The ACELC exists "to give a united voice against errors that are officially adopted in convention, tolerated, and/or promoted in the LCMS.”

A Conversation Worth Having

Ian Davidson – ACELC Lay Board Member, Trinity Lutheran Church – Norborne, MO

In our most recent ACELC Board Meeting, we discussed who would write our email blasts and that we want them to go out more frequently. We talked a bit and I began having an idea. This idea began to slowly bubble, like a fermenter beginning the process of turning wort into a tasty ale. And then, on my way to dinner, it happened. The idea struck like a bolt of lightning. I felt the need to write a blast talking about the importance of the ACELC, from the layman’s perspective. 

As with most things in our Synod, writing is usually left to the guys with the collars, as is proper in churchly matters. This is a call to action for pastors who are reading this to think long and hard about contributing some of your theological prowess to writing for our email blasts. However, this is an instance where I think it is important to consider the layman’s perspective. That is why this is entitled, “A Conversation Worth Having,” because it is exactly that. Many times, we overlook the layman’s perspective on things when it comes to the Church. 

Hence, the question: “Why is the ACELC important?” The Association of Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Congregations exists, "to give a united voice against errors that are officially adopted in convention, tolerated, and/or promoted in the LCMS.” This is why, as a layman, I agreed to fill a spot on the board of directors. 

There are uncorrected errors in our church body and if someone doesn’t address them and begin the conversation, what happens? We end up with various “sects” within the body. As a layman these issues are troubling to me. In my congregation, as well as many other LCMS congregations, none of these errors would be tolerated. From women serving as lectors to unionism to other unscriptural practices, the list goes on and on. And don’t even get me started on contemporary worship practices and their accompanying false doctrine. You can’t tell me that “praise songs” and a “worship leader” wearing a t-shirt and jeans is a form of worship which reflects Lutheran doctrine and practice! If anything, it is an insult to the very reason we are in the building. The sainted Martin Luther would roll over in his grave. Lord, have mercy! To worship the living God and receive Jesus’ precious body and blood is nothing to take lightly. These are just a few reasons why belonging to the ACELC is important! 

Why are there not more of our congregations that are a part of this organization? I realize this organization was formed during the presidency of Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick, in response to errors in our church body that had been going on long before his time but were becoming more apparent. It just happened that the founding members of this organization decided it was time to take a stand. The LCMS, the last bastion of hope for Confessional Lutheranism in the United States, was in the process of circling the confessional drain and following a more secular path instead of the Bible and Lutheran Confessions. Shortly after the ACELC was formed, Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison was elected. After almost 16 years, progress has been made but there is still work to do and we will continue to call out these errors. This is why membership matters.  Regardless of who is at the helm, the ship takes time to right and we all must remember why we fight this good fight. 

This work takes everyone, not just the guys wearing the collars. We, as the laity, must stand up for our church body and make a stand against false teaching. We must take a stand against the practices in our church that are forbidden by Scripture. There is no room for people who believe that “parts of scripture are outdated for today’s world.” The Holy Word of God is not outdated. It withstands the test of time and really and truly exists outside of time and space. “Outdated” is the same argument that liberals use when talking about the United States Constitution being a living document. The Bible, like the Constitution, says what it says and doesn’t say what it doesn’t say. Unlike the Constitution, the Word of the Lord endures forever. Our government someday will fall, as will our nation, and maybe that will be on that last great day, when the Lord returns in all HIS glory. But then, HIS Word will still be here. This is why the laity must be involved, why we must speak out, and why we must keep the work of this organization alive. God’s Word, Sacraments, and Church are too important to not live and fight for. 

So, if you have ever been on the fence about joining or rejoining the ACELC, don’t back down now. There is no more important time than now. Talk to your pastor and your voter’s assembly. Speak up and say that the work that we do is worth it. Read our Evidence of Errors documents and acquaint yourself with the issues within the LCMS. Click on our conferences tab at ACELC.net to read papers from past conferences or watch the videos on YouTube. Look at the work that our organization has been “quietly” doing over the years. There is no better time to get involved. There is strength in numbers. More voices toward an issue gives leverage. Help us gain more leverage in our fight for Biblical Truth!