"We have taken on a culture war in which the Nazis have decided we are on their side."
I think this is a hard but necessary point: when we wage a “culture war” in ways that treat people as collateral damage for the sake of winning ground, it’s not surprising that extremists see us as aligned with them. Even if we don’t share their explicit ideology, our comfort with the human cost can make us appear to value people in similarly instrumental ways.
This isn’t just about whether we hold hateful views (let's assume we don't), it’s also about the consequences of our tactics and rhetoric. If we’re serious about the Gospel, we have to reckon with whether our strategy itself communicates who is expendable and who is worth fighting for.
Well, I'm going to try this again. I had previously expressed my gratitude & elaborated in detail what my thoughts were on the matter. Then, I meant to press save or send & poof my comment disappeared. No matter, I will do so again. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Thank you for speaking on this fact that is crucial that it be brought to light in ALL congregations regardless of denomination. Jesus was all heart. ALL He ever wanted was our heart. It's as if today, we live in the "Old Testament" times of legalism & the LAW is what we emphasized. BUT GOD. Jesus fulfilled the law & showed us THE WAY, The Truth & The Life. Thank you for broaching a subject that must be brought to light. We must hold ourselves accountable. You, Sir, spoke the truth in Love! God bless you for it. Thanks for blessing the reader, the brethren with the truth that set us free. For whom the Son sets free, is FREE, is free indeed!! God bless you brother!! Praise the Lord oh my soul & ALL that is within me, Praise His holy name🙌🏼🙏🏼✌🏼
Dear Brother, Thank you for your bold and necessary witness. Your words shine light on a painful truth many would rather ignore. I am especially grateful for your courage to ask hard questions, call for repentance, and challenge us toward a more faithful, just, and inclusive church. May your voice stir us to act—and not remain silent.
Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel. Thank you for your strong and faithful leadership both locally and globally. Glad to know you and work alongside you.
Thank you for this, Pastor. I’m always encouraged when I see voices like this speaking out within my church body.
I am a lifelong member of the LCMS, a descendant of the Saxon immigrants who founded the Synod, and the sibling of an LCMS pastor. The LCMS is in my blood, and i don’t think I could ever leave it. But the rightward shift of the Synod in the last 5-10 years leaves me highly distressed. I am so glad there are pastors willing to speak out, about issues like this.
Thankyou Andy for having the words, courage and heart to speak on this. I’m proud of you, and I realise how patronising that sounds when written but it’s not meant that way. Just proud to know you and call you and Stephanie friends. Nazism or right wing extremism finding a home inside religious organisations is not new or unique, it’s why people like my Grandfather were stationed as a Pastor in a peace keeping corp in Germany post WW2. Many Scottish and Irish clergy were sent to Germany to keep peace & keep an eye on the German church organisations that they didn't find ways to home Nazis and resurge. Why? Because churches are places of trust, where people can be influenced and in large numbers. It’s also how some muslims were radicalised via clergy. I’m so glad you wrote this. Take care, Laura M
Thanks Laura. And thanks for sharing that post-WW2 info. I did not know any of that. Your assessment of churches being places of trust is spot on. You expect whoever speaks to be trustworthy and tell you the truth. In the US we've seen countless churches suffer through abuse because the clergy takes advantage of said trust and does not have proper accountability. And I'll be honest and say I'm worried about that only getting more challenging in churches in the years to come.
Thank you Andy. This was so well thought out and presented. I appreciate your courage and not softening how solid and sure this needs to be. I do constantly ask myself how to say these things from a pastor’s position of authority in the pulpit. I have to be very careful in starting a conversation or introducing an idea for someone to think about when they might not be prepared for it. Ideally it would be in the context of a dialogue and not a monologue, however, these things should be said from the pulpit too. How do preachers do that without just seeming to be reactive to the goings on of the day?
Those are great questions. I think there are various ways to bring up difficult topics to the church. I sometimes do this in our weekly newsletter. I know you all would be capable of doing a quality video. Those can be reactive honestly. They can acknowledge, "we've been hearing a lot of concern about this issue and people looking for spiritual and biblical guidance on it, so we are going to talk directly about it."
If it's a sermon, I believe you have to let the text guide when it comes up. In a sermon series style church, you could do this by creating a series where speaking to nationalism is one of the aims. Something centered around the idea of false narratives, idols, or simply loving one's neighbor. Good Samaritan is on my mind since its the lectionary gospel for this week. I honestly think a six week series just on that parable would be easy. And one of the pieces of that story is racism. Or, even look at the book of Leviticus and pull out some ancient wisdom from those old laws about love for the sojourner. The way to raise the issue is perhaps easier than the ability to deliver a clear word on current dangers that people are indeed ready to hear and respond well to. But I think it is worth the struggle.
Fantastic ideas. I appreciate the idea to do more of like a recorded video “newsletter/vlog” addressing topical issues. That is much better than forcing a topic into a sermon that feels too agenda-ish. Thank you!
Thank you for this, Pastor. I’m always encouraged when I see voices like this speaking out within my church body.
I am a lifelong member of the LCMS, a descendant of the Saxon immigrants who founded the Synod, and the sibling of an LCMS pastor. The LCMS is in my blood, and i don’t think I could ever leave it. But the rightward shift of the Synod in the last 5-10 years leaves me highly distressed. I am so glad there are pastors willing to speak out, about issues like this.
Our goal in addressing these issues should not be to get everyone who finds white nationalist ideas compelling to leave because they don’t feel welcome but to call such people to repentance so that they might remain part of our congregations and grow in faith and love for God and their neighbor.
There are wolves out there who are unlikely to give up these wicked ideas, but then there are also people (usually young men) who are open to being corrected. I want both to repent and stay part of our congregations if possible.
I appreciate that re-focusing Kendall. I agree, repentance and forgiveness is preferred to people leaving the church. I think there are times in this post when I am speaking particularly about the already-confronted-and-still-unrepentant but that is not perfectly clear.
Andy you have said OUTLOUD what I've been screaming about in my head for years. So many of my liberal friends ridicule me for being a member of LCMS - such a conservative branch of the Christian church. I LOVE my church. It speaks truth of the whole Gospel. I know that my political and social justice issues are in the minority, but, If I leave because of this, how can I be an agent of change? Not to the pastor, but to the congregation.
You seem to be asserting that it's wrong for the LCMS to speak out against murdering unborn babies and selling their body parts, to speak against sodomy and mutilating genitalia. If we Christians don't speak against these things, and speak for life and the honor of how God has made us, then no one else will, including the Republicans. Meanwhile, all of the Democrat talking points you mention are all over the news and entertainment industry, and fills the pulpits of the mainline liberal denominations.
Are you really asserting that us spending more time talking about not murdering babies and cutting up genitals, while not supporting open borders, makes us Nazis?
Thankyou Andy for having the words, courage and heart to speak on this. I’m proud of you, and I realise how patronising that sounds when written but it’s not meant that way. Just proud to know you and call you and Stephanie friends. Nazism or right wing extremism finding a home inside religious organisations is not new or unique, it’s why people like my Grandfather were stationed as a Pastor in a peace keeping corp in Germany post WW2. Many Scottish and Irish clergy were sent to Germany to keep peace & keep an eye on the German church organisations that they didn't find ways to home Nazis and resurge. Why? Because churches are places of trust, where people can be influenced and in large numbers. It’s also how some muslims were radicalised via clergy. I’m so glad you wrote this. Take care, Laura M
This author captures one of my disappointments with my church that I expect is true for most churches today.
The pulpit offers opportunity to teach contemporary meanings of the teachings of Jesus, not only in religious philosophical language but in specific behavior opportunities for social justice. Would Jesus recognize the church that was built upon his name and teaching?
I recall sermons during the Vietnam Nam war years would occasionally cause a few folks to dramatically walk out. I believe sermons like that helped grow a sizable national protest that prevented Lyndon Johnson (who was strong on domestic social justice law) to refuse to run for a second term.
Unfortunately, there was also a political party transition and president Nixon prolonged the war.
I also feel sympathy for today's pastors who have responsibility for paying the bills and that means maintaining a contributing membership.
I read that young Americans are beginning to show increased interest in church membership, and I recently read a political philosophy piece that predicted the next great American political revolution would be led by progressive leaders of a resurgent church.
We all have opportunity and responsibility to speak loud and proud on social justice. I pray for the courage to do so.
"We have taken on a culture war in which the Nazis have decided we are on their side."
I think this is a hard but necessary point: when we wage a “culture war” in ways that treat people as collateral damage for the sake of winning ground, it’s not surprising that extremists see us as aligned with them. Even if we don’t share their explicit ideology, our comfort with the human cost can make us appear to value people in similarly instrumental ways.
This isn’t just about whether we hold hateful views (let's assume we don't), it’s also about the consequences of our tactics and rhetoric. If we’re serious about the Gospel, we have to reckon with whether our strategy itself communicates who is expendable and who is worth fighting for.
I appreciate that. Counting the cost of the culture war...there is an idea to explore further.
Well, I'm going to try this again. I had previously expressed my gratitude & elaborated in detail what my thoughts were on the matter. Then, I meant to press save or send & poof my comment disappeared. No matter, I will do so again. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Thank you for speaking on this fact that is crucial that it be brought to light in ALL congregations regardless of denomination. Jesus was all heart. ALL He ever wanted was our heart. It's as if today, we live in the "Old Testament" times of legalism & the LAW is what we emphasized. BUT GOD. Jesus fulfilled the law & showed us THE WAY, The Truth & The Life. Thank you for broaching a subject that must be brought to light. We must hold ourselves accountable. You, Sir, spoke the truth in Love! God bless you for it. Thanks for blessing the reader, the brethren with the truth that set us free. For whom the Son sets free, is FREE, is free indeed!! God bless you brother!! Praise the Lord oh my soul & ALL that is within me, Praise His holy name🙌🏼🙏🏼✌🏼
Thanks for the encouragement Rossana. May the God of all peace be with you.
Dear Brother, Thank you for your bold and necessary witness. Your words shine light on a painful truth many would rather ignore. I am especially grateful for your courage to ask hard questions, call for repentance, and challenge us toward a more faithful, just, and inclusive church. May your voice stir us to act—and not remain silent.
Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel. Thank you for your strong and faithful leadership both locally and globally. Glad to know you and work alongside you.
Thank you for this, Pastor. I’m always encouraged when I see voices like this speaking out within my church body.
I am a lifelong member of the LCMS, a descendant of the Saxon immigrants who founded the Synod, and the sibling of an LCMS pastor. The LCMS is in my blood, and i don’t think I could ever leave it. But the rightward shift of the Synod in the last 5-10 years leaves me highly distressed. I am so glad there are pastors willing to speak out, about issues like this.
Thankyou Andy for having the words, courage and heart to speak on this. I’m proud of you, and I realise how patronising that sounds when written but it’s not meant that way. Just proud to know you and call you and Stephanie friends. Nazism or right wing extremism finding a home inside religious organisations is not new or unique, it’s why people like my Grandfather were stationed as a Pastor in a peace keeping corp in Germany post WW2. Many Scottish and Irish clergy were sent to Germany to keep peace & keep an eye on the German church organisations that they didn't find ways to home Nazis and resurge. Why? Because churches are places of trust, where people can be influenced and in large numbers. It’s also how some muslims were radicalised via clergy. I’m so glad you wrote this. Take care, Laura M
Thanks Laura. And thanks for sharing that post-WW2 info. I did not know any of that. Your assessment of churches being places of trust is spot on. You expect whoever speaks to be trustworthy and tell you the truth. In the US we've seen countless churches suffer through abuse because the clergy takes advantage of said trust and does not have proper accountability. And I'll be honest and say I'm worried about that only getting more challenging in churches in the years to come.
Thank you Andy. This was so well thought out and presented. I appreciate your courage and not softening how solid and sure this needs to be. I do constantly ask myself how to say these things from a pastor’s position of authority in the pulpit. I have to be very careful in starting a conversation or introducing an idea for someone to think about when they might not be prepared for it. Ideally it would be in the context of a dialogue and not a monologue, however, these things should be said from the pulpit too. How do preachers do that without just seeming to be reactive to the goings on of the day?
Those are great questions. I think there are various ways to bring up difficult topics to the church. I sometimes do this in our weekly newsletter. I know you all would be capable of doing a quality video. Those can be reactive honestly. They can acknowledge, "we've been hearing a lot of concern about this issue and people looking for spiritual and biblical guidance on it, so we are going to talk directly about it."
If it's a sermon, I believe you have to let the text guide when it comes up. In a sermon series style church, you could do this by creating a series where speaking to nationalism is one of the aims. Something centered around the idea of false narratives, idols, or simply loving one's neighbor. Good Samaritan is on my mind since its the lectionary gospel for this week. I honestly think a six week series just on that parable would be easy. And one of the pieces of that story is racism. Or, even look at the book of Leviticus and pull out some ancient wisdom from those old laws about love for the sojourner. The way to raise the issue is perhaps easier than the ability to deliver a clear word on current dangers that people are indeed ready to hear and respond well to. But I think it is worth the struggle.
Fantastic ideas. I appreciate the idea to do more of like a recorded video “newsletter/vlog” addressing topical issues. That is much better than forcing a topic into a sermon that feels too agenda-ish. Thank you!
Thank you for this, Pastor. I’m always encouraged when I see voices like this speaking out within my church body.
I am a lifelong member of the LCMS, a descendant of the Saxon immigrants who founded the Synod, and the sibling of an LCMS pastor. The LCMS is in my blood, and i don’t think I could ever leave it. But the rightward shift of the Synod in the last 5-10 years leaves me highly distressed. I am so glad there are pastors willing to speak out, about issues like this.
Thank you for speaking up and out. Every pastor that has done so is appreciated by me, but also added to my prayer list.
Our goal in addressing these issues should not be to get everyone who finds white nationalist ideas compelling to leave because they don’t feel welcome but to call such people to repentance so that they might remain part of our congregations and grow in faith and love for God and their neighbor.
There are wolves out there who are unlikely to give up these wicked ideas, but then there are also people (usually young men) who are open to being corrected. I want both to repent and stay part of our congregations if possible.
I appreciate that re-focusing Kendall. I agree, repentance and forgiveness is preferred to people leaving the church. I think there are times in this post when I am speaking particularly about the already-confronted-and-still-unrepentant but that is not perfectly clear.
Andy you have said OUTLOUD what I've been screaming about in my head for years. So many of my liberal friends ridicule me for being a member of LCMS - such a conservative branch of the Christian church. I LOVE my church. It speaks truth of the whole Gospel. I know that my political and social justice issues are in the minority, but, If I leave because of this, how can I be an agent of change? Not to the pastor, but to the congregation.
You seem to be asserting that it's wrong for the LCMS to speak out against murdering unborn babies and selling their body parts, to speak against sodomy and mutilating genitalia. If we Christians don't speak against these things, and speak for life and the honor of how God has made us, then no one else will, including the Republicans. Meanwhile, all of the Democrat talking points you mention are all over the news and entertainment industry, and fills the pulpits of the mainline liberal denominations.
Are you really asserting that us spending more time talking about not murdering babies and cutting up genitals, while not supporting open borders, makes us Nazis?
Thankyou Andy for having the words, courage and heart to speak on this. I’m proud of you, and I realise how patronising that sounds when written but it’s not meant that way. Just proud to know you and call you and Stephanie friends. Nazism or right wing extremism finding a home inside religious organisations is not new or unique, it’s why people like my Grandfather were stationed as a Pastor in a peace keeping corp in Germany post WW2. Many Scottish and Irish clergy were sent to Germany to keep peace & keep an eye on the German church organisations that they didn't find ways to home Nazis and resurge. Why? Because churches are places of trust, where people can be influenced and in large numbers. It’s also how some muslims were radicalised via clergy. I’m so glad you wrote this. Take care, Laura M
Thank you so much for this, Andy. Very well written and something few clergy are willing to address.
I am proud of you and feel blessed to have worked with you and Stephanie in Frankfurt years ago.
Best regards to Stephanie
Hugs, Cindy
This author captures one of my disappointments with my church that I expect is true for most churches today.
The pulpit offers opportunity to teach contemporary meanings of the teachings of Jesus, not only in religious philosophical language but in specific behavior opportunities for social justice. Would Jesus recognize the church that was built upon his name and teaching?
I recall sermons during the Vietnam Nam war years would occasionally cause a few folks to dramatically walk out. I believe sermons like that helped grow a sizable national protest that prevented Lyndon Johnson (who was strong on domestic social justice law) to refuse to run for a second term.
Unfortunately, there was also a political party transition and president Nixon prolonged the war.
I also feel sympathy for today's pastors who have responsibility for paying the bills and that means maintaining a contributing membership.
I read that young Americans are beginning to show increased interest in church membership, and I recently read a political philosophy piece that predicted the next great American political revolution would be led by progressive leaders of a resurgent church.
We all have opportunity and responsibility to speak loud and proud on social justice. I pray for the courage to do so.
Norman M Jensen
This is exactly why our family left the LCMS last year.
I completely understand. I hope your family has found peace in a new church home.