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Upholding the CORE Lutheran principles
Daily Devotions
(These devotions are updated Monday through Thursday each week.)
NEWS RELEASE: Leaders of Lutheran groups meet, pledge cooperation and support. . . more.
Read the remarks of Dr. James R. Crumley, Jr., former national Bishop of the Lutheran Church in America at the January 9 Gathering of Orthodox Lutherans of South Carolina. If you prefer, these comments may be downloaded in PDF format or in Microsoft Word format.
Robert Benne has written a new paper, "Why There Must Be New Beginnings," in which he lists the reasons why he supports Lutheran CORE's new associations as alternatives to the ELCA. You may also download this paper in PDF format.
For our Spanish-speaking friends, we have produced our brochure in a Spanish-language edition (folleto en español). This edition may be downloaded (descargar) here (aquí). You may download the English version here.
Reconfiguration progressing
NEWS RELEASE: Lutheran CORE leaders announce that a new Lutheran church body will be formed for those leaving the ELCA.
NEW BRIGHTON, Minn. — Leaders of Lutheran CORE (Coalition for Renewal) have voted to begin work on a proposal for a new Lutheran church body for those who choose to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, they announced Wednesday, Nov. 18. . . . More. There is a link on the News Release page through which you may download this release in PDF format.
Read the letter from the Lutheran CORE Steering Committee about the decision to propose a new Lutheran church body.
Read and/or download the latest CORE Connection newsletter now available on the NEWSLETTERS page.
Thanks for the overwhelming number of volunteers to serve on Lutheran CORE's working groups to help with the functions of the free standing synod. The process of forming all the groups will be completed early in 2010.
Be a part of reconfiguration in your area! Attend a regional meeting soon.
Read Questions on reconfiguration for regional groups and gatherings. Also available in PDF format.
Important resolution from the recent LCMC Convention held in Fargo, ND, October 5, 2009.
Convocation Documents
Ken Sauer's and Paull Spring's response to Stephen Bouman's open letter to Lutheran CORE.
Ken Sauer's What after Minneapolis? address to the convocation. You may also download this address in PDF format.
Ryan Schwarz' "Reconfiguration" address to the convocation. You may also download this address in PDF format.
Paull Spring's "A Vision for Lutheran CORE" address to the convocation. You may also download this address in PDF format.
Reflections from Communion of African Lutheran Churches throughout the United States of America and Canada. (You may also download this paper in PDF) - Statement read by Challa Baro, Evangelist, Our Redeemer Oromo Evangelical Church in Minnesota
Greeting from Pastor Eddy F. Perez, Iglesia Luterana San Pedro, Miami, Florida (you may also download this paper in PDF format
Paul Ulring's "What to Do When You Go Home" address to the convocation. You may also download this paper in PDF format.
Read Concluding Remarks by Pastor Erma Wolf. You may also download this paper in PDF format.
What do we do now? - Resources to help individuals and congregations make decisions about the best way forward given the Biblical and theological crisis in the ELCA. This resource was given to those who attended the Lutheran CORE Convocation
Lutheran CORE Constitution as adopted on Sept. 26.
Read Robert Benne's interpretation of the Lutheran CORE Convocation at Fishers, Ind.
Have a look! ...Photos from the Lutheran CORE Convocation.
Possible Amendments to Congregation’s Constitution can be downloaded here in PDF format.
Mark Chavez to serve full time as Lutheran CORE Director - read a joint letter from the WordAlone Network Board of Directors and the Lutheran CORE Steering committee about this change in staffing.
Post-CWA Related Issues
- A Resolution on the "Bound Conscience" of the Northeastern Iowa Synod with respect to changes in ministry policies - PDF format.
- A Resolution in Opposition to the Actions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly from the Northeastern Iowa Synod - PDF format.
For more on the impact of the 2009 ELCA churchwide assembly, read Robert Benne's analysis (available in PDF format). Also, read Discernment in 1 Samuel 14—Urim, Thummim and the Voice of the People by Pastor R. W. Dahlen (also available in PDF format).
Redirecting Benevolences Can Be a Time for Growth in Mission - A Process for Making Decisions on Congregational Benevolence Giving. Read as web page or download in PDF format.
EDUCATION— “A Teaching Statement on Faithful Stewardship and the Redirection of Congregational Benevolence,” by the Rev. Steven King, Education Director – WordAlone Network, October 2009. This two-sided reproducible sheet addresses the basic definition of stewardship and our calling from God to make responsible decisions in the use of the resources God has entrusted to us.
Read Pr. Steven King's article, "Everything I Learned About the Redirection of Financial Support, I learned from the ELCA." You may also download this paper in PDF format.
Please read: "A Presbyterian in Lutheranland" by Peggy Hedden.
Read the Position statement of the African National Ministries of the ELCA on the 2009 Churchwide Assembly’s sexuality decisions. Also read responses from the Oromo Evangelical Lutheran Churches, from Hispanic Pastors in the Florida-Bahamas Synod, Chinese pastors, and from three President Emeriti of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church.
Donate your theological books to the Institute of Lutheran Theology and help the students and faculty of this new pan-Lutheran seminary
Read Paull Spring's letter to Lutheran CORE members and supporters, which addresses the decisions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
Lutheran CORE leaders renounce ELCA decision to endorse gay marriage and to allow pastors to be in same-sex relationships. Read the news release or the newsletter which could be copied for use in congregations.
LCORE Talking Points...here.
Address (PDF) by Ryan Schwarz of Lutheran CORE as a part of election process for ELCA Vice President.
Read James Nestingen's analysis of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly's decisions, "Joining the Unchurched" - PDF or HTML.
Read Carl Braaten's analysis of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly
Read Mark Chavez' commentary on the churchwide assembly - 'Ears to hear'?
Read Robert Benne's review of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly from Christianity Today magazine: "How the ELCA Left the Great Tradition for Liberal Protestantism."
Statement from President Gerald Kieschnick of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in response to the actions of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Read also President Kieschnick's address to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
Statement of three Presidents Emeritus of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus regarding human sexuality decisions made by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
Text of videotaped greeting (PDF) by Roman Catholic Archbishop Wilton Gregory to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
Lutheran CORE (Coalition for Reform) is a coalition of individuals, congregations, and reform movements in the ELCA.
Lutheran CORE’s members and participants represent the vast middle of American Lutheranism, spanning geographical regions, vocations, and political viewpoints. We are united by our common commitment to the authority of Scripture in the life of the ELCA.
Lutheran CORE seeks to be a voice for the solid, faithful core that is the majority of ELCA members, pastors, and congregations.
Read Lutheran CORE's newsletters and news releases.
Read the March 2009 letter from the Lutheran CORE Steering Committee that outlines Lutheran CORE's vision and plans for the future.
A Layman’s Guide to Quantum Physics the Use of Reason: Insights into what Luther Saw as the Proper Role for Reason in Christian Deliberation - Pastor Gary Jepsen, Puyallup, Wash., has provided this short essay to give the average person some tools for understanding the proper role for reason in the faith, life, and proclamation of the church. It is a helpful resource in light of the major issues facing the ELCA.
Read Carl Braaten's presentation to a Lutheran CORE meeting in the Grand Canyon Synod, Theological Issues Challenging the ELCA.
The Lutheran CORE Steering Committee is thankful for the ELCA leaders that are serving on the Advisory Council, which includes former bishops John Beem, James Crumley, George Mocko and Ken Sauer; and other leaders like Robert Benne, Carl Braaten, James Nestingen and more.