Okay, I need to get something off my chest. Basically, why am I ELCA? Why do I remain in a Lutheran church that seems to stray, according to some?
Simply put, I do not believe it has strayed all that far. For one, the Lutheran church was founded upon change, upon reform. We are supposed to be an ever-reforming church. We are not supposed to be stagnant dead pools of the law with a few sprinklings of grace thrown in for our elite-few members (not financially elite, since I know other Lutheran synods aren't made up of just rich people).
With regards to open communion, there is no evidence that communion was closed to those who held certain doctrines (apart from belief in Christ) in the earliest churches (before the RCC became prominent, anyway). Paul warns against taking unworthily, but leaves the decision up to the person who would be taking, since it is between them and God.
With regards to women's ordination, I believe women were originally allowed to lead church services, and it wasn't until a few popes in that the Church forbade it (though being Lutheran, the Pope has no real authority over us, whether past or present). I believe the ELCA reformed back to an original practice, which allows but does not artifically puff up women in ministry positions.
Now, as for the most recent controversial decision regarding homosexuals in ministry and blessing of same-sex unions, that one is murkier, to me, but I am more inclined now to believe that the Biblical injunctions against homosexual acts had everything to do with idolatry and pagan worship, and nothing was said regarding orientation and acting on true love among same-gendered people, though I may be wrong on that (and this may be the one glaring "straying" of the church if I am).
There are other issues, of course. Abortion is one, and while I would personally like to see a bit stronger of a pro-life stance, I think the church is doing a decent job of realizing that some people are going to have the procedure done, and recognizing that the church needs to minister to these women and offer forgiveness, grace, and healing and support (for them if not their action).
Which brings me to my ultimate point. In any issue of morality, the church has both the authority and responsibility to bind or to loose (Mat 16:19, 18:18). Binding and loosing was a rabbinical term, so to speak. It was not simply "whoever you forgive is forgiven", though that is a part of Jesus' message. It also determines what rules to follow or not follow. Jesus does not say "whoever you bind", or "what sins you bind" (meaning whomever you do not forgive or what sins you don't forgive), but whatever (meaning, I think.. whatever, as in anything, rules, etc.).
So, our church can decide to bind away, allowing only what freedom tradition has deemed comfortable, and put their focus on the law in doing so (however unintended that may be), or they can focus on grace, even to the point of loosing a few rules here and there.
If the ELCA must err, it has chosen to err on the side of Grace. If only more churches would be so bold and brave enough to do so, perhaps we could actually change this world for the better.
Simply put, I do not believe it has strayed all that far. For one, the Lutheran church was founded upon change, upon reform. We are supposed to be an ever-reforming church. We are not supposed to be stagnant dead pools of the law with a few sprinklings of grace thrown in for our elite-few members (not financially elite, since I know other Lutheran synods aren't made up of just rich people).
With regards to open communion, there is no evidence that communion was closed to those who held certain doctrines (apart from belief in Christ) in the earliest churches (before the RCC became prominent, anyway). Paul warns against taking unworthily, but leaves the decision up to the person who would be taking, since it is between them and God.
With regards to women's ordination, I believe women were originally allowed to lead church services, and it wasn't until a few popes in that the Church forbade it (though being Lutheran, the Pope has no real authority over us, whether past or present). I believe the ELCA reformed back to an original practice, which allows but does not artifically puff up women in ministry positions.
Now, as for the most recent controversial decision regarding homosexuals in ministry and blessing of same-sex unions, that one is murkier, to me, but I am more inclined now to believe that the Biblical injunctions against homosexual acts had everything to do with idolatry and pagan worship, and nothing was said regarding orientation and acting on true love among same-gendered people, though I may be wrong on that (and this may be the one glaring "straying" of the church if I am).
There are other issues, of course. Abortion is one, and while I would personally like to see a bit stronger of a pro-life stance, I think the church is doing a decent job of realizing that some people are going to have the procedure done, and recognizing that the church needs to minister to these women and offer forgiveness, grace, and healing and support (for them if not their action).
Which brings me to my ultimate point. In any issue of morality, the church has both the authority and responsibility to bind or to loose (Mat 16:19, 18:18). Binding and loosing was a rabbinical term, so to speak. It was not simply "whoever you forgive is forgiven", though that is a part of Jesus' message. It also determines what rules to follow or not follow. Jesus does not say "whoever you bind", or "what sins you bind" (meaning whomever you do not forgive or what sins you don't forgive), but whatever (meaning, I think.. whatever, as in anything, rules, etc.).
So, our church can decide to bind away, allowing only what freedom tradition has deemed comfortable, and put their focus on the law in doing so (however unintended that may be), or they can focus on grace, even to the point of loosing a few rules here and there.
If the ELCA must err, it has chosen to err on the side of Grace. If only more churches would be so bold and brave enough to do so, perhaps we could actually change this world for the better.