LCMS/ELCA Cooperate - Oh, So Closely

Every month, when I receive my copy of the LCMS Reporter "newspaper", I become uneasy. Usually, it's simply because of the colossal waste of funds that are spent in its printing and sending. I end up spending five minutes glancing through it and throwing it away. This time, however, the following job posting caught my attention:

The LCMS Northwest District and several Northwestern synods of the ELCA seek to fill the position of Director of Consultation to Clergy.

I was confused, was this multiple positions or one position? After visiting the website listed in the posting, www.consultationtoclergy.com, I learned that this position is serving in an organization called, not surprisingly, "Consultation to Clergy," described as "a pastoral care service of the Northwest District of the LCMS and the Akaska, Eastern Washington, etc...synods of the ELCA.

Not all that surprising, I know. Joint synodical efforts are good for public relations, if nothing else. Still, when I read the rest of the job posting, it was interesting to note that if I wanted more information, I should "contact Rev. Penelope Guntermann."

A female "pastor" in the want ads of the LCMS newspaper. No one will notice anway, right? Perhaps not. But it should be noted, our friend Rev. Penelope has her signature on a "Faith-Based Statement in Support of Homosexual Marriage" http://www.seattlefirstbaptist.org/Default.asp?c=Thu%20Oct%209%2022:29:21%20EDT%202008&o=240&rW=1024&rH=768&Header=Prophetic%20Statements&Locator=Prophetic_Statements, on the site of a liberal Baptist church in Seattle, Washington.

Comment on this as you will. Even I was a bit surprised at this one.

Swede

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GJ - I was disgusted with the LCA's advocacy when I left in 1987. The LCMS could never part with its liberal sistern, so this is the result. A lot of it was going on years ago. The recent copy of some unionism quotations show how WELS, Missouri, and ELCA worked together--under the leadership of a woman executive pastor at ELCA--in the insurance funded Church Growth Initiative (or whatever they called it). All three worked together for the Joy religious radio project, "the first joint ministry of ELCA, WELS, and Missouri." There are many examples. When I started posting them all in Christian News, the two insurance companies (now Thrivent) went into stealth mode.

Pope Kieschnick the Unembarrassable has been working in this direction for years. The Old Guard is in retirement or in the bosom of Abraham. The pliable, self-centered Boomers are dominant. They would gladly sell out Jesus for a better call - and they have.

Meanwhile, one more president and sodomite marriages will be enshrined as a Constitutional right. People accept that today. For one example why this has happened, look at Missouri's and WELS' willingness to work with ELCA for the last two decades. The Episcopal Church is a glimpse into the immediate future. The Unitarian Universalists are a few years ahead of them.