One source was quick to tell me that the doctrinal study being initiated by WELS, which actually mentions the Means of Grace, was not polluted by a statement from Wayne Mueller. I theorized that the caution about lazy pastors relying on the Means of Grace was ipsissima verba Muellerorum (Wayne and Adam). I was wrong, but I was not exactly invited to that meeting. I can be provocative and entertaining without being omniscient.
So I pondered the new data. Still, I wondered, what is better - a ferociously active false teacher or a phlegmatic minister relying on the Means of Grace?
The real issue is whether the graduates of the Sausage Factory believe in the efficacy of the Word. I am prepared to answer that with a resounding, "No." The last three decades have been devoted to installing the Church Shrinkage Movement, its crafts and assaults, its demonic doctrines and methods, at every level of WELS, just like the LCMS.
The Little Sect on the Prairie and the Lavender Lutherans of ELCA have also participated in this little game.
Someone who believes in the efficacy and power of the Word will broadcast the Gospel everywhere, not trusting in his own abilities but in the Holy Spirit at work. Someone who trusts in the Means of Grace will not second-guess God, boss Him around, demand signs and wonders, or become discouraged from the scorn and derision of others within and without the fold.
As Roger Kovaciny once said, "The way to get more milk from a cow is to give her more food, not pull harder on her teats." I added, "And I have the sorest teats in town."
A complete doctrinal change has to take place in WELS and Missouri before Church Shrinkage can be surgically removed as the cancer it is.
The Church Shrinkage Movement is a counterfeit. One can yell "Bad, bad, bad" and get nowhere. People can make little jokes and have no effect.
The best answer is to look at the great doctrinal statements of the Lutheran Church (Book of Concord, Luther, Chemnitz) and compare them to the moronic blasphemies of the Church Shrinkage Movement. Anyone familiar with Lutheran doctrine is going to be disgusted by the claims and antics of Church and Change. But much has to be done.
Congregations need to study the original doctrinal statements (BoC) and great sermons of Luther, not Wiki-welsia pamphlets quoting WELS leaders. To be able to lead congregations, pastors have to study the Book of Concord, Luther, and Chemnitz. Teaching promotes study, and study promotes teaching.
The pastors also need a lot more of tentatio. They have to go to meetings and confront false doctrine instead of whispering quips to each other during the coffee hour. Faith in the efficacy of the Word makes people bold, as Luther said.
