(*This is not just a response to one letter from a church member, but to the many emails and notes I have received from church members in regards to the ELCA resolutions.  Our church members do not easily fall into clearly defined categories, but represent a broad spectrum of beliefs and opinions on these matters.  I offer this to those who are looking for a quick or easy fix to the problems facing the church, especially those who are looking for the “right answer” from me.)

To my friend in Christ,

My grandpa always quoted this Native American proverb: “Don’t judge anyone until you have walked many miles in their moccasins.” Another is like it, “Seek to understand before you seek to be understood.” In the best of times putting these proverbs into practice is difficult. When we are dealing with deeply held beliefs, it is even more difficult if not next to impossible. So, I thank you for sharing your beliefs, concerns, and thoughts with me.

I appreciate the proverb you shared with me: “Vision without action is only a dream. Action without vision is a waste of time. Vision and action can change the world.” I appreciate your call for a clear vision for the church, along with clear actions to change the world. I believe that is exactly what Jesus Christ came to accomplish through his death and resurrection, and give to us to fulfill, as difficult as it is for us to accept and to do. Jesus taught us the Greatest Commandments, “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it; You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22: 37-40). Without God’s grace in Jesus Christ, I would not be able to even try to live out these greatest commandments in my life.

Every Sunday I do my best to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. I have no illusions that everyone agrees with everything I say, nor do I make the mistake that I can make anyone believe or do anything that they don’t want to. This church is full of people who believe and do all sorts of different things, some of which I am OK with, and some I am not. But I can no more make someone a Christian than I can make it rain or the sun shine. That is up to God and the Holy Spirit to do.

It is the responsibility and burden of the Christian disciples/members of Christus Victor to interpret and apply what the Bible says to our ministry, mission, and shared life together. This was given to the Church by Christ Jesus himself, referred to as “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16: 18-19 and Matthew 18: 18-20). What is black and white to you is not black and white to other Christians who take the Bible as seriously as you do. What is not open to interpretation for you is open to interpretation for others. The most important thing in the midst of our disagreements is not who will win and who will lose in our disagreements, but where is God leading us through the Holy Spirit by faith in Jesus Christ?

No one can make the members of this church do or believe anything. Not the government, not the ELCA, and most certainly not me. In fact the ELCA resolutions give it back to each individual church to make their own decisions on the blessing of same-sex relationships and the calling of homosexual pastors. It would not be by a simple majority either, but a 2/3rds majority to make any changes to our constitution, or even in the calling of a pastor. So, I personally see no reason to hold a church vote to make any changes to our constitution at this time, and we are not going to be calling a pastor any time soon either.

However, it is clear to me that a significant number of our church members do want to have a vote on these issues, both those that agree and those that disagree with the ELCA resolutions.  A growing number of our members want to “take a stand,” and I can tell you with great certainty that there is not a 2/3rds majority on either side of this issue! Therefore, at some point in the near future it will come back to you and all of the disciples/members of Christus Victor to state and vote on what you believe. And after the vote everyone will have to decide whether they will stay at Christus Victor to work and serve together as disciples of Jesus Christ, or seek another church to join. Either way, it seems pretty certain that we will lose members and their gifts of service, leadership, and offerings, which will damage all of the ministries and mission of the church that we have worked so hard to build and grow.

So I am trying to listen to the Holy Spirit, trust in God to lead and guide us, hold onto the love and grace of Jesus Christ, and leave this in the hands of the disciples/members of CV to decide.

This is probably more than you were expecting, but your letter brought forth a lot of the things I have been dwelling on and struggling with these past few months.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Kent Claussen Gubrud