I previously mentioned Holy Trinity of New Prague at the end of my recent update on the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC). This church and city are near my home in Northfield, Minnesota, and I previously reported that this ELCA congregation was considering dual affiliation with LCMC despite clear messages from their ELCA Synod office that dual affiliation was unconstitutional. What is more, after the Synod Bishop was invited by ELCA supporters to speak, the Bishop was “uninvited” by the church council, and the meeting had to be arranged at the local Knights of Columbus meeting hall rather than at the church building. That much was previously discussed here.
The dual affiliation vote was scheduled for Sunday, August 14th, the same day that I traveled to Orlando for the start of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly (CWA11). The Delta flight from Minneapolis was full, and at least half the passengers were Lutherans like me traveling to the Assembly. While we awaited the prearranged shuttle to the convention center, I overheard a conversation about Holy Trinity, and I visited with Synod staff who had just learned that the vote to dual affiliate had failed 145 to 117.
Since then, I haven’t heard much from New Prague. Presumably, both sides are evaluating the consequences of this rejection of the leadership of the pastor and the council. What is the future of that pastor, who invested a heavy measure of his good will with the congregation, in a failed attempt to lead down a path the congregation chose not to follow? Will the pastor attempt to salvage his congregational standing? If so, how? Having cast his lot with LCMC, how will the pastor continue as rostered ELCA clergy? Even if the pastor is contrite, will the majority of the congregation have any confidence in and support for the pastor?
Greetings,
As an update on Holy Trinity in New Prague. Pastor (and council) received a request from ELCA to make a decision. I believe 3 suggestions were given, one of which included resigning. Pr. Steve Trewartha along with 6 (will be 7 within another day or two) council members have resigned. Effective October 8th, 2011. 6 (out of 7) office staff have also resigned. A new Lutheran church has started in New Prague. New Prague Lutheran Church (LCMC) will hold it’s first service Oct. 9th in the Middle School. To say this has been handle horribly does not begin to show the depth of turmoil in our church. We should write a book on how NOT to handle division in a church. With the help of our Lord, Jesus Christ both churches will find healing. With the help of the Holy Spirit both churches will grow!
God’s Humble Servant!
Lisa
It is unfortunate that these things have to be so emotionally heated but what is new in the Christian “family”. After all the Christian Church started when Christ died on a cross at the hands of “executives” in the Jewish church. Time heals and we go on . May all the churches in New Prague continue to lift high the cross no matter how they interpret the church body.