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Transition Year Conversation - September 2006 - Responses ...
Immigration
The question:
As we collectively discern God's call to us as a synod in the coming six years, what should be our strategy in relating to and addressing the immigrants who come into our towns, cities, and neighorhoods?
What advice, suggestions, recommendations, etc. will you provide to the synod leadership (bishop, bishop’s staff and synod council) in preparing and implementing a strategy for responding to the “stranger in our midst?”
Responses:
Congregational Responses (click on the congregation to go to their response)
Hosanna Lutheran Church, Mandeville LA St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, La Grange, TX Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Houston, TX Faith Lutheran Church, Bellaire, TX Christ Lutheran Church, Brenham, TX Danevang Lutheran Church, Danevang, TX St. Paul of Shelby, Fayetteville, TX and Emmanuel of Greenvine, Burton, TX Trinity Lutheran Church, Hempstead, TX Council Member of Park Place Lutheran Church, Houston, TX
Hosanna Lutheran Church, Mandeville LA 1. The synod could focus on assisting local congregations in offering small groups for those who speak Spanish. A plan could be made for starting mission churches with Spanish-speaking pastors in areas with larger concentrations of Latino populations. Congregations in areas where illegal aliens are held prior to deportation could have visitation programs. In larger cities, congregations could provide breakfast at areas where illegal aliens gather to find work in the mornings.
St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, La Grange, TX 1. According to Chapter 4, Paragraph D of our Constitution, we feel it is part of our mission. 2. Need to determine whose financial obligation these people are, right now we are all paying for them in one way or another. 3. We need to help them more in their country so they won’t have a reason to cross our borders (wouldn’t it be nice to spend 350 million on helping other countries instead of spending it on fighting wars). 4. The approach must be balanced. 6. We are grossly ill-prepared to communicate with them.
Holy Cross Lutheran, Houston, TX We treat all people as our neighbors. Whenever a person in need comes to our church, they are welcome. We focus on word and sacrament. This is God's house.
Faith Lutheran Church, Bellaire, TX There is a lot of press and political
heat about immigrants who are in the United States without documentation. The
reasons for this immigration needs to be addressed. Immigration also includes
many people, as well, who come to the United States to study, work, and make a
new home.
Christ Lutheran Church, Brenham , TX At its September 24, 2006, meeting,
the Council of Christ Lutheran Church, Brenham, TX, discussed some of the many
aspects of the immigration for our life in the Body of Christ today. Deep
compassion was expressed for the plight of the many immigrants who must leave
their homes and families to find work. Likewise, there was a general
recognition that the jobs immigrants fill in our country are vital to our
national economy. Discussion participants saw a positive role for the
church in the ongoing political debates on maintaining national security while
also providing a legal avenue for immigrants to work in this country in, with,
and under the full protection of the law. The church can further support
the ministry of congregations through providing language training for pastors
and key church leaders as we reach out to the immigrant populations of our
communities. Danevang Lutheran Church, Danevang, TX If it wasn't for immigration none of us would be here. We should not close our doors to them. Church should do more toward discipleship for immigrants. Our country should tax money going to
Mexico. St. Paul of Shelby, Fayetteville, TX and Emmanuel of Greenvine, Burton, TX The discussion primarily centered on
how we could help people integrate in to Trinity Lutheran Church, Hempstead, TX When I saw what the question was I knew I was in for some long discussions among members of our congregation. After discussions in council meetings and also adult study classes the initial responses we just as I anticipated. In the Hempstead area we have more than our share of "immigrants" and it does not set well in general. One of the questions that came up was why the word illegal was left out of the question. After the initial onslaught of responses and having to read the question over quite a few times the members did come to an agreement of what Trinity feels should be the synod's position on this subject.
As Lutherans we feel that the church should have an open door policy as far as welcoming all with open arms into the body of Christ. After all we are all immigrants of some sort. However, at the same time we feel that the church should not involve itself in the political aspect of this problem. As Christians we are to strive to be a servant to all people. This is something that the political body seems to have forgotten. We just feel that the two do not mix, and should not mix.
Council Member of Park Place Lutheran Church, Houston, TX What should be our strategy in relating to and addressing the immigrants who come into our towns, cities, and neighborhoods? Although Park Place is transitioning to another church, the church can offer a retrospective . An insight into the health of this congregation is to reflect on the inability to change with the neighborhood. This church can be an example of what can happen if the synod does not address the "stranger in our midst."
There have been numerous attempts to reach out to the changing neighborhood. In this case, the population had changed from NASA personnel in the 1950’s to Latin American, Vietnamese, and homeless. I have seen some past transition plans and have heard of their outcome.
The synod can ask churches who have achieved multi-culturalism for help in revitalizing and re-thinking the paradigm. In our example, the Catholic Church next door has a Spanish/Vietnamese congregation. What I see as I drive to my church is the walking distance between that church and the neighborhood. Although it seems too simple to be just location. There must be more at work here.
What should be our strategy in relating to and addressing the immigrants who come into our towns, cities, and neighborhoods? Once a conversation has begun with a partner "mentor" church, finances of the synod must be re-shifted to direct monies into this mission and away from programs that are failing. Lutheran churches are losing faith in the synod staff and decreased benevolence is the result. Please start supporting those who can rally the people; if they have not left the synod already.
I see how the church could have gone on if only there were more "bodies" to help. Currently, the majority of congregation has an average age of 70. The physical presence of friendly faces to guide visitors through service or the building is most welcome.
We should all visit a different church one Sunday and step into the shoes of a visitor once again. It is important to remember what it feels like to be the outsider; then turn the experience around so others do not have to feel that way.
We are here to carry out the great commission, not to turn those away who are different; even if it means cold water in the face of churches who don’t want to change. As Lutherans, we will not cater to culture and rename ourselves “community” churches, but we can remind ourselves that we all started from different places, yet came together at last.
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