| PREFACE
to the book Baptized, We Live
North American Lutherans were once held together by common
cultures. Immigrants gathered into Lutheran churches to share the old ways. When the
boats stopped coming and when Lutherans adopted American ways, Lutheran people continued
to stay together to be with "those who are like we are." This cultural cement, very
strong in the past, is no longer holding. Recently I heard that half of the children who
grow up in Lutheran congregations leave the Lutheran Church. Now what do we do? Here are
two possible responses:
" Let's play down our Lutheranism
and adopt ways which are succeeding in the American religious scene. This way we'll keep
more of our children and attract many Americans who would otherwise go to other churches."
.
"The way of teaching, worshiping
and living as Christians which comes from a sixteenth- century church renewal movement
should continue within the beautiful diversity of the whole Christian church. Let's do it
and do it well. Then let's invite people of all races, cultures and national backgrounds
to join us."
This booklet is an enthusiastic affirmation of the second
response. This "enthusiastic affirmation" was created during a year's stay at Holden
Village, a church renewal center in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. I am
deeply indebted to the Holden community which surrounded me with love, support, honesty,
laughter and encouragement and always held before me the theology of the cross as I worked
on this project. I also give thanks to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Albuquerqe, New Mexico,
for granting me a year's leave of absence to go to Holden - a year when I became more
excited about being a Christian and a Lutheran, in that order.
Copyright @ 1981 DanielW. Erlander |
