Post-Orlando for WordAlone

Jaynan Egland, President of WordAlone

 

   No matter what happens at the Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA in Orlando, the renewing, reforming, and reflective work of the WordAlone Network continues.  The demands for the Network "to do something!" are being heard from friends and longtime foes. 

 

   Who we are and what we have been teaching for the last five years as a rather ragged band of faithful followers of Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God, is now being reviewed and reconsidered by many.  Stereotypes and PR problems of the past are passing away and many seem to have ears to hear the calling to those who share a “common confession;” to gather together as churches with a common voice. 

 

   The birthing of an association of churches and the building of a Lutheran House of Studies becomes even more important post-Orlando.  The theological "brain-drain", as one theologian recently noted, continues while the "Unhidden Agenda" of the ELCA leadership in matters of sexuality can, and I predict, will keep coming back no matter what is decided in Orlando.   

 

   The misguided ecumenism, the ears stopped up to the voices of the international Lutheran churches, the lack of voice and vote for the local churches in matters of governance.  The global mission paradigm of secondary/supportive -- not primary evangelism -- and the possible changes in worship that are not only “not helpful, but harmful” in the formation of faith will all likely continue post-Orlando.  As more and more become aware of the current climate and direction of the ELCA under the present leadership, the more important the work of WordAlone becomes, and many are now seeking refuge in the movement as a place to remain faithful, find Christian fellowship, and work for much needed change.