We Are Church: Reflections from the 2019 Churchwide Assembly

Beloved in Christ,

My return in early August from a much-appreciated sabbatical found me at the 15th Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in Milwaukee where we met under the theme, “We Are Church”. This was the third such Assembly I’ve attended; filled as it was with so many significant conversations, experiences, and actions I left feeling both exhilarated and overwhelmed. More than once I noted how our church was being cracked opened by the Holy Spirit in ways that are at once deeply painful and incredibly promising! We heard some hard but loving truth spoken. We celebrated significant milestones. We made daring commitments for how we will seek to live out our common faith for the life of the world. (For a quick overview of Assembly actions, see this summary.)

In the days to come we will be sharing more fully the actions and commitments made by the voting members of the assembly. You will hear first-hand from our Rocky Mountain Synod lay leaders and rostered ministers who experienced the powerful worship, participated in the art of collective discernment, and bore the weighty responsibility of helping set a course for the future of this church.

While the true fruits of this Assembly will only be revealed over time, the short-term actions and decisions will no doubt be received with enthusiasm by some while others may feel disoriented and wonder, “What does this mean?” It’s a good Lutheran question to ask.

I am struck by how many of the significant decisions made at our Assembly can be understood through the lens of our church’s core values – our ELCA DNA as I like to call it in my teaching, “Claiming Our Gifts”. Let me offer a few examples:

• Theology of the Cross: In affirming our church’s apology to people of African descent, in condemning the evil of white supremacy, in wrestling with how to grow into an authentically diverse church, the theology of the cross reminds us that Christ’s redeeming love and transforming grace are always found most profoundly at the margins. To be attentive to those who have been most marginalized in our church and society is to place ourselves at the foot of the cross, where suffering is transformed into redemption. 

• Our Church’s Immigrant History: The fact that the story of our church is rooted in the experience of Lutheran refugees and immigrants who came to this country faith seeking a better life is what continues to empower our church’s unwavering commitment to accompany refugees and immigrants today. We boldly declared our church to be a place and people of safety, welcome, and advocacy – sanctuary – for those seeking a better life for their families.
  

• Word and Service: Utterly freed by God’s grace, our faith expresses itself in service of the neighbor. The leadership of ordained deacons will expand our vision for service with neighbors near and far. Our Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment will guide us in respectful relationship and collaboration with neighbors of other faiths.
  

• Public Church – Advocacy: As members of the ELCA we have a unique perspective on the relationship of the church to the government – a perspective rooted in our theology and Luther’s own example. A social statement on Church and Government will help clarify to our own members as well as to the world why we are a church that must show up in the public square for the sake of the neighbor.
  

• Paradox – Both/And Theology: Our ELCA theology calls upon us to live as God’s both/and people in an either/or world. As we follow the Spirit’s invitation to proclaim and embody God’s unconditional love for the sake of the world, we invariably experience times of friction and disagreement with one another. This was certainly clear at the Assembly and is evident in our congregational and synod life as well. Paradox provides us with the capacity to hold multiple perspectives in tension and remain one as the Body of Christ.

I encourage you spend time with your congregation and ministry partners asking how our Assembly actions inform and shape your calling to be Christ’s Church, Better Together in your context. Look for additional Assembly information to come together with supporting resources and documents including materials from AMMPARO, our social statements, and other guides for discussion. As you meet, don’t hesitate to contact one of our Rocky Mountain Synod voting members for their views. You can find their names and contact information here.

There’s never been a more challenging time for us to say, “We are Church.” There’s never been a more important time for us to say, “We are Church.” I am grateful for our willingness as the ELCA to live from our gifts even as we learn, grow and are re-formed. May the Spirit continue to crack us open for the life of the world!

Yours in Faith,

Bishop Jim