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IT'S TIME TO CONFESS:  SHIPWRECKED!

Amy Williams

My church, Elk Horn Lutheran Church, has celebrated several baptisms this year, and people look with delight on the pastor carrying the newly baptized child so all can see! We receive the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion, and forgiveness of sins, according to God's Word. The pure Word of the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached from our pulpit, for the nourishment and admonishment of the believers. The "mutual consolation of the saints," as Luther put it, is experienced at dinners, weddings, anniversary celebrations, youth fellowship, Bible studies, and funerals.

It was after a relative's funeral that the first accuser acted. A pastor from over 500 miles away was displeased with our pastor's confessional stance and wrote a letter, accusing him of clergy sexual misconduct. The charges were absolutely false. The second accuser, receiving the letter around the time of his installation as bishop of the synod, came to the pastor's office, demanding his resignation from the congregation and the ELCA clergy roster, based on the false accusation of the one letter from a person he didn't know.

For an hour and a half, our pastor was attacked. "For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. They beset me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. " (Psalm 109:2-3) Even when the pastor's wife and the accused member testified to their innocence, the accuser was cold and unyielding. Matthew 18: unknown. Due process according to the constitution: denied.

He spoke of "choices:" Resign today and save your congregation. If you don't resign, you are suspended indefinitely, until a hearing can be held. That's your one chance. We will not investigate, but "the Church's lawyers" will represent the synod. You are guilty until proven innocent. An interim pastor of our choosing will come and preach, in spite of your associate in ministry. Your council may withhold salary, pension, and housing immediately.

Thank God the church council members are God-fearing people who recognize evil when they see it! The council immediately wrote resolutions retaining their pastor, rejecting any authority of the synod bishop over the congregation, and preventing anyone from entering the pulpit without their permission. Both the council and the pastor obtained legal counsel of faithful Christian attorneys. Our unity is strong.

Two weeks later, the congregation voted 226 to 10 to sever ties with the ELCA and 226 to 9 to join Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ. The church became an Augsburg Lutheran District congregation. Freedom reigns! The strength of this congregation is the Word of God, proclaimed and lived out daily. The believers protected their pastor and the accused member and families from the death wish of the accuser. Prayers and support were forthcoming from our ALD, LCMC, and ELCA brothers and sisters, many of whom have also suffered at the hand of the accuser.

"For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). My church will go on, delighting in baptisms, celebrating Holy Communion, hearing the Word, and experiencing the mutual consolation of the saints. Leaving behind the shipwreck of the ELCA, we will do so with blessings of God and faithfulness to Christ. We will help build up the church through the lifeboat Augsburg Lutheran District of LCMC, while depending solely on God's Word.

For with Luther, we believe "there is on earth a holy flock and congregation of pure saints under one Head, Christ, called together by the Holy Spirit in one faith, one mind and understanding, with manifold gifts, yet one in love, without sects or schisms."

Mrs. Amy Williams chairs the Augsburg Lutheran District Worship and Education Committee. Amy is a member of Elk Horn Lutheran Church, Elk Horn, Iowa, which hosted the constituting convention of the Augsburg Lutheran District.

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