Witness Ski gushing about worshiping with Babtists here.
but he will not baptize babies.
Clarification From WELS:
In the Nov. 17 article, "Forum to share ministry blessings," Rev. Bruce Becker, administrator of the Board for Parish Services was quoted in regard to a recent congregational leadership forum. One question he said participants would be asked to examine was: "What factors, beyond the power of the gospel, do you believe are contributing to God's blessings of numerical growth in your congregation?"
Becker wishes to clarify that quote, saying, "Obviously, we believe and confess that only the Holy Spirit can bring about growth in the holy Christian church; only he is responsible for people being called out of the darkness of sin and unbelief into the light of the gospel."
Becker, however, draws a distinction between conversion into the holy Christian church and numerical growth in a congregation. "Individual Christians join our congregations for many reasons," he says. "Congregations may experience numerical growth because of good, solid biblical worship and preaching; because it is a warm and friendly congregation; because the congregation has a Lutheran school for their kids; or for a host of other reasons." The goal of the forum, says Becker, was to identify factors common to congregations blessed with numerical growth that have led to their ever-increasing audience for the gospel.***
GJ - At first I thought Becker was being forced to make a Lutheran statement, but he is too clever for that. His statement could be repeated by any denomination. Becker is another unionist - like Valleskey, Wayne Mueller, and the rest. A unionist loves every denomination except his own.
A Lutheran statement about this issue would be: The Holy Spirit works only through the Word and Sacraments, and never apart from the Word and Sacraments. In fact, Hoenecke said that in his Dogmatics.
An Enthusiast is someone, like Becker, who separates the work of the Holy Spirit from the Means of Grace.
I like his adverb - obviously. That is such a smirky little word to drop into a confession of Enthusiasm, as if no one could question his Lutheran identity.
A WELS pastor said that these false teachers are too slippery. "It is like nailing jello to a wall." No, not at all. The WELS ministerium should force Becker to agree with the Book of Concord and the Bible. But they will shirk their duty again.
***
PS - Ski's church name went from Solid Rock to C.O.R.E. The following may be why. The false teachers do not mind if their doctrine is plagiarized. They do mind having their official name borrowed. The original Solid Rock was hewn in Appleton, home base for Ski's new stealth mission. Shh. Tell it not in Gath.
Church History
In fall of 1980, Bill Lenz and a handful of others had a desire to reach out to lost and hurting people. They ventured out on the streets of downtown Appleton with a desire to share Christ with anyone who would listen. The Salvation Army opened its doors for use of their building, just two blocks from downtown. Small teams would meet and pray, then go out on the streets to witness. Others would stay back to host a drop-in center. In March of 1981, that outreach was officially named Solid Rock Ministries. The Salvation Army gave office space at no charge, and Bill Lenz served as Director. A 24-hour crisis call line began. Many were coming to Christ.
To The Starting of a Church - June 1982
Those involved in Solid Rock Ministries realized that although many people were being reached, not many were being followed up with. Paul's words to the Corinthians came alive in 1 Corinthians 4:15, "For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Gospel."
We realized we needed to assume parental responsibility for those we had"birthed" in the Gospel. That led to the decision to start a church.The first Sunday of June, 1982 the New Corinthian Chapel held its first service in the Riverside Cemetery Chapel in Appleton. That Sunday there were 13 people in attendance. Rent for the cobblestone chapel was $9 per week.
TO THE VIKING THEATER - Summer 1983
After about a year, we outgrew the Cemetery Chapel. It was a big step up to rent the downtown Viking Theater at $75 per week. Sunday School classes for children were held in hallways, entry ways, and old rooms above a neighboring Chinese restaurant. After services, children got free popcorn from the theater staff.
To The First Permanent Building Downtown - November 1984 - March 1992
Originally built for Mount Olive Lutheran Church, the building on Oneida Street became a repertory theater, and was being remodeled by a small church group when we found it. We were able to take over a land contract from Mount Olive. Our services emphasized contemporary worship and relevant teaching. The emphasis was on accepting any and all who came. We also changed our name at that time from The New Corinthian Chapel to Christ The Rock Community Church.
On June 15, 1989 we made a final offer on 23 acres of land on the south side of Appleton off Plank Road, with the hope of someday building there. The church continued to grow through the many people converting to Christ. We were holding three services and still running out of room.
