CWA REFLECTIONS

Interview With Kristina Braaten-Lee

I.C.M. editor:  What is your background in the church?   

 Kristina Braaten-Lee:  I grew up in the Lutheran Church.  I'm a “missionaries’ kid,” born in Madagascar; so was my father

What were your impressions of the CWA?

This was my first CWA and I felt clueless about procedures before I got to the CWA.  During sessions I was frustrated when discussion was finally onto something valuable, someone would "Call the question."
As a voting member, I still saw myself as a delegate.  It is a political system in which I represent "my constituency."  For example, one congregation I serve has roots in the Augustana Synod with strong ideas about hierarchical order.  The other congregation I serve (also with roots in the Augustana Synod) has exiles from the Missouri Synod, Swedish Covenant, Methodist, and Roman Catholic churches.  And, of course, former ALC and LCA folks.  I often thought, "How would they hear this back home?" 

What were the good things you saw at CWA?

It was impressive to hear so many voices "singing" together, literally and figuratively.Seeing people come together from a variety of places – even though we didn't always agree on everything.  Hearing leaders from other denominations speak – the LCMS president, too, even though Bishop Mark Hanson didn't seem to appreciate what he had to say.

 The most exciting moment was when the resolution to expand the size of the Church Council was debated.  I was glad to see a variety of bishops – even some unexpected ones – speaking in favor of this resolution.

 Seeing Bishop Hanson own up to the fact that he was unsure about parliamentary procedures (like the rest of  us).Meeting the other people from our synod who were there as voting members.  We have some fine folks!

What were your impressions of worship at the CWA?

I liked devotions during sessions and prayers for guidance in our deliberations; the older music restored from previous hymnals; and the new music from the Hispanic and Caribbean traditions. 

But some words in the hymns from "Renewing Worship" raised concerns for me (I often wondered, “How did that wording or theology get past the editing committee?").  I sometimes felt there was shaky theology such as the prayers which made me wonder if we were praying for the dead or to the dead.  There was a Roman Catholic understanding of sacrifice happening at the altar.  We're still Lutheran, aren't we?  I'm all for diversity, but we have our heritage.  Why do we have to morph into another church like the Roman Catholic Church or the Episcopal Church? 

I’ve tried to listen to both sides of the various issues in the church (one side being what I have, in jest, called the “SacramentsAlone” group which seems to be well represented at the ELCA’s top leadership levels; the other side being more traditional, foundational Lutherans like the WordAlone folks), and I've tried to hear how we, as Lutheran people, can bring our unique Lutheran gift to the Church at this time.

In listening to both sides, I've realized that I need to be true to my identity as a Lutheran.  During the Assembly, I got the feeling that what is unique to the Lutheran witness is being pushed aside. 

One result of the Assembly is that I am getting my voice back as a member of this church.  This means that I need to keep studying what it means to be a Lutheran.

Any closing thoughts?
Because I see more clearly what the ELCA is, I want to speak out, to critique from within, so that our church becomes an honest voice, a voice of integrity among the many voices singing one song.

I want to be able to say, "Here's the body of Christ, our church – this works and this does not."

In line with the theme of the CWA, ”For the Healing of the World” – as we’re working on that, why don't we start with ourselves, this new body called the ELCA.  Together, let's identify what is healthy and what is unhealthy.  What’s good for us is good for  the world, too.

 

Kristina Braaten-Lee is pastor of Kansas Lake and First Lutheran Parish of Trimont and Butterfield, MN.

She is also on the SW MN Synod Council