My view
God’s commandment to feed the poor. It appears members of the task force, with their full stomachs, have raised many issues, whereas those with empty stomachs have only one issue. In spite of the statement, farmers will probably continue to use their God-given ability to raise livestock for food, milk, grains,
fuel and clothing for God’s creation. I. Ronald Lawfer Stockton, Ill.
Good news in story
I have known Pastor Keith Fry (July, page 32) for many years. He is a faith- ful servant, powerful proclaimer, and dedicated disciple of our Lord Jesus. I thank both Fry and R. Guy Erwin for their patience as the ELCA took time to discern God’s will for pastors who are in faithful, same-sex relationships. The good news in the article was balm for the wounds that many, like me, have experienced as we live into our prayer-
fully made decision. Sue Gamelin Jamestown, N.C.
Beg to disagree
I must disagree with the line “R. Guy Erwin’s ordination on May 11 proved quintessentially Lutheran.” One can dress up a heresy in any clothes one wants, involve as many active and former officials to preside, place it in prominence in an official publication of this church, even sing “A Mighty For-
tress is Our God,” but it’s still a heresy. The Rev. Mark A. Kindem Bemidji, Minn.
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Beumer is a mem- ber of Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, Orlando, Fla., and a lay member of the Florida-Bahamas Synod council.
By Steven L. Beumer
Unity Will we ever find it?
E
ver since Jesus began his ministry, those who have dedicated their lives to following him have wrestled with the total paradox inherent in that calling. The gospel demands of us to feed the hungry; we are called to show mercy when no else will extend it; and, most impor- tantly, we are called to love our neighbor and—toughest of all—even our enemies. Living in secular society, this has been an ongoing
struggle for the church to be true to the teaching of Jesus— no chocolate Easter bunnies or jolly old St. Nick but living out the calling from the Sermon on the Mount. As Christians, be prepared to toss out the message we
receive in our jobs, homes and community: crush the com- petition, win at all costs and now even paint a target on them. The lack of basic civility has become epidemic in our society, not just in politics. We have become engulfed with the stain of constant anger. Tragically this insidious disease has spread to our church. We are now sorting through the aftermath of the deci- sion regarding sexuality. Advocates for both sides seem to be digging their collective heals in as battle lines have been drawn and words of bitterness fly back and forth imitating a real battlefield with real bullets—that wound the heart and soul if not the flesh. Either you’re for us or you’re against us, goes this unpleasant little lullaby. The Bible constantly speaks of unity among the follow- ers of Christ. The foul-mouthed and mean-spirited indi- viduals who plague our congregations do nothing but sow their discord to keep us at constant odds. Too many spend more time looking for points to score on some arcane issue than how to act together. Doesn’t our lack of unity in the body of Christ ultimately lead to a disturbing separation from God? I could easily spend hours pontificating on some of the many disagreements I still have with the church. But I would rather spend that time figuring out how to feed the hungry, house the homeless, care for God’s creation and bring justice to our land.
My heart is heavy with the thought of those on all sides of the pointed debates, not just the sexuality issue, but the cornucopia of issues that divide us as people of God. My pray is simple: Just stop it, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, just stop it. M
September 2011 49
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