Now Becoming Missional
Reading old issues of TELL is like finding the archives of the KGB. Do you know the difference between a KGB agent and a CG guru? ... You can negotiate with the KGB.
The old gang was certainly populating the pathetic little hand-out called TELL (The Evangelism Life-Line). The newsletter was started specifically to promote the Church Growth Movement of Fuller Seminary.
"The publication TELL ('The Evangelism Life Line') has been inaugurated to promote the cause of church growth."
Ernst H. Wendland, "Church Growth Theology," Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly, April, 1981, 78, p. 105.
"TELL has served the church faithfully for 15 years. Three editors have served; Ronald Roth (1977-84), Paul Kelm (1985-88), and the undersigned since 1989...The lead article in the first issue of TELL was titled 'Church Growth - Worthwhile for WELS.'...The author of this article in April 1988 issue of TELL concludes, 'It's obvious by now that I believe we in WELS can profit greatly from the writings of the church-growth leaders.' ... TELL as a separate publication ends with this issue. Nevertheless, the focus of The Evangelism Life Line will continue for years to come as an integral part of the new Board for Parish Services journal - PARISH LEADERSHIP.
Rev. Robert Hartman, TELL (WELS Evangelism) Summer, 1992.
The future of WELS (and Missouri) is foreshadowed in each issue. As noted just before, Reuel Schulz was promoting Fuller Pentecostal C. Peter Wagner 27 years ago. Valleskey was writing for the newsletter. So was Paul Kelm, who edited some years, including this one.
Let me run through the Fall, 1985 issue of TELL. Readers will see why WELS is in such deep yogurt today.
- Paul Kelm published his classic "Evangelism Upside Down" article. He quoted Valleskey, argued for the Felt Needs approach of Fuller Seminary, and solemnly declared, "What must I do to be saved? is not the burning question of the masses" Listen to this howler, the conclusion: "Upside-down evangelism follows the path of least resistance to the God of gracious acceptance."
- Joel Gerlach wrote for this issue. No one promoted Church Growth more than Gerlach. He especially favored "making disciples." Yes, he went to Fuller Seminary.
- Paul Kelm, as editor of TELL, wrote about Friendship Evangelism, as suggested by another Fuller Seminary student, Norm Berg.
- Norm Berg deserves his own bullet. Berg championed Felt Needs, which proved to be a major belly flop for WELS. My favorite Berg enthusiasm was, "The pastor in New York City is trained to give classes in stress relief." Berg was sure that would bring the prospects in the door. They closed that mission too, after spending tons of money.
- Daniel Schmelzer wrote his own article on Felt Needs. He enthused about the New Mode missions, which Norm Berg loved so dearly. Schmelzer wrote with the authority of the Scribes and the Pharisees, "Put your confessional six-shooter in its holster for the time being and be willing to listen." And... "Don't brush aside felt needs simply because statements contrary to Scripture are made." [GJ - Maybe this has dawned on most TELL readers - the newsletter was consistently contrary to the Word of God and the Confessions. Doggedly contrary.]
Cheer Up - They Gave Kelm a Job, One of Several in Promoting Reformed Doctrine
Ron Roth (who has been taking stewardship down the drain for years) cheerfully reported in the Winter, 1985 issue that WELS made Kelm the fulltime executive secretary for evangelism.
Roth wrote these prophetic words: "Only God knows what will be the effcts of a fulltime secretary for evangelism in WELS. This much I know. The effects will be related directly to how much, how wisely and how enthusiastically you and I make use of this new God-given resource. Welcome to the team Paul!"
Kelm saw the tremendous growth of The Love Shack employees. That was the only thing growing in WELS during the Kelm years. Membership tumbled, perhaps because the true Church is built on the Word, not Enthusiasm. Kelm got himself into serious trouble, but his Fuller friends bailed him out many times. He seemed to be so far gone that everyone thought he was going toward the light. But wait, WELS made him Spiritual Renewal Project director. And he taught a required course at Wisconsin Lutheran College. Everyone had to read Reformed literature to graduate from a WELS college. No, WLC is not WELS unless they are raising funds for it.
Sidebar: brother Dan Kelm became famous for his Willow Creek-like service in Indianapolis. I admit helping his fame by printing the newspaper article in Christian News. Soon Dan was in the LCMS, which is a little bolder about its false doctrine.
Paul Kelm serving as the Pastor of Discipleship at the WELS CG congregation, DePere in Wisconsin. Someone else is the Life Coach. Do those titles ever get confused?
Kelm earned a D.Min. from Concordia Seminary, so he is being called Dr. now.
