Gender Roles - Submission in Society

A recent comment asked about how the WELS deals with the role of women in society.

Gender Roles Submission in the Dhurch (sic) and World? wels.net

and

Gender Roles - Shame on Us!

These recent posts from the WELS Q&A try to address this point but basically dances around the issue and doesn't give me a clear answer.

Over a decade ago a WELS doctrinally statement was issued on this topic: Scriptural Principles of Man and Woman Roles. I realize that through the 1990s much debate occurred on this document.

First of all, I would like to examine this document on the issue of women in society.

…..We reject the opinion that male headship and female submission apply only to marriage or only to marriage and the church (1 Co 11:3; 1 Ti 2:12).

Not long ago I specifically asked a WELS DP if it would be sinning for a woman to go against her husband’s vote in a political election. He asked “why would she do that?.” He also said it would be a sin? (Yet women lectors and Bible leaders are allowed.)

Is the position of submission in society by women taught by WELS pastors or ignored?
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A contrary view published by former WELS pastors from:

http://www.saintjameslutheran.com/

Here is a link to what they wrote: Heirs Together Of the Gracious Gift of Life

As I'm sure most of you know this document caused a stir in the WELS over a decade ago. The authors were booted from the WELS for disagreeing with the WELS position on the role of women in society.

Churchianity

I came across a new word today: Churchianity

Some of you might have heard of this before but it is new to me. I wondered what side of the aisle to put this term. Since a search landed me on more WELS church websites than LCMS churches I guess that is the side on which it goes. As Luther would say: What does this mean?

If you want to find out more just drop by this church:

www.Churchianity

According to the latest online definition it means:

Churchianity is a pejorative term used to describe practices of Christianity that are viewed as placing a larger emphasis on the habits of church life or the institutional traditions of a specific Christian denomination than on the teachings of Jesus.

It can also be used to describe churches across many denominations where the central focus has moved from Christ to the church. Hence the replacement of Christ with church in the word churchianity.

So than if if we are leaving behind churchianity how does this term effect our worship practices? We don't need to quibble over Divine Service or Worship Service because I guess there would be no service. With this type of perspective we don't have to worry about churches anymore. Again I'm not making a joke about WELS doctrine. I'm just pointing out what I observe and questions that come to mind.

How about synodianity?

Where is this coming from? It has been said if you want to know what your pastor believes look at his library (today it is his electronic reading list).

Here is one WELS reading list..www.churchgrowth.com


So is Churchianity a problem in the WELS?

Defining Terms --

Missouri ...........................................................WELS Terms

Church

Divine Service ................................................... Worship Service

High Church .............................................................. Low Church

Roman collars ......................................... ................ black geneva

processions with altar boy.............jeans for the blended service

bowing before the altar and all that...........................

Church and Ministry

OHM ..........................................Public Ministry (blue catechism)

Auxiliary roles

DCE ....................................................................... Staff Minister

Innovative Group

Jesus First...................................................Church and Change

Headquarters

St. Louis (Cardinals)..................................... Milwaukee (Packers)

Fellowship Issues

Boy Scouts .............................................................Boy Pioneers

Open Prayer ..................................................................WELS only

Christian News..................................No dissenting voices allowed

I was told that I have been confusing terms that are exclusive to Missouri and the WELS. Not being completely familiar with the usage feel free to correct or add to the list. (pardon the formating problems)

Poll: God Vital to Young Americans

A comment talked about modernism or post-modernism and its influence on the church.

http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2007/08/poll-god-vital-to-young-americ.php


This article talks about how the youth view their beliefs and the beliefs of others. This perspective is the prevailing thought in our American educational system. Unfortunately, our churches are influenced by this shift. That is why if you listen closely to modern "Lutheran" sermons you will hear a lot of talk about God and how to be happy. What is often left out is the condemnation as a sinner and salvation found through Jesus found in word and sacraments.

The WELS leaders are reading articles like the above and trying to find ways to grow the numbers. I believe that the Church and Change group in the WELS has taken a jump into the post-modernism whole and has taken on the water of the world.

Look at the topics of the up and coming Change conference:

http://www.churchandchange.org/home/2384/2384/files/CanCprogram.Web.pdf

Break through thinking in WELS ministry
Extreme Church makeover
A Positive view of believers is realistic and practical (maybe this Robert Schuller)
etc..etc.

I'm just wondering where is the study of the Lutheran Confessions and Scripture?

Still Bailing

I have decided to continue on with this site to see if we can continue the process of bailing water or maybe it is coming in too quickly.? I do believe that Aaron was providing an interesting blog in which to digest and discuss the issues happening in the WELS and possibly Lutheranism. I'm especially interested in how the shift away from a confessional stance can be stopped.

It is, of course, not a money issue that is haunting the WELS but a spiritual drift.

More thoughts to come...