Doing a little research on Bailing Water, I came across some gratuitous insults from a Tim Niedfeldt. According to LinkedIn, he is a Northwestern Mutual Life agent. I wonder if Tim's boss approves of him calling the extensive quoting of orthodox Lutheran theologians "tripe." We are all quite sure Tim has read most all of 1200 posts recently.
Here are a few of the inspired words of Tim. He is quite verbose.
I have done a lot of reading the last few weeks as I stumbled across this site and then branched out to read the many others with related themes. I've read most all of Wacky Jackson and his tripe. I've read the issuesinwels folks site, the motley magpie, combed through all the comments on these blogs. I've had many things cross my mind that I'd love to say about various issues and even started some comments of my own ...only to stop and decide there would be no point arguing here...much like the protester in Tienamen Square.
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GJ - I checked out Tim's congregation, which is an oozy-schmoozy WELSy Church Growth. They have a women's Bible study group, a fun group, called Bible Babes. I read that title over twice. The congregation suffers from Mark Freier Syndrome, I fear. Mark was a WELS Church Growth Superstar, fawned over by the Love Shack until he left True Blue WELS altogether.
The congregation has a statement of faith, a corrupted and mangled version of what I published 21 years ago. The edited sentences have the lilt of a flat tire and the sentiments of an ELCA seminary graduate. But no, Pastor Ben is a product of the Sausage Factory in Mequon:
What We Believe
In an age of anxiety, we believe that real peace comes from Jesus Christ.
In an age of confusion, we believe that the Bible is the word of God, without error.
In an age of doubt, we believe that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
In an age of guilt, we believe that Jesus died on the cross to remove the power of sin from our lives.
In an age of hopelessness, we believe that Jesus rose physically from death -- and so will we rise.
In an age of skepticism, we believe that God is at work in the sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion.
In an age of despair, we believe God's promises to heal and transform us.
In an age of violence, we believe that God calls us to embody his love in the world.
In an age of constant change, we believe in the unchanging Holy Trinity -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
(I wonder if Pastor Ben and his wife were featured at the last Church and Change Conference, as co-ministers. Perhaps an insider can post a denial...to confirm they were.)
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Below is the original. The changes, evidenced above, by the crypto-Pentecostals, are interesting:
We Still Believe
In an age of anxiety, we still believe that peace comes from Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
In an age of confusion, we still believe that the Bible is the Word of God, inerrant and infallible.
In an age of doubt, we still believe that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
In an age of guilt, we still believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to remove the power of sin, death, and Satan from our lives.
In an age of fear, we still believe that Christ rose bodily from the dead to win for us eternal life.
In an age of self-centeredness, we still believe that God acts through the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion.
In an age of constant change, we still believe in the unchanging Holy Trinity: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
"If you hold to my teaching, then you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:31-32
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GJ - I am flattered that this neo-Pentecostal congregation, a mission of WELS, begins with a badly copied, goofily corrupted version of a confession I published for everyone to use. For some reason the Church Growth fanatics must denounce me by name in public, without offering any reason for their bile. And yet, at last count, congregations in three synods have used We Still Believe as their very first statement on their congregational websites. To copy their example I would have to reproduce something from Leonard Sweet or Pete Wagner on the template of this blog and call it my confession. Does anyone see how conflicted these poor devils are?
This just in from Crossroads:
As Crossroads Community Church moves into its sixteenth year of existence, we look back at the people who have led us, the founding families and the Pastors Rick Miller, Kelly Voigt and Mark Freier, and say thanks for getting us here.
Pastor Joe listed three men who were trained in Church Growth at the Sausage Factory, by such luminaries as David Valleskey and Peter Wagner (required reading). All three men have left the Lutheran Church. Crossroads - started with the blessing of WELS DP Robert Mueller and VP Paul Kuske - is no longer pretending to be Lutheran.
Mark Freier and Debbie will stage your wedding. Cool.
Q: Is there any couple you wouldn't marry?
A: I am very open minded. I have officiated ceremonies for people of various backgrounds: Catholic, Protestant (both denominational and non-denominational), Hindu, Jewish, etc.
Mark's quick wit, personal style, and professional leadership set the tone for the wedding weekend.
Respectful of your religious or non-religious traditions and backgrounds.
Church Growth--> Ecumenism--> Anything goes--> Atheism.
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Sincere Flattery from Another Church Growth Hive":
Pastor Ben's wife was allowed to take Greek classes at MLC because she said that as a pastor's wife should would need to help out with his preaching. I wonder if she is involved with Bible Babes.
