2005 Synod Assembly

Penny, Johnson, Sviggum Find Unity in the Midst of Their Differences

(Live Update added 11:45 a.m., Saturday, May 7, 2005)

Sen. Dean Johnson, Rep. Steve Sviggum, and Tim Penny Photo by Pastor Todd Hawkins

"Maybe we could learn something from politicians," Bishop Usgaard posited as he introduced the session. Laughter from the voting members indicated not only an acknowledgement of the small joke but also a willingness to consider the unique idea.

Former U.S. Congressman Tim Penny, Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson, and Minnesota Speaker of the House Steve Sviggum, all ELCA members of varying political understandings, each spoke of how their faith informs their political involvement. Penny gave an overview of Lutheran presence in the political life of the United States. "It was never expected that religious voices be silenced in America," he stated. "It is those voices that challenge us to think deeply about issues."

Sen. Johnson, also an ELCA pastor from Willmar and a military chaplain, began by reminding the assembly that "All of us have a history."

"We know our tradition, our past, our calling, and our starting place," he said. "The question is how we live out our faith." That faith, he continued, is to be "called to the common good."

Rep. Sviggum asserted that "Faith is the action part of beliefs. You can't divorce that action from your beliefs." Quoting Edmund Burke, he added, "The punishment of good people who do nothing is to be ruled by evil."

Following a time of small group discussion among voting members, Penny served as the moderator of a question and answer session. Many questions struggled with the issue of balancing individual needs with those of the community, especially regarding taxation.

Responding to a question about a recent book by Jim Wallis, Penny echoed a sentiment found there, "Neither party has a lock on God."

Each speaker received a prayer shawl and a warm round of appreciative applause.

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2005 Assembly photo album