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.
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I am actively involved with LC/NA and I too wonder where God is in all this fund raising, parliamentiary maneuvering, tactics, etc etc. And that was my visceral response at my first synod assembly ever, where I was also a voting member and resolution bringer. (They figured if i had any idea of what I had naively agreed to do ,i would never have been so foolish - sure I'll present this resolution - how hard can that be?? :-)
God is somehow present in all this arcane parlimentiary maneuvering and temporary alliances?? I had my doubts. Then at churchwide in Chicago - all that jumping up and down with the maneuvers and such? sheesh!
Then I remember that religion is a human construct, and despite it all, God uses this somehow in the same way He was able to use all the flawed characters we know about in the Bible. And the Council of Nicea was all about politicing, back biting, outright fraud and who knows what else, yet all of our Christian churches are borne of that somehow. You do wonder how all this spreads the Word. And both sides are convinced if "my" side wins, only then will the church grow.
And maybe the answer IS to split the village, and one remains in power and the other remains as the loyal church in exile. I have no idea. All we can do is go where we feel the Spirit leads us. I share your frustration and having something snap. And that's why I responded. And it's sad to read a thoughtful blog post and no one has responded...............
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