Open Letter To Christ The Lord Lutheran Church, Lawrenceville, GA
At the invitation of a fellow dancer, my wife joined CtL's dance ministry this morning to perform a ballet dance to Battle Hymn of the Republic. This same dance was performed at The Studio's 2006 spring recital (by the same adult dancers) as one of several patriotic worship dances. The hymn and dance were approved by the music leader of CtL, and these same women have danced at CtL in the past as recently as two weeks ago. CtL has four Sunday morning services. After having worshipped through their dance at the two earlier services this morning, the senior pastor approached the dancers and asked them not to do so at the two later services. The reason given was a vague claim of supposed offense to the hymn.
Where might such pretend offense originate? The Battle Hymn of the Republic was sung by Northern troops during the mid-1860s. It is was a very popular tune (even in the South) with many different lyrics originally, but eventually the mostly modern version was written by Julia Ward Howe in 1861 (or possibly 1862). Even though this war had almost nothing to do with slavery, despite the modern indoctrination otherwise, the closest one could come to associating this hymn with slavery is the line:
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free.
(This was later changed to "let us live to make men free.") From where does this purported offense come? If it is somehow derived from the mere, implied reference to a tumultuous time in our nation's history, then by all means, let's deny, rewrite, or ignore that history, so that we may be doomed to repeat it.
Rumors of this hymn having been removed from the green Lutheran Book of Worship are false. It's number 332 under Christian Hope. It is also present in the upcoming Evangelical Lutheran Worship book. As politically correct as the ELCA is, if they've deemed it worthy to keep, why doesn't CtL? Have Lutherans lost their Christian hope? Do Lutherans no longer look forward to the Second Coming of the Lord? Or do they simply avoid singing about it? Or is it merely CtL's congregration or its leadership having issues with this Scripturally consistent hymn of worship?
As parents of an airman (who is currently defending your lives by serving in Iraq), children of servicemen, political activists, and educators of the next generation of leaders, we place great pride in the service of our country. America was birthed as a testimony to the Lord and His liberty; as far as our nation may have fallen from these Biblical roots, we still take great pride in the patriotic, Godly remnant of this Christian nation, even if wounded and stained. We also take righteous offense at any faux injury caused by celebration of our Christian nation and of our Lord's Second Coming.
Having left the Lutheran Church many years ago because of their general abandonment of the Scriptures and its Authority, we no longer worship in a Lutheran setting. Christian dance in a Lutheran church also now seems at odds with CtL's perverted doctrine. As such, we are not likely to return to a Lutheran setting even in an attempt to minister in a Godly and Biblical fashion. If our ministry is desired, though, please feel free to contact us, and we'll meet you elsewhere.
Associate pastor responds
While I realize this is a complex issue, I would simply like to speak in support of Pastor Bob's decision yesterday. When I spoke with my husband about the hymn, he commented that in his years at UGA, this song was used as a tribute to segregation and with racial overtones. While I did not have that same association with the song, it seems that some do. Because of that possibility, I agree that we (the church) need to be intentional to care for those who may attend our church, of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. We will never get it right -- but when we see a place where we may be off track, it is with an honest and compassionate heart that we try to switch gears. I think that was Bob's intention, no matter how abrupt it may have been.
As far as the new hymnal goes, I am part of the training team for our synod to introduce this new resource. While in Chicago at training, it was mentioned that there are many songs/hymns in the ELW, some which may be appropriate in some settings but not in others. For example, singing "Children of the Heavenly Father" in Swedish might be very popular in a rural Minnesota congregation founded by Swedes, but in urban Atlanta it might not be appropriate. It was emphasized to us how critical it is that hymn/song choices be relevant to the local setting, culture and demographics. I tell you this to say that not everything in the ELW is being endorsed for every church setting -- but that it is a collection to be used at the church's discretion.
Thank you for your time reading my random thoughts. While I support Pastor Bob, I also support you as a church member, living out your calling through dance. Thank you for all your hard work, sore muscles, and heartfelt faith.