by Melanie Dafler I February 9, 2025

The following is an email sent to LCMS President Harrison in response to his letter regarding immigration and Lutheran non-profits. Published with permission from Melanie Dafler, a former LCMS church worker who is now serving in a lay capacity.

I was 23 when I first memorized that verse.

I remember because it was the theme verse of the 20's Bible study at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Nassau Bay, Texas. As a young church worker serving her first call, I was feeling not only the weight of the ministry but the crushing loneliness of the thousand miles that separated me from my family and friends in the Midwest. In that Bible study, my life was changed. Not only did it strengthen the community I had found there in the fellowship and study of the word of God, but I met a brilliant, supportive Lutheran man, and we were soon married, and blessed with children. We faithfully brought them to the waters of baptism, we bring them to church weekly, and we teach them the tenets of Christianity that we believe as LCMS Lutherans.

This verse follows me throughout my life and is a guiding principle as dear to me as Jesus' words to love the Lord with all my heart and to love my neighbor as myself because it offers practical actions I can take within my life to live out the vocation of Christian living. 

When I began to sit and think about how I could possibly respond to you regarding your scathing response to the defunding of the LFS, this verse also came to mind almost immediately. I don't need to remind you of the background of Micah, a prophet who was responding to the split Northern and Southern kingdoms of Jerusalem in a time of political upheaval, social injustice and oppression of the poor. I think you and I can draw some very applicable parallels to our current events. 

Therefore, I must call out your egregious misuse of your office. You profess Jesus' death and sacrifice for our salvation and yet you condemn the immigrant and refugee. From your pen spew words of hate and disdain for our fellow Christians, particularly the ELCA, saying you're not even sure we worship the same God. I will remind you of the words of 1 John 4:20-21. 

You claim to decry the division of the Lutheran synods and yet you continue to sow division with the words you speak. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his "Life Together," states that 

"Words of admonition and reproach must be risked when a lapse from God's Word in doctrine or life endangers a community that lives together, and with it the whole community of faith." 

The community of believers that has been given to you to lead is in great pain upon hearing your words. When we looked to you for spiritual guidance in a time where our ministries and motivations were called into question, you instead pushed your own opinions about DOGE without any indication of a foundation in scripture. The utter hypocrisy of decrying "illegal" immigration laws while praising the formation of an illegal, unconstitutional, unelected private citizen stealing information from governmental departments is the biggest heartbreak of all. 

Your words speak no love, no justice, and no mercy. I urge you to reread the words of 1 John 4 and the book of Micah, and reconsider your words of hate, division, and personal opinion. I have heard from many in my Lutheran network spanning 25 years and multiple congregations, schools, and states that there are some who have been so shaken and grieved by your response that they question if this is a church body they wish to continue associating with. I know of church workers who are afraid of their ministries being stripped away if they dissent from your poisonous rhetoric. I fear that by your refusal to forge ahead in love and service to Jesus with the ELCA and other Lutheran churches, regardless of our differences, we will further alienate the good, faithful Christian people who seek only to serve in Jesus' name.

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For more responses from other LCMS church workers, pastors, and laypeople, please visit LRJ on Facebook or Instagram. Share your response by tagging LRJ or emailing: info@lutheransforracialjustice.com.

For more resources for congregations and schools regarding the recent changes in federal immigration policy:

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

FACTS ON FORMERLY PROTECTED AREAS (like sanctuaries and schools):

FIND LOCAL HELP FOR IMMIGRANTS

TOOLKIT FROM ABC of METRO CHICAGO