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Lay People Are Not
Being Taught About God's Calling For Them
(First in a series of six)
By: Rev. Jack Cascione |
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1. Many lay people in the LCMS are no longer being taught Luther's and
Walther's Teaching on the pastoral office.
After hearing all the rhetoric about what pastors are supposed to do and not
to do one wonders if the laity exist to fill pews and increase statistics.
At times it seems that the highest calling for a lay person in this life is
to say, "I'm part of a growing church!"
Lay people are not being told Luther's teaching that lay people have a
higher divine calling from God than the pastor in their own homes and in the
state.
Rather, they are being indoctrinated and stretched between false
dichotomies. On the one hand, they hear Church Growth advocates teach
that everyone is a minister, they need spiritual gifts inventories, and they
need to be led by CEO/pastors and Boards of Directors if the congregation is
going to grow. On the other hand, they hear Hyper-Euro-Lutherans
(those who want to promote 19th Century, pre-Walther, European, Lutheran
hierarchy in the LCMS) teach that the pastor is the head of the congregation
because he has the "sacrament of ordination."
It's the LCMS version of antinomians (who say there is no law) versus the
legalists (who make up their own laws).
Lay people are often heard to clamor: "Oh, to participate in some of
the pastor's spiritual gifts and duties!" Or they pray, "Oh Lord,
give me grace through your chosen transubstantiated vessel, my
Father-Pastor-Bishop." Or they pray, "Oh District Office, send us
a CEO/Pastor/PLI-Leader who will direct the corporation, tell me how to
enjoy myself in the worship service, and make all my decisions for me."
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December 12, 2002 |