Summoned to a Summit

Since I have last written much has occurred. It has become increasingly difficult to carry on preaching and teaching the Lutheran doctrines in good conscience.

I made my president aware of my struggle and at the same time a close friend, another pastor, who is also wrestling with these matters, resigned as an active minister of the LCA. He had received a new call. He would have enjoyed the situation and ministry of such a call thoroughly had he not had theological doubts. It was, in fact, everything he wanted in a parish. He could not, however, bring himself to re-take the installation vows required any time a pastor takes up a new call. He had been told that if he did not take up the offered call he would be removed from his current position. In other words, he had to either take the vows or quit the ministry. His situation is made more complex by the fact he is divorced and remarried to a divorced lady. The annulments are under way but there is no guarantee of them being granted.

So he has refused the vows, resigned as a Lutheran minister and stepped out in faith pending the annulments.

At this stage, after losing two young pastors in such a short time, (another pastor had resigned late in the previous year), to the same questions and doubts, the district president and his council decided to let the whole state know what was happening. A regular newsletter from the president to all pastors contained, without our consent, information and opinions we had shared with the president in confidence. The letter informed all pastors of our district that the three of us who were considering these questions had been assigned ‘mentors’ to guide us in the study of the issues. The president also called what he called a ‘summit’ which will be held soon, to cover the theological questions arising from the issue.

The summit will be comprised of about fifteen to twenty pastors of the district who will attempt to answer our questions or at least assess the situation. We have been required to present a one page summery of the questions in advance so that respondents will have time to prepare their answering papers.

I feel very much afraid at this point. Not of knowing what to say, or of clearly asking my questions. I am not afraid of the questions, or of hearing the answers. I am afraid I will not be heard at all. I am afraid this is a political stunt to effectively damn us and the questions we have been asking, without actually entering into discussion of the questions themselves. I am afraid this is a set up.

Next: The Diet of Box Hill - Part I