As the period of rapid growth and expansion began to lessen in intensity, the focus of the membership
began to Change as events occurring within the national Lutheran body to which we belonged demanded our attention. Plans were being finalized for the merger of the Lutheran Church in America of which we were a part, the American Lutheran Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Concerned about the increasing liberal direction of such a merger in regards to Biblical interpretation and social positions about such issues as homosexuality, studies began within St. John's which led to the production of an instructional video on Biblical authority and homosexuality. This, along with a discussion guide, was viewed and responded to by over 100 members of our congregation and offered to all other Lutheran congregations within Ohio for the purposes of education. Representatives of St. John's attended all preliminary merger meetings and the founding convention in Columbus seeking to gain support for its concerns. However in 1987, the merger was passed forming the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America of which we automatically became a member.
For the following four years, Pastor Hansen, the council and a majority of members led a crusade among Lutherans within Ohio to return to the former Biblical Lutheran teachings which had provided a conservative witness to the saving power of Jesus Christ in the world for so many generations. This was in marked contrast to the movement of society in general to a more humanistic basis for morals and the educational system.
Many other Lutheran congregations within the United States shared our concerns but were unknown to us at the time. A group of approximately 80 former ALC congregations banded together around these Biblical concerns and formed the American Association of Lutheran Churches based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
In 1991 a two vote process outlined in the constitution of the ELCA, the congregation voted almost unanimously both times to withdraw their membership from the ELCA and align themselves with the newly formed AALC. On November 10, 1991 the second vote was taken and shortly thereafter, the Synod Council of the Southern Ohio Synod unanimously approved our withdrawal. Relationships with the former Bishop as well as local ELCA congregations continue to be mutually friendly and St John's actively cooperates with intercongregational projects and celebrations.
Although much of our time and energy since 1986 has been on spiritual and Biblical growth rather than numerical and physical growth, that is not to say physical expansion came to a stand still. In 1988 - 89 plans were formulated to expand the sanctuary and build a much needed vestibule across the east end of the church building. Prompted by a very generous donation of over $25,000 given by a lifetime member, Mr. Herman Gutridge, to replace the deteriorating pews with new oak ones crafted by Mennonites of Northern Ohio, Mr. Phil Gutridge and Mr. Wendell Shelly, agreed to supervise the project which would be completed by volunteer labor. A local contractor was located who possessed enough roof slate to exactly match the existing slate. A carpet store manager within the congregation helped us purchase matching carpet to pew cushions which were ordered. A furnace contractor in St. John's aided us in the selection and installation of a heat pump in the basement which was dug underneath the newly constructed vestibule. As long as we were changing the pews and carpet in the sanctuary, it was decided to receive memorial contributions for 25 new oak padded choir chairs to be constructed by the same company crafting the pews.
Thus on October 15, 1989 members gathered including Mr. Gutridge, who had been terminally diagnosed before, and we dedicated the sanctuary, vestibule and a new stained glass window placed in the top of the vestibule donated especially by Phil and Electa Gunther in memory of their son. The basement room was designated as a choir room where robe racks were installed and parament communion supplies could be stored.
And so we entered our 175th anniversary year, proud of our heritage and thankful to our gracious heavenly father for guiding and protecting our congregation all these many years. The Biblical emphasis, continuing volunteer support in all areas, a sound financial base of giving, a strong ten member council (increased to ten in 1990), yearly celebrations for the whole community in the form of an ice cream social, many weekly offerings for adult Bible study and emerging ministries in healing, serving the poor and reaching out to prison inmates make St. John's Lutheran Congregation a body of Christ which will continue to grow in Christ's name.
