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Currently browsing thread: Fixing, Changing, Improving, or Saving the Synod Petersen Jan 19, 2008 11:20:03
Fixing, Changing, Improving, or Saving the Synod
Petersen
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Jan 19, 2008 11:20:03 		After spending a week with hardcore Lutherans endlessly speculating about the future of the synod and what we should (or could or might) do about it (either to help or hinder, save or destroy), I am back to the conclusion that we must simply preach the Gospel. I am not being flip. I really don't know what else we can do. Political action committees and news sources and election lists all have their place. I am not dismissing them. But I think the only thing we can really to do help the synod (or maintain it, cause it to be reborn, or to destroy it) is preach the Gospel and all its articles, which is to say, we need to also preach the Law. The weakness of the LCMS is found in our oft willingness to follow the lead of the currently popular American preachers and our lust for success. The remedy is the rich and comforting depths of our actual doctrine, which is sometimes inconvenient but bears the practicality of being true. In the immediate past we have called this catechesis. We have tried to save the synod with conferences and journals. They have had some very good effects. Issues, etc. was born out of these movements and is probably the single most powerful force of confessional Lutheranism in the world. Clearly the new media is the internet. How do we duplicate Issues, etc. and the CCA and Gottesdienst, etc, on the internet? How do we provide resources for laity far removed from Lutheran congregations and help them start congregations (which is what they really need to do)? How do we assist pastors in their work? How do we feed people in a digital age? Can we replicate not only the knowledge that is imparted in a week like this past week, but also the excitement and energy and comfort?  

Comments...

  • Jan 24, 2008 08:50:53 Re: Fixing, Changing, Improving, or Saving the Synod - Rev. Eric Brown
    The problem is all too often we want to be the hero - the at least the person who points to the hero who comes sweeping in and by a stunning vote makes everything alright. The thing is - that's too easy. What do you mean, all this political fighting is hard work! True. But not as hard and difficult as continually opening the Scriptures to people, continually teaching.

    There can be a political victory - a day where good wins and evil is defeated and we all sit back and cheer - yea! We won. You don't get that with preaching. There's always another person to teach, another sermon to preach, another person struggling with doubts. We are called to the long hard struggle of the office - not the false dreams of a Synodical Messiah who will make everyone all better for us.
  • Jan 23, 2008 09:29:37 Re: Fixing, Changing, Improving, or Saving the Synod - Suzanne
    As a layperson, I say yes! Just preach the Gospel. The endless political machinations of differing political groups makes me sick. All sides swear they aren't political, but all are, something that is painfully obvious to most observers, but not to the people pushing their political agendas.
  • Jan 21, 2008 16:34:34 Re: Fixing, Changing, Improving, or Saving the Synod - Pr. H. R. Curtis
    I don't know the answers to your questions, but I'll at least say this for the importance. From a very practical stand point, what the Synod says and does matters. Perhaps this is a very midwestern phenomenon (I've spent my whole churched life in NE, MO, WI, and IL) and the coasts and non-geographical districts are different, but laity around here care about the Synod and what it does and says.

    An example. A few months ago I was patiently taking the elders through the whole age of confirmation and first communion thing. I have great elders - they trust me and are always eager to hear me out and walk through the Scriptures and Confessions with me. But for the whole presentation you could feel and see their reluctance.

    And then I pulled out the LSB Agenda and its rite for First Communion before Confirmation and its statement in the Confirmation rite that these confirmands should "continue to receive the Lord's Supper."

    Suddenly, everything became much easier. Heads nodded or at least shoulders shrugged and said, "Well, I guess if the Synod is doing this. . . "

    We can poo-poo that mentality all we want, but there it is. And it ain't all bad: it speaks of a humility and respect for authority that are fine Christian traits. I wonder how the newly independent Lutheran congregations - or quasi-independent ELDoNA folks will be faring in a few decades. I bet they will have either found a wider institutional existence and allegiance of their own, or broken apart time and again like the old LCR.

    What I mean to say is that you can't get away from the Church as an institution.

    +HRC
    • Jan 29, 2008 21:41:49 Re: Fixing, Changing, Improving, or Saving the Synod - Michael M
      and then there's one lady in my congregation who thinks i should be willing to completely submit to our circuit counselor and his desire to use the creative worship the congregation has become accustomed to.
    • Jan 21, 2008 20:57:19 Re: Fixing, Changing, Improving, or Saving the Synod - Pr. John A. Frahm
      We really play fast and loose with the respect many laity have for our synod when we put our doctrinal position into flux and jeopardy every triennium.

      When you look at Schurb's study (at Consensus) on changes in synod's "position" on women in the church since 1969 or look at variations in church fellowship or the understanding of the pastoral office and the position of synod seems to be a continent adrift.

      Eckardt's little theological observer from a few years ago (on the drinking of Wittenberg Beer) expresses the frustration, concern, and lament of many about the synod as an institution and authority. I would desire that my parishioners hold the synod accountable to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, rather than seeing the synod as the arbiter and official talmud on the Book of Concord (or the DP or CTCR or CCM for that matter).

      Eckardt's article:

      http://www.gottesd...ver/11_03_Beer.pdf
  • Jan 21, 2008 10:11:38 Re: Fixing, Changing, Improving, or Saving the Synod - Pr. John Frahm
    Quite unlike myself right out of seminary or before that, I think we need to be done with political machinations. This is not to say we shouldn't nominate confessional/liturgical Lutherans for synod and district offices, analyze the convention workbooks and vote accordingly, and be clear on who is best for these positions. However, this does not mean we should go the route of spending mega bucks on campaigning, sending out reams of paper, and forgetting to pray in sackcloth and ashes that we not receive what we deserve.

    What should we do?
    1. get back to the basics of what Korby called the three books of Lutheran piety: Bible, catechism, and hymnal
    2. catechesis without end for all ages
    3. put the Book of Concord back into the hands of the laity
    4. patiently return to offering the Lord's Supper every Sunday and on festival days as AC and Ap. XXIV say
    5. do what is right despite the three year cyclical manipulation of the "position of synod"
    6. raise up faithful men who will be all-around solid pastors for the future
    7. support pastors in difficult situations who need support - financially, prayerfully, encouragement, presence of confessional brethren, be a father confessor (aka like what the Augustana Ministerium is doing)
    8. begin new Lutheran congregations everywhere that begin with confessional practice and maintain it
    9. reform despite the bureaucracy - as Luther suggested in the Letter to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation
    10. support those official or unofficial organizations that get it right (you know what I mean)
    11. continue to publish good theology, liturgical resources, and catechetical materials through whatever means.
    12. send men to whatever seminary will do the job best and keep in contact with them in the process

    I don't think that is "political" - though it may be controversial in some ways.
  • Jan 20, 2008 22:01:00 Re: Fixing, Changing, Improving, or Saving the Synod - Fr. Kavouras
    We Americans are obsessed with fixing and/or saving everything and everyone. It springs from the post-millenial pietist air we all breath. Christ does the saving. Period. As for the Synod, we can preach the Law when and where appropriate, to the people who need to hear it. However, on a daily basis we can tend to our flocks doing the work we were given to do while it is day, before the night cometh when no man can work. Baptize, teach, absolve, feed. Let's get out of any saving business apart from what the Holy Spirit accomplishes through these.

    As for using techonology to carry out the church's work, I say, don't chase the market. I know two things. Television is the greatest flop there is as a media for the Christian faith. Radio is slightly less catastrophic. For one thing, you can't conduct the Christian faith without the Sacraments. I used to think that the WAM Lutheran Hour was a great thing, I don't any more. I think the work of the local congregation is everything.
  • Jan 19, 2008 16:45:52 Re: Fixing, Changing, Improving, or Saving the Synod - Philip Wright
    In reading these comments I would simply like to offer a resource that might be helpful in reflecting upon the use of technology in the mission of the Church. I have only read a bit of this book but it seems like it would be well worth a read for any of those interested in what David raises here. It is "Thinking About God in an Age of Technology" by George Pattison. The back cover synopsis concludes, "Although the task of thinking about God in, with, and under the conditions of an age of technology remains extremely challenging, we can nevertheless discern something of its direction and style. The picture that starts to emerge is one that has important consequences for the future relationship between theology and university, theology and ethics, theology and art, and for creative living in the contemporary city."

    Sincerely,
    Philip Wright
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