From The Plucked Chicken:
"This year there are five of each to add to the three churches and one pastor we lost last year. In addition, there are two pastors who resigned from the clergy roster this year, as well as others in recent years."
This means:
- Eight pastors left the ELS, voluntarily or by defenestration.
- Eight congregations left the ELS, voluntarily or by defenestration.
- More may leave or be kicked out.
More bad news. The Public Ministry document has achieved canonical status in the ELS. They passed the ambiguous document by a mixed vote. Now they are debating what they mean or meant by this Public Ministry of the Word statement. How much more Talmudic can a synod become?
I suggest a quatenus subscription to the PMW, to be enforced throughout the synod. The good part is that the ELS will agree about something. The better part is that they can interpret their subscription to the new creed any way they wish. Best of all, much posing and posturing can be enjoyed by all as pastors tap dance around the meaning of the Confessions and the Scriptures, with an eye on replacing Pope John the Malefactor.
