Dissent in the Church — Mum’s the Word
A random Google search brought up an interesting, if dated, web site.
The site owner was disturbed about the ELCA’s impending alliance with the Episcopal Church—Call to Common Mission. He had written to all major church leaders with deep concerns, which he took no care to hide.
Frustration with hierarchy brings people on the sidelines to exasperation fairly easily. This disgruntled Lutheran cared enough to post every response from mostly regional bishops. A few of those who responded to his letter gave carefully reasoned answers. More are condescending in tone with uncamouflaged arrogance.
The writer predicted an incongruity with the new alliance with historic Lutheran values. Some form of “not to worry” was the universal answer to his concerns.
This exchange was dated 2001. Reading it eleven years later reveals that this concerned Lutheran, so easily dismissed, was right. The Lutheran Church is abandoning its historic polity. This has changed attitudes of leaders, which in the Lutheran tradition are respected more as servants than as CEOs. It trickles down very quickly to affect parish dynamics which are troubled—if not by conflict, then with complacency. Don’t rock the Church boat!
When property issues become involved, it is landing the denomination in costly court battles. The ELCA is banking that the courts will ignore their constitutions in favor of staying out of the fight under the Bill of Rights. It is a tactic that is working at least for the moment.
One thing is likely to continue. The voice of dissent—the founding platform of our denomination—is likely to be easily dismissed by the leadership club called the Council of Bishops and their coteries. Some will write smug letters. Some won’t respond at all. Very few will give the concerns meaningful consideration. Dialog will take place behind closed doors or in controlled forums. Historic Lutheran polity has been traded for some undefined benefit.
Eleven years reveal that the owner of this site was rightly concerned. The ELCA took a giant step backward in its partnership with the Episcopal Church. It doesn’t make much difference to the hierarchy. They lost no time in assuming “powers” not given to them under their own constitutions.
It makes a huge difference to lay people. They can now be assured that any dissenting voice will be muted or ignored if it attacks the powerful.