What Does Lutheran CORE DO? May/June 2021

Lutheran CORE defines its mission as being a Voice for Biblical Truth and a Network for Confessing Lutherans.

As a Voice for Biblical Truth we alert people to ways in which the authority of the Bible, the historic, orthodox Christian faith, and traditional, Biblical moral values are being compromised and even rejected.

  1. We offer guidance in evaluating ELCA communications and decisions, such as the social statement, “Faith, Sexism, and Justice” and the “Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment,” both of which were approved at the 2019 Churchwide Assembly.   
  2. We challenge the ELCA to keep its promise made at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly to honor also the traditional view of marriage and human sexuality.  We confront the ELCA over their complete lack of support for traditional views, as evidenced in such things as the choice of keynote speakers for the 2018 youth gathering and the choice of workshop leaders and topics for the 2021 youth ministry extravaganza.
  3. We provide assistance for pastors and church leaders who want to gather examples to communicate ways in which orthodoxy is being threatened within the ELCA.
  4. We include articles in our bi-monthly newsletter, CORE Voice, on such topics as critical race theory, how to share your faith with people who are hostile to the Christian faith, and how to communicate in a way that is relevant to technically sophisticated, younger generations.

As a Network for Confessing Lutherans we assure confessing persons that they are not alone.  We provide connection for them with many others who share their concerns and are engaged in the same struggles.

  1. We provide Facebook groups in which orthodox pastors, seminarians, and lay people can engage in conversation with like-minded people.
  2. We have a private and visible (Facebook terminology) Facebook group that includes pastors, seminarians, and lay people with several different church body affiliations.
  3. We have a private and hidden (again Facebook terminology) Facebook group that is only for orthodox ELCA pastors and seminarians.
  4. We have a third Facebook group, Lutheran CORE Worship, where people can post worship services and Bible studies.  
  5. We also have both a page and a group on MeWe.
  6. We are working with a pan-Lutheran group of younger persons to do four things: (1) develop a support network for orthodox students at ELCA seminaries, (2) develop a support network for college students considering attending seminary, (3) support people who are leading and/or seeking to start young adult ministries, and (4) find ways to communicate the Christian faith to younger persons in a clear and compelling way.   
  7. Through the Clergy Connect page on our website, we help Biblically faithful, confessional congregations find a Biblically faithful, confessional pastor and vice versa.
  8. As requested, we work with congregations that are reviewing their church body affiliation and walk with them through the process.
  9. Through our Congregations in Transition ministry initiative we have a group of (mostly retired) Lutheran pastors who have been trained to be coaches for congregations where the pastor either already has or soon will be retiring or resigning to take another call.     
  10. Through our sponsoring of the July 11-17, 2021 week of NEXUS at Grand View University, we are helping provide a way for high school youth to attend a week of Bible study, theological reflection, fellowship, involvement in ministry, and being challenged to consider attending seminary and become involved in a life of Christian service.   
  11. We hold our annual Encuentro festival in the Chicago area – a day of support, connection, fellowship, inspiration, and resources for pastors, lay leaders, and congregations that are already involved in or are considering becoming involved in Spanish language and/or bi-lingual (English-Spanish) ministry. 
  12. We provide on our website daily devotions and worship resources, including prayers and hymn suggestions.  We are also developing a bank of sermon resources for congregations that do not have a regular pastor. 
  13. We also provide on our website an annotated List of Confessional Resources – books, magazines, ministries, and other resources recommended by confessional pastors – as well as video reviews of some of these resources.
  14. We provide a listening ear for pastors who want to talk about such things as congregational dynamics, personal health issues, and/or are anticipating retirement or transitioning to life after retirement. 



Devotion for Monday, July 9, 2018

“Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me; for I am afflicted and needy. Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You.” (Psalm 86:1-2)

Those who look to the Lord and seek to do what is pleasing in the Lord’s sight are the ones who have an ear and hear. Listen, for the Lord speaks and He has given You His word. Listen and you will know His counsel. Be guided by the Lord, for He is good and His love endures forever. He will save those who hear His voice and seek to walk in His ways. Come, listen and learn.

Lord, incline my ear to Your voice that I may hear when You speak. Guide me now and always in what You have already said. Keep me from the empty arguments and hollow words of this world. Lift me up into Your presence that I may joyfully abide with You knowing that You are abiding with me. Lead me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go and point my footsteps in the direction You are sending me.

Christ my Savior, You have said that Your sheep know Your voice. Speak to me today that I may hear. Remind me of the goodness of Your leading that I may follow. Shut out the conflicting noise of this world that I may understand the way of righteousness. Lead me on the narrow path that You have established by grace that I may walk humbly with You. Amen.




Devotion for Thursday, November 9, 2017

“Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, and He will hear my voice.  He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me, for they are many who strive with me.”  (Psalm 55:17-18)

Let’s face it, we all love to murmur and complain.  Not that this accomplishes anything, but we do it anyway.  Be not one who is constantly complaining, but look to the Lord who knows your need before you ask.  Your soul is in the promise of the Lord if you will but submit to Him in all of your ways.  Turn therefore and be comforted in the promise of the Lord knowing that He knew you before you were born.

These words are so easy to read Lord, but hard for the heart to act upon.  Help my unbelief that I would trust You in all things and for all things knowing that You will bring all things together for glory for those who love You.  Guide me O Lord to walk in all of Your ways now and forever that I would know that my soul has been redeemed in peace and that the battle is Yours alone.

Lord Jesus, You have come and fought the fight and won the war for as many as believe.  Although the battle rages on around us in this generation, open my eyes to see that the war is over.  Grant patience for what must take place and lead me beside the quiet waters that I may have my soul restored.  You are Lord and Master and You know all that is needed.  Guide me in Your ways now and always.  Amen.




Devotion for Tuesday, November 7, 2017

“But it is you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend; we who had sweet fellowship together walked in the house of God in the throng.”  (Psalm 55:13-14)

 

You never truly know what is in the heart of the other.  Though they may seem your friend, if they follow the way of the world, they tug and pull to lead you astray.  Do not be fearful, but diligent to walk in the ways of the Lord and see how easily we all can be led astray.  The Lord deals with each as He has made them and calls for us to look to Him in all things.

 

Lord, all around me are a mix of people who are thinking all kinds of things.  Guide my mind and heart to see You through the cacophony of things that are all around me.  Lead me along the quiet waters of Your Word to be comforted by the truth You have spoken from the beginning.    Let the fellowship I enjoy be that of Your people singing praises to You, the One true God.

 

Lord Jesus, You have come to clear the way for as many as would follow You through the constant noise of this world.  Guide me according to the wisdom of the Spirit that I would hear Your voice above all the noise around me.  Hold me fast in Your arms of grace to walk boldly and firmly in the way of truth that You have established in Your teaching and guide me to walk the narrow path.  Amen.