OMG - how ludicrous. And you wonder why more and more people are dropping out of organized religions!?!

I think it was a backward and heartless decision and that President Harrison should be a one-term president. I think the hierarchy of the LCMS has lost sight of the true meaning of the Gospel and compassion.

This makes perfect sense if you consider how the LCMS views joint worship with other faiths. The LCMS feels that they, and only they, have the true interpretation of salvation through God's saving relationship with mankind. A joint worship service implies the LCMS supports and condones the beliefs of other religions which could actually work against that salvation, leading to eternity in hellfire. Considering the stakes at that level, it has been determined that the LCMS ministers show concern and compassion for the public in ways other than joint worship. It really is an internal matter that is being handled inside the LCMS according to their belief system.

Welcome to America; where organized crime is a religion, and organized religion is a crime.

proud to be an atheist

In this particular situation prayers were needed regardless of the religous order. The Pastor in Newton did the right thing. The apology was not needed and the Rev Harrison needs to start praying too. How dare him condenm someone for praying in their own religion for these victims of Newton, or to even express their sympathy. If any body needs to apologize it's Rev Harrison. Go to your bible sir and it will tell to pray for all with all. I say fire the president of Missosuri Lutheran Synod.

The scriptures do NOT forbid fellowship or praying with those of other religious beliefs. And one should not have to apologize for serving God in this way. Praying for those lost is what Jesus commands us to do. It is the Christian way, no matter what church/faith you belong to. I am a proud member of the High Ridge Church of Christ in High Ridge, Missouri. It is a nondenominational church. God and Jesus do not discriminate. They love us ALL, no matter what Christian church we go to or even if we don't go at all. Every church is God's church. He loves to see us worship and pray together and he doesn't need an apology from us for it. That preacher did what his heart and God guided him to do and should not have to aplologize for it. Bless him and all of those attending that vigil. Continue praying as god guides you.

Bev

A question to Maggi Wulff, with respect...do LCMS Lutherans, then, pray only with other LCMS Lutherans? What about attending a funeral or a wedding or a Baptism of a person of another religion? Are LCMS Lutherans allowed to participate in the liturgical prayer in cases such as these? Thank you.

And that's how it should be! You don't want what I have, I don't want what you have. Do you want what the Muslims have? The Catholics? The Baptists? or is it just the Lutherans. Were there any atheists being represented in that group in Newtown that were praying together? Ok that atheists didn't participate, bad that Lutherans didn't?

Luke 5:31, Matthew 9:12, Mark 2:17.....Jesus encourged spending time with those with different views. My LCMS church would not have an issue with this.

If its "ok" to practice not just other religions, but different forms of Christianity, why the reference to " false teachers" in the apology given?

What do WELS and ELCA stand for? I presume it is other conferences of Lutherans??? Don't all Lutherans believe the same things?

As a LCMS member, I do not agree with the presidents ruling. At that point in time, it wasn't about religion but hurting and healing. Those people needed support from any and everyone. It shouldn't have mattered what religion you were as long as you were there to give a hug or lend a shoulder to cry on.

If hugs and shoulder-lending were all that was required, yes; but the LCMS does not condone worship with other faiths because that gives the public appearance that the LCMS believes all faiths are equal. They are not. One doesn't ensure eternal life by worshipping a rock, for example.

Jean, WELS is the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod; ELCA is the Evangelical Lutheran Church (in, of) America. The former is ultra-conservative, the latter is extremely liberal.

There is a big difference between "spending time" with those of other faiths and worshipping their gods. The Newtown pastor may have been right or wrong in what he did, but Rev. Harrison was right in the context of the LCMS.

Seems we have a bigger issue that quibbling over what one denomination deems right or wrong insofar as the definition of worship is concerned.

Robin, thank you for the explanation of the different groups (if groups is the correct word) of Lutherans. Is it correct to assume, then, if the CT pastor were an ELCA pastor his participation would have been ok?

As a member of the LCMS, I stand by their decision.

Yes, Jean "groups" is fine. And if that pastor were a member of another synod, or group, his participation would likely be overseen by that synod. I would assume also that, yes, the ELCA would have no trouble with this. The ELCA has no trouble with many things that more conservative denominations oppose, such as women's ordination.

Thanks for the answers to my questions. My personal opinion is that the pastor did nothing wrong. But, obviously, his governing body, has the rule that he shouldn't have prayed with the other religions. I watched as much of the Newtown news as I could and prayed and cried along with the rest of the country. I watched the prayer service and hoped it was helpful to everyone involved. But while watching and praying along I never once thought that any of the representatives of the various religions, by their very presence alongside the other religious leaders, were approving or promoting any religion other than their own. Obviously, this is for the leadership of the pastor's synod to handle in whatever way they find necessary, but it is, in my estimation, a setback to any evangelization for which the LCMS might hope. I know that evangelization does not mean you deny or soft-pedal any of your religion's beliefs in order to become more attractive to others. But public prayer for a common purpose, in this case healing of unbelievable hurt, seems to me like an opportunity to show others the true grounding of one's faith...in the case of a Christian faith, that grounding must be in Christ. It's so hard to believe that Christ was offended by that prayer service or by anyone who took part in it. Thanks for the patient and respectful answers to my questions. I hope they were taken in the same patient and respectful way.

I have not abdicated...........but have other things scheduled and want torespond carefully.. It seems like it might be like trying to explain somehing that is based on many othe rthings that need to be explained first. I will be back;this is good!

I'm really thrilled by the tone and sophistication of this discussion and grateful that you all have been willing to engage about this topic here. Thank you.

I am so angry that the Pastor DID apologize. I think his parishioners would have felt abandoned by their church if he didn't show up. I know I would have. The bottom line is the Word of God we need to try to follow every day of our lives are the Big 10! I have been a member of the LCMS my entire life but I do not agree with every edict the LCMS dictates. I guess I will be excommunicated since I do not agree 100% with Reverend Harrison and have announced it on this venue. I cannot believe that because that was HIS interpretation of the candlelight vigil everyone has to acquiesce to HIS interpretation. Many years ago I wanted to be a minister and even told the reigning President of the LCMS that I thought it was discrimination. Obviously my input did not change LCMS but at least he listened, I do not in any way shape or form believe that Rev. Harrison would really LISTEN. He has made up his mind and judged and hung the Pastor at Newtown. I am so glad the LCMS parishioners were represented at that horrible time in their and the lives of their fellow townspeople by that minister.

I suspect every organized religion has within its ranks people who do not agree with every single teaching but still receive the spiritual nourishment they seek. And so they continue their membership. I hope the distress or anger that is felt by members of LCMS who do not agree with the Rev. Harrison on this issue will not let that block all the good they seek in their affiliation. I've lost track of who brought up the LCMS sale of Classic 99, but that certainly affected me. I find that classical music feeds my soul in a way that much religious music does not. I listen to KWMU-3 now but had to buy a new radio to get it. Think LCMS would reimburse me? :)

I was enlightened by reading all the previous comments. My Unity church believes that there is only one God and we are all children of God with a Divine spark in each of us. Jesus was our wayshower and He certainly would have embraced all the people of Newtown when they needed comforting and support, no matter what their belief. No one should have to apologize for being there for one another in a time of need.

It continues to amaze me that people forget that many Protestant religions are offshoots of other religions because one person disagreed with the original religion. Just because you choose to believe in something doesn't mean it is the right thing. And while I respect someone for ther beliefs I feel that participating in any function for the healing of those in pain should not be condemned. The Newtown service was not promoting one belief but was a show of aupport for a community in pain.

J Kennedy...very well said. Thanks.

It is seriously disappointing to contemplate that in 2013 Americans and other "civilized" people still identify themselves so tribally, believing their "God" finds favor with them above other human beings based on their worship rules. This is precisely the argument that "God is not great" espoused by Christopher Hitchens and others. Look at the world around you - virtually all of the strife and mankind's inhumanity to his fellow man is related to religious division and power struggles, mostly among the Abrahamic religions. But you are certain your "God" is better than theirs, your path to "salvation" more assured? Good for you, you can have it. Who wants to be "saved" by a "God" who excludes or even condemns good human beings because they don't belong to his "chosen" tribe? Many still, unfortunately. Absurd!

I'm still struggling to understand why anyone would think that Rev. Morris, by offering a prayer in the name of Christ, would lead anyone down a dark path leading to some gastly religious experience.
I saw the Newtown memorial service on television and as a layperson with LCMS roots, I can tell you that while watching the service, I never once considered that any of the clergy involved were sending a message that all religious faiths are the same. I never thought that the Jewish rabbi didn’t see any difference between himself and the Imam or the Priest. It never crossed my mind that the Lutheran pastor's prayer was really code for “I think my God is the same as Allah, or Buddha, or The Great Spirit”. I don’t think most anyone else thought that either other than perhaps a few hair splitting clergy.

What I saw were beautiful expressions of grief by different people of faith in response to a horrific tragedy. What I saw were people reaching out to others in that grief and expressing their common humanity. What I saw was love surviving in spite of an act of cruel hate, a love from God that can help and heal broken hearts.

Or maybe I watched a different service than Rev. Harrison.

Seriously? I wasn't aware that compassion was limited to one sect...

Religious affiliation is not a "cafeteria plan". If you want to be in the club, you need to follow the rules. It's that simple. I don't know squat about LCMS, but a similar situation exists in the Catholic church. You either follow what the Pope says or you don't call yourself a Catholic. Or if you don't believe in Jesus, you can't call yourself a Christian.

Rev. Harrison viewed the actions of pastor Morris as an act of interfaith prayer, and under his interpretation, that's not allowed when you call yourself a member of the LCMS.

This is just internal church politics going on here. Nothing to see for anyone that isn't a LCMS member. Not much different than the Pope removing the priest from the polish church here in town when they wouldn't turn over their autonomy to Rome (and their money/property which was the real reason).

" I am a Christian, active at my local Episcopal church. I have been involved in a number of church committees, served on my church's vestry and I sing in the choir."-
OK Mr. Greenbaum. I get it. Your making a living writting for the Patch.Now that all your "readers" know your beliefs, you can get a taste of what it feels like to have the readers question you.

Maggi Wulff, Robert Morris in his apology, makes reference to "sharing the stage with false teachers"

These people have members leaving in droves because they are so narrow minded and believe only they are going to heaven. As an Evangelical Lutheran who believes in the teachings of Jesus and Martin Luther, I pray that they will read their Bible and see the teachings of Jesus as welcoming all people.

The same thing happened in New York after 911, when a pastor participated in an interfaith prayer service in a baseball stadium. I'd like to think Jesus would OK it.

I attended 12 years of Lutheran School, so I'm pretty familiar with the Bible. Don't other "Christian" faiths still believe in Jesus Christ? Churches are mans law and scriptures are Gods law. Where in the Scriptures does it forbid jworship with other Christian Churches? Or is this a man-made doctrine?

What the heck does this sentence even mean?
"was a step beyond the bounds of practice allowed by the Scriptures, our Lutheran Confessions, and the constitution of our Synod." I challenge anyone to point out the passage in the Bible that supports this statement. I'm very disappointed in the LCMS.

I'll never forget participating in an amazing 9-11 interfaith prayer service. We were visiting family out of town when the towers came down. We weren't Catholics, Protestants, or any other denomination, but fellow American's. We were in Hannibal, MO and all the leaders from all the churches gathered in the town square to pray in unity for our Country. Incredible experience, and one we need to have more of.

@DebbieRowe:"Where in the Scriptures does it forbid worship with other Christian Churches? Or is this a man-made doctrine?"
There is no concept of "other" Christian churches in scripture. There was just one. Jesus was kind of the authority on the subject back then. The notion of different Christian Churches is an invention of Man, who is a flawed creature.

As much as I would love to go into a long dissertation on the flawed decision of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod faith says that is the wrong thing to do, we as Christians must always recognize that Jesus died on the cross for all our sins. Christ taught us to love one another as He loved us and to repent our sins and not point fingers at others sin.

Please don't associate all Lutherans with this feeling.Lutheran Church Missoui Synod doesn't even accept all Lutherans. I am an ELCA Lutheran who has been refuse communion in LCMS church's. Rev Morris is in good company because Christ was many times criticized for associating with the "wrong" kind of people.

The beginning of the memorial service included a statement by the MC (or whatever he should be called) that this "is not a worship service". It included the president, the mayor and other civic officials as well as clergy. So how is this different than an LCMS pastor saying a prayer at a dedication of a fire station or new library, etc.

Again, it is an election year in the LCMS. Harrison, I have no doubt, is trying to rally the conservative base.

This is why I believe in GOD and do not believe in the church...if I need my GOD I will get on my knees and pray where ever I feel the need to, and I will not let someone tell me I can't pray with/for someone because of their beliefs.

Well, Mr. Greenbaum, it looks like your question that started this discussion was an excellent one for allowing various opinions to be spoken and heard. I hope others enjoyed learning about things they may never had had the opportunity to learn before. The general tone of this discourse (there are always a few exceptions, right?) was respectful and allowed room for that one gift we all have in common...the free will to seek, to learn, to decide for ourselves what to believe. Hooray for us!

Several mentions of church politics here. Does anyone else wonder if the flames of this imbroglio were designed to create a nice little controversy right before the convention that will elect the next president? I know Pastor Harrison. There isn't a malicious bone in his body. He is kind, giving and untiring in his service to everyone, especially the poor and defenseless. If you want an experience, Pastor Harrison preaches several times a month at Village Lutheran Church, in Ladue where he serves as "Assistant" Pastor. The president of the synod, the most powerful man in the synod, humbled himself to serve not as Pastor, but Assistant Pastor because he felt it was important that the president of the synod be a pastor first. His sermons are epic and powerful. They are filled with love. By the way, this church, which readers of the Ladue Patch see often, is the same church that has an outreach program called, "Let us Pray for You." They invite anyone with any issue to ask for prayers for any matter. It isn't a Let us pray for you Lutherans, it is anyone, especially non-Lutherans and unbelievers. Lutherans are taught they should be self-reliant. It is rare to see a Lutheran ask for help. But they are taught it is their obligation to help others. Never for self-aggrandizement. Never at the expense of the recipient. Always for the glory of God. Ask the 100 families in North St. Louis who now have new homes built by the Lutherans. Almost none are Lutherans. (More).

I just wanted to also mention Pastor Harrison's refusal to bend to what has become the "cafeteria Christian" syndrome. He doesn't just select the parts he likes. You may not agree. If you are a member of any other protestant religion, you are a Protestant because of Martin Luther who had the courage to follow the Bible instead of the Pope. He did this at the risk to his life and at the time, it was believed to his soul. All denominations exist because someone disagreed. One might believe in pre-destination. One might believe something else. Interpretations have spawned numerous off-shoots. But, they are all off-shoots of the Catholic church, which today admits it had run astray with indulgences, etc., and the Lutheran Church which was formed not to start a new church, but to "reform" the Catholic church. Martin Luther probably would have been very satisfied if the Catholic church had just reformed itself and he could have gone back to minding his own business. But, he was so principled he could not go along to get along. Pastor Harrison, is the same way. He risked his job to stand for his principles. It is hard to understand that. If you do not believe it. Go to YouTube and look up his lecture to Congress on the First Amendment. I was never so proud to be a Lutheran as I was that day.

I am a member of a LCMS church and have to admit I will need to talk to my Pastor to get a better explaination of this.Thank you Maggi for being invested in this conversation and remaining calm throughout - you are a great representation of LCMS. For the athiests, I pray for you and hope you welcome Christ into your life soon. This reminded me of Stan Musial's funeral that was on all the local stations. The Priests only allowed practicing Catholics to have communion, I'm assuming this is along the same lines? Wondering why this wasn't discussed more?

"Not from Here" made a comment that he or she believes that some Christian religions believe that thier God finds favor with them above other humans. This, to me is a troubling commentary about how Christian churhes in our time may be miscommunicating the message of God's love. God does love all people. If you believe the Bible the Scriptures teach that He loved us so much that he provides a way of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. This free gift of salvation is open to ANYONE who will believe in Chirst and be baptized in His name. And yes NFH, the Scriptures also say that there is only one true God. This might seem intellectually absurd to many but a believer's relationship with God through Christ is neither intellectual nor scientific. By grace, through faith in Christ we are made whole. His work, not ours, is the only true "good". As a Lutheran I understand that the bible calls us to compassion, to good deeds, to stand with others in time of crisis. The work of communicating the love of Christ to all who would hear will always remain with us. NFH, if you want to really know what the God of the Bible is like I invite you to grab a Bible and start reading the gospels with an open mind. Maybe you will like it, maybe not, but at least you will have read it for yourself.

I'm not sure, but I think I got chewed out by a troll for pointing out how we're persecuted when we unite in our beliefs, sometimes being treated almost like criminals for expressing our faith, referred to on tv as the "Christian Taliban", as though God fearing people are a blight that needs to be exterminated.

I'm simply pointing out how nowadays, in this "One Nation Under God", religious unity and expression is treated like a crime.

So sorry that my sarcasm was misunderstood.

Of all the Religions of the World, please tell me which one has God declared His True Religion ? I would almost have to say, from reading the Bible, that it would be the Jewish Religion. Sorry obama but the muslim sect is at the bottom of the list.

Is the issue praying with other "Christian" faiths or praying along with Muslims and Jewish. I would understand the problem if it were a non-christian religion. But if the President of LCMS is having a problem praying with say a Catholic or a Protestant Church, then that makes no sense and I go back to whose law are we following - Mans law, or Gods law.

Just a few Sundays ago, Jesus preached a little sermon in His hometown, where He was not accepted. He pointed out that: "Indeed, I tell you,
there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah
when the sky was closed for three and a half years
and a severe famine spread over the entire land.
It was to none of these that Elijah was sent,
but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon.
Again, there were many lepers in Israel
during the time of Elisha the prophet;
yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”
What "religion" you were didn't seem like a big deal to Him....or God.

John, you are completely illiterate and need to purchase Hooked on Phonics.

Kurt, thanks for the comment about bringing the discussion back to a civil exchange of thoughts and ideas instead of name-calling and put-downs. When the discourse descends to those levels, minds snap shut in defense of one's own position and any chance to truly listen to others is nil. Let's play nice. :)

Wow! I just got around to looking at today's Post-Dispatch, where a front page article features Rev. Harrison's apology for his handling of Sandy Hook vigil. The quotes from Rev. Harrison are very pastoral and the politics within the Lutheran church reveal the differences among the groups. In my opinion, these differences exist in all major religions. I am happy for Pastor Morris who was ministering to his suffering community in a way he thought might help. And I applaud and admire Rev. Harrison for his humility and courage to state that "I handled it poorly...[and] increased the pain of a hurting community." Amen.

I have been a member of a Lutheran Church Missouri Synod for almost 50 years. I am ashamed to be a member when this type of stuff happens. This is ridiculous. We all worship the same God. One religion is not better than another religion. This is why the world is in the shape it is in. It doesn't matter which religion you belong to. I am sure that every member would think this is an outrage, just like me.

Politics pure and simple. With an LCMS election coming up, Harrison had to throw some red meat to the ultra-conservative base that helped him win election and thus, the very public apology he demanded of Rev. Morris. In order to placate the more moderates in the LCMS (there are a few left, but they are leaving in droves) he had to apologize himself for causing a stir in the media (he's not stupid and had to know that would happen). With the apology, he gets the conservative vote for standing up against unionism and he hopes to get the moderate vote for coming across as a humble guy who, aw shucks, didn't mean to cause any harm. Time will tell if his plan worked or not.