There are three major branches of Lutheranism in America.
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One such parish is located at 4422 Snyder Blvd., in Sierra Vista. It is known as Trinity Orthodox Lutheran Church, a parish of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod ...”WELS” for short. The Rev. Steven Douglas Spencer has been pastor of this 150-member congregation since 1998.
To Pastor Spencer, the term “orthodox” means his congregation “hearkens back to the time when the ancient rule of faith and worship prevailed ...” That, he says, does not just go back to Luther’s work in the 16th century, but way before to apostolic times prior to 600 AD. It’s the reason why the Chalcedonian Creed is used in addition to the three ecumenical creeds by this congregation. That particular creed was adopted in 451 in Asia Minor at the Council of Chalcedon, one of the seven ecumenical councils accepted by Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and many Protestant denominations.
Oddly, however, the Oriental Orthodox churches do not recognize that creed. So the meaning of the term “orthodox” is up to the user. But for Spencer and his parishioners, the creed is a further exposition of the natures of Jesus Christ as articulated in the Apostles, Nicene and Athanasian creeds.
Spencer notes that in many churches today the mystery and awe of worship are denied by the down-grading of liturgy and ancient liturgical practices. The lack of solemnity deprives the worshiper of experiencing the inspirational depth worship is meant to offer. “Awe, wonder, transcendence,” is what’s needed in worship, he maintains. Instead of worship being simply another gathering, Pastor Spencer strives for it to echo the prophet’s vision in Isaiah 6:1 ff.
Trinity Church strives for ‘very good, solid, traditional liturgical worship,” explains Spencer. Every Sunday, the Sacrament of the Altar is celebrated at the congregation’s 10:30 worship time.
“ ‘In person’ announcements for Holy Communion will now be available with your Pastor beginning this Friday at 7 p.m.,” notes a recent service folder. “The Communion Announcement will run concurrently with the Holy Sacrament of Confession & Absolution, and both will now take place in the pastor’s sacristy in the main Sanctuary.” The folder also notes that “Personal Communion Announcements will not be required in order to receive the Lord’s Supper ...”
To some, this may seem unorthodox.
The congregation has a charming chapel with a small, but impressive chancel. The reredos is a large cross embellished with stained glass windows. Tasteful banners decorate the walls along with two large icons. Spacious padded pews fill the nave along with an organ. Both the chapel and the parsonage were built by Kingdom Workers, a group of WELS construction workers who erect structures for growing WELS congregations across the nation.
A denomination that refuses to participate with other Christians, as well as other orthodox Lutherans with whom they do not have altar and pulpit fellowship, WELS also denies ordination to women. They also have a more fundamentalist approach to Scripture. Nearly 400,000 members in the US serve in 1,200 congregations. Originating out of German immigrant Lutherans, the synod is headed by a president with 12 geographical districts in the U.S. and Canada.
The first Arizona WELS congregation was founded the year before Arizona statehood in 1911. Missions among the Apaches thrived initially, as that synod sought to bring the Gospel to Southwestern Indians. That work, as so often happens, has diminished with time.
But how did a Spencer wind up in the Wisconsin Synod, that body with historical roots in Prussian Protestantism, perhaps the staunchest form of Germanic Lutheranism? That’s another unorthodox angle.
Spencer’s great-great-grandfather, Rufus Wallace, was a minister of the Church of Christ, although most of the family belonged to the Southern Baptist Convention. Another grandfather was chairman of the board of Sunkist for years, while his dad farmed in Yuma. It was when his dad was involved in the World War II Philippine Battle of Break Neck Ridge that he encountered his first Lutheran ... in, yes, a rather unorthodox way.
A chaplain landed in his foxhole during the five-hour barrage. He asked Spencer’s dad for a light for his cigarette. Thinking the chaplain must be a priest since he smoked, he called him “Father,” only to hear that he was a Lutheran pastor with a wife and five children.
“What’s a Lutheran?” inquired the elder Spencer.
After a brief conversation, the dad marveled that here was a church where one could “smoke, drink and dance and still go to heaven.” This little foxhole conversation led to unorthodox possibilities for that soldier and his future family.
To hear Spencer tell the tale with all its nuances and phrases is to hear how one family eventually claimed a faith that not only led to the establishment of a WELS mission in Yuma, but also to a son entering the WELS ministry. Orthodox or no, it’s an intriguing tale.
Spencer’s family includes his wife, Kathy, and five children: Christopher, Matthew, Sarah, Erin and Emily. Christopher teaches history at Buena, while Emily is a student there. Matthew is employed at Safeway, and Sarah is a second-grade teacher while Erin is on the staff of a daycare center. A native of Arizona, the pastor has served congregations in Texas and New Mexico prior to his return to his home state.
A “visiting” pastor, Spencer is somewhat of a Methodist-styled circuit rider, traveling long distances to visit parishioners in far off corners. He not only visits members, but as the circuit pastor he visits the other WELS congregations in this area. In addition, he serves as pastor of the WELS church in Benson.
While Yuma is the pastor’s home, a former mayor of Huachuca City, Bill McLean, is Mrs. Spencer’s father.
Trinity formerly was comprised of 90 percent military families, says Spencer. Today, it is about 60 percent, since Sierra Vista has steadily grown.
Bethlehem in Bisbee, Saint Paul in Douglas, and Grace in Safford are additional WELS congregations in Cochise County. Whether “orthodox” is part of their name or not, one can be certain it is a congregation that stands alone in faith and action.
To reach the congregation, call 458-5897.
In addition to worship, the congregation offers a 9:30 a.m. Bible hour. On Wednesdays, “Bible Break” occurs at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. On Tuesdays, Pastor Spencer serves in Benson.
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