Bulletin – September 20

Information Classes
We have an adult information class that will be meeting on Sunday evenings. We are going through the book Shadows and Substance which begins in Genesis and goes through a brief history of God’s Old Testament people, the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life and death, and the spreading of the Gospel as recorded in the book of Acts. As we go through the Bible lessons the main teachings of the Bible will be presented. We have just begun so please join us if you can. This evening we will meet at 5:00. This can serve either as an informational class for someone who wishes to know what we teach and/or has interest in becoming a member or as a review for one who already is a member.

Update on CLC/WELS/ELS Talks
Representatives from the CLC, WELS, and ELS had a third meeting on August 21, this time in Mankato, MN, at Bethany College. Another meeting is planned for November 13 at the WELS headquarters in Waukesha, WI. A joint “press release” is copied below:

Progress in doctrinal discussions
On August 21 representatives of the Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLC), the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS), and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) met in Mankato, Minnesota for their third round of doctrinal discussions. It is a joy to report that the nine participants agreed to a revision of the 1990 document entitled “Joint Statement Regarding the Termination of Fellowship.” This document will now be sent to the CLC Board of Doctrine, the ELS Doctrine Committee, and the WELS Commission on Inter-Church Relations for their consideration.

Agreement on this document does not imply full agreement on all the controverted matters. There still are a number of significant issues to discuss, and another meeting has been scheduled for November 13. But this agreement is a good first step in overcoming the differences between our synods….

The three synod presidents agreed to the above release. I have heard concerns that it is premature, too optimistic, and gives the impression that fellowship is imminent. Please don’t read more into the statement than what is there. There are two main points to remember.

First, after many hours of frank and careful discussion, the three committees did come to agreement on a “joint statement” regarding the termination of fellowship from heterodox bodies. As the statement indicates, it is certainly reason for joy when the Spirit works genuine agreement on the truths of the Word.

The second point, however, which needs to be kept in mind is that the joint statement is a very preliminary step. It has not been reviewed by our Bd. of Doctrine or the other corresponding doctrine committees of the WELS and ELS. Also, there are other “significant issues,” such as membership in Thrivent and similar organizations, which need to be discussed and resolved before there can be any consideration of fellowship. (Excerpts from President Eichstadt’s September pastoral letter)