Christ the Rock has joined the list of WELS Stealth Congregations.
The qualifications for this list are:
1. Almost impossible to tell they are Lutheran or WELS.
2. Focus on pop music, food, clothes, and Pentecostal cell groups.
3. Doctrinal statements copied verbatim from the Evangelical Covenant congregation called CrossRoads, a mission started by WELS officials Robert Mueller and Paul Kuske.
4. Avoidance of Lutheran terms which might give them away - synod, Holy Communion, baptismal regeneration, Real Presence, and closed communion.
Christ the Rock (WELS) says:
God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has existed from eternity. Though there is only one God, he is three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three persons are equal in power, authority and majesty.
CrossRoads (Evangelical Covenant) says:
About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and are one God.
Christ the Rock (WELS) says:
About the Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, but this was done under the supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit, a process called inspiration. The Bible is the source of the message of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. It is the source of all truth for Christian beliefs and living. Being inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Bible is completely free of mistakes, errors or contradictions.
CrossRoads (Evangelical Covenant) says:
About the Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it was inspired by God, it is truth without error.
Christ the Rock (WELS) says:
About Human Beings
People were originally created in the spiritual image of God and were sinless and holy. Since the fall of mankind into sin, this is no longer true. Now, all people are born sinful and are constantly inclined to sin by nature. We are spiritually lost and dead apart from Jesus Christ. However, through faith in Christ we are new-born and are given the ability to serve God, live for his purposes and enjoy his blessings.
CrossRoads (Evangelical Covenant) says:
About Human Beings
People were made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s Creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God. Sin separates us from God and causes many problems in our lives.
Christ the Rock (WELS) says:
About Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us. It comes to us through no effort or decision on our part. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or a life of goodness and kindness. God won salvation for us by loving us, sending his son Jesus Christ to live a perfect life and die a sacrificial death as our substitute. It is through this act of Jesus that salvation became ours. Even faith is not to our credit, for there too God provides his Holy Spirit to create faith in our hearts and minds. Salvation comes to lost mankind by grace alone, through faith alone, in God’s word alone.
CrossRoads (Evangelical Covenant) says:
About Salvation
Salvation is God’s free gift to us. We can never make up for sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled lives and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved.
Christ the Rock (WELS) says:
About the life to come
People were created to exist forever. We will exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through the forgiveness and salvation won by Christ. To be eternally separated from God is eternal death or hell. To be eternally united with him in the enjoyment of all his blessings is eternal life or heaven. Heaven and hell are real places where all mankind will exist eternally. In eternity, our bodies and souls are reunited either to suffer the pains of hell or to enjoy the eternal blessings of heaven.
CrossRoads (Evangelical Covenant) says:
About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with Him through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
Christ the Rock (WELS) has this jolly statement, which is almost the same as CrossWalk's (WELS) in Laveen:
A church designed to meet you where you're at.
We're a group of people who just "came as we are" and discovered the adventure of the Christian Life. At our church, we want you to come as your are too. We worship on Sundays at 10: AM at the Old Settler's Association building in Round Rock, TX.
We're casual!
When you visit CTR , dress casually and comfortably. We're more interested in meeting you just as you are than we are in seeing you stylin' in a power suit, or struttin' that new skirt from the fashion stores. You'll feel right at home in jeans or shorts.
We're hungry!
Our CTR Cafe' puts out a provides snacks, with coffee, bagels, donuts, fruit, and juices. If you didn't get a chance to have breakfast, don't worry! You can count on us to hold you over till your next big meal!
We're friendly!
We strive to create a warm, friendly environment for you. We won't surprise you by asking you to stand up or stick out in any way. We also won't ask you to give us any money. We want you to be able to check us out without feeling singled out. No Pressure!
We're relevant!
Our messages are meant to apply to your everyday life. They're practical and filled with comfort. We believe that everyone needs to know what God expects of us, and what God offers us in his love. If you come to CTR, you'll hear just what God has to say about this - straight from his Word, the Bible! With our upbeat music and our fun and creative worship, you'll go home encouraged and equipped each week!
***
GJ - What have we learned today? Here is another stealth congregation copying statements from the Evangelical Covenant people. Some sentences and phrases are verbatim copies. Other statements are added to the mix. I Googled a few things and found entire sentences from other websites as well. I am dizzy from going back and forth.
The stealth pastors are not original. Like Kelm, they copy from the Enthusiasts with...enthusiasm. They are not eager to give credit where credit is due. That is called plagiarism, which is dishonest and illegal.
If they are dishonest about little things, are they also deceptive about the big issues, like doctrine?
At what point have they sinuflected so far toward Pasadena that they are no longer Lutheran at all?
