Lutheran CORE - Goals

The over-arching goal of Lutheran CORE is to be a voice for the Word of God within the church. We are, therefore, a confessing and confessional movement within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We seek the reform of our church according to Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, and we endorse the Common Confession as a summary of Lutheran convictions for our time and place. Lutheran CORE is open to all who share our commitment for reform — congregations, lay people, pastors, and other reform movements within the ELCA.

We are committed to prayer for the ELCA and its leaders and to remain within the ELCA. We seek for ways to dialog with both synodical and churchwide leaders. We will continue to support our church, when its decisions and actions conform with the Word of God. We will provide criticism and serve as a loyal opposition, when our church diverges from the Word of God.

I. Human Sexuality

Lutheran CORE will...

• Monitor the implementation of the Orlando churchwide assembly decision on human sexuality by synods and churchwide leaders;
• Prepare model resolutions for synodical assemblies on marriage, the family, and human sexuality. Such resolutions will lift up the Biblical understanding of marriage as a gift from God;
• Participate actively in the development of a proposed social statement on sexuality. We will sponsor conferences and seminars and will prepare theological papers related to marriage, family, and human sexuality.

II. Biblical Interpretation

Lutheran CORE will...

• Encourage and support the ongoing churchwide study on Biblical interpretation. We will learn more about the process and time line. We will be in contact with members of the working group and will seek clarity on the intended results of this study;
• Prepare a series of papers on the authority of the Bible from a Lutheran perspective;
• Plan a series of "letters to the editor" for The Lutheran and Lutheran Partners;
• Develop articles in Lutheran Forum, Word and World, and in other journals;
• Sponsor regional and other conferences on how Lutherans understand Holy Scripture.

III. Naming of God

Lutheran CORE will...

• Develop a plan and design that will advocate for the use of the name of the Holy Trinity in worship, Christian education, and theological education.

IV. Leadership in the ELCA

Lutheran CORE will...

• Secure names and addresses of 2007 churchwide assembly voting members and be in communication with them on a regular basis;
• Arrange for a Lutheran CORE representative to attend meetings of the Church Council;
• Monitor issues that will come before the 2007 churchwide assembly;
• Focus on the election of presiding bishop, secretary, and Church Council at the churchwide assembly, and will work toward sharing information with voting members;
• Develop a churchwide assembly budget, including expenses for transportation, registration, accommodations and office and staffing matters;
• Work in close cooperation with WordAlone Network staff leaders regarding churchwide assembly matters.