Junk for Jesus Auction at Luther Prep,
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Description: Enjoy the warmth of Jim and Sue Mattek's Victorian home as you and your guests savor an elegant meal prepared and served by your hosts. Date will be determined by the package winner and the Matteks. Can you say "classy"? This meal will be a delectable meal consisting of five courses served elegantly to you and up to 7 more friends!
Donated By: Jim & Sue Mattek
Est. Value: $350.00
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Fred Miller House
600 S Third
The Mattek home was built in 1898 by Fred Miller. At the time Miller was vice president of the Watertown Gas Company; Jesse Stone was president of the company.
The home was purchased by the Rev. Jim and Sue Mattek in 1990 from Professor Hollawood who taught at Maranatha Baptist Bible College.
When the Matteks purchased the home, they classified it as a very sad lady who at one time had been very dignified. The maintenance of the home had been neglected for many years. It had been Sue Mattek's lifelong dream to own and refurbish an old home, but she did not envision the months and years that it would take to make this home the showcase piece it is today. Sue Mattek was attracted to the home because of its great interior woodwork and its stained glass windows. In the years after their purchase the woodwork was refinished, the ceilings and wiring replaced, and layers of wallpaper and linoleum removed.
The home won a house beautiful award.
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GJ - I am sure Jim and Sue Mattek have the best of intentions, but pimping one's home to prop up a prep seems inappropriate.
The evil Lutheran Church in America (d., 1987) was against all commercialism in the church. Their reasoning was sound.
- First of all, commercialism demeans and supplants Gospel-centered giving. "Trust God, give, but sell trinkets on the side" is a mixed message.
- Secondly, commercialism competes unfairly with legitimate businesses that pay taxes and fees. The old standby was the church dinner designed to raise money. The church became a restaurant whenever necessary.
- Thirdly, commercialism tells the public, "We cannot or will not support our own causes, so we expect you to share the burden we will not accept."
MLS and Luther Prep tuition are $8,000+ a year. When tuition was reasonable, the families were not expected to humiliate themselves with slave sales and other notable attributes of Reformed and Pentecostal sects.
Where did all the Schwan loot go?
Why are future pastors and teachers expected to bankrupt themselves while WELS dabbles in foreign missions?
Lutheran Notes - good post on comparing tuition costs. Believe it or not, LCMS is even worse.
Worst of all - the poor suckers burdened with educational debt are scared to question Holy Mother Synod for fear of the Left Foot of Fellowship. They have a a fine education that prepares them for almost nothing in the business world.
