July 27, 2021, 9:30 AM
Annual ACELC Free Conference
CHRIST FOR US:
Ecclesiastical Supervision
July 27-29, 2021
Immanuel Lutheran – Eagle, NE
Ecclesiastical Supervision in the ELS
It is always an honor to be invited to speak at the annual ACELC Conference .This year I have been asked to speak on ecclesiastical supervision in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
A common complaint from conservative members of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod is the lack of doctrinal discipline. We believe that God wants us to express church fellowship only with those whose doctrine and practice is sound. We want a synod in which there is no false doctrine. Should it make an appearance it is promptly removed. We need ecclesiastical supervision. Pastors must be held to account for their teaching. When they teach false doctrine, they should be corrected. If they refuse correction, they should be removed. Sounds simple – right?
But how is this done? How should a church body supervise the doctrine of its pastors? To what doctrinal standard should its pastors be bound? How should that standard be applied? Are those accused of teaching false doctrine entitled to due process? What does the Bible say about this?
I joined the Evangelical Lutheran Synod in 1997 and was expelled from that church body in 2006. I understand ecclesiastical supervision in the ELS. I hope that what I have learned in my journey from the LCMS to the ELS and back again will benefit my brothers and sisters in the Missouri Synod who, like me, would love to see the renewal of genuine evangelical doctrinal supervision among us.
These conferences are always edifying. Hope to see you in July!
Rev. Rolf Preus
Trinity Lutheran Church
Sidney, MT
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