July 29, 2017
Devotions: Lutherans in North America: Rev. Muhlenberg, Pretenders and Ordinations

Not only did congregations face problems of language, they also had to deal with the problem of a lack of Ordained ministers to serve their congregations. The first issue we will talk about is the problem of Pretenders. Obviously there were not enough ordained clergy to meet the needs among the residents of colonial America. Often there were long vacancies between pastors. There was cooperation between the Lutheran consistory in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and the Ministerium of Hamburg, Germany – but there were simply too many people scattered among the Hudson, the Delaware, and Pennsylvania territories. For example, sometime around 1733, German Lutherans in Southeastern Pennsylvania sent a correspondence to Rev. Frederick M. Ziegenhagen reporting that several thousand Lutherans were “poor and destitute of all means, arriving there and settled down in the wilderness scattering here and there. As a consequence they continued to live without a church, without the services of a regularly ordained preacher, and without the administration of the Holy Sacraments, even as lost sheep.”

Of course the consistories and ministeriums attempted to supply pastors to meet these needs, but from 1742 to 1772 only 24 ministers were sent to these regions. And, there also were those who came of their own accord without ecclesiastical endorsement. Some came as chaplains attached to German mercenaries who decided to remain – others came as indentured servants whose passage was paid by “disorderly Lutherans” and in return were forced to preach and administer the Sacraments to the people for a specified amount of time. This presented a situation where congregations were being served by men who did not have the training or the skills to be pastors. This situation gave the Lutheran pastors the reputation of being “Squabblers and wranglers” called “Pretenders” and “Vagabond Preachers”.

Soon after coming to Pennsylvania, Rev. Muhlenberg would encounter conflicts with “Pretenders”. He would try various methods to reduce their numbers, like taking away their income (they would charge people money to receive Holy Communion or have their children baptized) – so he encouraged congregations NOT to pay for such services. This did not stop them. He would seek help from civil authorities, but they were powerless to do much. Eventually, even he would relent to the need for such men to at least “…give them our hands and extend poles to them so that they have something to take hold of.” – in other words, at least congregants had someone interested in bringing them the word of G-d. Rev. Muhlenberg would soon advocate for the ability to ordain men in America if they were to meet the spiritual needs in colonial America. (Adapted and adopted from The Lutherans in North America, revised edition, E. Clifford Nelson)

It is easy for anyone to become ordained over the “Internet” these days – you need thirty-five dollars and WiFi access to “The Universal Life Church” and soon you too can call yourself an “Ordained” pastor. But having a piece of paper and business cards that give you the title of Pastor does not mean you necessarily have the skills to preach, teach and counsel according to the biblical witness. Just as it did 275 years ago, “Pretenders” continue to diminish the integrity of the title and the importance of the role of the Pastor in our communities.

Pastor Dave

Please collect bottles of laundry soap and packages of diapers (sizes 2 and 3) for Trinity’s Table.