A Letter from Bishop Kusserow of the Southwest Pennsylvania Lutheran Synod reflecting on the actions of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
But there is more to be said than that. There is a deeper relationship that concerns us. In my conversations with him, Bishop Duncan has spoken with passion about his relationship with Jesus Christ, known through the scriptures, the sacraments, and the Church. He is convinced that to remain faithful to that deeper relationship, he must leave the formal structure of the Episcopal Church USA. To find the right words to express his strong feeling about this, Bishop Duncan has called to mind the image of Martin Luther’s “Here I stand” moment – clinging to his faith in Jesus Christ as known through scripture even if it meant falling out of relationship with the formal institution of the Roman Catholic Church.
This touches a deep nerve for Lutherans. For while we celebrate wholeheartedly Luther’s stand, we grieve the schism in the Church that resulted from it. More than this, we continue to struggle with the question of what makes authentic Church. We rally around the solitary Luther who stood firm against Emperor and Inquisition and who could “do no other,” but we do not therefore affirm as axiomatic the idea that everyone’s personal conviction is equally reflective of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
http://www.southwesternpasynod.org/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=62&Itemid=13
2 comments:
We fracture and fracture and fracture. Not exactly eloquent but .... As convention approaches I'm sad to have to look at old friends and know that we will no longer be able to come to the same table again. I can't help but feel like my faith is being judged. I will vote to remain with TEC. I'm a life long Episcopalian, half Wasp.
I have to wonder if our present splintering is causing concern in the ECLA? Unlike TEC, PCUSA or the Methodist the ECLA hasn't had as much wrangling over some of the issues plaguing the rest of mainline Protestants. Thats not to say they haven't come up. Maybe being a product of a schism (and still aware of the fact) they're less willing to tackle issues that the rest of the churches are dealing with?
May God help and preserve us during these times
I wonder if we have really looked at the numbers. Perhaps the Episcopal Church is becoming so small that it is looking inward and down for a reason. Real reform comes from prayer, from a firm foundation in the Gospel and Scriptures and from asking God to guide.
Luther was clearly bipolar. His life was by no means heroic, in fact, he just had many folks, from freinds to Katrina, who cared for his activities of daily living.
We are all too hung up on deciding sin instead of deciding cooperation and conservation. Get out of the pulpit and back on the road. You have all taught too long and there is too much truth in the simple statement,
"Those who can do, and those who cannot, teach." Hang up your robes for awhile and get back on the streets to get in touch with where the real needs are in your communities.
Taking stands and judging are to be left to God. Creating unity is not a top down affair. It starts with you climbing down and looking out and up.
Penny-A Little Cents from Tennessee
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