Letters

Lutheran, The, Jul 2004

To give or not to give

Opinions vary on where the money shall be spent

Your May issue surrounding concerns of stewardship and giving to churchwide ministries seems to put all the blame on local congregations for being myopic and unaware of the worldwide connections between communities of faith and service. As a voting member to the 2003 Churchwide Assembly, I witnessed a churchwide office that seemed almost completely disconnected from local congregations. The disconnect isn't the congregations' fault for they are doing what they're supposed to be doing. The churchwide infatuation with matters of sexuality and ecumenism is divorced from the reality of the majority of ELCA congregations. This is reflected in the smaller amount of dollars sent through to the churchwide office. In matters of stewardship, one reaps what one sows.

Chris Enstad

Edina.Minn.

It's paradoxical that we are all "together in mission" when the ELCA leadership needs money. This same leadership continues to vote against changes that would bring us "together in mission" by granting authority to congregations to directly vote on constitutional issues. We have to be seen by our leadership as more than a source of income. We need to be a direct part of the process that determines our walk with Christ. Ending "selective togetherness" will cause even greater things to begin happening at the congregational, synodical and churchwide levels that will extend into the world.

John Alpeter

New Philadelphia, Ohio

People often express their opinion with their dollars. When giving is down, they don't need articles on stewardship. They need the church to turn around and head in the right direction, the direction where the ministry of the gospel and the work of mission far exceeds that of promoting the homosexual agenda. When the ELCA turns around, the offerings will be there and the mission of the church will thrive.

Terry Breum

Lindenhurst, III.

Your request for financial support was elegant in its plea. But I couldn't keep from wondering whether the thousands of dollars we are spending [on the sexuality study] might be better spent for the needs highlighted in the various articles.

John Pirnstill

Upper Sandusky, Ohio

Thanks for the May issue. It's just what the church needed. Scripture reminds us that people can't know unless they are told. Now it's up to pastors to see that they read The Lutheran and that their people read it. I'm of the old school where we put The Lutheran for every member in the budget. The mailman was our associate pastor. This worked and brought results, and so will the May issue.

Everett Bunck

Fort Myer s, Fla.

It was encouraging to read about the impact the mission of our church is having on our communities and throughout the world. However, it was discouraging to read that support is declining partly because of divisions over ecumenism and homosexuality. Agreement over these policies isn't essential to unity. As in a marriage, attempting to coerce agreement by withholding affection and support invites tragedy. A marriage can thrive in spite of disagreements but never in the absence of love and support. Agreement would enhance harmony, but it is in our love of our church and generous support of its mission that we experience the joy of being "claimed, gathered and sent for the sake of the world."

Milo Mathison

Mentor, Minn.

Bonhoeffer and finances

I agree in part with Tom McFarland (May, page 11) in his use of the quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book Life Together on Christian community and wish dreams. I agree, too, with McFarland's views on reducing support to a congregation or the larger church organization. But I wonder if part of his assessment as to why that's happening may be incorrect. McFarland believes wish dreams contribute to the loss of people and dollars because of their protest of ELCA policies. My experience, though, is rather the wish dream of some in the ELCA hierarchy who don't have a regard for Scripture or plain reason. Those who leave the ELCA or withhold support are saying, "Call sin a sin and then proclaim the good news that we are forgiven in Jesus.

Bill Olson

Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Freeloaders and Pharisees

According to David E. Baker, freeloaders don't get it (May, page 32). Does he believe that ridicule will strengthen the one body in Christ? A discussion of constructive strategies for doing so would have been more helpful. Paraphrasing the Gospel of Luke, I wonder if Baker prays: "God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers or even freeloaders?"

Robert A. Haaf

Toledo, Ohio

Freeloaders don't get what? Grace? Forgiveness? Mercy? The love of God? In a time where the battered and torn body of the ELCA with all her members craves for the gospel message, the law is proclaimed. Where congregations are in dire need of moral support and healing, more salt is sprinkled into their wounds through an article like this.

Kerstin Barnes

San Jose, Calif.

No to LaHaye and Jenkins

I'm writing to voice strong opposition to the Crossings Book Club advertisement in May for its promotion of the Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins "Left Behind" books. I recently watched a 60 Minutes II program and found the authors of these books to be extremely biased. They use selective verses from the Bible to justify their beliefs, and it's dangerous stuff. I realize The Lutheran may not be endorsing the sale of these books. But many individuals may see The Lutheran as a doorway to good literature.