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From Persecution To Witness
By Elizabeth Eaton,
Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
For many months now people have been asking for some kind of statement about the persecution of Christians around the world. It seems to be a straight-forward issue. Christians are suffering in Iraq and Syria, in Nigeria and Egypt. Palestinian Christians encounter intense pressure. Christians in some parts of India are threatened. Some would even claim that U.S. Christians are under siege. Atrocities committed against Christians by the Islamic State, Boko Haram, al-Shabab and others are regularly in the news. We hear that more Christians have been martyred in recent years than in the first three centuries of the Christian movement.
Each circumstance of violence against Christians is deeply painful. There are brothers and sisters around the world whose lives are part of the passion of Christ. People are targeted in some countries because they are Christians. But this is a complex issue. Are Christians suffering and dying as witnesses to the faith? Yes. But in many places interreligious conflict has been used as a calculated pretext for political gain. A narrative of religion vs. religion, or religion vs. society, is an effective way of generating support for one’s cause. And, regrettably, suspicion and fear of the “other” leads to intolerance and discrimination.
The persecution of Christians is not new. Martyrs have existed since the beginning of the
church. Stephen was martyred with the consent of Paul, who was martyred by the Roman
Empire. Paul quoted the psalms, writing: “For your sake we are being killed all the day
long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered” (Romans 8:36).
Outrage is a natural reaction to beheadings and crucifixions. The instinct to strike back is understandable. Many Lutherans accept that in a broken world deadly force might be needed. Revenge, however, is not an option for a Christian.
I pray that none of you ever suffers violence for the faith, but every generation has faced hostility. German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote: “To endure the cross is not a tragedy; it is the suffering which is the fruit of an exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ.”
“Martyr” is a Greek word that means “witness,” “to give testimony.” A witness can also be a symbol that testifies a promised action has been accomplished. When we speak about the persecution of Christians, the real question is: “What will be our witness?”
Here is a story about how some Lutherans in Ethiopia answered that question. It happened in one of our companion synods. Some Muslims burned down a church, thinking they were attacking Roman Catholics. Instead, they burned down a Lutheran church by mistake. They were arrested and sent to jail. In that region it’s the responsibility of families to take care of prisoners’ hygiene and food. Instead, members of the Lutheran church asked authorities if they could dig the prisoners’ latrines and feed them. That was their witness in the face of persecution.
Christians aren’t the only ones being targeted and persecuted. More Muslims have reportedly been killed by the Islamic State than any other group. Our witness must be as peacemakers and as defenders of religious minorities in our country and around the world. We must be the ones who speak out when entire religions are falsely characterized by the actions of extremists. We would not accept Christianity being defined by the Ku Klux Klan or the Christian Identity movement. We should not define entire communities by the distortion of to their religion.
The cross is God’s visual symbol that a promised action has been accomplished. It is God’s stake in the sand. It is God’s witness to the truth that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).
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ELCA leaders call on Congress to pass U.S. Citizenship Act
CHICAGO — The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has joined more than 500 ELCA rostered ministers and the CEOs of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) and Lutheran Services in America (LSA) in calling on Congress to support the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021. In a March 4 letter, the leaders urge lawmakers to work collaboratively to advance legislation "around a long overdue solution that reflects our shared values as a nation." The ELCA, LIRS and LSA recognize the need for legislative action based upon their historic service to and accompaniment of communities with migrant and refugee populations. Lutherans respond to people who are caught in conflict and face persecution, and they advocate for compassionate, just and wise immigration policies, driven by God's love for all people and a biblical commitment to welcome the stranger. "Guided by our faith values and biblical teachings, we believe that immigration policies must prioritize and honor the God-given dignity of each person, especially those who live on the margins of society," the letter states. "We regard the family as an indispensable social institution and stand firmly against policies that cause the separation of families. We are therefore pleased to see that the proposed legislation works to recognize these values." ELCA social teaching and actions insist on family reunification, upholding human dignity and rights, driving cooperative responses to the root causes of forced migration, and stressing inclusion and equity across federal immigration policy. Several provisions of the legislation advance these commitments. Across an expanding network, welcoming congregations of the ELCA, for example, closely accompany migrants in the United States through ministry and advocacy. Lutherans across the country also participate in resettling refugees who have been admitted with the support of LIRS. Reacting to a Supreme Court decision on the popular Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program last summer, the ELCA continued to press for permanent protection for Dreamers and just treatment for other undocumented communities. The U.S. Citizenship Act makes a promising contribution toward ensuring a just immigration system. "Making progress on these long overdue immigration reforms is important to us as leaders who serve in church and society," the letter states. "We ask God to guide our nation and grant the grace of a welcoming heart. To that end, we ask you to work collaboratively, with haste, to promote this comprehensive legislative solution through Congress and provide lasting solutions that will strengthen our nation for generations to come." Read the letter. - - -
About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.3 million members in more than 8,900 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
773-380-2877
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
03/05/2021
Statement on anti-Asian Racism
CHICAGO — The Asian and Pacific Islander Association of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has issued a statement addressing the increase in violence directed toward Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. The ELCA Conference of Bishops affirmed the statement during their virtual meeting.
The statement follows:
The COVID-related surge in anti-Asian violence is physically and spiritually assaulting Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. This violence re-emerged from America's historical and pervasive sin of racism. Asian American and Pacific Islander children and adults are facing assaults with racial slurs, bullying, spitting, physical injury, and even death. These are not new in communities where Peoples of Color live. These violent acts of racism have and are happening in cities and towns across the United States. The virus of racism cannot be allowed to run rampant. We the Association of Asians and Pacific Islanders-ELCA call on our church to once again unequivocally denounce racism by taking immediate actions to defend, protect, and uphold the safety and lives of Asian Americans. 1 Corinthians 12 tells us that we are one body with many members. This member of the body is suffering. Let us bear this suffering together as one body. We call on our church:
- to model the example of Jesus whose compassion was made visible by acts of love, culminating in embracing bodily harm to save us;
- to undergird and measurably advance its fight against racism and apathy, in all expressions of the church;
- to model how to tap into Jesus's deep empathy as our collective power to stand against violence and promote the way of Jesus instead;
- to urge, facilitate, and invite all people in the ELCA's sphere of influence, both within the church and beyond it, to unite in this crucial battle;
- to declare a Sunday during this Lenten season to lament in order to express solidarity, help in healing, and support the victims of violence against Asian Americans;
- to show how the ELCA will oppose racism, its death-dealing manifests, and proclaim ways to move forward as a church and society where all God's people of color can be free to build a world of true peace, equality, justice, and kindness with others.
- - - About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.3 million members in more than 8,900 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
773-380-2877
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
03/04/2021
Louise Johnson named Executive for Administration
CHICAGO – Louise N. Johnson, a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has been elected by the ELCA Church Council as the executive for administration, a position that is coterminous with the term of the presiding bishop. She begins in this role on March 15, 2021. Johnson most recently served as the Director of Leadership Development for LEAD, a leadership development non-profit of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the ELCA. Prior to her work with LEAD, she served as the fourteenth president of Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa where she led the seminary to its largest fundraising and enrollment years in the history of the school. Johnson has also held several senior level roles at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and has served congregations in a variety of roles in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Pennsylvania. "We are blessed to have Louise's strong sense of call and passion for the work of sharing God's grace and love in Christ," said the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, ELCA presiding bishop. "As we imagine each of us being activated so more people know the way of Jesus and discover community, justice and love, Louise's dedication to leadership sharing the good news will be vital in our work going forward." Johnson has spent much of her time in the ELCA focused on leadership development. During her years in Philadelphia, she cultivated an interest in organizational leadership, including completing the Certificate in Leadership and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Johnson continues to teach, speak and consult in change leadership in church organizations. "I am humbled to be called to this role. I look forward to the work we will do together by the power of the Holy Spirit to become more fully the church God is calling us to be for the sake of the world," said Johnson. Johnson attended Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio for her undergraduate degree, and holds a Master of Divinity from Wartburg Seminary. In 2017, Johnson received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, IA, and in 2020, she received the Outstanding Executive Award from the Association of Lutheran Development Executives. The current Executive for Administration, the Rev. Dr. M. Wyvetta Bullock, has served in this role since 2007. She has served the ELCA since 1987, and prior to that, served the LCA beginning in 1981. - - - About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.3 million members in more than 8,900 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
773-380-2877
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
03/03/2021
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