“God did not send his Son into this world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:17

 

September 30, 2024

 

Dear Members of Oak Valley Lutheran Church,

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On September 12, the Oak Valley Church Council was presented with a document, Exposing the ELCA, written by Dan Skogen, along with two other documents. We were asked to look at them and respond. After doing our research, we have this information to share.

 

Dan Skogen flunked out of Wartburg Theological Seminary and was removed from candidacy by his synod.  Ever since he was removed from candidacy, he has made it his mission in life to speak and act negatively against the ELCA – seeking to destroy it in any way possible. Because sensationalism and negativity generate interest, he continues to have a following although not nearly as large as it once was.

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Mr. Skogen is not a member of the ELCA, not a teacher in our church, not a theologian, and not a scholar.

 

In answer to Mr. Skogen’s article, we offer Clint Schnekloth’s point by point rebuttal and explanation at https://lutheranconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/12/exposing-exposing-elca.html

 

Clint Schnekloth is pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas and writes a blog called Lutheran Confessions.

 

In response to the two ten-year-old documents on healthcare policies, ELCA’s health insurance coverage is managed by Portico through Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota. As a health insurance provider, they must abide by Federal and State laws regarding health care coverage. This is the way all insurance companies operate.  Therefore, any insurance offered in North Dakota, regarding abortion and any LGBTQIA+ issues must follow North Dakota law. This applies to all health insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid. Portico is not an ELCA-owned insurance company.

 

When the claim is made that Portico is funding abortions, the law determines what Portico can and cannot fund. If states allow abortions, Portico would be forced to pay for coverage as would any other insurance company. Presently, North Dakota’s laws are against abortion.

 

Our Western ND Synod Bishop, Craig Schweitzer shared these thoughts, “If folks have problems with the way these issues are currently being debated and addressed in society, as people of faith, our first and most bold stance has to be love for our neighbor. That is what Jesus commands us to do, even, and maybe most especially, when we don’t agree with our neighbor.”

We ask that you reach out to any of your church council members when you have questions. We are all willing to visit with you.

 

Our prayers, as a council, are that you would join us in praying for guidance and take time to look at any of the information and resources that we are providing for you in this letter.

 

All links provided in this letter will be available on our website so you can click the link rather than typing in the URL.

https://www.elca.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society/Social-Statements/Abortion

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/steelmagnificat/2024/04/a-word-on-transgender-people/

The ELCA website

Statement of Faith and related resources - https://www.elca.org/Faith

Information on Social Statements - https://www.elca.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society/Social-Statements

Information on Social Messages - https://www.elca.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society/Social-Messages

Information on Social Policy Resolutions - https://www.elca.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society/Social-Policy-Resolutions

Journal of Lutheran Ethics - https://learn.elca.org/jle/

 

In Peace,

 

Oak Valley Lutheran Church Council