Note: Rev. Thomas E. Jacobson, Ph.D., serves as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Thornville, Ohio (NALC) and as Assistant Professor of History, Institute of Lutheran Theology.

It is now old news that the issue of abortion in the United States, which has long simmered on medium heat in our national discourse, has recently boiled over. Because of the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, which overturned Roe (1973) and Casey (1992), individual states now possess increased ability to restrict abortion, including banning the practice outright. Though this is a significant victory for those who consider themselves prolife, the issue of the legality of abortion now simply shifts to a more local level. Even so, many abortion rights advocates are outraged, which has prompted commentary and statements from many, including church leadership.  

It had been over twenty years since I first read the ELCA social statement on abortion when I was recently asked to do so again. The first case was for a class as a college sophomore. The second, the result of which is this reflection, was in response to ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s references to this statement in response to shifting abortion policy in the United States. My reaction after both readings of this statement was the same: […]

by Pr. David Charlton, Vice President of the Board of Lutheran CORE

One of the familiar clichés within Lutheranism is that making the right distinctions is the key to doing good theology. Admittedly, clichés are dangerous, as Robert Jenson warned in the book Lutheran Slogans: Use and Abuse. [1]  However, I still believe that making distinctions serves the Lutheran Church well. Among those that I find helpful are the distinctions between Law and Gospel, and between the first, second and third articles of the Creed.

These distinctions are helpful in evaluating one of the recent declarations made on behalf of the ELCA by its leaders.  The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met from March 31 to April 2 of this year. At that meeting, the Church Council adopted A Declaration of the ELCA to the Muslim Community.[2]  Like most of the declarations made on behalf of the ELCA, there are strengths and weaknesses.  Here’s where the distinctions come in. […]

[1] Jenson, Robert W. Lutheran Slogans, Use and Abuse. American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, 2011

[2] "A Declaration of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to the Muslim Community" 

by Pr. K. Craig Moorman, Member of the Board of Lutheran CORE

Note: K. Craig Moorman has served congregations in Maryland as a pastor and mission developer. He is presently serving as the pastor/mission developer of River’s Edge Ministries based in Mt. Airy, Maryland, and is involved regularly in leading small groups/missional communities in various settings from small discipleship huddles to larger groups for disaster relief efforts for clean-up and re-building. Craig and his wife, Nancy, are blessed with five children and three grandchildren and live in Mt. Airy, Maryland, along with a bunch of farm animals.

Over the course of the past three decades, I have had the immense privilege of leading disaster relief efforts around the country, typically following a natural catastrophic event. Since my young family and I drove down to Homestead, Florida in 1992 to bring aid to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church following the fierce storm, Hurricane Andrew, I have been more intentional in developing this ministry outreach, now known as Cross Country Mission. Here at River’s Edge Ministries, it has become a priority for us to avail ourselves to the needs of those who have been through the storm [...]

You might be familiar with an old Yiddish proverb, “We plan, God laughs.” In this article, I will unpack how a most fascinating derailment of ‘well-thought-out’ plans forever changed my life and that of many others. As it turned out, God had a much better long-term plan in mind. In Part 1 of this article, I will tell how City Mission was born out of Cross Country Mission, and the supreme importance of expecting the unexpected and getting out of the way to allow God to be God … and make a way. [...]

by Pr. Chris Johnson, Secretary of the Board of Lutheran CORE

A couple of weeks ago I was blessed to spend a few days at Grand View University (GVU) in Des Moines. GVU was hosting its annual NEXUS Institute, a week long program for high school students. Lutheran CORE supports this ministry because we take to heart what Solomon said above in regards to training the up and coming generations. [...]

by Jackson Watts

Note: Jackson Watts is a member of an NALC congregation and a student at Oklahoma State University. He is part of Lutheran CORE's young adult group, which meets via Zoom about once a month. Many thanks to those who have given generously to our Pastoral Formation Fund so that Lutheran CORE was able to support him in his mission trip to Bologna, Italy.

“Ciao! I’m Jackson. I’m from the United States. What’s your name?”

This is the gist of how I started conversations during my time in Italy this past May and June. It was usually accompanied by the question, “Do you speak English?” and a handshake. This introduction was often followed by the student asking me why I was in Bologna, Italy. Since you’re probably wondering the same thing, I’ll give you some context.

by Pr. Dennis D. Nelson, Lutheran CORE Executive Director

Wanting to expand our video ministry and increase the number and scope of resources that we offer, we are now developing another series of videos which will answer the question, What is the core of the Christian faith that we as confessional Lutherans want to maintain, preserve, hold on to, and pass on? Many thanks to the Lutheran pastors and theologians who will be making these videos, which will deal with such topics as […]

by Pastor Dennis D. Nelson, Lutheran CORE Executive Director

Prior to the rationalism of the Enlightenment, during the early years of Reformation theology, part of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer was seen to be the giving of  [...]

The Society of the Holy Trinity is a pan-Lutheran ministerium of ordained ministers of Word and Sacrament who subscribe to our Rule and who seek, in and through their vocations, to grow ever closer to Christ. By participating in retreats with others in their local chapters, through the daily prayer of the Church (the Divine Office), through regular confession of sin and the receiving of absolution, we strive to live a life of obedience to Jesus.

Given our founding in 1997, this year of Our Lord 2022, will be celebrated as the 25^th anniversary of the Society. Each year we have gathered for our General Chapter retreat which, in recent years, has been held at St. Mary of the Lake conference and retreat center (on the grounds of the University and Seminary) in Mundelein, outside Chicago. There, some 200 plus of our members and others will gather in retreat to pray the Divine Office, celebrate the Holy Eucharist, have the opportunity for Confession and learn from our teaching theologians.

The theme for this anniversary year is “Evangelical Catholicism in the Rule of the Society of the Holy Trinity.” To address this theme, we have three speakers – Father John Baldovin SJ, Ph.D. who teaches theology and liturgics at Boston College who will speak to “The Genius of Catholicity;” Dr. Melanie Ross who teaches at Yale, who will speak on “The Genius of Evangelicalism;” and The Reverend Dr. Kent Burreson who teaches at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis who will speak on “Lutheranism as an expression of Evangelical Catholicity.”

You do not have to be a member of the Society to attend the General Chapter nor even an ordained person. Guests are always welcome. So, if you are interested in joining us from September 20-22 for what promises to be a wonderful retreat and gathering, please contact our Secretary Pr. Pari Bailey at [email protected].

Our purpose can be summed up in two words– Network  and  Voice. As  Network  for confessing Lutherans, we support and connect Lutheran individuals and congregations who seek to live in accord with Biblical and confessional teachings and practices. As a  Prophetic Voice, we advocate for Biblical authority and confessional fidelity among churches of the Lutheran community.