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DISTRICT NEWS

His Hand on the Tiller 

Sunny Springfield, Oregon, close by the Pacific coast, was the site of the second national convention of the Augsburg Lutheran District. It was wonderful to see people gathering from coast to coast, from Canada to Hawaii, and places in between, to chart a faithful course at Resurrection Community Church. Many thanks to Rev. Doug Vaughan and the members of this former American Lutheran Church (ALC) mission church for their gracious hospitality as our convention hosts.

His Hand on the Tiller began with a dynamic keynote speech by Dr. Larry Gedde, "Red Velvet Cake and Other Delights: When Memories and Traditions are Forgotten." Dr. Gedde explained the deliberateness with which the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has abandoned scripture and the Lutheran confessions for something "new" and very different. He also encouraged us to stay with our focus on the mission to proclaim Christ to the world, and "Get on with it!"

Dr. Gedde and Rev. Mark Jamison lead the public ministry working group which adopted a preliminary teaching document on the ministry of word and sacrament, and standards for accepting transfers from other Lutheran rosters.

Dr. Gedde encouraged the ALD to set about the aggressive and intentional task of connecting with other small confessional groups for intentional relationship building. A resolution to work on a confessional conference with other Lutheran synods was adopted.

Dr. Oliver K. Olson, gave a presentation on the pitfalls to watch for in "Liturgy–the Achilles Heel," and the positive aspects of retaining our liturgical heritage in "Fidelity in the Midst of Chaos." Dr. Olson explained the theological dangers within the Eucharistic Prayer (the canon of the mass), and the beginning of our drift away from Lutheran liturgy with the Service Book and Hymnal (SBH) in 1958. Dr. Olson also shared how particular liturgical leaders within the ELCA have deliberately abandoned the Lutheran concept of worship–God coming to his people in the Divine Service–for a "work of the people" type worship in which worshipers make a sacrifice (even of Christ?) to God for salvation. Participants learned that the most important element in worship is a dynamic proclamation of the gospel and absolution, i.e., your sins are forgiven for Christ's sake. Dr. Olson and Amy Williams led the worship and liturgy discussion group in developing guidelines for worship and recommended resources for our churches.

Dr. Olson proposed that the Augsburg Lutheran District establish a "House of Studies" in the Hyde Park area of Chicago, for the education and training of Lutheran pastors and scholars. This proposal was adopted at the business session.

Rev. Roy A. Steward, President of the Evangelical Lutheran Conference and Ministerium of North America (ELCM), shared his journey through the Lutheran Church in America (LCA), the ELCA, the AALC, and the LMS-US, before forming the ELCM in October 1999. As with Dr. Gedde and Dr. Olson, Rev. Steward saw the writing on the wall as the ELCA was being formed by men determined to have their own way rather than follow scripture and the confessional writings of the evangelical Lutheran church. Rev. Steward shared the hopes of the ELCM for cooperative work with the ALD and other confessional Lutherans. Dr. John Cobb, from Wild Wood, Alberta, Canada, also attended as a representative of the ALD. Dr. Cobb and Rev. Steward participated in our working group on starting new churches, and discussion on the public ministry. The ELCM is very interested in working with the ALD and other confessional Lutheran synods on a confessional conference and the House of Studies projects.

District Pastor Mark Jamison led us in a Bible study on Romans 1:16-17. This three day series will be available in printed form on our website. Today many people accommodate their beliefs to fit in with the demands of society rather than stand upon the clear message of law and gospel in God's Word. In contrast, Pastor Jamison pointed out, Paul boldly declared "I am not ashamed of the gospel!" He stressed the assurance we have as children of God, "Christ came for us and our sins are forgiven for his sake!" This is the greatest news of all. Growing up as a Baptist, Pastor Jamison related how he woke up one night and thought he'd been "left behind" because his parents didn't come when he called for them! We are set free from such doubts in the faith of Christ we receive through the gospel, the very power of God for the salvation of his people by faith alone in his Son, Jesus Christ.

Consensus Resolution from the Worship and Liturgy Working Group Adopted at the 2nd Convention: His Hand on the Tiller

WORSHIP GUIDELINES

Lutheran worship is God-initiated, where the union of God and His people is consummated in the giving and receiving of the gift of justifying faith through the proclaimed Word and sacraments. Weekly worship is not basically evangelistic, but edifying for the assembly of believers. Evangelism, however can occur in various aspects of the divine service.

We come before God to confess our sin and receive absolution, hear God's word, and respond with faith and prayer. At a minimum, divine worship includes confession of sin and absolution, the proclamation of the Word in law and gospel and prayer. The Creed and the Lord's Prayer are desirable inclusions. Of primary importance are the sermon (understood as absolution) the Word proclaimed, and the Words of Institution. We retain what is best in the tradition of the church. The traditional worship order is based upon the mass and is a treasure in Lutheran worship. The ordinary, or consistent, parts include the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus and Agnus Dei. Other prayers, psalms, responses, and scripture vary with the season of the church year. Hymns which emphasize the scriptural themes may be of musical styles preferred by the congregation and provide variety in worship. Of lesser importance is the question of which musical settings should be used for the parts of the service.

The weekly repetition of the Lord's Prayer and the creed (and other parts of the service) are edifying to the worshipers. The invariability of these spoken or sung parts benefits even children and the disabled, enabling them to participate in worship in meaningful and faithful ways. The person ultimately responsible for worship is the pastor whose office was divinely instituted to preach the Word and administer the sacraments, the basis of Lutheran worship.

Proclaiming the gospel and forgiveness of sins are the pastor's primary tasks. The sermon is no less than God‘s Word. Dynamic preaching requires careful, prayerful preparation and is the best evangelism tool. When Holy Communion is offered, the Words of Institution are proclaimed alone, not within a eucharistic prayer. The host is Lord Jesus, and the direction is from God to the people. The elements of communion are placed upon the altar before the service, again to prevent the impression and belief that God's people sacrifice anything that adds to Christ's one-time sacrifice. Pre-consecration and use of a tabernacle to hold the elements of communion are not scriptural. "The Liturgy" or divine service with its basic order is the standard for weekly worship, although other orders (such as matins) may be used.

We encourage variety in musical settings for the ordinary parts of the service.

Respectfully submitted, Amy Williams and Dr. Oliver K. Olson

Dr. Oliver K. Olson is the President of Lutheran Quarterly and an affiliated individual of the Augsburg Lutheran District. Mrs. Amy Williams is the Chair of the Worship and Education Commtitee of the Augsburg Lutheran District, and a member of Elk Horn Lutheran Church.

Convention Resources for Sale (Click here for more details on convention tapes)
       Dr. Olson's and Dr. Gedde's presentations are available on tape for $6.00 each postage paid.  A limited supply of the Lutheran Hymnary is also available at $20.00 each postage paid.  Please send your order and payment to:

       Amy Williams
       4405 Bornholm
       Elk Horn, IA   51531

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