Saturday, November 24, 2007

What is the Point?

I saw this today on the Goodsoil website, and something in me just snapped. You take a look:

"Lutherans Concerned / North America (LC/NA) is looking for a full-time Development Director to work out of its headquarters in St. Paul, MN. Read details of the position.
While LC/NA has been led by an all-volunteer working board of directors for much of its 35-year history, the organization currently has a full-time staff of five, led by an Executive Director.
Emily Eastwood, Executive Director, said about this search, "In order to create the change we seek, we must organize people and organize money. We must have the reach, visibility, and effectiveness required to continue our mission toward full inclusion in the Lutheran quadrant of the Body of Christ and beyond. This position will help us do that."
Visit www.lcna.org for more information."

No, it isn't that LCNA is looking for a full time Development Director. What got to me is the quote from Emily Eastwood. "We must organize people and organize money. We must have the reach, visibility, and effectiveness required to continue our mission toward full inclusion in the Lutheran quadrant of the Body of Christ and beyond."

Now, I am not surprised that LCNA and Emily Eastwood feel this way. Actually, Lutheran CORE is not far from feeling the same way. CORE is busy trying to raise funds to conduct its campaign, its work, leading up to the very important Churchwide Assembly in 2009. In fact, all sides are fundraising, trying to extend their reach, visibility and effectiveness into the ELCA and that all important bank of people who are willing to be a part of this fight.

And that is the problem. Fundraising to change the ELCA, fundraising to maintain the ELCA, fundraising to get directors, fundraising to get offices up and running so that more fundraising can happen so that the "other side" can be defeated, set back, held at bay, etc., etc.

What are we doing? All of us? How is this promoting, sharing, spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ?

I am still convinced that the campaign to change the ELCA understanding regarding homosexual behavior is wrong. But are we all involved in destroying the village to save the village?

I don't know. But I know I have to think this one through. And I am not sure where I will come out.