Many of us have done so. For example: open.substack.com/pub/nebsynod...

I also posted it on my Substack: open.substack.com/pub/nebsynod...

It was removed from the ELCA website because it wasn’t a unanimous statement from the entire Conference of Bishops. We have an internal policy that requires consensus from the entire conference to speak as “The Conference of Bishops.”

Man, that is a deep cut for a lot of us, even in the clergy. I will admit I had to look him up.

He chose to resign. Disciplinary procedures that would remove a pastor from the roster of ministers of Word & Sacrament don’t move this fast.

True, but those who say Palestine = Hamas all point to Oct 7 as a reference point. It’s definitely a turning point for the conflict.

This is the point that needs to be stressed. “evangelical” is a transliteration of the Greek “euangelion” - the literal meaning is “good message” and is also translated “gospel”

The ELCA is in no way affiliated with the American ‘evangelical’ movement. We’re an entirely different church.

Hate to bust this bubble a bit, but we’re just under 3 million of us these days, and TBH a good chunk of those losses are because many ELCA leaders have gone too “LIBRUL” for some.

For instance, we had the audacity to suggest that the LGBTQIA+ community deserved to be treated like humans.

Of course we’re political. Nothing has ever suggested we shouldn’t be. Jesus himself was political at times.

What we are trying to be is non-partisan. By not endorsing candidates, we focus on issues and policies, not individuals and parties.

Well, you revealed the existence of the SD to me, so we’re both learning. Here’s hoping if I ever meet my family who are still there, they won’t be part of it. 🤞

Missouri Synod was German & Saxon in origin. The Swedish Lutherans who came to the US created the Augustana Synod, which over time and mergers became the ELCA.