Official Documents & Positions
Constitution of the United Lutheran Mission Association
Constitutional Guidelines for Congregations of the United Lutheran Mission Association
Statement of Faith – A Basis of Fellowship
The Issue of Virtual Communion
Various Papers
An Island for Misfit Lutherans
By Rev. James R. Shaw
Presented at the August 23, 2008 General Meeting of the ULMA in Decatur, Illinois.
An Open Letter to Members and Clergy of the ELCA
By Rev. James R. Shaw
Observations on Selecting Mission Sites From the Book of Acts
By Rev. Jack Cascione
Life Without A Synod
ULMA’s first Forum was held at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Decatur, Illinois on Saturday, October 17, 2009. The presentations were recorded and are made available here in MP3 format. Where there are occasional technical difficulties, we have noted them. The audio recording was such that while clear, the audio level is low. You may need to turn up your speakers a bit to hear it.
We have also included PDF copies of papers presented if available.
The Moderator for the Forum was Rev. William Abbott of Pilgrim Lutheran Church.
Our Reasons for Leaving the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, the Steps We Took and How We Prepared Our Members.
Alan Ruwe, Pilgrim Lutheran Church
Length 26:26 Summary | Slides
The Slides will open in a new browser window so you can scroll through them while listening to the talk.
Pastor Brock Abbott, Pilgrim Lutheran Church
Length 24:21 Paper
Frank Butkovich, Redeemer Lutheran Church, St. Clair Shores, Michigan. Followed by Q & A
Length 21:40
Why We Left and the Way We Did It
Dan LaJoie and Ron Mazone, Christ the Rock Lutheran Church, Carlsbad, California
Length 22:13 Summary | Slides
The Slides will open in a new browser window so you can scroll through them while listening to the talk.
Please note there were some technical difficulties with the video/audio feed from California early in Dan’s presentation. The audio improved by the time of Ron’s presentation. There are several sections of “tech talk” regarding the remote connection. We apologize for the inconvenience.
From Missouri To Virginia – A Former Missouri Synod Pastor Walks the Talk
Pastor James Shaw, Missionary at Large, Agnus Dei Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Length 48:38 Paper
From Wisconsin To California – A Former ELS Pastor Walks the Talk
Pastor William Mack, Missionary at Large, Christ the Rock Lutheran Church, Carlsbad, California
Length 24:17 Paper
The United Lutheran Mission Association (ULMA) – Its Purpose, Its Goals and How It Functions.
Alan Ruwe
Length 17:17
Frank Butkovich
Length 09:43
Kurt Bickes
Legal concerns for congregations wishing to leave a Synod and for those wishing to start a congregation.
Length 37:16
Concluding Remarks, Prayer, and Blessing
Rev. William Abbott – Pilgrim Lutheran Church
Length 09:37
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, M. Luther
Organist: Dr. Ron Yadeau