The ACELC exists "to give a united voice against errors that are officially adopted in convention, tolerated, and/or promoted in the LCMS.”

  Is that an Iceberg?

On a ship, before the days of GPS, when an object was spotted in the water, such as a man overboard or an iceberg, sailors were taught to mark that object with a buoy. But if no suitable buoy was available, they would distinctly point at it by hand until those responsible in the remaining crew could remedy the situation. Each sailor pointing helps all others track the object, lest another temporarily look away and lose sight of it while another has an urgent duty to attend to. This prevents the object afloat from disappearing. Similarly, when you mark something distinctly, much like simply writing down a daily reminder, you are less likely to forget it. That written note now helps you remember and frees you to address other things, if not to simply address more deeply the concerns related to the matter “in the water.”

Using the iceberg illustration above, a commonality we might notice across most of the ten errors the ACELC has identified is that they appear to have a gnostic (claim of individual spiritual knowledge) and antinomian undergirding, rejecting Biblical truths. Pointing out where such have surfaced has allowed ACELC churches to spot the recent error of “online (sic) Communion.” It also should keep us aware of new potential errors regarding media usage in LCMS churches that would lead away from Scriptural, Christian understanding and practice. By failure to formally identify, correct, and discipline, if necessary, we would neglect to keep our pointer fingers on the iceberg, thus tolerating manifest dangers in our water, while failing to move away from them. As such, the ship becomes less able to navigate more treacherous waters that will no doubt be ahead.

The ACELC can hardly point out every error or aberrant practice. However, the ones we have noted are apparent and against our Synod’s Biblical and Confessional practice. They have much bearing on how God’s Word is understood by many, among other serious issues that may be coming. They are outright detrimental to the salvation of many. If other errors beside these can be named, indeed let the sailor point them out! In the meantime, let him distinctly mark them and be a part of the effort to get them resolved, and so be more adept to face what is ahead.

Rev. Craig Meissner, Pastor

Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Kansas City, MO