August 30,1998
To: Pastors of Circuits 16 and 17
Those in attendance of Circuit 17 meeting, August 23,1998
From: Chris L. Sigmon
On August 23, 1 gave to those in attendance an honest assessment of areas that I saw as both beneficial and as troublesome for our youth that attended "Called to Be" in Atlanta. After considering my remarks, 1 felt I didn't offer enough information to substantiate my concerns.
As I indicated, I have a problem listening to Reverend Victor Bolton. I was turned off to his ranting style in San Antonio and I saw nothing that changed my opinion of him in Atlanta. It was most inappropriate for him to suggest that the males empty condoms out of their pockets. He further insulted me by planting a seed of mistrust for all family group adult leaders by suggesting that we might have "weed" in our pockets and suitcases. If you can't win the youth with the glorious Gospel, scare them with the Law.
Secondly, I drove to Atlanta to attend a Lutheran youth gathering with three Lutheran youth. Rev. Bolton's Baptist, revivalistic approach dismayed me. Why do we need the prancing, shouting, arm waving ramblings of a charismatic style worship? Why must we lose our Lutheran identity by being everything but Lutheran? Maybe one of the themes should have been "Called to Be Lutheran". I have been blessed that God has called me to be Lutheran and to study the Confessions and His Word.
This brings me to another point made Sunday. Why do we have to entertain our youth instead of encouraging them to worship the Triune God? The gathering planners entertained the youth with " a joyous, upbeat gospel" version of 'This is the Feast" and a horrible medium funk groove version of the Sanctus, whatever medium funk groove is. Are we so ashamed of our rich liturgical traditions and the unwillingness to disavow heterodox doctrine that we now bite off our nose to spite our face? What was wrong with using the Divine Service liturgies from Lutheran Worship or the new Hymnal Suppliement 1998?
The band music was also hard to identify or sing along with. On several occasions, I had no clue what the lyrics were. Even when the lyrics were projected onto the screen, the pieces were hard to sing along with. An audio tape should have been provided like the one sent out prior to the 199~ gathering. The Holy Spirit may have been present in the Georgia Dome, but He was not speaking to me. All I could distinguish was the clanking noise on stage. Again, I could have enjoyed the clanking noise at a rock concert at the Charlotte Coliseum or Blockbuster Pavilion. The music made to our Lord should be praise to Him who has redeemed me with His holy, innocent suffering and death.
Another concern, why do we need a Baptist choir and it's pastor dancing and singing on our stage? Did our delegates not affirm by an overwhelming majority the Synod's position on joint worship? If we need a choir, let them be Lutheran. not Baptist.
I also was appalled by the lack of reverence by some of the youth and the unwillingness by family group leaders to restrain their youth. The youth entertained themselves by throwing airplanes and toilet paper, doing the wave, laser tagging people in the back or up on the screen, and making frequent trips up and down aisles and rows. During Holy Communion, there was talking and laughing during the distribution. When Dr Berry spoke on Tuesday morning, all I could hear was the drone around me. The same was true of the closing on Wednesday morning when the basketball coach from Valparaiso spoke.
Speaking of Holy Communion Service, why were females allowed to assist in the distribution? Why was a female allowed to participate in the reading of the liturgy? Also, why did Reverend Joel Lehenbauer, a member of the Synod's Commission on Theology and Church, allow a woman to give a testimonial style sermonette prior' to his sermon. This was a worship service, right? There was Word and Sacrament. Why was Scripture allowed to be violated by such participation?
I hope now that you can understand my concerns. He has called us all to be faithful members of His Body, the Church. This body missed out on an excellent opportunity to unite as one in worship and to be faithful to his entire Word. My pastor, Reverend Hunter, spoke of guarding the lambs in his opening devotion. As adults, we must do a better job of protecting those He has given to us by not subjecting our youth to heresy and other inappropriate worship. May the Pure Word and His gracious sacrament continue to strengthen you in His Service.
In Christ's Service,
Chris L. Sigmon