Why the N.A.L.C.?
In July of 2012, in a culmination of three years of study and discernment, First English Lutheran decided to switch our membership from the ELCA to the NALC. This decision was then ratified by two congregational votes, as required constitutionally.
Why the switch?
1. For the sake of the Gospel which is dependent upon the Word of God being authoritative.
2. To seek a less hindering national organization.
3. It was not about sexuality.
Within the church of today, there is often heard a false gospel. Instead of the gospel of Jesus
Christ for the forgiveness of sins, a false gospel is proclaimed that speaks of a loving God who by nature
is accepting of any and all things.
God’s almighty Word is the power of salvation for all lost people. Jesus is the Word of God
made flesh. Any and all words that proclaim Jesus as real and present to deliver us from our bondage
to sin is also the living and active Word of God. The Holy Scriptures, the Bible, are the written Word
of God to give us Jesus as active and alive in our lives. This Word of God must be proclaimed with
the authority that resides within the Word itself, within Jesus himself. This Word cannot be added to.
Without the authoritative Word to create; the Church does not exist.
God’s Word must be free to do what God wills to do. Humans cannot seek to rework God’s
Word to better fit a particular time or situation. Such human tampering is to place oneself above God’s
word and therefore to place oneself above Christ.
Since God’s Word creates His Church here on earth, any institution that we humans organize is
by nature human (and therefore sinful). We must organize ourselves as best we can as human Christians,
but we must recognize such structures as necessary “stumbling blocks”.
When the ELCA met in the summer of 2009, its actions confirmed in many people’s eyes that
the ELCA no longer saw the Word of God as authoritative in the lives of those functioning within
that institution. The hearing of another gospel was also disheartening. Apparent confusion over the
functioning of God’s Word as law and gospel led to further doubts as to the helpfulness of our national
organization in our faithful proclamation of God’s authoritative Word.
In our new affiliation, we do not seek to exclude anyone from coming to hear the good news for
all sinners in what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. All are welcome to come and hear the Word of
God!
In July of 2012, in a culmination of three years of study and discernment, First English Lutheran decided to switch our membership from the ELCA to the NALC. This decision was then ratified by two congregational votes, as required constitutionally.
Why the switch?
1. For the sake of the Gospel which is dependent upon the Word of God being authoritative.
2. To seek a less hindering national organization.
3. It was not about sexuality.
Within the church of today, there is often heard a false gospel. Instead of the gospel of Jesus
Christ for the forgiveness of sins, a false gospel is proclaimed that speaks of a loving God who by nature
is accepting of any and all things.
God’s almighty Word is the power of salvation for all lost people. Jesus is the Word of God
made flesh. Any and all words that proclaim Jesus as real and present to deliver us from our bondage
to sin is also the living and active Word of God. The Holy Scriptures, the Bible, are the written Word
of God to give us Jesus as active and alive in our lives. This Word of God must be proclaimed with
the authority that resides within the Word itself, within Jesus himself. This Word cannot be added to.
Without the authoritative Word to create; the Church does not exist.
God’s Word must be free to do what God wills to do. Humans cannot seek to rework God’s
Word to better fit a particular time or situation. Such human tampering is to place oneself above God’s
word and therefore to place oneself above Christ.
Since God’s Word creates His Church here on earth, any institution that we humans organize is
by nature human (and therefore sinful). We must organize ourselves as best we can as human Christians,
but we must recognize such structures as necessary “stumbling blocks”.
When the ELCA met in the summer of 2009, its actions confirmed in many people’s eyes that
the ELCA no longer saw the Word of God as authoritative in the lives of those functioning within
that institution. The hearing of another gospel was also disheartening. Apparent confusion over the
functioning of God’s Word as law and gospel led to further doubts as to the helpfulness of our national
organization in our faithful proclamation of God’s authoritative Word.
In our new affiliation, we do not seek to exclude anyone from coming to hear the good news for
all sinners in what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. All are welcome to come and hear the Word of
God!