Standard Nazareth Lutheran church vote

Shannon LeClair   
Times Reporter  

In 2011 the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada (ELCIC) began to follow a different pathway in its thinking that has left many congregations upset and voting on whether to stay with the ELCIC or seek out another Lutheran denominational body. 

Many people will state that it’s because of the approval of the social statement on human sexuality, but in reality that is only one small factor in the grand scheme of things. Some of those who are upset feel that the ELCIC has loosened its thinking on the teachings of the Bible, and in fact that they no longer truly hold to the word as it is written.   

On April 21 a special meeting was held at the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Standard. There was a vote to determine if they will separate from the ELCIC or if they will stay. 

There was no discussion as members filed in to secretly cast their ballot. 

In order for the church to split from the ELCIC there would need to be a majority vote of two thirds. Of the 78 ballots, there were 31 in favour of the split, 46 against it and one spoiled ballot. 

Congregation member Lori Bach, with the support of fellow church members, began the petition that brought the church to the vote on the 21. 

“I set up the petition because at the Annual Meeting of our church in January there were questions from many at the meeting about staying with or leaving the ELCIC,” said Bach in an email interview. 

“Because of this I felt that it was time for our church, Nazareth Lutheran, to have a clear idea of what the congregation wanted to happen so that we would then have a clear mandate to move forward, either looking for another church body to align with or stay with the ELCIC. There appeared to be enough support at the annual meeting to bring the issue to a congregational vote.”

Bach said she had problems with a number of issues including, but not limited to, how the ELCIC is handling the problems they have left the congregation facing in terms of the financial and structural stress. She said it has left them with very few resources to support their congregations, especially the smaller ones. 

Standard Nazareth Lutheran Pastor Brad Everett, who was also in support of the separation, wasn’t sure what to expect when the vote was called. 

“This has been a trying and challenging time on many levels, not just for the congregation of Nazareth Lutheran but for many ELCIC congregations within Alberta and across Canada. That being said, while no one goes looking for rough times, it is precisely in the middle of storms like this that we can best experience the grace, peace and presence of Jesus,” said Everett. 

“It’s my hope for the members of this congregation (and every other one that has gone through this experience) that through it all they have had the chance to grow in their knowledge and love of Christ.”

In the future for Nazareth Lutheran the issue of separation can be brought back for further discussion and another first vote. If council does not make the request themselves, then another petition from the congregation would be required.  

To date in Alberta more than 30 churches have left the ELCIC to join other Lutheran bodies. It is hard for Everett to determine what would happen if the vote were to have passed in Standard. He thinks some congregation members may choose to stay independent while they decide what to do next. 

“Other congregations feel it important to belong to a larger church body and so will have done research into other options so that once the second vote to sever happens they can have a motion ready at that meeting to vote to join another church body. I have no idea what Nazareth would have done as we were not at that point,” said Everett. 

For now, with the motion defeated there are decisions to be made by a number of members. Both Everett and the congregation members in favour of separating have decisions to make in terms of their own future with the ELCIC.