Reports from the 2007 Synod Assemblies
For the most recent summary of actions and decisions at 2007 ELCA Synod Assemblies that are of interest to Lutheran CORE and LC3 churches, please visit the WordAlone website at www.wordalone.org/synod.shtml
Areas of Concern for Lutheran CORE
As participants in Lutheran CORE, we do not wish to be complainers and nay-sayers. We seek, rather, to speak affirmatively for the priority of God's Word for the church.
For example, we are committed to working with the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America at the beginning of a study process on the nature and interpretation
of Holy Scripture. 
We
seek to lift up the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the church's worship
and Christian education. We call for fidelity in marriage, because marriage is a
gift from God. We want to listen to the prompting of the Spirit and elect
persons to the leadership of our church who will reflect Biblical commitment and
confessional loyalty.
Lutheran CORE would like to keep members of the ELCA informed of the actions of synods throughout the country, as well as those of the national denomination. We will post reports here of significant actions, or proposed resolutions that affect our membership. Here are some specific areas we are looking at:
Human Sexuality: On March 13, 2008 the ELCA released a draft of a proposed social statement on sexuality, which will be considered at the 2009 churchwide assembly. Responses to that draft must be submitted by November 1, 2008. We will provide analysis of the draft statement.
Leadership in the ELCA: All of the voting members to the 2009 churchwide assembly in Minneapolis will be elected by the end of the last synod assembly in June 2008. It is important that all churches and members who uphold the Word of God are involved in the process to elect the voting members and other ELCA leaders. Contact our steering committee if you want to know how you can get involved in our effort to elect leaders who support Lutheran CORE's priorities.
Authority and Interpretation of Scripture: The 2005 churchwide assembly called for a churchwide study of the Bible and its interpretation. The plans for this study are still in process. We applaud the intention of this study. A number of regional conferences on Biblical interpretation are being planned. As Lutheran CORE, we want to be supportive of this study process. But we also want to be careful how this study deals with classic Lutheran norms and principles. The initial indications are that this initiative will be used to promote the view that there are multiple Lutheran approaches to the interpretation of Scripture, including the assertion that there are two "valid and irreconcilable" interpretations of Scripture in the ELCA (see ELCA news release, March 13, 2005). Lutheran CORE maintains that two irreconcilable interpretations cannot both be valid.
The Naming of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: The arrival of Evangelical Lutheran Worship (the "new hymnal") has generated disappointment among many Lutheran CORE supporters. As Lutheran CORE, our concern is not so much about the liturgical elements, about which we have different opinions. Our chief concern is how the Trinitarian formula for God is used in the liturgy and hymnody. It is very worrisome to us that at so many points the revealed Biblical name for the Holy Trinity is placed in parallel with other titles of address for God. We are not against the new hymnal as such. But we are considering how we can give guidance, so that pastors and congregations who choose to use it will use this book responsibly.