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Ask Pr. Sophie
Abstract: Is it a genuine statement of conscience or just the effectiveness trap?
Pr. Sophie Fortresson, our resident expert on all matters of theology, Lutheran etiquette, and social protocol, answers questions submitted by our readers and occasionally simply volunteers advice when no question has been asked. Send your questions to pr_sophie@lutheranconfessions.com.
Dear Pr. Sophie,
My dad works for the ELCA, and ever since the church we go to started talking about calling a pastor from the ECP roster, my dad has been hinting that we might have to find a new congregation. I kind of like this church. I know my dad pretty well and he's not hung up about gay people: he doesn't think it's a sin to be gay, and there are gay pastors he has great respect for. I don't understand why we should have to change churches. What's this all about?
Name Withheld
Undisclosed Location, IL
Dear Name Withheld,
Thank you so much for writing. Pr. Sophie truly feels your pain, and indeed, she may feel it so acutely that she might not be entirely objective in her advice. However, that has never stopped her before.
Appearances to the contrary notwithstanding, Pr. Sophie is a proponent of the simple life: in general, one should just say what one believes and act accordingly. It is never a good idea to do things that belie your conscience.
Now, what is this all about? Since the ELCA does not recognize the ECP roster, if your church calls this ECP pastor, it will be breaking the rule that ELCA churches should only call pastors approved by the ELCA.
Perhaps your father, in all good conscience, does not want to be an accomplice in breaking an ELCA rule. If you feel that to be the case, you should tell your father how attached you are to your church and ask if this is really the best use of his conscience.
On the other hand, it could also be that your father is caught in the "effectiveness" trap. Whatever his real beliefs, he's worried that staying at a church that breaks the rules will be seen as "taking sides" against the ELCA and that such a perception would interfere with doing his job.
In that case, you should point out to your father (ever so gently, please) that changing churches might also be regarded as "taking sides", or at least as unwillingness to LTFIMOD ("live together faithfully in the midst of our disagreements").
You might also point out that since the churchwide assembly urged bishops and synods to refrain from discipline, it's probably okay for your father to withhold judgement or at least leave the adjudication of the matter to the official disciplinary process.
If your family does change churches, Pr. Sophie sincerely hopes you will not be lumbered with a flatulent pastor (or worse yet, a closeted flatulent pastor).
