church: mission, right here and right now, in our own families and communities.
In 8.5 years I've seen the ELCA splinter over adiophora topics like bishops and worship. I've grown tired of constant debates over complex social issues like sexuality that creep up every 2 years at assemblies but will really take 2 generations to finish.
Thanks for your efforts to steer the church-wide dialog in the right direction. It was greatly encouraging to hear you speak at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester in February and to hear that you understand that we've got bigger issues at stake than ecumenical relations or debates about sexuality. Thanks for acknowledging the elephant in the room: our call to share the Good News not only with those who come to us but with those who don't.
pax,
unlikely
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2 comments:
A very interesting message from the Bishop. Especially in light of Archbishop Flynn's recent actions.
http://www.startribune.com/local/16136322.html
Very well said.
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