I am an ELCA Lutheran pastor who is rather appalled reading some of the recent ads in the local Times-News by an organization claiming to be called “Concern for Children” in Almont, N.D.
These ads seem to have been geared towards the issue of Referendum 6, which deals with whether to allow for gay civil marriage or not. I have no problem understanding that there are differing opinions with this issue.
I do, however have a problem with any organization bashing the ELCA, the largest Lutheran church body in the USA, claiming that we are no longer Lutheran!
I did a bit of research on this organization which claims to be behind these ads. They are nowhere to be found.
The Almont address is not an actual building. It is an empty lot! There is no such organization listed in the state of North Dakota.
In other words, whoever posted them does not want to be recognized nor engage in any kind of discussion about what it means to be Lutheran or what the ELCA stands for.
Without claiming to fully represent the views of the ELCA in any way, I can as a Lutheran pastor assure you that we recognize that there is a wide variety of views regarding faith and human sexuality.
I also believe that all followers of Christ are called to live and proclaim God’s grace and love for all people. The ads that were placed by this organization were full of hatred and misinformation.
If you want to know what the ELCA is really about, visit their web site; http://www.elca.org/ or one of the local ELCA congregations. I am sure any of the pastors would be happy to chat with you.
Rev. Tormod O. Svensson
LaVale
Opinion
Does content of the ad mean pastor is no longer Lutheran?
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