Lutheran CORE is a coalition of pastors, lay people, congregations and reforming groups. We seek to preserve within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America the authority of the Word of God according to the Lutheran confessions. Our intention is to remain within our church and to work with congregations, individuals, and other reform-minded groups for the reform of our own church, by:
1) Encouraging individual reform-minded congregations, laypersons, and pastors.
2) Supporting and offering coordination for the various renewal groups within the ELCA.
3) Addressing significant synodical and churchwide issues.
Among a host of issues within the ELCA today, there are four that trouble us most deeply. These are:
the need to affirm the authority of the Word of God within and throughout our church;
preserving in teaching and worship the biblical name for the triune God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
our concern to elect leaders (both synodical and churchwide) who will guide us in faithful witness and mission;
and our profound concern over changes in doctrine and practice regarding marriage and sexuality.
As a Lutheran “Coalition for Reform” we are committed to raising up leaders at all levels of our church who share our convictions regarding Biblical authority and confessional loyalty. We are committed to working for a consistent implementation of Vision and Expectations throughout the ELCA, one that will provide a ministry of oversight and discipline for all rostered leaders within our church.
Lutheran CORE is closely allied with the WordAlone Network for mutual support. However, Lutheran CORE is a broad based coalition and is open to those individuals and congregations who do not choose to affiliate with the WordAlone Network. Lutheran CORE also supports the Lutheran Churches of the Common Confession (LC3), whose aim is the renewal of congregational ministry and mission. Our goal as Lutheran CORE is to work for the reform of the ELCA, and to serve as a channel of cooperation among the various reform-minded groups and with reform-minded congregations and individual pastors and lay people.
Reform groups, churches and individuals join Lutheran CORE by affirming the Common Confession and declaring in writing their intention to support Lutheran CORE’s ministry. All you need to do is to send a note, indicating your intentions, to info@lutherancore.org or to Paull E. Spring, 956 Stratford Court, State College, PA 16801, pastorspring@pennswoods.net .
We hope and pray that you will be a part of our reforming effort. We seek your financial support, as you are able. (Checks may be made out to the WordAlone Network, with a memo Lutheran CORE, and may be sent to the WordAlone Network, 2299 Palmer Drive #220, New Brighton, MN. 55112.) Most of all, we seek your prayerful support for our church and its leaders, as well as for our coalition and its ministry.