SUNRISE OR SUNSET IN AMERICA? By David R Barnhart

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18).

It has happened! Barack Obama has declared his support for same-sex marriage. Hardly a surprise, since we knew where he stood on this issue. Early in his presidency Obama asserted that America is no longer a Christian nation; now he is out to prove it. In an interview on ABC News, May 8, 2012, President Obama stated:

“I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married….We are both practicing Christians and obviously this position may be considered to put us at odds with the views of others but, you know, when we think about our faith, the thing at root that we think about, not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf but it’s also the Golden Rule. You know, treat others the way you would want to be treated.”

Obama justified his decision by basing it on his personal Christian faith. He cited the Golden Rule and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. However, not even the President of the United States can nullify the Law of God. Christ died for our sins, not so the human race could exalt evil and condemn what is good. The Golden Rule is not about same-sex marriage, nor is it a license to desecrate the holy estate of marriage between one man and one woman. God Himself established marriage, and He will not allow this abomination to stand. Obama’s position on same-sex marriage may have evolved, but God’s position on marriage has not changed.

Franklin Graham said “President Obama has shaken his fist in the face of God.” The Bible declares: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7) Sadly, the words of the prophet Hosea apply to our nation today: “They sow the wind and they reap the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7).

Today America is grave danger of God’s wrath being pour out upon us, not only because of same-sex marriage but other moral issues as well, especially the legalization of abortion. Some highly respected Christian leaders believe God’s judgment is already upon us, but my understanding of Scripture leads me to believe otherwise. When God’s judgment falls, the entire nation will know it, believers and nonbelievers alike.

One does not need to be a prophet to see what is about to descend on America. It’s like watching a speeding locomotive bearing down on a crowded bus stalled on the tracks at a railroad crossing. You know what’s going to happen, but there is precious little you can do to stop it. Attempting to warn the train’s engineer or pleading with those inside the bus to get off might prevent the coming disaster, but is there time and will they heed the warning? 

Obama’s carefully crafted statement was only the first installment of a long-planned strategy to legalize same-sex marriages throughout the land. If this plan cannot be accomplished by an act of Congress, it will be enacted through a presidential executive order or by justices in state or federal courts.

Recently, a lay pastor in England lost his license because he preached against the acceptance of same-sex marriage. Eventually across America, clergy and churches authorized to perform marriage ceremonies will be unable to exclude same-sex couples without being charged with discrimination. Even now, preaching against the homosexual lifestyle is considered “hate speech.” 

Today the government of the United States is demanding full compliance by individuals and institutions regarding various moral issues. Many astute Roman Catholics and Protestants understand this and are standing up against such tyranny. However, will such opposition be adequate or timely enough to stop it?

Ronald Reagan ran for president under the theme “It’s Morning in America.” Today Barack Obama is running under the theme “Forward.” But, is he moving our nation forward into the sunset of God’s judgment?

America is not simply in the midst of a political crisis, we are in a battle for the heart and soul of our nation. If the November elections do not result in the moral and spiritual changes that are necessary to return us to our religious heritage, God’s judgment will not be far off.

The only way to prevent the wrath of God from descending on our country is for the American people to  sincerely repent and seek God’s forgiveness. There is little time left; the hour of decision is upon us. Christians, we need to get on our knees and pray for America as we’ve never prayed before. Then, together we must rise up and take our stand on the same biblical principles that have made and preserved our nation. 

ANOTHER ND CHURCH VOTES TO LEAVE ELCA

Aurdal Lutheran Church, Portland, ND, baptized membeship 420, passed first vote Sunday May 6, 76-23, to leave the ELCA and join LCMC.

Census shows newer churches are flourishing in Minnesota

Minnesotans are going to church in large numbers, but fewer are attending mainline Protestant and Catholic churches, according to a new census of U.S. churchgoers. Instead, they are flocking to churches independent of any denomination.
The rise of these nondenominational churches -- most of them Evangelical Protestants -- is documented in the latest U.S. Religion Census, taken every 10 years. The 2010 census counted membership in nondenominational churches for the first time.
"The nondenominational churches have been around, but I don't think people realized they were quite so omnipresent," said Scott Thumma, a researcher at the Hartford Institute for Religious Research in Connecticut, who helped compile the data released Tuesday. "They're spread out in 88 percent of the counties around the country. They're in the top five religious groups in every state [including Minnesota], except two."
While the Catholic Church remains the largest denomination nationally and in Minnesota, its membership has dropped sharply since 2000. Minnesota had 1.15 million Catholics in 2010, down 8.7 percent from 1.26 million in 2000.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Minnesota's second largest denomination, saw membership sink to 737,537, a 13.6 percent decline from 853,448.
By contrast, the fastest-growing religious segment in Minnesota is the Evangelical Protestants, with a total of 744,910 followers. Non-denominational churches are among the leaders in this group with 130,263 followers.
Read more: http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/149762535.html

SOUTH CAROLINA CHURCH VOTES TO LEAVE THE ELCA

A report has come to us that Advent Lutheran Church, North Charleston, SC passed their first vote (90%) April 22 to leave the ELCA.

BALTIMORE, MD CHURCH PASSES FIRST VOTE TO LEAVE THE ELCA

Bishop Wolfgang Herz-Lane of the Delaware-Maryland Synod ELCA reported that First Lutheran Church, Gray Manor, Baltimore, MD, (1275 baptized members) passed its first vote to leave the ELCA February 12.

Reformation (Korean) Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY, 27 baptized members, was removed from ELCA roster by Metropolitan New York Synod ELCA, November 19, 2011.

ST MARK'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, MARION IOWA REMOVED FROM ELCA BECAUSE OF DUAL MEMBERSHIP

We received a message earlier today from a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church.
Here is a copy of a letter sent out by the council president and the pastor.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As you know, the church council has been in continuing conversations with Bishop Michael Burk regarding our denominational affiliation. It has been and continues to be our desire to keep you up to date. We were informed yesterday that on Saturday, April 21, the Southeast Iowa ELCA Synod Council removed St. Mark’s congregation from the roster of ELCA churches. St. Mark’s remains a Lutheran church, our building remains the property of St. Mark’s, and our congregation’s mission continues as before. We neither celebrate nor grieve the synod’s actions, but we desire to listen to those who may be hurting or confused as a result of these actions.

After the decisions of the ELCA church-wide assembly in 2009, our congregation spent much time studying our denominational affiliation. Our congregational votes to leave the ELCA ultimately resulted in St. Mark’s remaining part of the ELCA. To bring healing and unity to our church family, the church council held discussions with congregational members and Bishop Burk, and reviewed the precedent set by other congregations who are dual-affiliated. After these actions, the church council voted to join Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) while remaining in the ELCA.

Soon after St. Mark’s dual affiliation with the ELCA and the LCMC, the synod placed our congregation under censure and admonishment. In addition, Pastor Fruhling was recently removed from the clergy roster of ELCA pastors. The synod’s unprecedented action to remove St. Mark’s from the ELCA because of our dual affiliation is saddening and disappointing. We remain a distinctly Lutheran congregation in the Cedar Rapids area as a part of the LCMC, and we belong to no one but Christ.

St. Mark’s will continue to support and work with our brothers and sisters in the ELCA and remain faithful to our mission partners in the ELCA, such as CrossRoads Mission, San Lucas and Cristo Rey Lutheran churches in Texas and Mexico, and World Hunger Appeals, among others. Our focus remains on outreach and our mission is to share Christ’s love with others.

We will continue our pastoral call process and begin to look at constitutional updates that will be needed. While there are challenges ahead, there are opportunities for strengthening our witness as the body of Christ, and we are confident that St. Mark’s will move forward in mission for our Lord.

Yours in Christ,

Kurt Beenen  Church Council President

Pastor Perry Fruhling

 

METHODIST CHURCH TO DEBATE ACCEPTANCE OF HOMOSEXUAL CLERGY AT GENERAL CONFERENCE IN TAMPA

(RNS) As nearly 1,000 delegates from across the world gather in Tampa, Fla., for the United Methodist Church's General Conference, gay and lesbian activists have printed pamphlets promoting their cause in five languages, including Portuguese and Swahili.

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Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster lifts a chalice high during the consecration of the elements in the April 24 opening worship service of the 2012 United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Florida. RNS photo courtesy Paul Jeffrey/United Methodist News Service

The UMC's global reach, stretching from the Philippines to Philadelphia, compels the multilingual lobbying. Nearly 40 percent of the delegates, who meet through May 4, live outside the United States, according to church leaders.
“We see it as a challenge to deal with the cultural differences,” said Bishop Rosemarie Wenner of Germany, who will be installed in Tampa as president of the UMC’s Council of Bishops. “But we also see it as a gift.”

Convened every four years, General Conference legislates decisions on everything from pensions to prayer books. But few debates garner as much attention and acrimony as the role of gays and lesbians in the UMC.
The homosexuality debate dates to 1972, when a phrase calling homosexual activity “incompatible with Christian teaching” was added to the Book of Discipline, which contains the denomination's laws and doctrines. The UMC also bans noncelibate gay clergy and same-sex marriage.
The UMC's long and painful membership decline in the U.S. looms over the debate, as church leaders search for ways to reverse the decades-long drop.
Gay rights activists argue that the UMC must become more inclusive to attract young Americans who view the sexuality prohibitions as hypocritical. Conservatives counter that only churches that hold fast to traditional doctrines are growing.
United Methodists who support gay rights have proposed about 100 resolutions this year that would lift the bans and excise the “incompatible” phrase from the Book of Discipline. Leading up to General Conference, they argued that momentum is on their side.

Read more:

http://www.religionnews.com/faith/leaders-and-institutions/united-methodists-to-debate-allowing-gay-clergy-and-same-sex-marriage

LARGEST CHURCH IN COLORADO VOTES TO LEAVE PCUSA

The largest Colorado congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has voted to leave the denomination over theological differences.

First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs voted Sunday morning to leave the Pueblo Presbytery of PC(USA) in large part due to the denomination's decision in 2010 to allow the ordination of non-celibate homosexuals.
Of the 1,769 congregants of the 4,000-strong church present for the vote, 1,689 members voted in favor of dismissal from PC(USA) to join the recently created Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians.
Ronald D. Anderson, executive presbyter for the Pueblo Presbytery, told The Christian Post that he was not surprised by the result of the vote.
"I was not surprised at the overwhelming vote because of the earlier 'straw vote' and the extensive process the church has enacted since to address the questions of people who had unanswered questions," said Anderson.

Read more: http://www.christianpost.com/news/largest-presbyterian-church-in-colorado-votes-to-leave-pcusa-73748/

SUPRISE! SUPRISE! SUPRISE! ELCA BISHOP OPPOSES MINNESOTA'S MARRIAGE AMENDMENT

Bishop Peter Rogness, St. Paul, MN has boldly stepped forward to oppose the Marriage Amendment to Minnesota's constitution being voted on this November. Furthermore, he is urging all Lutherans to join him in voting against it.

NEWS FLASH! Bishop--A large number of Lutheran do not agree with you--Lutherans in the ELCA,  LC-MS, AFLC, TAALC, NALC, LCMC for examle, just to name a few. Oh yes, the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions do not agree with you either!

HERE'S PART OF HIS STATEMENT:

• We embrace and affirm marriage as being between a man and a woman. Our recent (2009) social statement makes that clear: "The historic Christian tradition and the Lutheran Confessions have recognized marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman...."
• Homosexuality has most often been an unspoken reality, almost never mentioned in the Bible—and where it is mentioned, many scholars will point out, it is likely not the behavior arising from different sexual orientation that is being addressed, but behavior that is aberrant and abusive. But now we find ourselves living in a time and place where, for the first time in our memory, people are open regarding their being drawn towards persons of the same gender for this deep and lifelong love and intimacy. We understand sexual orientation as a given, not a choice.
• So we face a new question: what is the response of the church—of the Christian body of teachings and values—to those who would seek the same life-long, sacrificial, committed, intimate relationship in their lives with partners of the same gender, because that's where their yearning for love takes them?
• We Lutherans, in the ELCA social statement of 2009, recognized that many theologians and congregations come to a position of support and affirmation of such persons and of the health of such relationships. We are becoming increasingly aware of the quality, longevity, and sincerity of these relationships between persons of strong faith and deep commitment to following the God we claim to know in Jesus Christ. They are drawn to thank God for the love they have found in each other and yearn for the support of their faith community. And an increasing number of congregations are coming to believe that giving such support is a part of healthy and faithful ministry. Our 2009 social statement affirmed the faithfulness of congregations that offer such support.
• Yet this same statement, adopted in 2009, isn't so quick to close the door on the traditional understanding of the church in not supporting such relationships. The statement acknowledged that healthy and faithful congregations are coming to different conclusions. What do we make of this paradox? For now, we live in a grey area, trusting God's good time to make things more clear.

The Proposed Marriage Amendment

So this brings us to this amendment on the November ballot in Minnesota this year, and the question of whether we put in our constitution a prohibition against same-gender marriage. My position, informed by the theological and contextual factors noted above, leads me to three observations, a conclusion, and two continuing concerns.

Read More: http://www.spas-elca.org/mutual-conversation/pastoral-letter-proposed-marriage-amendment

REPORT FROM TWO ELCA CONGREGATIONS

Grace Lutheran Church, Austin, MN failed in their first vote to leave the ELCA 64 in favor, 78 against.

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Redwood Falls also failed in their first vote to leave the ELCA, 55 in favor, 223 opposed. 
Consequently a new congregation has been formed by former members of Gloria Dei. The new congregation is call Christ's Victory Lutheran Church, and is associated with the LCMC.

THREE CHURCHES VOTE TO LEAVE ELCA

Add to the list of congregations that voted to leave the ELCA and join the NALC:

1. St. John's Lutheran Church, (Nekimi) Oshkosh, WI, with baptized membership of 293,  passed second vote 82-24, March 25, to leave the ELCA and join the NALC.

2. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Little Mountain, SC, with baptized membership of 569, passed second vote to leave ELCA and join the NALC.

3.  St. John's Lutheran Church, Metropolis, IL, with baptized membership of 177 baptized members, passed second vote to leave the ELCA on April 15.

AUSTIN MINNESOTA CHURCH PLANS VOTE TO LEAVE ELCA APRIL 22

AUSTIN — Grace Lutheran Church this Sunday will let the congregation decide a momentous question: Do we stay or go?
At a special meeting after its 10:30 a.m. service, the entire congregation will vote on whether the church should leave its presiding body since 1988, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The vote will be the first of two steps required for the church to separate from the ELCA.
“It was decided after much deliberation to have the vote,” said the Rev. Jeff Forbes of Grace Lutheran.
Part of the reason supporters of the split have for leaving surrounds concerns that the ELCA believes itself to hold a higher authority than the Bible.
“In our nearly 500 years of the Lutheran church we have held the Bible — the word of God — to be the sole authority for what we believe,” said former church council members Gene and Jean White in a letter to members of the church. “In good conscience we cannot support or be part of a church which denies the Bible.”
Lavona Johnson, a member of the church for the last 51 years, agreed. She said there is a trend among churches across the nation leaving the ELCA, as part of a “tremendous movement to get back to the Bible.”

Read more: http://www.albertleatribune.com/2012/04/20/church-considers-breaking-from-elca/