I am disturbed to hear of the attacks you have received. Regrettably, it is not surprising. I am glad to see that you continue to speak in churches and other venues. That includes Lutheran churches in the upper Midwest. I am concerned that many parts of our church are trying to do the non-partisan balancing act including national leadership and here in Illinois. I trust that they are taking the situation seriously but I wonder if their priority is on "kindness" and the unity of the church. The need for the prophetic voice is acknowledged but I don't see or hear much of it in preaching even in some "liberal" churches- (in my own limited sampling). That even includes Trump's more outrageous and dangerous rhetoric at the GOP convention, the debate, and his rallies (e.g. re Springfield, OH!). Kindness and unity are legitimate concerns. But I am concerned that we are missing the (Bonhoeffer?) moment (again!) in the ELCA and maybe other parts of the Mainline. But as a retired pastor I still don't know what to say. Nothing has been said about the upcoming election throughout this past year at our various synod events. I thought about saying something but I didn't know what to say or how to say it or at what moment. Now we are running out of time. I do not know how ELCA (et al) churches in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and other key states are responding. But that interview with Lance Walnau and responses by the excellent Matthew Taylor is sobering. America First! Oh my. If 40 per cent or more ELCA members still support Trump, that is a tragic indictment. Have we learned from the Lutheran Church in Germany or not? And still I feel timid and complicit. Tomorrow we have our synod professional leaders' conference which will be the last if not the last synod (plus bishop) event remaining before 11/5. And I don't know what to do or say, if anything. Or what can be done practically. I am doing some things on the political side. But I feel like our church(es) is failing the moment, and so am I. I am hopeful politically, but that is sobered too by the realities of Trump and Trumpism getting worse and more desperate. Whatever way things go, there so many challenges ahead. It feels overwhelming. But I am trying to keep my eyes on the positives and the joy also taking place. Sorry for rambling and taking up your time. Many prayers for you and your family and for all the other courageous warriors and peacemakers, journalists and social scientists, pastors and theologians out there. Kyrie eleison.
Hi Mark, Don’t ever apologize for writing to me. I am grateful for your sharing and for your full heart and passion for a time such as this one. I am heartened to share much encouragement from my time with the SEIA Synod, as we openly talked about Christian Nationalism in our midst - and also what our local congregations are doing to combat it and to rebuild trust.
I share your concerns in general that we are often too timid or too vague in our comments, and we don’t speak directly enough to this time and the matters at hand. But every day I do hear more and more encouragement and boldness around the country. I believe it’s true that the strongest part of resistance to Christian Nationalism will come from the grassroots: local pastors, local churches, individual people of courage. And of course I am also encouraged each day by more invitations to speak to church leaders and congregations.
I’m praying for you and for your colleagues in your synod time together. May God give you space to say what’s in your heart, and may there be ears to hear it!
I am disturbed to hear of the attacks you have received. Regrettably, it is not surprising. I am glad to see that you continue to speak in churches and other venues. That includes Lutheran churches in the upper Midwest. I am concerned that many parts of our church are trying to do the non-partisan balancing act including national leadership and here in Illinois. I trust that they are taking the situation seriously but I wonder if their priority is on "kindness" and the unity of the church. The need for the prophetic voice is acknowledged but I don't see or hear much of it in preaching even in some "liberal" churches- (in my own limited sampling). That even includes Trump's more outrageous and dangerous rhetoric at the GOP convention, the debate, and his rallies (e.g. re Springfield, OH!). Kindness and unity are legitimate concerns. But I am concerned that we are missing the (Bonhoeffer?) moment (again!) in the ELCA and maybe other parts of the Mainline. But as a retired pastor I still don't know what to say. Nothing has been said about the upcoming election throughout this past year at our various synod events. I thought about saying something but I didn't know what to say or how to say it or at what moment. Now we are running out of time. I do not know how ELCA (et al) churches in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and other key states are responding. But that interview with Lance Walnau and responses by the excellent Matthew Taylor is sobering. America First! Oh my. If 40 per cent or more ELCA members still support Trump, that is a tragic indictment. Have we learned from the Lutheran Church in Germany or not? And still I feel timid and complicit. Tomorrow we have our synod professional leaders' conference which will be the last if not the last synod (plus bishop) event remaining before 11/5. And I don't know what to do or say, if anything. Or what can be done practically. I am doing some things on the political side. But I feel like our church(es) is failing the moment, and so am I. I am hopeful politically, but that is sobered too by the realities of Trump and Trumpism getting worse and more desperate. Whatever way things go, there so many challenges ahead. It feels overwhelming. But I am trying to keep my eyes on the positives and the joy also taking place. Sorry for rambling and taking up your time. Many prayers for you and your family and for all the other courageous warriors and peacemakers, journalists and social scientists, pastors and theologians out there. Kyrie eleison.
Hi Mark, Don’t ever apologize for writing to me. I am grateful for your sharing and for your full heart and passion for a time such as this one. I am heartened to share much encouragement from my time with the SEIA Synod, as we openly talked about Christian Nationalism in our midst - and also what our local congregations are doing to combat it and to rebuild trust.
I share your concerns in general that we are often too timid or too vague in our comments, and we don’t speak directly enough to this time and the matters at hand. But every day I do hear more and more encouragement and boldness around the country. I believe it’s true that the strongest part of resistance to Christian Nationalism will come from the grassroots: local pastors, local churches, individual people of courage. And of course I am also encouraged each day by more invitations to speak to church leaders and congregations.
I’m praying for you and for your colleagues in your synod time together. May God give you space to say what’s in your heart, and may there be ears to hear it!
In solidarity 🙏🏻