The ELCA's Southeastern Iowa Synod issued a statement in their weekly newsletter concerning the Southeastern Iowa Synod Council's removal of St. Mark's Lutheran church (Marion, IA) from the roster of ELCA congregations.  Within the statement it says, "The congregation is being served by a pastor of LCMC, a church body considered to promote separation (schismatic) from the ELCA." (see here)

This is interesting to me because firstly they openly claim that the LCMC promotes separation from the ELCA.  What are the facts that support this allegation?  The fact of the matter is that this congregation, which the synod took action against, is dual-affiliated with the ELCA and LCMC.  The LCMC is fine with the dual-affiliation, yet the ELCA is not.  Who here is promoting separation from whom? 

Secondly, the reason this congregation's pastor is a LCMC-rostered pastor is because last month the Southeastern Iowa Synod bishop, Michael Burk, removed this pastor from the ELCA clergy roster. (see here)


 


Comments

04/29/2012 3:13pm

Gee, I can't think of a more damning criticism from a Lutheran body.

<snark off>

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04/29/2012 6:24pm

Schismatic? I guess it just depends which side of the schism you are on.

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Chuck Hyneman
04/29/2012 7:10pm

This is the same Mr. Burk who supports Herchurch ELCA in San Fran he said, "when folks have ‘dropped in unannounced’ they have experienced preaching that is decidedly within Lutheran orthodoxy and worship that is familiar and done with integrity. It was said that this small congregation is serving the local community very well, especially when it comes to reaching out to the local community.” ELCA welcomes in HerChurch and kicks out St. Marks. This shows what Burk and the ELCA is all about.

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