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“The purpose of this website is to address the struggles that some Lutherans may be facing as a result of actions
taken by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) allowing gay clergy to serve churches within their
denomination. These actions have strained and fractured congregations, families and friendships. We prayerfully
welcome you to review the contents of this website and perhaps even share your story with us.”

Question 1 – What’s Happening to My Church?

Question 2 – Is It Right For Me to Feel This Way?

Question 3 – How Should I Respond to These Changes?

Question 4 – Does God Care? If He Does, Why Did This Happen?

As a parent, if our child makes a wrong choice, do we allow them to experience the consequences of that choice? If we love our children the answer is most often “YES”. We allow our children to make wrong choices and experience the consequences so that they ultimately learn and are motivated to make right choices. From the child’s… (full answer)

Question 5 – What Does It Mean to Be a Lutheran?

Question 6 – Why Aren’t There Denominations in the Bible?

Question 7 – If I Switch Churches or Denominations, How Can I Be Sure This Won’t Happen Again?

Churches and denominations are filled with people. And people change. Certainly our heritage and our traditions provide some sense of security. But the culture is increasingly pressuring us to change our past and present in order to fit the ‘popular’ vision of the future. So there can be NO guarantees that a church or even a denomination will be insulated from the influences of… (full answer)

Question 8 – How Can I Make the Right Decision?

Living in our times in the United States of America, we are the most comfortable, blessed and prosperous people in history. In all areas of life, we have a great number of choices – so many choices that we’re used to being accommodated and catered to. We’re more selfish because we can be. It’s relatively simple to have it “my way”. But faith challenges this… (full answer)

Question 9 – How Should I Respond to Those Who Choose a Homosexual Lifestyle?

Clearly we are not to judge one another. We’re not given that authority. To judge is to place a value on you as a person – to declare your worth and goodness as compared to others. So we should not judge anyone who has chosen to practice a homosexual lifestyle. We may, however, disagree with homosexuality. To disagree is not… (full answer)

Question 10 – What Organization is Publishing These Questions and Answers?

This website and the content herein is published by Abiding Savior Free Lutheran Church. Abiding Savior is a member of the Association of Free Lutheran Churches (AFLC) and seeks to minister to friends, families and loved ones who have been affected by recent events within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Through prayer and searching for God’s will… (full answer)

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Full Q&A’s

Question 1 – What’s Happening to My Church?

Often times, the decision about where to attend church is heavily based upon strong family ties and long-standing friendships. On August 19, 2009, the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), adopted guidelines that allow homosexual pastors to serve ELCA churches. This controversial decision has threatened those relationships that are most important to us. And churches are responding in a variety of ways, including meetings to protest the August 19th decision and discussions about forming new denominations or leaving the ELCA entirely to join other denominations. This decision has been extremely divisive and damaging to the Lutheran church.

Question 2 – Is It Right For Me to Feel This Way?

Our church is supposed to be a safe place. Instead its actions now strike a nerve deep within our belief system. Feelings of betrayal and deep anxiety and even anger are common. Our churches give us a sense of identity and belonging. It’s a place where our unity holds us together. Now there are many who feel like they don’t agree or belong. And unity is just a memory. This is happening in many ELCA churches. But it’s also affecting Lutheran friends and families in other denominations. It is right to feel strongly, even negatively, about what has happened as these events can tear down an institution that is intended to build us up and keep us secure.

Question 3 – How Should I Respond to These Changes?

When our comfort zone is violated, it’s natural for us seek a place where we’ll be comfortable again. Unfortunately, doing what’s right and doing what’s comfortable are not always the same – especially in spiritual matters. It’s important to seek out the RIGHT response. Otherwise we won’t be truly comfortable with our choices. Going along with the crowd may feel safe. But if it’s not the RIGHT choice, we’ll continue to feel restless and uncertain inside. Talk openly about your beliefs as this will help you sort out the many thoughts that may be going through your mind. Remember that deeply held beliefs are a virtue, not a burden or a liability. To disagree and to hate are not the same thing.

Pray about how you’re feeling and ask God to guide you as to what to do next. If you’re not in the habit of praying, simply approach it like an honest conversation. God will respond to you if you believe that He hears and answers. What better time to start talking to God? Especially when there’s so many differing opinions out there. Asking God might be a refreshing change. Finally, look for answers in the Bible. Many bibles have a concordance that help you search for topics. Of course, online bibles are great for searching too. Look for what the bible says about pastors and how they should be selected and about the subject of homosexuality. It’s all in there if you take the time to search for it.

Question 4 – Does God Care? If He Does, Why Did This Happen?

As a parent, if our child makes a wrong choice, do we allow them to experience the consequences of that choice? If we love our children, the answer is most often “YES”. We allow our children to make wrong choices and experience the consequences so that they ultimately learn and are motivated to make right choices. From the child’s perspective, it may seem harsh and un-caring. But as parents, we understand that it is actually love that brings about discipline, even over the objections of a child who sees things very differently. Why would we expect God to do anything less than a loving parent would. Free will is a great gift and an even greater responsibility. Perhaps God allowed this to happen so that we might learn to take greater responsibility for how we govern our churches. God’s caring can’t be questioned. In fact, His caring may be evident in these trials we’re going through.

Question 5 – What Does It Mean to Be a Lutheran?

For many people, to be a Lutheran means to practice the religion of your parents and grandparents. It’s a heritage and a bond that we would rarely ever question. But with recent changes in the ELCA, we’re forced to ask ourselves – “would my parents or grandparents come to my church as it is today?” There are many practices, traditions, creeds and doctrinal beliefs that encompass “being Lutheran”. But the essence of being Lutheran comes from the teachings of Martin Luther. Luther became famous for standing against the established church hierarchy when they strayed away from Biblical truth. Martin Luther established the foundational belief system of the protestant church, described as “grace alone, faith alone, scripture alone.” This means that we are saved by God’s grace (favor) through faith (not by our good works) and that the bible (scripture) is the sole authority for governing our lives as believers. While Martin Luther may not recognize many of the mainstream Lutheran denominations of today, these core beliefs represent what it means to truly be a Lutheran.

Question 6 – Why Aren’t There Denominations in the Bible?

Conflict in the Lutheran church today seems to be largely based upon denominational differences. And there are many, many denominations with many different labels. Which one is best? Who does God like better? Who gets to go to Heaven? The whole issue of denominations can be confusing. Wouldn’t be great if the Bible just said, “…for God so loved the Lutherans (or the Baptists or the Methodists) that he gave His only begotten Son,” (paraphrase of John 3:16). That would make it easy. But the Bible doesn’t say that. Because denominations weren’t in God’s plan. Denominations are an invention of man. So we don’t find any instructions for denominations in the Bible. There are only instructions for how to run a single church. God never intended for the church to be a democracy where everyone gets to vote about what’s right or wrong. God literally reserved the role of headship over the church for His Son, Jesus Christ. And so we must look beyond denominations to discover what God intends for the church.

Question 7 – If I Switch Churches or Denominations, How Can I Be Sure This Won’t Happen Again?

Answer – Churches and denominations are filled with people. And people change. Certainly our heritage and our traditions provide some sense of security. But the culture is increasingly pressuring us to change our past and present in order to fit the ‘popular’ vision of the future. So there can be NO guarantees that a church or even a denomination will be insulated from the influences of culture and public opinion. However, we CAN realize greater certainty in our choice of church or denomination if we look for a couple of essential characteristics. First, does the church talk about and emphasize having a literal ‘relationship’ with Jesus Christ. This type of church will typically give greater credibility to the words and actions of Jesus in their doctrine rather than a more cultural doctrine that is prone to change. The second characteristic to look for is references to the Bible as being ‘inerrant’ or ‘infallible’. These types of references should be accompanied by statements that describe the Bible as “God’s literal or inspired words” and the Bible as being the “sole authority for Christian life”. Churches or denominations that profess these priorities and demonstrate them are less likely to be swayed by cultural ideas or influences.

Question 8 – How Can I Make the Right Decision?

Answer – Living in our times in the United States of America, we are the most comfortable, blessed and prosperous people in history. In all areas of life, we have a great number of choices – so many choices that we’re used to being accommodated and catered to. We’re more selfish because we can be. It’s relatively simple to have it “my way”. But faith challenges this attitude toward decision-making. Your faith isn’t like shopping for furniture or a car or the best place to get a cheeseburger. When it comes to faith, it’s NOT about US. And it’s not about our preferences and likes and dislikes. Faith is about finding someone you can “have faith” in. It’s called FAITH because we can believe and trust and rely upon the one in whom we place our faith. Making the right decision is about finding a real God who is personal and believable and isn’t hidden behind a facade of stained glass and ceremony and political correctness. Making the right decision is about a relationship with a God that is personal and genuine. Again, it’s not about you and what you want. And it’s not about the label on the church door. The right decision is a decision to pursue God for who he really is and to find a place that will help you in that pursuit. Find a church that points to Jesus Christ and a relationship with Him instead of pointing at themselves and their views. If this offends you and you’re not interested in drawing closer to God through His Son, Jesus Christ, then you’re likely just ’shopping’ for a church where you can have it your way. That isn’t faith and it’s important that you admit this to yourself. Since your soul and your eternal home are at stake, realize that this is the most important decision you can ever make. You must be completely honest with yourself about your motives. Also consider those who may follow your example. Their souls may also be impacted by your decision.

Question 9 – How Should I Respond to Those Who Choose a Homosexual Lifestyle?

Answer – Our daily walk as a Christian requires that we discern and judge between right and wrong. This is to protect us from bad choices and increase the effectiveness of our personal ministry to others through our example. Still we are not to judge one another. We’re not given that authority. To judge is to place a value on a person – to declare their worth as compared to others. So we should not judge anyone who has chosen to practice a homosexual lifestyle. We may, however, disagree with homosexuality and call it wrong just as the bible does. To disagree is not the same as judging a person. The difference has been blurred in our media and in our culture. But this difference is what enables us to care about and even love someone who is a homosexual. People disagree without judging every day. Of course it’s natural and even easy to disagree AND judge AND hate or resent someone because of their choices. But this is not an option for the Christian. God is the only one with authority to judge. And the Bible makes it perfectly clear how God will judge homosexuality. Those who are advocating and promoting homosexuality within the church are at great risk regarding their eternal fate. We are not to judge. But we must realize that to disagree publicly is the most non-judgemental and loving thing that we can do for those whose eternal destiny is in question.

Question 10 – What Organization is Publishing These Questions and Answers?

Answer – This website and the content herein is published by Abiding Savior Free Lutheran Church. Abiding Savior is a member of the Association of Free Lutheran Churches (AFLC) and seeks to minister to friends, families and loved ones who have been affected by recent events within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Through prayer and searching for God’s will as to a right and proper response to our brothers and sisters in the ELCA, Abiding Savior seeks to present sound answers to the issues many Lutherans are struggling with in the hope that they would make well-informed and God-honoring decisions. Abiding Savior Free Lutheran Church does not present itself as an organization with all the answers on the issue of homosexuality in the church. Rather, Abiding Savior would seek to lift up the Bible, God’s Holy Word, as the one and only answer in any issue or circumstance. It is also relevant to point out that neither Abiding Savior nor the AFLC is seeking to fill it’s pews or congregational rosters through this outreach. Rather we would seek to have men and women, boys and girls come into a right relationship with God through His Son, the Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.