When the Insurance Companies Stopped Ratting Out the Synods

Mrs. Ichabod and I used to do joint research at Lutheran libraries. Two convenient sources for union activities between WELS and ELCA were the insurance magazines. AAL bragged about what they funded, and Lutheran Brotherhood bragged about what they did. AAL did not want to plan three separate events, apparently, so they got their money's worth with the four-letter synods (ELCA-WELS-LCMS) working together.

One can only guess how much insurance money was funneled into Fuller Seminary trips and tuition, seminars at Willow Creek, and other such nonsense. Listen to the ELCA-WELS-LCMS leaders now - they all sound the same.

I routinely reported these activities, mostly in Christian News. I spoke to people, wrote to people, xeroxed people. One effect was that our principal sources dried up. Even today I look over the Thrivent (AAL/LB) magazine for news of joint programs.

I supposed I could get news from ELCA annual reports, but they are more interested in themselves. Everything is now out in the open anyway.

Just in case anyone thinks the Little Sect on the Prairie is innocent - the ELS has always defended false doctrine in WELS. Coffee hour crabbing is allowed, especially since it makes the clergy feel superior to WELS, but nothing can be said in public. The ELS pursues the main points of spin-doctoring:
1. It did not happen.
2. Who told you?
3. Attack the source, especially when the source is reliable.
4. Administering the Left Foot of Fellowship.