Response to the ELCA decision from Concordia Theological Seminary

For Immediate ReleaseAugust 26, 2009

Concordia Theological Seminary Responds to Actions at ELCA ConventionFORT WAYNE, IN (CTS)

‹As Christians in an ever-changing world it is imperative that we be ready with a response when those changes are contraryto God's word. The Rev. Dr. Dean O. Wenthe, President, ConcordiaTheological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, stresses that we must also make that response with clarity and charity. A video of Dr. Wenthe's response to actions at the recent convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) may be found at the seminary's website, www.ctsfw.edu<http://www.ctsfw.edu/> .³

Concordia Theological Seminary, with the Christian church throughout history, confesses the sanctity of marriage as a union between a man and a woman God's gift of marriage at creation is a beautiful and abiding blessing upon all of humanity. Similarly, we believe the living and healing voice of Jesus through His prophets and apostles Sacred Scripture when He calls us to fidelity in marriage and warns about the harmful and destructive impact upon human beings when adultery, promiscuity, or homosexuality are practiced. In departing from two thousand years of Christian teaching and practice as well as challenging the majority of present day Christians, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has exhibited sectarian behavior that saddens a large spectrum of the Christian community.We pray that the Lord will strengthen those who remain faithful to His healing Word and recall those who have so tragically abandoned that Word and its healing and absolving Truth. Please also consult President Kieschnick¹s address to the ELCA ChurchwideAssembly as posted on the LCMS Website at www.lcms.org<http://www.lcms.org/> .² (Dean O. Wenthe, President, Concordia Theological Seminary, August 25, 2009)

###The mission of Concordia Theological Seminary is to form servants in Jesus Christ who teach the faithful, reach the lost, and care for all. For additional information on educational opportunities and events at CTS please e-mail PublicRelations@ctsfw.edu or phone 260-452-2100.

HT: Rev. Matt Harrison

ELCA to allow practacing homosexuals to be ordained as Clergy

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States, has voted to allow homosexuals in committed relationships to be ordained. This is contrary to holy Scripture. The Lutheran Church-Canada has provided a very good public statement which you can read here.

One interesting side note, as the ELCA chose to go against God's holy word, there was some rather interesting weather going on outside the convention center. That storm occurred while the convention was going on and damaged Central Lutheran Church just up the street from the convention hall. That tornado was, to say the least, an interesting coincidence.