This Blog's purpose is to offer information about congregations voting to leave the ELCA. Pastor Barnhart's other Blog offers information about current news events relating to the Church and the nation. It may be found here: http://livinginthetimes.blogspot.com/
Sunday, August 22, 2010
ZION LUTHERAN, CLEAR LAKE, IOWA
Zion Lutheran Church met Sunday August 22 for their second vote to withdraw from the ELCA. There were 478 votes cast--317 in favor of leaving 161 in favor of staying. The required 2/3s vote was missed by 2 votes. Zion remains in the ELCA.
The only reason the vote failed at Zion was a substantial number of people used this vote to try to unseat Pastor Dean Hess who has headed the congregation for the last 20 years. They convinced members who had left our church several years earlier but had not officially transfered their memberships to other churches to come back for the vote and help them drive Pastor Hess out. Unfortunately, the previous vote was so strong to leave some members who supported our departure didn't think their presence was critical. We paid a heavy price for that.
However, a large contingency of members are already working on the details to start up a new church as soon as possible. It was a sad night, but we are not giving up the fight.
This is indeed sad, but at the same time, it can also help serve as a learning experience for other churches. Just because the first vote was strong to leave doesn't mean that it's guaranteed. Be sure to show up to vote both times.
Has Zion considered dual rostering with another Lutheran body and wait to be kicked out of the ELCA?
The only reason the vote failed at Zion was a substantial number of people used this vote to try to unseat Pastor Dean Hess who has headed the congregation for the last 20 years. They convinced members who had left our church several years earlier but had not officially transfered their memberships to other churches to come back for the vote and help them drive Pastor Hess out. Unfortunately, the previous vote was so strong to leave some members who supported our departure didn't think their presence was critical. We paid a heavy price for that.
ReplyDeleteHowever, a large contingency of members are already working on the details to start up a new church as soon as possible. It was a sad night, but we are not giving up the fight.
This is indeed sad, but at the same time, it can also help serve as a learning experience for other churches. Just because the first vote was strong to leave doesn't mean that it's guaranteed. Be sure to show up to vote both times.
ReplyDeleteHas Zion considered dual rostering with another Lutheran body and wait to be kicked out of the ELCA?
Here is the latest news of Zion in Clear Lake Iowa....
ReplyDeletehttp://globegazette.com/news/local/article_bd5fa042-ee85-11df-ada9-001cc4c002e0.html