NEW CONGREGATION BEING FORMED IN CENTRAL PA, ILLINOIS AND SOUTH CAROLINA

Seventy members from Concordia ELC in Columbia, PA have left that congregation
and started Reformation Lutheran Church. Eighty-two people were present for
their first worship service March 27, 2011 in a funeral home just north of
Lancaster, PA. On April 10 a congregational meeting will be held to adopt a
budget, call the Rev. David L. Hefner, and join NALC.

Christ the King Lutheran Church (NALC) is meeting at De Soto Village Hall, 210 W. Lincoln St., De Soto, IL. Worship at 6:00 pm. Preston Foster, pastor. Phone: (618) 521-2109 for more information.

A new congregation has been formed in Sumter, South Carolina, after a failed vote to eleave the ELCA at St. James Lutheran Church, Sumter. IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF SUMTER is meeting at The Christian Golfer's Association building in Sumter. They have not yet decided which Lutheran body they will join. Thus, they have pastors serving them now from WELS, LC-MS, NALC and the LCMC.

CONGREGATIONS SCHEDULED TO VOTE DURING APRIL 2011 TO LEAVE THE ELCA

* INDICATES FIRST VOTE ** INDICATES SECOND VOTE

If you know of additions or corrections to this list, please contact us at: wordabide@aol.com

Pray earnestly for these and all congregations going though this process.

April 3
1. St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Stewart, (Fernando) MN **
2. First Lutheran Church, Baker City, OR **
3. Kissinger Lutheran Church, Wyomissing, PA**
4. Grace Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, WI *
5. Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisbon, ND *
6. St. Paul Lutheran Church (Trauger) Latrobe, PA **

April 10
1. Zion Lutheran Church, LaMoille, IL **
2. St. Mark Lutheran Church, Butler, PA **
3. St. James Lutheran Church, Greenfield, IN **
4. Bethel Lutheran Church, Parkersburg, IA (Their second vote failed two weeks ago, so they have scheduled another vote.)
5. First Lutheran Church, Princeton, IL **
6. First Lutheran Church, Troy, OH**
7. Samhold Lutheran Church, Gonvick, MN **
8. Norway Lutheran Church, St. Olaf, IA **
9. Marion Lutheran Church, Elgin, IA **

April 17
1. Bethel Lutheran Church Hawkins, WI **
2. Bethany Lutheran Church, Catawba, WI **
3. St. Peter Lutheran Church, Hallettsville, TX **
4. St. John Lutheran Church, Bloomer, WI *

RESULTS MARCH 27, 2011--CONGREGATIONS VOTING TO LEAVE ELCA

1. ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH, GROVEPORT, OH passed first vote to leave the ELCA- 53-6.

2. ST JACOB LUTHERAN CHURCH, GLENVILLE, PA passed first vote to leave ELCA 42-3.

3. FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, PAXTON, IL passed first vote (second attempt) to leave ELCA 73-9.

4. ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH, WILLOW SPRINGS, MO passed second vote to leave the ELCA on February 27. They joined LCMC.

5. ORGAN LUTHERAN CHURCH, SALISBURY,NC passed second vote to leave the ELCA 191-87. Voted to join both NALC and LCMC.

6. SHILOH LUTHERAN CHURCH, HICKORY, NC failed to pass first vote to leave ELCA,41-22 (motion failed by 1 vote).

7. ST JACOB'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, CHAPIN, SC passed first vote to leave ELCA by 92% and to join NALC by 95%. This is first NALC congregation in SC.

8. FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, MILLERSBURG, OH passed second vote to leave ELCA and join the NALC 52-11.

9. IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, FRESNO, CA passed first vote to leave ELCA 121-10.

10. SOLEM LUTHERAN CHURCH, HAWLEY, MN passed second vote to leave ELCA.

11. GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH, MENNO, SD passed second vote to leave ELCA.

12. OUR SAVIOR'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, MENNO, SD passed second vote to leave ELCA.

SUNDAY MARCH 27, 2011, SCHEDULED VOTES TO LEAVE THE ELCA

March 27
Zion Lutheran Church, Groveport, OH *
Grace Lutheran Church, Menno, SD **
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Menno, SD**
First Lutheran Church, Paxton, IL *
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Fresno, CA *
Peace Lutheran Church, Baldwin, WI *
Shiloh Lutheran Church, Hickory, NC *

RESULTS MARCH 20, 2011 FOR CONGREGATIONS VOTING TO LEAVE ELCA

1. HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, GASTONIA, NC passed second vote to leave ELCA, 80%. Joining NALC.

2. BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, PARKERSBURG, IA failed to pass second vote.

3. ST ANDREW LUTHERAN CHURCH, NEW BERN, NC failed to pass first vote, 129 to stay in ELCA 73 to leave, 5 abstained.

ELCA BAPTIZED MEMBERSHIP LOSSES BY STATES.

In some cases a state represents a complete ELCA synod, while other states have more than one synod. There are several synods with congregations in more than one state.

These losses are based on congregations posted on my blog that have successfully taken one or both of their votes to leave the ELCA.

The total of ELCA baptized membership losses in all states is 268,862 from 423 congregations that have taken two successful votes and from 91 congregations that have taken one successful vote, with second vote pending.

Figures are based on reports from ELCA’s 2011 Yearbook.

Alaska 244
Arizona 11,157
California 23,117
Colorado 3,202
Florida 5,307
Georgia 2,230
Idaho 1,279
Illinois 16,876
Indiana 3,355
Iowa 17,003
Kansas 824
Kentucky 1,909
Maryland 4,884
Michigan 7,611
Missouri 573
Minnesota 46,997
Montana 6,395
Nebraska 6,438
New York 2,681
North Carolina 12,373
North Dakota 4,672
Ohio 23,969
Oregon 2,203
Pennsylvania 12,439
South Carolina 1,150
South Dakota 6,119
Tennessee 490
Texas 19,052
Utah 639
Virginia 1,990
Washington 6,686
West Virginia 669
Wisconsin 13,133
Wyoming 322

CONGREGATIONS SCHEDULED TO VOTE ON LEAVING ELCA MARCH 20

If you are aware of changes or additions to this list, please inform us at:
www.wordabide@aol.com

* indicates first vote ** indicates second vote


St. Andrew Lutheran Church, New Bern, NC *
Badger Lutheran Church, Badger, IA **
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Gastonia, NC **

RESULTS MARCH 13, 2011: CONGREGATIONS VOTING TO LEAVE ELCA

1. HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH, Aberdeen, SD passed second voted to leave the ELCA, 61-30. Bishop threatens to not recognize the vote. Read:
www.aberdeennews.com/news/aan-holy-cross-to-leave-elca-20110314,0,620902.story


St. Jacob's (Stone) Lutheran Church, Glenville, PA was unable to hold its scheduled meeting and vote on dissociating from the ELCA due to lack of quorum. Reportedly, the vote has been rescheduled for March 27.

2. PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH, Connersville, IN passed second vote to leave the ELCA, 90%. They will join NALC.

3. OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH, Salem, OR passed first vote to leave the ELCA, 92%.

4. FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, Tulare, CA passed second vote to leave the ELCA. Voted to join NALC.

5. ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH, Bucyrus, OH passed first vote to leave ELCA, 94% on March 6.

6. STAVANGER LUTHERAN CHURCH, Seneca IL passed first vote 55-2.

UPDATE MARCH 12, CONGREGATIONS VOTING TO LEAVE THE ELCA

We have added/changed information concerning the following congregations since our last post:
1. St. Paul Lutheran Church (Zeiglers) Seven Valleys, PA passed first vote.
2. Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Memphis, TN passed second vote. NALC
3. Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Everett, WA passed second vote. NALC
4. New Hope Lutheran Church, Hayti, SD passed second vote. NALC
5. Hayti Lutheran Church, Hayti, SD passed second vote. NALC
6. Cross Lutheran Church, Pigeon, MI passed second vote. NALC
7. Faith Lutheran Church, Seguin, TX passed second vote. LCMC
8. Joy Lutheran Church, Richmond, TX passed second vote NALC
9. Bethesda Lutheran Church, Wannaska, MN passed second vote NALC
10. St. John Lutheran Church, Bridgewater, MI passed second vote LCMC
11. St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sheldon, IA passed first vote. NALC
12. Living Hope Lutheran Church, Farwell, MI passed first vote. NALC
13. Brighton Heights Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh, PA passed first vote. NALC
14. Bethany Lutheran Church, Nevis, MN passed first vote.
15. St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bolivar, OH passed second vote. NALC
16. Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, St. Joseph, IL passed second vote. NALC
17. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Aberdeen, SD passed second vote.
18. Peace Lutheran Church, Connersville, IN passed second vote. NALC
19. Our Savior Lutheran Church, Salem, OR passed first vote.
20. First Lutheran Church, Tulare, CA passed second vote. NALC
21. St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bucyrus, OH passed first vote.

George Erdner has supplied us with these congregations not our list:
22. First Lutheran Church, Pillager, MN passed first vote.
23. St. Paul Lutheran Church, Blue Hill, NE passed second vote. LCMC
24. Zion Lutheran Church, Montpelier, OH passed second vote. LCMC
25. St. Jacob's Lutheran Church, Chapin, SC passed second vote. NALC

26. Stavanger Lutheran Church, Seneca, IL passed first vote.
27. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Edgeley, ND passed second vote. LCMC
28. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Gastonia, NC passed second vote. NALC
29. First Lutheran Church, Oakland, NE passed first vote.
30. Bethel Lutheran Church, Parkersburg, IA failed to pass second vote. (Removed from list.

AALC - The American Association of Lutheran Churches;
AFLC - Association of Free Lutheran Congregations;
CLB - Church of the Lutheran Brethren;
ELCM - Evangelical Lutheran Conference and Ministerium;
FELC - Fellowship of Evangelical Lutheran Churches;
LC-I - Lutheran Church-International;
LCMC - Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ;
LC-MS - Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod;
NALC - North American Lutheran Church

If you know of congregations not listed here, please advise us at:
wordabide@aol.com


AWM’s list as of March 12, shows 423 congregations that successfully have taken their second vote to leave the ELCA, as well as 89 congregations that have successfully taken their first vote and now await their second vote. We are missing several congregations from our list. If you know of congregations that have successfully voted but are not on our list, please inform us at wordabide@aol.com.


ELCA baptized membership loss contained in this list: 268,297

* INDICATES FIRST VOTE ** INDICATES SECOND VOTE

ALASKA 1**
** St. Paul Lutheran Church, Kodiak NALC

ARIZONA 9**
** Light of the Desert Lutheran, Cave Creek LCMC
** Light of Christ Lutheran, Chandler LCMC
** Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran , Fountain Hills
** Community Church of Joy, Glendale LCMC
** St. Peter Lutheran Church, Mesa NALC
** Victory Lutheran Church, Mesa LCMC
** American Lutheran Church, Phoenix
** La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, Scottsdale
** Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, Tempe LCMC
Note: Shepherd of the Hills, Fountain Hills was expelled, Dec. 11, 2010, by the Grand Canyon Synod because of their “dual affiliation” with the LCMC.

CALIFORNIA 30** 3*
** St. John’s Lutheran, Arroyo Grande LCMC
** Sierra Lutheran Church, Auberry LCMC
** Chinese Life Lutheran Church, Alhambra LCMC
** Mission Point Lutheran Church, Chino LCMC
** Christ the King Lutheran, Fallbrook LCMC
** Shepherd of the Mountains, Frazier Park AALC
** Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran, Galt AALC
** St. Mark Chinese Luth, Hacienda Heights LCMC
* Grace Lutheran Church, Huntington Beach
** Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Irvine LCMC
** Concordia Lutheran Church, Kingsburg LCMC
** Lutheran Church of Cross, Laguna Woods LCMC
** LaJolla Lutheran Church, LaJolla LCMC
** St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, La Mesa FELC
** Emanuel Lutheran Church, Lodi LCMC
** St. John’s Lutheran Church, Los Banos LCMC
* Trinity Lutheran Church, Madera LCMC
** Mount of Olives Lutheran, Mission Viejo LCMC
** Calvary Lutheran Church, Modesto LCMC
** Grace Lutheran Church, Redway
** Life Lutheran Church, Richmond
** Grace Lutheran Church, Ridgecrest LCMC
**Rancho Penasquitos Lutheran , San Diego LCMC
** St. Timothy Lutheran Church, San Diego LCMC
** Chinese Lutheran Church, San Francisco
** Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, San Jose LCMC
** St. Timothy Lutheran Church, San Jose NALC
** Christ Lutheran Church, Santa Clarita LCMC
** Good Shepherd Lutheran, Torrance
** First Lutheran Church, Tulare, CA NALC
** Red Hill Lutheran Church, Tustin LCMC
** Mt. Calvary Faith Lutheran, West Covina LCMC
* Reformation Lutheran Church, Westminster
** Westminister Lutheran Church, Westminster

COLORADO 6**
** Faith Lutheran Church, Castle Rock LCMC
** Bethel Lutheran, Colorado Springs LCMC
** Black Forest Lutheran, Colorado Springs,
** St. Luke’s Lutheran, Colorado Springs NALC
** Lutheran Church of the Cross, Evergreen LCMC
** Faith Lutheran Church, Security LCMC

FLORIDA 10** 1*
* Advent Lutheran Church, Boca Raton
** Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran, Dade City LCMC
** St. Peter Lutheran Church, Fort Pierce LCMC
** Shepherd of Woods Church, Jacksonville LCMC
** Faith Lutheran Church, Lakeland LCMC
** Living Word Lutheran Church, Lantana LCMC
** Hope Lutheran Church, Miami LCMC
** Peace Lutheran Church, Palm Bay LCMC
** St. John Lutheran Church, Palatka LCMC
** Trinity Lutheran Church, Titusville LCMC
** First Lutheran Church , West Palm Beach
Note: Although St. Peter Lutheran of Fort Pierce voted unanimously to withdraw, the ELCA will not allow them to leave with their property.

GEORGIA 8**
** Laurel Hill Lutheran Church, Clyo LCMC
** Wingard Memorial Lutheran, Clyo LCMC
** Christ the King Lutheran Church, Evans NALC
** Prince of Peace Lutheran , Fayetteville NALC
** Mt. Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Haralson LCMC
** Faith Lutheran Church, Hartwell LCMC
** Bethel Lutheran Church, Springfield LCMC
** Holy Trinity Lutheran, Springfield LCMC

IDAHO 4** 1*
** Zion Lutheran Church, Deary LCMC
** St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Hayden LCMC
** First Evangelical Lutheran, Idaho Falls LCMC
* Trinity Lutheran Church, Lewiston
** Faith Lutheran Church, Pierce LCMC

ILLINOIS 20** 7*
* St. John Lutheran Church, Danforth
** Trinity Lutheran Church, DeKalb LCMC
** First Lutheran Church, Dongola LCMC
** St. John of Union County Luth, Dongola LCMC
** St. Peter Lutheran Church, Emden LCMC
** St. John’s Lutheran Church, Flanagan LCMC
** St. Paul Lutheran Church, Franklin Grove LCMC
** Messiah Lutheran Church, Joliet LCMC
** First Lutheran Church, Kirkland NALC
* Zion Evan Lutheran Church of Clarion, La Moille
** Calvary Lutheran Church, Lee LCMC
** St. Mark Lutheran Church, Lindenhurst LCMC
** St. Paul Lutheran Church, Metropolis NALC
** Faith Lutheran Church, Moline LCMC
** St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Oregon LCMC
** Zion Lutheran Church, Philo NALC
** First Lutheran Church, Pontiac NALC
* First Lutheran Church, Princeton
** American Lutheran Church, Rantoul NALC
* Calvary Lutheran Church, Rockford
** Prince of Peace Lutheran, Rockton LCMC
** St. John Lutheran Church, Royal NALC
* Hosanna Lutheran Church, St. Charles
** Prince of Peace Lutheran , St. Joseph NALC
* Stavanger Lutheran Church, Seneca, IL
** Immanuel Lutheran Church, Thomasboro NALC

INDIANA 8** 2*
** St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Auburn NALC
** Peace Lutheran Church, Connersville
** St. John Lutheran Ft. Wayne (Lake Twp.) NALC
* St. Mark Lutheran Church, Ft. Wayne
* St. James Lutheran Church, Greenfield
** Antioch Lutheran Church, Hoagland NALC
** St. James Lutheran Church, Holland LCMC
** Trinity Lutheran Church, Logansport
** St. Mark Lutheran Church, St. Joe LCMC
** St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Stendal LCMC

IOWA 34** 11*
* Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Ackley
* Badger Lutheran Church, Badger
** St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Bode LCMC
** Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake LCMC
** Highland Park Lutheran Church, Des Moines
** Unity Lutheran Church, Des Moines LCMC
** Zion Lutheran Church, Des Moines LCMC
* Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church, Dorchester
* Evangelical Lutheran Church, Eagle Grove
** Samuel Lutheran Church, Eagle Grove LCMC
* Marion Lutheran Church, Elgin
* Trinity Lutheran Church, Ellsworth
** Prince of Peace Lutheran, Evansdale AALC
* Hope Lutheran Church, Everly
* Fertile Lutheran Church, Fertile
** Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Fontanelle LCMC
** Holmes Lutheran Church, Holmes
** Zion Lutheran Church, Hudson LCMC
** St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hull LCMC
** Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Inwood LCMC
** St. Paul Lutheran Church, Irwin LCMC
** Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville LCMC
** Bethany Lutheran Church, Kelley LCMC
** Bethany Lutheran Church, Laurens NALC
** First Lutheran Church, Ottumwa LCMC
** St. John Lutheran Church, Persia LCMC
** St. John Lutheran Church, Plainfield NALC
** Elim Lutheran Church, Randall LCMC
** St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Readlyn
** Zion Lutheran Church, Readlyn
** Salem Lutheran Church, Roland LCMC
** Zion Lutheran Church, Ruthvan NALC
* Norway Lutheran Church, St. Olaf
** United Lutheran Church, Shelby LCMC
* St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sheldon NALC
** Peace Lutheran Church, Sioux Center LCMC
** Skien Lutheran Church, Sloan LCMC
** Bethel Lutheran Church, Story City
** Immanuel Lutheran Church, Story City LCMC
** Stratford Lutheran Church, Stratford LCMC
** Ulensvang Lutheran Church, Thor NALC
** Old East Paint Creek Lutheran, Waterville NALC
** Old West Paint Creek Lutheran, Waukon NALC
* Immanuel Lutheran Church, Waukee
** St. Paul Lutheran Church, Williams LCMC

KANSAS 7** 1*
** St. John Lutheran Church, Athol LCMC
** First Lutheran Church, Clay Center LCMC
** Zion Lutheran Church, Clyde LCMC
** Christ the King Lutheran, Dodge City LCMC
* Freemount Lutheran Church, Lindsborg
** St. Paul Lutheran Church, Linn LCMC
** Faith Lutheran Church, Osborne LCMC
** St. Paul Lutheran Church, Palmer LCMC

KENTUCKY 4**
** St. Paul Lutheran Church, Augusta AALC
** House of Prayer Lutheran, Elizabethtown NALC
** Hopeful Lutheran Church, Florence LCMC
** Hebron Lutheran Church, Hebron LCMC

MARYLAND 4** 1*
** St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Baltimore NALC
* St. John Lutheran Church, (Edgemere) Baltimore
** Lutheran Church of Redeemer Damascus LCMC
** Trinity Lutheran Church, Joppa LCMC
** St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Sabillasville LCMC

MICHIGAN 12** 2*
** Salem Lutheran Church, Bark River NALC
** St. John’s Lutheran Church, Bridgewater LCMC
** St. Michael Lutheran Church, Canton LCMC
* Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Champion
* Living Hope Lutheran Church, Farwell
** Zion Lutheran Church, Felch LCMC
** First Lutheran Church, Iron Mountain LCMC
** Our Savior’s Lutheran, Iron Mountain LCMC
** Redeemer Lutheran Church, Owosso NALC
** Cross Lutheran Church, Pigeon NALC
** Christ Lutheran Church, Reese LCMC
** Christ Lutheran Church, Shingleton
** Zion Lutheran Church, Skanee NALC
** Christ Lutheran Church, Warren LCMC

MINNESOTA 53** 7*
** Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran, Afton LCMC
** Our Redeemer’s Lutheran, Badger LCMC
** Trefoldighed Lutheran Church, Battle Lake
** Lutheran Ch. of Master, Brooklyn Center LCMC
** Discover Church, Brooklyn Park LCMC
** Wangen Prairie Lutheran, Cannon Falls LCMC
** Immanuel Lutheran Church, Crosby NALC
** Lund Lutheran Church, Detroit Lakes LCMC
** New Hope of Lakewood Lutheran, Duluth
** Bethlehem/West Elbow Lake Lutheran LCMC
** Central Lutheran Church, Elk River LCMC
** First Lutheran Church, Ellendale AFLC
** Grace Lutheran Church, Erskine NALC
** Rodnes Lutheran Church, Erskine LCMC
** Hope Lutheran Church, Floodwood LCMC
** Redeemer Lutheran Church, Fridley LCMC
** Calvary Lutheran, Golden Valley
* Samhold Lutheran Church, Gonvick
** United Lutheran Church, Gonvick
** St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hanover LCMC
** Hawley Lutheran Church, Hawley LCMC
** Hegland Lutheran Church, Hawley LCMC
** Singaas Lutheran Church, Hendricks AFLC
** Looney Valley Lutheran, Houston LCMC
* St. John’s Lutheran Church, Howard Lake
** Christ the King Lutheran, Hutchinson LCMC
** Faith Lutheran Church, Hutchinson LCMC
** South Zumbro Lutheran Church, Kasson
** Hosanna Lutheran Church, Lakeville LCMC
** American Lutheran, Long Prairie LCMC
** Holy Cross Lutheran, Maple Lake LCMC
** Christ Lutheran Church, Maple Plain LCMC
** Wang Lutheran Church, Maynard LCMC
** Bethany Lutheran Church, Menahga LCMC
** First English Lutheran Church Menahga LCMC
** Faith Lutheran Church Mentor NALC
** St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Minneapolis LCMC
** Faith Lutheran Church, Monticello LCMC
** Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Nelson LCMC
* Fahlun Lutheran Church, Nelson
* Bethany Lutheran Church, Nevis
** Rejoice Lutheran Renewal Church, Northfield
** Salem Lutheran Church, Osakis
** Sauk Valley Lutheran Church, Osakis
** Christ Lutheran Church, Otsego LCMC
** North Immanuel Lutheran, Pelican Rapids LCMC
* First Lutheran Church, Pillager
** First Lutheran Church, Roseau LCMC
** Community Church of Hope, Rosemount
** Rushford Lutheran Church, Rushford LCMC
* Evanger Lutheran Church, Sargeant
* Albion Lutheran Church, St. James NALC
** Sychar Lutheran Church, Silver Bay
** St. John’s Lutheran Church, Springfield LCMC
** St. Paul Lutheran Church, Springfield LCMC
* St. John Lutheran Church, Starbuck
* St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Stewart
** Zoar Lutheran Church, Tofte LCMC
** Folden Lutheran Church, Vining
** Bethesda Lutheran Church, Wannaska NALC
** Riverside Lutheran Church, Wannaska NALC

MISSOURI 3** 1*
** Trinity Lutheran Church, Ava NALC
** St. John Lutheran Church, Pocahontas AALC
** Christ Lutheran Church, Stover AFLC
* St. John Lutheran Church, Westboro

MONTANA 19**
** Peace Lutheran Church, Belgrade LCMC
** Bethany Lutheran Church, Bigfork LCMC
** Little Missouri Lutheran Church, Capitol LCMC
** Our Savior Lutheran Church, Chester LCMC
** Golden West Lutheran Church, Conrad LCMC
** Pondera Valley Lutheran Church, Conrad LCMC
** First Lutheran Church, Dillon
** Calvary Lutheran Church, Evergreen LCMC
** Zion Lutheran Church, Flaxville LCMC
** Pleasant Prairie Lutheran, Flaxville LCMC
** Faith Lutheran Church, Great Falls LCMC
** St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Ledger LCMC
** Highland Lutheran Church, Outlook LCMC
** Peerless Lutheran Church, Peerless LCMC
** St. John’s Lutheran Church, Popular
** Scobey Lutheran Church, Scobey LCMC
** Valier Lutheran Church, Valier LCMC
** Christ Lutheran Church, Whitefish LCMC
** American Lutheran Church, Winfred LCMC

NEBRASKA 11** 1*
** Peace Lutheran Church, Alma
** Trinity Lutheran Church, Axtel LCMC
** Thanksgiving Lutheran Church, Bellevue LCMC
** St. Paul Lutheran Church, Blue Hill LCMC
** Peace Lutheran Church, Deshler
** Bluffs Trinity Lutheran, Fremont, NE LCMC
** Fridhem Lutheran Church, Funk LCMC
** Bethel Lutheran Church, Holdrege
** Christ the Servant Lutheran, Norfolk LCMC
* First Lutheran Church, Oakland
** St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Republican City
** Hope Lutheran Church, Smithfield LCMC
Note: Although Bethel Lutheran, Holdrege voted successfully (twice) to withdraw, their ELCA synod will not allow them to leave with their property.

NEW YORK 11**
** St. Nicodemus Lutheran, East Aurora LCMC
** Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Brooklyn LCMC
** Christ Chinese Lutheran, Brooklyn LCMC
** Immanuel Lutheran Church, Delhi LCMS
** Advent Lutheran Church, Elmont LCMC
** Evangelical Lutheran Church, Gallupville
** First Lutheran Church, Lyons LC-I
** St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Middleburgh
** Evang Luth of Holy Trinity New Rochelle LCMC
** St. James Lutheran Church, Niagara Falls LCMC
** St James Lutheran Stewart Manor LCMC

NORTH CAROLINA 21** 9*
** St. John Lutheran Church, Ashboro NALC
* Grace Lutheran Church, Bessemer City
* Redeemer Lutheran Church, Charlotte
** Well of Hope Lutheran Church, Charlotte LCMC
* St. John Lutheran Church, Cherryville
** Concordia Lutheran Church, China Grove NALC
** Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Claremont NALC
* Cross of Christ Lutheran Church
* Antioch Lutheran Church, Dallas
* Our Savior Lutheran Church, Dallas
** Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Gastonia NALC
** Millers Lutheran Church, Hickory NALC
** New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Hickory NALC
** Center Grove Lutheran, Kannapolis LCMS
** Trinity Lutheran Church, Landis NALC
** Bethel Lutheran Church, Lincolnton NALC
* St. Martin Lutheran Church, Maiden NALC
** Grace Lutheran Church, Newton NALC
** St. James Lutheran Church, Newton NALC
** Christiana Lutheran Church, Salisbury NALC
* Organ Lutheran Church, Salisbury
** St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Salisbury NALC
** St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Salisbury LCMC
* Salem Lutheran Church, Salisbury
** Union Lutheran Church, Salisbury NALC
** Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church, Statesville LCMC
** St. John Lutheran Church, Statesville NALC
** Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Troutman NALC
** Spirit of Joy Lutheran, Weddington LCMC
**Lutheran Church Atonement, Wilkesboro NALC

NORTH DAKOTA 6** 2*
* Trinity Lutheran Church, Carrington
** Peace Lutheran Church, Devil’s Lake NALC
** Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Edgeley, LCMC
** Anselm Trinity Luth, (Sheldon) Enderlin LCMC
* St. John Lutheran Church, Hatton
** Peace Lutheran Church, Hazen LCMC
** Mabel Lutheran Church, Sutton LCMC
** First Lutheran, Washburn LCMC

OHIO 25** 7*
** St. Michael Lutheran Church, Ashland
** Trinity Lutheran Church, Ashland NALC
** First Lutheran Church, Barberton LCMC
** St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bolivar NALC
* St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bucyrus
** St. Paul Lutheran Church, Cardington LCMC
** Faith Lutheran Church, Cincinnati LCMC
* St. Paul Lutheran Church , Clyde
** Puritas Lutheran Church, Cleveland LCMC
**Upper Arlington Lutheran, Columbus NALC
** Zion Lutheran Church, Columbus (Obetz)
** Trinity Lutheran Church, Crestline LCMC
* Zion Lutheran Church, Fairport Harbor
** Greenford Lutheran Church, Greenford LCMC
** St. John Lutheran Church, Greenville NALC
** St. Paul Lutheran Church, Greenville LCMC
* St. John Lutheran Church, Grove City NALC
** First English Lutheran Church, Mansfield LCMC
** Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Mansfield NALC
* Oakland Lutheran Church, Mansfield NALC
** First English Lutheran, Marysville NALC
** St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Maumee LCMC
** St. Peter Lutheran Church, Monroeville NALC
** St. John Lutheran Church, Montpelier NALC
** Zion Lutheran Church, Montpelier LCMC
** Resurrection Lutheran, Port Clinton NALC
** Faith in Christ Lutheran, Springfield NALC
** Grace Evan. Lutheran, Springfield NALC
** Trinity Lutheran Church, Springfield NALC
** St. Paul Lutheran, Sulphur Springs NALC
* Grace Lutheran Church, Thornville NALC
* First Lutheran Church, Troy NALC

OKLAHOMA *1
* Peace Lutheran Church, Edmond

OREGON 2** 2*
* First Lutheran Church, Baker City
** Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Boardman
** Trinity Lutheran Church, Hermiston LCMC
* Our Savior Lutheran Church, Salem, OR

PENNSYLVANIA 16** 8*
**Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Abington NALC
* St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Butler, PA NALC
** Christ Lutheran Church, Dallastown LCMC
** Dunmyer Lutheran Church, Johnstown NALC
* St. John Lutheran Church, Kittanning NALC
* Zoar Lutheran Church, Lebanon NALC
** St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Millersburg LCMC
** St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Muncy
** St. James Lutheran Church, Philadelphia LCMC
* Brighton Heights Lutheran, Pittsburgh NALC
**St.Stephen Lutheran Scott Twp PittsburghNALC
** Zion Lutheran, Pittsburgh (Brentwood) NALC
* First Lutheran Church, Rural Valley
** St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sarver NALC
* St. Paul Lutheran (Zeigler’s) Seven Valleys
**Zion (Shaffers) Lutheran, Seven Valleys LCMC
** Christ Lutheran Church, Shelocta
** Mt. Union Lutheran Church, Shelocta
* First Lutheran Church, Washington NALC
** St. Paul Lutheran Church, West Manchester
* Kissinger Lutheran Church, Wyomissing
** St. Paul Lutheran, McConnellsburg ELCM
** St. Paul Lutheran , Big Cove Tannery ELCM
** Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, Little Cove ELCM
The last three congregations listed were kicked out of the ELCA for calling a non-ELCA pastor and for holding dual membership in another church.

SOUTH CAROLINA 4**
** St. Jacob's Lutheran Church, Chapin
** Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, Conway
** Lake Wylie Lutheran Church, Fort Mill LCMC
** Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, York

SOUTH DAKOTA 21** 4*
** Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Aberdeen
** East Lake Andes Lutheran, Armour LCMC
** St. Peter Lutheran Church, Armour AFLC
* Badger Lutheran Church, Badger NALC
** American Lutheran Church, Castlewood NALC
** Hope Lutheran Church, Delmont AFLC
** New Hope Lutheran Church, Hayti NALC
** Hayti Lutheran Church, Hayti NALC
** Lands Lutheran Church, Hudson LCMC
** Trinity Lutheran Church, Hudson LCMC
** Calvary Lutheran Church, Irene
** Ladner Lutheran Church, Ladner LCMC
** Trinity Lutheran Church, Lake Norden NALC
** Shepherd of the Hills, Lead LCMC
** Our Savior Lutheran Church, Long Valley
* Grace Lutheran Church, Menno
* Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Menno
** Deep Creek Lutheran Church, Midland
** Trinity Lutheran Church, Midland
** First Lutheran Church, Philip NALC
** Bethlehem Lutheran, Pierpont LCMC
**Trinity Lutheran Church, Platt LCMC
** First American Lutheran, Tripp
** Immanuel Lutheran, Whitewood NALC
** Christ the King Lutheran Church, Yankton

TENNESSEE 1*
** Lord of Life Lutheran, Memphis NALC

TEXAS 34** 6*
** Immanuel Lutheran Church, Alice LCMC
** St. John’s Lutheran, Boerne LCMC
** St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Brenham
** Salem Lutheran, (Welcome) Brenham NALC
* Hope Lutheran Church, Cedar Hill
** St. John Lutheran Church, Dime Box LCMC
** First Lutheran Church, El Campo LCMC
** Grace Lutheran Church, Ennis LCMC
** First Lutheran Church, Floresville NALC
** Holy Ghost Lutheran, Fredricksburg NALC
** Martin Luther Lutheran, Giddings LCMC
** Living Word Lutheran, Grapevine LCMC
* St. Peter Lutheran Church, Hallettsville
** Trinity Lutheran Church, Haskell LCMC
** Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Inez LCMC
* Immanuel Lutheran Church, La Vernia NALC
* St. John Lutheran Church, Meyersville
** St. Paul’s Lutheran, New Braunfels LCMC
** First Lutheran Church, Orange Grove LCMC
** St. Mark’s Lutheran , Point Comfort LCMC
** St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Portland NALC
** Zion Lutheran Church, Priddy LCMC
** Joy Lutheran Church, Richmond NALC
** Peace Lutheran Church, Rockdale NALC
** Peace Lutheran Church, Rosenberg NALC
** St. Paul Lutheran Church, Rosenberg NALC
** St. Paul Lutheran Church, Runge NALC
** Faith Lutheran Church, Seguin
** St. Paul Lutheran Church, Taylor LCMC
** Immanuel Lutheran Church, Taylor LCMC
** Prince of Peace Lutheran, Taylor LCMC
** St. John Lutheran Church, Thrall
** Our Savior Lutheran, Three Rivers NALC
** First Lutheran Church, Tivoli LCMC
* Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Tyler NALC
** Zion Lutheran Mission Valley,Victoria LCMS
** St. Andrew’s Lutheran, Weesatche LCMC
** St. John Lutheran Church, Winters LCMC
** Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Yoakum LCMC
* St. Paul Lutheran Church, Yorktown NALC

UTAH 1**
** Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Roy LCMC

VIRGINIA 5**
** Apostles Lutheran Church, Chesapeake LCMC
** Reformation Lutheran Church, Culpeper NALC
** Lebanon Lutheran Church, Lebanon NALC
** Morning Star Lutheran, Mt. Jackson ELCM
** St. John’s Lutheran Church, Roanoke LCMC

WASHINGTON 9** 4*
** Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Bremerton AALC
** Lutheran Ch of Redeemer, Chimacum LCMC
** Prince of Peace Lutheran, Everett NALC
* Zion Lutheran Church, Kent
** Christ the Servant Lutheran, Lacey LCMC
** Emmanuel Lutheran, Longview LCMC
* Central Lutheran Church, Morton
** Christ Lutheran Church, Odessa
** Richland Lutheran Church, Richland LCMC
** St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Rochester LCMC
* Denny Park Lutheran Church, Seattle
** Our Savior’s Lutheran, Stanwood LCMC
* Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Walla Walla

WEST VIRGINIA 2**
** St. Timothy Lutheran, Charleston NALC
** Zion Lutheran Church, Letart NALC

WISCONSIN 23** 8*
** St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Big Falls LCMC
* Calvary Lutheran Church, Brookfield NALC
** Zion Lutheran Church, Caroline NALC
* Bethany Lutheran Church, Catawba
* First Lutheran Church, Clear Lake
** Christus Lutheran, Clintonville LCMC
** St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Dupont LCMC
** Peace Lutheran Church, Edgar LCMC
** St. John’s Lutheran Church, Gillett LCMC
* Bethel Lutheran Church, Hawkins
* Shepherd of Hills (Richfield) Hubertus LCMC
** Northland Lutheran Church, Iola LCMC
** Hitterdahl Lutheran Church, Iola LCMC
** Olivet Lutheran Church, LaCrosse LCMC
** St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Luck LCMC
** Zion Lutheran Church, Manawa LCMC
** Bethlehem Lutheran, (Pella) Marion LCMC
** Grace Lutheran Church Oconto Falls LCMC
** First Lutheran Church, Ogdensburg LCMC
** Trinity Lutheran Church, Pell Lake LCMC
** St. John Lutheran Church, Phillips NALC
** Stanfold Lutheran Church, Rice Lake LCMC
* Ascension Lutheran Church, Shiocton
** Peace Lutheran Church, Split Rock NALC
** Living Water Lutheran, Sun Prairie LCMC
** Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Tomah LCMC
* Franklin Lutheran (Soldiers Grove) Viroqua
** North West Prairie Lutheran, Viroqua LCMC
** South West Prairie Lutheran, Viroqua LCMC
* Immanuel of Lebanon, Watertown NALC
** St. John Lutheran Church, Weyouwega LCMC

WYOMING 1**
** Christ the King Lutheran, Newcastle NALC

ELCA LISTS UPDATE ON CHURCHES VOTING TO LEAVE

As of March 3, 2011, 743 congregations have taken first votes to leave the ELCA. These 743 congregations have taken a total of 791 first votes. Of the first votes taken, 551 passed and 240 failed. There have been 437 second votes; 414 passed and 23 failed.

Based on this count, the list posted on this blog is missing approximately 18 congregations that have taken their first and/or second votes to leave the ELCA.

WE WILL POST OUR LATEST LIST ON THIS SITE MARCH 12.

CONGREGATIONS SCHEDULED TO VOTE ON LEAVING THE ELCA MARCH 13

The following congregations are scheduled to vote March 13.
If you know of additions or changes to this list, please inform us at:
www.wordabide@aol.com

PLEASE REMEMBER THESE CONGREGATIONS IN YOUR PRAYERS!

Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Aberdeen, SD **

Bethel Lutheran Church, Parkersburg, IA **

Christ the King Lutheran Church, Charlotte, NC *

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Salem, OR*

Stavanger Lutheran Church, Seneca, IL *

St. Peter Lutheran Church, Hallettsville, TX **

RESULTS MARCH 6: CONGREGATIONS VOTING TO LEAVE THE ELCA

1. LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH, Memphis, TN passed second vote to leave the ELCA and join NALC 82% 130-28.

2. ST PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH, (Zeiglers) Seven Valleys, PA passed first vote to leave ELCA 49-8.

3. NEW HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH, Hayti, SD passed second vote to leave ELCA 93% 55-4. NALC.

4. HAYTI LUTHERAN CHURCH, Hayti, SD passed second vote to leave ELCA 93% 66-4, with 1 abstain. NALC.

5. PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH, EVERETT, WA passed second vote to leave ELCA 94-15-2 and voted to join NALC vs LCMC 64-36.

6. CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH, Pigeon, MI passed second vote to leave ELCA 85% 128-23. Also voted 139-11 to join NALC.

7. FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, Seguin, TX passed second vote to leave ELCA and join LCMC, 98%.

8. JOY LUTHERAN CHURCH, Richmond, TX passed second vote to leave ELCA. Voted in January to join NALC.

9. BETHESDA LUTHERAN CHURCH, Wannaska, MN passed second vote to leave ELCA.

10. ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH, Bridgewater, MI passed second vote to leave ELCA 76-3; a second vote to affiliate with LCMC, also 76-3.

11. BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH, Nevis, MN passed first vote 69.7%.

A LIST OF CONGREGATIONS STARTED AFTER VOTE TO LEAVE THE ELCA FAILED

George Erdner lists 29 cities in which there was a new LCMC and/or NALC start-up in the wake of a failed vote to leave the ELCA, and 2 cities in which there was a new ELCA start-up in the wake of a successful vote to withdraw from the ELCA.

I suspect that there might be more new ELCA congregations starts in the wake of congregations voting to leave, but it is very difficult to find information about new ELCA starts. The ELCA has not responded to my requests for information on either new congregation starts or on congregations who took votes to leave that failed. They haven't even acknowledged that I've asked for that information. If anyone would like to provide any information on either new ELCA starts or on congregations whose votes to leave failed, they can e-mail me at g_erdner@yahoo.com. I will honor all requests for anonymity.

The database I'm compiling is a searchable archive of the information about the fallout from the 2009 ELCA CWA reported in this blog and others. It is not an alternative to this blog as a source for news. It is only an archive summary of the information reported here and elsewhere, stored in an Excel spreadshweet. The file is stored in a publicly accessible location, at the Yahoo! Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ELCA2009CWAFallout/. The file is updated at least weekly, usually on Tuesday.


Prattville, AL Christ Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Agape Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Tucson, AZ Tanque Verde Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Desert Hope Lutheran Church (was LCMC East) started in LCMC
Peachtree City, GA Christ our Shepherd Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Word of God Lutheran Church started in
NALC/LCMC
Rincon, GA Jerusalem Lutheran Church & St Johns failed vote to leave, Bible Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Monona, IA St Paul Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Faith Lutheran Church started in NALC
Spencer, IA Bethany Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Faith Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Strawberry Point, IA Emanuel Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Mission in Christ Lutheran Church started in NALC
American Falls, ID St Johns Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Shepherd of the Falls Lutheran Church started in LCMC
DeSoto, IL Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Christ the King Lutheran Church started in NALC
Geneva, IL Geneva Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, New Hope Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Peoria, IL St Paul Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Living Waters Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Quincy, IL Luther Memorial Church failed vote to leave, Hope Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Sterling, IL St Paul Lutheran Church & Immanuel (Rock Falls) failed vote to leave, New Life Lutheran Church started in
LCMC
Annapolis, MD St Martin Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Annapolis Evangelical Lutheran Church started in NALC
Kensington, MN Nora Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Kensington Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Little Falls, MN Bethel Lutheran Church & First Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Faith Lutheran Church started in
LCMC
Ramsey, MN Lord of Life Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Northgate Church started in LCMC
Watertown, MN Trinity Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Peace Lutheran Church Churh started in LCMC
Kings Mountain, NC Resurrection Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Advent Lutheran Church started in NALC
Harvey, ND First Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Faith Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Dannebrog, NE Our Saviour Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Faith Lutheran Church started in NALC
Seward, NE Faith Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Living Word Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Lebanon, OR Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Christ Community Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Smethport, PA Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Hope Lutheran Church started in NALC
Brandon, SD Brandon Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Heritage Lutheran Church started in NALC/LCMC
Milbank, SD American Evangelical Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Living Word Lutheran Church started in LCMC
Fredericksburg, VA Resurrection Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Celebration Church started in LCMC
Edgar, WI St John Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Hope Lutheran Church in Fellowship with Christ started in LCMC
New London, WI Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church failed vote to leave, Shepherd of The River Lutheran Church started in
LCMC

Idaho Falls, ID First Evangelical Lutheran Church joined LCMC, Emmaus Lutheran Community started by ELCA
Hutchinson, MN, Christ the King Lutheran Church and Faith Lutheran Church both joined LCMC, River of Hope Lutheran Church started by ELCA.

PASTOR RESIGNS FROM ST. MARTIN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, ANNAPOLIS, MD, NEW CHURCH BEING FORMED

The vote taken by the members of St. Martin's Lutheran Church, January 31, 2011 to withdraw from the ELCA lost by only 3 votes, 251-129. Clearly, a strong majority had the desire to sever ties with the ELCA. Now, the congregation is experiencing a world of hurt. While 10% of St. Martin's members recently petitioned the Church Council for a new vote, their pastor, Gerald Miller, who served St. Martin's for 17 years, has resigned effective March 1, 2011. A new congregation, aligned with the North American Lutheran Church and led by Pastor Miller, is being developed--Annapolis Evangelical Lutheran Church. It will hold its first service this coming Sunday. Prior to the vote, St. Martin's had a baptized membership of over 1000.

Similar stories continue to unfold across the ELCA, especially in churches where the measure to leave was lost by only a few votes. If only those voting to remain could see the end from the beginning and understand the consequences should they "win" the right to stay in the ELCA, they might want to change their vote. Many members voting to leave the ELCA are not voting for a preference which they can take or leave. These folks cannot in good conscience remain attached to a church body that denies and tramples the Word of God. It is sad to see these congregations come apart at the seams after a close vote, but praise God that so many are willing to stand for the Word of God regardless of the cost.

Since the ELCA voted to accept practicing homosexuals onto their clergy roster in 2009, approximately 145 new congregations have been started by laity and pastors withdrawing from the ELCA. The congregations that have voted to withdraw from the ELCA since August 2009 represent a net loss to the ELCA of over 266,000 members. Add to this number those who are now attending the 145 new congregations mentioned above, and add also the thousands more who just walked out of the ELCA in absolute disgust over their departures from biblical truth.

Please remember to pray for all the ELCA congregations and members facing the process of voting to leave. And pray too for these new congregations being formed.

We praise God for Pastor Gerald Miller, a true servant of Christ who refuses to compromise the Word of God. May many more such stand-up leaders arise.

www.greaterannapolis.patch.com/articles/senior-pastor-leaving-lutheran-church

CONGREGATIONS SCHEDULED TO VOTE TO LEAVE THE ELCA IN MARCH

"Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eyes on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teachings which you learned, and turn away from them" (Romans 16:17).

Remember these congregations in your prayers as they go through this very difficult and painful process.

Please inform us of any changes or additions to this list:
wordabide@aol.com


* indicates first vote; ** indicates second vote

March 6
Faith Lutheran Church, Seguin, TX **
New Hope Lutheran, Hayti, SD**
Hayti Lutheran, Hayti, SD **
Cross Lutheran Church, Pigeon, MI **

Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Memphis, TN **

Joy Lutheran Church, Richmond, TX **

March 13
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Aberdeen, SD **
Bethel Lutheran Church, Parkersburg, IA **
Christ the King Lutheran Church, Charlotte, NC *
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Salem, OR*

Stavanger Lutheran Church, Seneca, IL *

March 20
St. Andrew Lutheran Church, New Bern, NC *
St. John Lutheran Church, Hatton, ND ** (St. John Lutheran has changed the date of their vote from March 20 to May 1
Badger Lutheran Church, Badger, IA **
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Gastonia, NC **

March 27
Zion Lutheran Church, Groveport, OH *

Grace Lutheran Church, Menno, SD **

Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Menno, SD **

First Lutheran Church, Paxton, IL *

BISHOP HERBERT CHILSTROM’S LETTER TO THOSE LEAVING THE ELCA

PASTOR DAVID R. BARNHART RESPONDS


In an open letter to those withdrawing from the ELCA, Bishop Herbert Chilstrom, first bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), asked three questions:

1. What is it about sex that pushed you over the edge?
2. Why are you organizing new churches?
3. What will you say to your sons and daughters, sisters and brothers and others in your churches when they tell you they are homosexual?

Even though Bishop Chilstrom’s questions are uncharacteristically sarcastic in tone and obviously intended to ridicule those who do not agree with him, I will attempt to answer his questions with the hope of generating more light than heat on an issue that has already caused immeasurable heartache for so many members and former members of the ELCA.

“WHAT IS IT ABOUT SEX THAT PUSHED YOU OVER THE EDGE?”
Bishop Chilstrom, it is not “sex” that has caused over 800,000 members and at least 1000 congregations to leave the ELCA since its establishment in 1988; it is the ELCA’s ongoing denial of the Bible as the inspired Word of God and its blatant attack on the teachings of Scripture. Those who have left and those who are still in the process of leaving the ELCA, including some of your own most respected theologians and former bishops, have explained this repeatedly, but you and ELCA leaders apparently are not listening. Instead, you have chosen to ridicule and insult them by suggesting some warped attitude about “sex” has prompted their leaving.

The people of the ELCA were not the ones who raised the issue of promoting homosexuality as being virtuous, nor did they raise the issue of ordaining practicing homosexuals as pastors. You, Bishop Chilstrom, and the ELCA leadership were responsible for relentlessly driving this agenda in the ELCA over the past 22 years. It was you and liberal ELCA leaders who initiated studies, costing millions of benevolence dollars, in order to reeducate ELCA members that homosexuality should be fully accepted by the church, in total contradiction to the teachings of Scripture.

Because the Bible clearly identifies homosexuality as sin and an abomination before God, (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-28; Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Jude 1:7), ELCA leaders gathered theologians and teachers to write books, papers and articles that would “prove” numerous biblical passages that identify homosexual acts as sin do not really mean what the text declares. This is clearly reminiscent of the first false teacher, Satan, who used the same tactic with Eve when he asked her: “Did God really say? (Genesis 3:1). Paul described such deceitful teachers when he wrote:

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons…” (1 Timothy 4:1).
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and will turn from the truth and will turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

Bishop, you and the ELCA leadership permitted the pro-homosexual lobby to bring their political agenda before the Churchwide Assembly year after year, even though it was repeatedly rejected. Your persistence paid off when the 2009 Churchwide Assembly approved a resolution that officially allows practicing homosexuals to serve as pastors. The fact is—the ELCA leadership had permitted practicing homosexuals to serve in the ELCA for years with little or no discipline being imposed on them or the congregations they served.

The resolution to sanction the ordination of practicing homosexuals was passed at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly only because ELCA Church Council drafted and backed a provision that permitted its passage by a simple majority vote instead of the customary two-thirds plurality. Had the people in the pews of the ELCA been given the opportunity to vote on ordaining practicing homosexuals as pastors, the measure would not have passed. No, Bishop Chilstrom, the issue that has “pushed” literally hundreds of thousands of former ELCA members “over the edge,” to use your words, is not sex; the issue was, is, and continues to remain the ELCA’s low view and arrogant rejection of the Scriptures.

“WHY ARE YOU ORGANIZING NEW CHURCHES?”
In answer to your second question, Bishop Chilstrom, former ELCA members have organized new church bodies and joined existing Bible-believing Lutheran churches in order to preserve our rich heritage as Lutherans. Those who have withdrawn from the ELCA have done so with heavy hearts and agonizing grief. The pain of leaving a congregation, friends and a church body in which one has worshipped, loved and labored for so many years is beyond describing. But the Scripture’s call to “obey God rather than man” supersedes loyalty to a congregation or a denomination. Once we recognized the ELCA had been hijacked by those who substitute the teachings of Scripture for socially accepted values and man-made opinions, there was no other choice. God’s Word and the Lutheran Confessions instruct us to pass on to our posterity the pure Word of God and doctrines that agree with the Scriptures.

The ELCA’s low view of Scripture has not only brought about the endorsement of homosexual perversions, it has opened the door to goddess worship and a host of other false doctrines and practices. For example, the liturgy used in the Reception Service in San Francisco last August to welcome practicing homosexual pastors into the ELCA contained pagan prayers and goddess worship. Several ELCA bishops participated in the service.

You may be right, Bishop Chilstrom, that the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) and the North America Lutheran Church (NALC) were established in some measure because other existing Lutheran bodies do not ordain women. The ordination of women marks a clear distinction between the LCMC, the NALC and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, the Wisconsin Evangelical Synod, the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations, the American Association of Lutheran Churches and other smaller Lutheran bodies. Even so, the LCMC and the NALC are more in agreement with established conservative Lutheran bodies than they are with the ELCA which has deliberately chosen to abandon biblical and confessional Lutheranism. Have you ever stopped to consider why it is that the ELCA has no official fellowship with any of these Lutheran bodies? Perhaps it is the ELCA’s hubris that you are altogether right, while all other Lutherans are wrong. Lutheranism does not begin and end with the ELCA.

You cannot imagine the freedom those who left the ELCA have found in any and all of these Lutheran bodies and newly established congregations. It is such a blessing not to have to spend your life fighting your own church over the authority of Scripture and correct doctrine, especially in times like these, when our nation needs churches that will stand on the solid foundation of God’s truth.

Perhaps, Bishop, there are too many Lutheran bodies in the United States today, as your question implies, but as long as the ELCA persists in departing from Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, there can never be too many Lutheran churches to lift high the banner of the truth contained in God’s Word.

WHAT WILL YOU SAY TO YOUR SONS, DAUGHTERS, SISTERS, BROTHERS AND OTHERS WHEN THEY TELL YOU THEY ARE HOMOSEXUAL?
Your question implies only you and those who agree with you have anything meaningful to say to homosexuals, while those who disagree with you do not. But let me assure you when it comes to offering help and hope to homosexuals, we have more to offer them than you and your liberal supporters.

Unlike you, we do not tell them God approves their behavior. We continue to compassionately tell our sons, daughters, sisters and brothers— We love you with all of our hearts and nothing will change that, but we can not and will not accept the lifestyle you have chosen.

To those within our churches who tell us they are homosexuals, we say—You are welcome in our congregations. But our welcome does not mean we condone your sinful behavior, nor does it mean we will permit you to serve as a pastors or as leaders in our churches. We love you enough to tell you homosexual practices are contrary to the Word of God. If you continue to embrace homosexuality or other deviant behaviors, you will bring endless grief into your life and shut yourself off from God’s grace. We love you enough to remind you that your chosen lifestyle could cause you to acquire AIDS and shorten your life. The life expectancy of a homosexual man is age 42, while the life expectancy of a heterosexual man is 75.

To all homosexuals, we say—We love you enough to tell you there is a Savior who is able to redeem, forgive and totally transform your life, if you turn to Him in faith and repentance. Don’t listen to those who tell you that you can’t change or be changed. Come to the Savior and be made whole.


YOU ARE RELIEVED TO SEE US GO
Finally Bishop, you state: “I am both sad and relieved that you are leaving. Sad, because this was not what we hoped for when the ELCA was formed 22 years ago. We believed we could be a church where we held to the essentials and allowed for differences on non-essentials. But I am also relieved. Now those of us who remain in the ELCA can get on with our primary mission of telling everyone — ‘Jesus loves you. You are welcome in this church.’”

Let me assure you Bishop, denying the teachings of the Bible and lifting up homosexuality as a virtue are not non-essentials. The Bible is clear, those who do such things “will not inherit the Kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Yes, Bishop, we know these verses include other sinners. But thankfully, all who come to Christ by faith and repent of their sins will be washed clean in the blood of the Lamb. This truth is the very heart and soul of the gospel of salvation.

You say you are sadden but relieved to see us go, so the ELCA can get on with its primary mission—to tell everyone “Jesus loves you. You are welcome in this church.” But that is not the mission of the Church. According to the Bible the mission of the church is to teach “all things Christ has commanded (Matthew 28:20). Telling homosexuals or any other sinner “Jesus loves you,” while failing to proclaim their need of faith and repentance is to love them into hell, which is no love at all.

Our prayer Bishop Chilstrom, is that our leaving may cause you and others in the ELCA to reexamine the Scriptures and return to the pure teaching of God’s Word.