By Pastor Greg Kjos
This reflection points us to the Commandments and the Catechism by which we can examine the recent Convention proceedings and how we can hope to move forward in the Lord's mission to others
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July 16, 2009
AN OBSERVER’S REFLECTION ON ELCIC CONVENTION
Editor – the Lord be with you.
I have been with Solid Ground from its inception. I was there at its birthing in Ottawa and was present in its early formative years and have watched with joy how it’s “Spirit” evolved over the past few years. During these past years I have remained silent, convinced that others speak (or may I say write) better than I.
However my silence is broken. I sense now time when I may speak – inadequately as I might when compared to more gifted writers such as Pastor Paul Hartig or Pastor Peeter Vanker – but nevertheless, I set my fingers to do their task.
I want to address an area of reflection about the 2009 National Convention.
First, I had opportunity to watch the convention in whole through their web casting. Compliments go to the media division of the ELCIC to support this venture.
Second, continuing this train of thought, I thank Solid Ground for their well-documented reports. This report is an accurate observation of how we behaved and what convention delegates said. I appreciate this report.
Third is my comment about a common theme that both Peeter and Paul have noted. They observed that this present administration “carefully and politically orchestrated the suppression of voice and debate by convention delegates.” I agree with Peeter and Paul’s observations and I find this mode of operation sinful (refer to Luther’s explanation of the 8th commandment, especially the admonition where Luther says: “The first application of this commandment, then, is that everyone should help his neighbour maintain his right. He must not allow those rights to be thwarted or distorted but should promote and resolutely guard them, whether he be judge and witness, let the consequences be what they may.” Line 269, page 400 Book of Concord,)
I sense that Bishop Johnson and those on the Committee of Reference and Council – jurist in a broad way of speaking – disabled certain motions and many delegates to speak and address the house. This sin – actual sin – needs to be confessed and then absolution in the Lord’s name received and believed.
However, more distressing than these servant leaders “thwarting” this convention was the wilful compliance of the voting delegates to agree with this. In my opinion what bothers me the most about this convention is the majority of voting delegates who wilfully choose to support the sin of our church leaders. In all cases where the chair was challenged, the house supported the chair. And in all cases where Committee on Reference and Council recommended the “no action” motion, once again the house voted in favour of this motion.
So Peeter and Paul – and to others who read my article – this convention publicly affirms that it is not what the Bishop wants, the Bishop gets, but it is We the house/ assembly choose to support a sinful behaviour and mindset that we know will thwart the well being of our Christian community.
We must hold the house accountable, first before God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit+) and then before each sister and brother in Christ. We must hear from the convention delegates why they discern the Spirit’s leading in their lives to support an action that thwarts another brother or sister’s right to be heard and effectively addressed.
Unfortunately at this present time, I do not hear nor see from either the convention delegates or the Bishops, that this situation will be repented. We prefer to let this sin remain unrecognized – not confessed or acknowledged that we have sinned against God and God’s children – and therefore choose to live in unforgiveness. And those who commit sin will remain enslaved to the power of that sin.
The net result is tragic. Instead of moving forward, In Mission for Others – with signs of hope – we will find ourselves paralysed because we chose to address ourselves in a process that thwarts God’s voice through us. Instead of creative discussion and Spirit created potentials, we permit and affirm directed conversations and subtly or overtly demand conformity – be like everyone else and want everyone to do it like everyone else. Such a result is the death bell sound for those who follow this course of action.
However there is a way out – a way to overcome our desire to stop thwarting Jesus’ voice among us and through us. And it is a direction that we Lutherans have boldly declared (and declare). Roland Bainton, famed Luther historian writes, “ In the years 1517 – 1519 Luther was so sensible of his affinity with the Humanists to adopt their fad of Hellenizing vernacular names. He called himself Eleutherius, the free man.” (Chapter Seven: The German Hercules – Here I Stand)
Where did Luther find such a name with such an inspiring handle? While studying Galatians 5:1-2, the Spirit spoke to Luther’s heart about Jesus who set Luther free – free from the power of those sins which enslaved him. One of those sins was Luther’s willingness to let himself comply with Roman Catholic leadership to thwart Jesus’voice (through Martin) on certain “faith questions” (e.g. how may I find a gracious God?). Once Luther let this Word from God be unto him, the living Word of God, this Word empowered him to question, to talk about and even challenge / confront those leaders or individuals who sought to do otherwise.
Be whose we are (Jesus’followers) and let our ancestral founders – like Luther – inspire us to do what we know Jesus’calls us to do – witness to him and to let the Spirit bring out his new creation in our lives. Thus when Jesus is talked about, prayed about, and witnessed to, I sense we will find ourselves forgiven of our sinning, freed by Jesus and empowered by the Spirit to let brothers and sisters discuss and debate among us how we may be in Mission (His Mission) for others.
Oh may the Spirit be renewed within us and among us (recall Bishop Hanson’s inspiring bible study) so that we may continue to be who in Christ Jesus we are created to be: Alive in Christ Jesus.
In Christ,
Pastor Greg Kjos
