Society of the Holy Trinity
Encyclopedia
The Society of the Holy Trinity (Societas Trinitatis Sanctae or STS) is a Lutheran ministerium
dedicated to the renewal of the Lutheran church and ministry. Founded in 1997 by 28 members, it currently has 279 members in eleven different Lutheran church bodies, mostly from the United States
and Canada
.
(ELCA). A primary concern among those who would become founders of the society was language for God: specifically, the triune name of "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit". Efforts during and immediately after the formation of the ELCA to introduce gender-neutral Trinitarian formulae in the rite of baptism
and other liturgical rites failed to gain official acceptance; however, the determination of those who demanded the change, and their entrenchment in positions of power in the new denomination, was highly alarming. In response, the "9.5 Theses" were developed and published for discussion in the ELCA. The refusal to discuss the "9.5 theses" by leaders of the denomination led directly to the formation of the society, conceived as an oratory
in which pastors would support each other in being faithful to the vows made at ordination.
Although its original membership was drawn mostly from pastors of the ELCA, from the start the Society of the Holy Trinity has been an inter-Lutheran ministerium. Carl Voges, a pastor of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, is the current Vicar
of the Society. With the growth of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ
and the formation of the North American Lutheran Church
, the diversity of the Society has increased, with members from these bodies as well as other smaller Lutheran synods. Although some Lutheran church bodies do not ordain women to the pastoral office, membership is open to both male and female pastors from any Lutheran church body.
becomes a member by publicly subscribing to the Rule of the Society at its annual General Retreat. Pastors are challenged to remain faithful to their ordination
vows by continual deepening of formation in: prayer (Chapters I and V), Christian life as duty and example (Chapter II), collegiality (Chapters III and IV), and study (Chapter VI). In addition, the rule outlines a faithful pastoral practice seeking to renew Lutheran congregational life along catholic
and confessional lines. Among the trajectories for renewal are a recovery of the public prayer of the divine office or canonical hours
(Chapter I), and worship practice according to scriptural, creedal, and confessional standards, including the recovery of the practice of voluntary private confession
and absolution
in Lutheran congregations (Chapter VII). Finally, the rule commits members to pursuing the causes of intra-Lutheran unity as well as the unity of the Western Church (Chapter VIII).
, who appoints a vicar
. The senior convenes the society once a year in a General Retreat, with local chapters meeting at least three other times during the year under the direction of a chapter dean. Both the senior, at general retreats, and the deans, at Chapter retreats, are elected for three-year terms by pure ecclesiastical ballot
: the first ballot is a nominating ballot, and successive ballots are taken until consensus is reached.
The current Senior of the Society of the Holy Trinity is the Reverend Frank C. Senn
, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Evanston, Illinois, who was elected to a third consecutive three-year term in October, 2009.
Ministerium
A ministerium is an association of clergy from various religious groups who come together to accomplish a specific purpose, often to build collegiality and to meet or address socioeconomic needs in the community. The represented churches, synagogues, and other congregations are often connected...
dedicated to the renewal of the Lutheran church and ministry. Founded in 1997 by 28 members, it currently has 279 members in eleven different Lutheran church bodies, mostly from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Background
The Society of the Holy Trinity was founded in response to the theological climate in the formative years of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaEvangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a mainline Protestant denomination headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The ELCA officially came into existence on January 1, 1988, by the merging of three churches. As of December 31, 2009, it had 4,543,037 baptized members, with 2,527,941 of them...
(ELCA). A primary concern among those who would become founders of the society was language for God: specifically, the triune name of "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit". Efforts during and immediately after the formation of the ELCA to introduce gender-neutral Trinitarian formulae in the rite of baptism
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
and other liturgical rites failed to gain official acceptance; however, the determination of those who demanded the change, and their entrenchment in positions of power in the new denomination, was highly alarming. In response, the "9.5 Theses" were developed and published for discussion in the ELCA. The refusal to discuss the "9.5 theses" by leaders of the denomination led directly to the formation of the society, conceived as an oratory
Oratory
Oratory is a type of public speaking.Oratory may also refer to:* Oratory , a power metal band* Oratory , a place of worship* a religious order such as** Oratory of Saint Philip Neri ** Oratory of Jesus...
in which pastors would support each other in being faithful to the vows made at ordination.
Although its original membership was drawn mostly from pastors of the ELCA, from the start the Society of the Holy Trinity has been an inter-Lutheran ministerium. Carl Voges, a pastor of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, is the current Vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
of the Society. With the growth of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ
Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ
Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ is an association of Lutheran congregations in the United States. It began in 2000 in response to the liberalization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America . LCMC is characterized by the traditional stances it takes on Lutheran polity, biblical...
and the formation of the North American Lutheran Church
North American Lutheran Church
The North American Lutheran Church is a church body which claims to embody the theological center of Lutheranism in North America. It is committed to the authority of the Bible as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and life...
, the diversity of the Society has increased, with members from these bodies as well as other smaller Lutheran synods. Although some Lutheran church bodies do not ordain women to the pastoral office, membership is open to both male and female pastors from any Lutheran church body.
Rule
A Lutheran pastorPastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
becomes a member by publicly subscribing to the Rule of the Society at its annual General Retreat. Pastors are challenged to remain faithful to their ordination
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
vows by continual deepening of formation in: prayer (Chapters I and V), Christian life as duty and example (Chapter II), collegiality (Chapters III and IV), and study (Chapter VI). In addition, the rule outlines a faithful pastoral practice seeking to renew Lutheran congregational life along catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
and confessional lines. Among the trajectories for renewal are a recovery of the public prayer of the divine office or canonical hours
Canonical hours
Canonical hours are divisions of time which serve as increments between the prescribed prayers of the daily round. A Book of Hours contains such a set of prayers....
(Chapter I), and worship practice according to scriptural, creedal, and confessional standards, including the recovery of the practice of voluntary private confession
Confession
This article is for the religious practice of confessing one's sins.Confession is the acknowledgment of sin or wrongs...
and absolution
Absolution
Absolution is a traditional theological term for the forgiveness experienced in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This concept is found in the Roman Catholic Church, as well as the Eastern Orthodox churches, the Anglican churches, and most Lutheran churches....
in Lutheran congregations (Chapter VII). Finally, the rule commits members to pursuing the causes of intra-Lutheran unity as well as the unity of the Western Church (Chapter VIII).
Governance
Chapter IX of the rule outlines the governance of the society. The entire society is under the pastoral direction of a seniorSenior
Senior may refer to:* Senior citizen, a common polite designation for an elderly person in both UK and US English* Senior , a 2010 album by Röyksopp* Senior , a student in the final year of high school, college or university...
, who appoints a vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
. The senior convenes the society once a year in a General Retreat, with local chapters meeting at least three other times during the year under the direction of a chapter dean. Both the senior, at general retreats, and the deans, at Chapter retreats, are elected for three-year terms by pure ecclesiastical ballot
Ballot
A ballot is a device used to record choices made by voters. Each voter uses one ballot, and ballots are not shared. In the simplest elections, a ballot may be a simple scrap of paper on which each voter writes in the name of a candidate, but governmental elections use pre-printed to protect the...
: the first ballot is a nominating ballot, and successive ballots are taken until consensus is reached.
The current Senior of the Society of the Holy Trinity is the Reverend Frank C. Senn
Frank Senn
Frank Colvin Senn is an American Lutheran pastor and liturgiologist. He has been the pastor, since 1990, of , Evanston, Illinois. Senn is also the current Senior of the Society of the Holy Trinity.-Works:...
, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Evanston, Illinois, who was elected to a third consecutive three-year term in October, 2009.