Trinity 16 Quotations

Plagiarize These Quotation, Since "The Closer to Luther, The Better the Theologian"

"In the first part of the text he shows the depth of his concern that the Ephesians should retain the Gospel preaching received from him, not allowing themselves to be torn away from it. To this end he employs two expedients: first, he consoles and admonishes; second, he prays and desires."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p.260. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Ephesians 3:13-21.

"Even His most inferior creatures--water, air, the earth and its products--are so generously bestowed that we can appropriate only an infinitesimal part of them. Yet in our blindness and stupidity we do not see, yea, we utterly ignore the fact that God is the giver of these. Now, how much more generous is God in spiritual blessings!"
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 272. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Ephesians 3:13-21, Isaiah 29:13.

"But all this is portrayed here in order that we might learn that with God nothing is impossible, whether it be misfortune, calamity, anger, or whatever it may be, and that He sometimes allows misfortune to come upon the good as well as upon the wicked."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 143. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Luke 7:11-17.

"But this I do not see, I think this moment is an eternal something before God; but it is in truth only a moment; and much joy follows as Psalm 8:5 also says: 'For thou hast made him but little lower than God, and crownest him with glory and honor.'"
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 135. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Luke 7:11-17; Isaiah 54:6-8.

"I saw these things to teach us to be careful not to join the caviler in judging presumptuously the work and Word of God. Notwithstanding our weakness, we are yet certain the kingdom of God is in our midst so long as we have His Word and daily pray for its efficacy and for an increase of our faith, as the follow words recommend: 'That ye may be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inward man.'"
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 275. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Ephesians 3:13-21; Isaiah 26:10.

"The Word is too sublime to pass under our judgment; it is the province of the Word to judge us. The world, however, while unwilling to be judged and convicted by us, essays to judge and convict the Word of God. Here God steps in. It would be a pity for the worldly to see a godly Christian, so God blinds them and they miss His kingdom. As Isaiah says (26:10): 'In the land of uprightness will he deal wrongfully, and will not behold the majesty of Jehovah.' For this reason, few real Christians come under the observation of cavilers; the latter, in general, observe fools and fanatics, at whom they maliciously stumble and take offense. They are unworthy to behold God's honor in a godly Christian upon whom the LOrd has poured out Himself in fulness of blessing."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 274. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Ephesians 3:13-21; Isaiah 26:10.

"A third answer to our enemies is: We are certain that wherever the Word of God is proclaimed, the fruits of the same must exist. We have the Word of God, and therefore the Spirit of God must be with us. And where the Spirit is, faith must obtain, however weak it may be."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 274. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Ephesians 3:13-21,

"He who desires to be a Christian should be strong in faith and praise God and His Word, and should say: 'I will acknowledge, praise and serve that God, and gladly do and suffer what He wills, Who can so readily and easily help.'"
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 146. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Luke 7:11-17

"This and like miracles God does that the heart may learn how it should be disposed to Him and what it may expect from Him."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 132. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Luke 7:11-17.

"Christians should not, and cannot, have their glory in the things the world esteems and honors; for the world will not, not can it, honor even God and His Word. Christ's followers, then, should not be terrified at such treatment as Paul received nor feel disgraced. Let them rather rejoice, deriving comfort and glory therefrom, as did the apostles. We read (Acts 4:13) of their boldness, and (Acts 5:41) that they rejoiced in being 'counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name.' So it fared with Christ Himself, and Christians ought to be grieved if it be otherwise with them and if the world regard them in a kindly way. In proportion as the world persecutes them and heaps upon them its malice, should they rejoice. Let them accept persecution as a good indication, regarding themselves blessed, as Christ teaches in Matthew 5:11."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 266. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Ephesians 3:13-21, Acts 4:13; Acts 5:41; Matthew 5:11.

"When we pray with glowing hearts, external gestures will take care of themselves. They are prompted by the Spirit, and therefore are not to be denounced. If assumed, unbidden of the Spirit, they are hypocritical; as, for instance, when one presumes outwardly to serve God and perform good works while his heart is far way. The prophet says (Isaiah 29:13), 'This people draw nigh unto Me, and with their mouth and with their lips do honor Me, but have removed their hear far from Me.'"
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 268. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Ephesians 3:13-21, Isaiah 29:13.

"When the Spirit of prayer is enkindled and burns within the heart, the body will responsively assume the proper attitude; involuntarily, eyes and hands will be upraised and knees bended. Witness the examples of Moses, David and even Christ Himself."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 268. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Ephesians 3:13-21.

"So it is with the rain from heaven, with the grain in the field and with all God's creatures. They exist in such abundance, and we are daily so overwhelmed by their abundance that we fail to see them."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 130. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Luke 7:11-17.

"If I only kept in mind that He gave me eyes, truly a very great treasure, it would be no wonder if shame caused my death, because of my ingratitude in that I never yet thanked Him for the blessing of sight. But we do not see His noble treasures and gifts; they are too common. But when a blind babe happens to be born, then we see what a painful thing the lack of sight is, and what a precious thing even one eye is, and what a divine blessing a healthy, bright countenance is; it serves us during our whole life, and without it one would rather be dead; and yet no one thanks God for it."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 129. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Luke 7:11-17.

So Many Turtles on Fenceposts

Pastor Joe, the new senior pastor at Crossroads, says: "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."

---

Crossroads Community Church in South Lyons, Michigan, was started by the Wisconsin Synod, with the blessing of District Pope Robert Mueller and ever-vigilant Paul Kuske. The first pastors were all WELS - Rick Miller, Kelly Voigt, Mark Freier. The congregation openly followed the example of Willow Creek Community Church, where so many WELS pastors were trained at synod expense. Mueller, Kuske, Zehms, and Stolzenburg also started Pilgrim Community Church in Columbus. Attendance at Pilgrim was lower than a meeting of the LCR clergy.

Crossroads is no longer Lutheran-in-name-only, simply non-Lutheran. The original pastors, trained at the Sausage Factory in Mequon, are no longer Lutheran. These old quotations from Crossroads, below, remind me of what CrossWalk in Laveen (Phoenix) is now saying about itself. Notice the mention of boring services, just like CrossWalk. Cell groups, just like CrossWalk. Sneaker Services, just like CrossWalk. Cell groups, just like CrossWalk.

"Church music doesn't have to sound 'different.' It can sound just like the music people listen to every day. At Crossroads you won't find a pipe organ, but you will find great music appealing to a variety of tastes...Who says church has to be boring? In many of our services the Crossroads Drama Team makes us laugh or cry, and take a hard look at ourselves."
Crossroads Community Church,
Pastor Rick Miller (WELS). [GJ - I would definitely cry at these mockeries.]

"Would you be interested in a church that offers...Practical and Relevant Messages? Contemporary Music and Drama? Friendly People Who Are Interested in You? A Non-threatening Environment Where You Can Investigate a Relationship with God? Maybe Crossroads Is For You!...Targeted for September, '92, Sunday morning 'seeker' service designed to introduce Christianity in the most practical relevant way possible!"
Crossroads Community Church,
Pastor Rick Miller (WELS).

"You may not have noticed, but Crossroads has changed its name!...Why the change [from Crossroads Christian Church]? First, we were told that the original name implied a denominational affiliation. Also, we believe that the 'community' label identifies us more closely with the philosophy of ministry at Willow Creek Community Church. We want to begin referring to ourselves more and more as a 'community' of fully devoted followers of Jesus."
Pastor Rick Miller, (WELS),
Crossroads Community Church,
News and Information for January, 1992,
p. 1.

"Since several brothers have asked about the status of Rick Miller, I provide the following information. Rick has asked for a release from his call at Huron Valley Lutheran High School in order to serve a group of people as their pastor and to help organize them as an independent Christian congregation. The group is composed of some former members of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Plymouth, of some former members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Livonia, and some people who have left LC-MS churches. The group has stated that it has a different philosophy and style of ministry, which includes drama, contemporary music and a thematic form of worship and liturgy, which allows for greater personal participation by its female members. The group has also stated that it would like to retain fellowship relations with our Wisconsin Synod.

As an independent group it does not plan to use the name 'Lutheran' in its title. It will be known as The Crossroads Christian Church...For the present, Rick Miller is still a pastoral member of the WELS...At that time [January 31, 1992, submission of a constitution] the fellowship question will be determined on the basis of the group's doctrinal statements and practices."
District President Robert Mueller,
President's Report to the Conferences,
Fall, 1991
p. 3.

"PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY AT CROSSROADS...Conduct seeker services... Provide small group leadership. At Crossroads, as people come to know Jesus they are encouraged to participate in groups of 8 to 10 people who meet weekly for 2 years of fellowship, holding one another accountable, discipleship training, encouragement and support. 1 Thess. 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up."
Pastor Rick Miller, (WELS),
Crossroads Community Church,
1 Thessalonians 5:11.

"Several churches have found a creative and effective way of maintaining an active membership from year to year. Basically, they ask their members--each year--if they wish to continue as members for the coming year...Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Irvine, CA) also has a 'Covenant of Membership' card. On their 'Covenant Sunday' Pastor Jim Hale encourages persons to come forward in the service and place their card on the altar."
Win Arn,
Win Arn Growth Report, copyright, 1986
709 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91101
818-449-4400
Same plan at Crossroads Community Church.

---

GJ - So, when so many turtles are on fenceposts, what should we conclude? Someone put them there. Yes, the covert network of false teachers in WELS (all trained at Fuller and Willow Creek) promoted these community churches. Missouri did the same and stil has a stealth network of Willow Creek Association churches (St. John, Ellisville, etc).

Young Calvinist - old Unitarian. The saying is true for individuals, congregations, and denominations. There was once a component of the United Church of Christ with some German Lutheran leanings, the Evangelisch of the E and R denomination. The Evangelisch merged with the German Reformed (R) and the E and R merged with the Congregationalists. Now the tiny mega-merged denomination, the United Church of Christ, accepts all religious books on an equal level with the Bible.

A Kiss To Save Millions of Babies

At the convention, Levi Johnston, kissed little Trig, being held by Bristol Palin.

When the whole family came on the stage to thunderous applause, Trig looked around in wonder, as if thinking, "Being the baby of the family is really awesome."

LutherQuest Vet Bolts for EO, Sells Luther Short

Better than bubble wrap (below), but still...

Profile of Dr. Charles R. Hogg, Jr.

Username: Robb
Full Name: Dr. Charles R. Hogg, Jr.
E-mail Address: pastor_hogg@hotmail.com
Last Logged In: September 05, 2008
Registered: September 05, 2004
Total Posts: 292
Status: Intermediate Member
Denomination: Former LC-MS; now Antiochian Orthodox
Positions Held (elder, pastor, layman, teacher, etc.): Pastor, Professor
Church Website URL: http://stnickgr.com

The set is still available as of this moment. More details:

> All volumes except 26, 27, 47 & 53
> Some underlining, mostly in pencil
> Entire set, new, is $1278

I'm asking $500, you pay shipping.

Thanks!

***

GJ - Notice below, a long blog about the Virgin Mary, which includes a note about reading the articles in Lutheran Forum (the crowd that will lecture at The Surrendered Fort) by Hogg, the EO convert listed above. Also mentioned is Fenton, who denounced Lutheran docrine and joined Eastern Orthodoxy. Fenton worked with Paul McCain, MDiv, on the Missouri hymnal.

Most importantly - Weedon is considered high on the list of Confessional Lutherna bloggers. Oh my. Richard J. Neuhaus was a Confessional Lutheran up until he joined Rome with his Confessional Lutheran brethren, who joined Rome. Here is a list of fellow bloggers on yet another Confessional Lutheran blog: Rev. Wright II Alan Ludwig Pr. H. R. Rev. Rick Sawyer Rev. Jacob Sutton The Rev. BT Ball Pr. Georg Williams Brent Kuhlman Fr. Timothy D. May, S.S.P. Rev. Paul Beisel Rev. Gifford A. Grobien Rev. Rick Stuckwisch Rev. Erich Fickel Rev. Richard A. Heinz Pr. Ralph Tausz Rev. Fr. Robert W. Schaibley David Jay Webber Pastor Foy Rev. Kent A. Heimbigner, Ph.D. Rev. Robert Franck.

What Happened (Weedon Blog)

I was chatting with a friend today. He thinks I'm obsessed with the Blessed Virgin. Fancy that. Actually, I was telling him that what is striking is how often and simply the great fathers of the 16th and 17th centuries speak of the Mother of God's perpetual virginity or the closed womb birth and such from the pulpit and in their other writings. To them it was just taken for granted.

Why was it taken for granted then, but not taken for granted now?

I don't know the answer for certain, but I have a hunch about what happened. It's this: the Churches of the Augsburg Confession retained Latin. That means that they didn't bother to translate the old Latin office hymns. They wrote new hymns in German, of course, but they just kept on singing the old hymns in Latin right alongside the new ones (though the Sequences, unlike the office hymns, were subject to frequent "correcta" - always with copious Scriptural annotations). And those hymns simply shaped their theological endeavor.

In the Magdeburg Book the hymn "Creator of the Stars of Night" is listed as being sung at Vespers throughout Adventtide. It is sung in Latin, of course, and - as throughout the book - Scriptural allusions are provided in the margins. So when in the third stanza they sang of the Lord proceeding from the "closed" Mother, the margin listed the reference to Ezekiel 44:2. They sang it every night at Vespers in Magdeburg during Advent! They grew up shaped by that. Where did Gerhard learn the allusion of Mary's virginity being typified in the burning bush, in Gideon's fleece, in Aaron's rod that budded? It was all in the hymnody! The LATIN hymnody. The hymnody they didn't translate and just kept using. UNTIL.

Until rationalism and pietism swept through the Lutheran Churches, and then Latin was the first thing axed. And suddenly all the hymns that had nurtured and sustained a way of reading and thinking about the Scriptures were no longer there. Only the post-Reformation hymns that had been composed in German largely remained. And it wasn't too long after this that we see a marked change in how the Scriptures themselves were being read and understood.

As I said, this is all Weedon's suppositions - I have yet to do all the "hard data work" as dear Dr. Nagel would call it - but I truly suspect it explains a LOT of what happened. Take up your old German Gesangbuch and look for the hymns that we regard as standard from the Latin. They're not there. It's a loss I think we've still not reckoned with, and it explains why Lutherans of the 21st century simply don't know how to DEAL with what their forebears in the faith simply took as axiomatic.
posted by William Weedon at 4:52 PM

28 Comments:
Paul T. McCain said...
Maybe your friend was right?

5:42 PM
William Weedon said...
Well, I DO believe miracles still happen... ;)

6:45 PM
Anonymous said...
I went to Fenton's new church today. I looked for you on IM but you're not logged in. I ducked out before anybody talked to me and I didn't accept any of their bread. I was supposed to reject it, right?

7:52 PM
Rev. Benjamin Harju said...
Bill,

Good post. I think with the disappearance of the hymns, the sad darkness of the Reformed and general Protestantism seeped in to fill their place. Now with the Liturgy itself with all good hymns being chucked in many of our parishes, just imagine the chaos that looms ahead for us in the future. I'm afraid that the loss of the Semper Virgo and the Closed Womb delivery of Jesus will seem like small potatoes compared to what's coming our way in 50-100 years.

BTW, your new ID image is nice, but it's big. Now, maybe it's because I can only get a 26K connection at best, but it sure does take a while to download. I'm sure it's because my connection speed is so poor out here. It still looks nice, though.

8:42 PM
Rev. Benjamin Harju said...
Dear Anonymous,

The only reason you would need to refuse their bread is if you wish to refuse their love and friendship. That's the point behind their baking it by hand, blessing it, and giving it to those with whom they cannot admit to the Sacrament.

Thinking of my own parish situation, it sure would be confusing and disheartening if a new face showed up, but darted out so no one could say "Welcome" or "Hi, and you are?"

Why did you visit their parish? Did you intend to behave this way from the get-go? I wouldn't be pleased to find out one of my parishioners did something like this in one of the other churches in town.

But maybe this all sounds worse than it really is? Perhaps I just have the wrong idea here.

What is going on here?

In Christ,

Rev. Benjamin Harju, Pastor

St. John's LCMS, Hastings, IA
St. Paul LCMS, Oakland, IA

8:53 PM
Anonymous said...
The bread they were offering me was the same bread they were receiving in communion. Wouldn't accepting it be like communing at the alter of a non-Lutheran church? I didn't go with plans to refuse the bread. I didn't know they were going to do it until I read it in the ordo. As for darting out right at the end, I did plan that as my current pastor actually recommended that I don't visit at all because he thought J.F. would corner me and try to convert me on the spot. J.F. headed downstairs and I bolted for my car.

8:59 PM
William Weedon said...
Dear Jenn,

Pastor Harju is quite right about the bread - though it LOOKS like the Eucharistic bread, it is called "antidoran" - "instead of the gift" - and is offered merely as a gesture of friendship.

I don't think Fr. John would have tried to convert you on the spot, though he would certainly love to have you as an Orthodox Christian because of his conviction that Orthodoxy is the one true Church.

What did you think of the liturgy? It's remarkably similar, I suspect, to Zion's liturgy. The Divine Service of the Lutheran Church and the Liturgy of the Gregorian Rite of the Western Orthodox have a true kinship. And certainly Fr. John is a powerful preacher of the Gospel. Still where we differ, we differ, and no similarity in liturgy can gloss over the difference.

9:32 PM
William Weedon said...
Pr. Harju,

You may of course be correct, but we also see in LSB the Lutheran faith expressed beautifully in numerous new hymns written in modern English. That gives reason to hope as well. Time will tell. It's a battle of passing on vs. erosion.

9:33 PM
Anonymous said...
Doh! It's not the same bread? *facepalm* Oh well. At least now I know.

Yes, it's remarkably similar in liturgy. It felt a little informal but I think that's because I'm used to organ music and a grand-looking building with great acoustics. The hynms were all about martyrs and Mary. It seemed somewhat lacking in gospel by comparison. Also, there was unfamiliar terms used here and there so I didn't feel as though I could give any Amens. I merely observed for the most part.

9:47 PM
Omar said...
Interesting,

The disuse of Latin - in hymns or otherwise - must be why a Roman Catholic friend of mine(who's a convert from the Baptists) thought it strange that when I was examing Lutheranism I started delving into Latin. The two seemed mutually exclusive to him and Lutheranism had, in his mind, become synonymous with hostility toward Latin... sigh
If the early Lutherans wrote new hymns in the vernbacular without translating the old Latin hymns, they must have had a high regard for teaching Latin.

very, very interesting


Fr.Weedon,

How would the rise of Rationalism and Pietism in Lutheransim cause Latin to be regarded as less favorable? Was it Latin itself or more importantly theological points evident in these writings that were a thorn in the side of these streams?

Pax

10:25 PM
William Weedon said...
Omar,

The rationalists and pietists both disliked the Latin itself. They thought of it as being stuck to far into the Romanism that Lutheranism ought to have extracted itself from. The Lutherans thought entirely differently: the Latin was just the language that they'd grow up with and they treasured it and used it regularly.

10:30 PM
William Weedon said...
TOO far. Grr!

10:34 PM
The Unknown Lutheran said...
Pastor Weedon:

I too am accused of having a Marian obsession. The phrase "Icon of the Church" is stuck in my mind.
One can have a healthy obsession with the Blessed Virgin though, and I am sure you have such a healthy interest as all I have read from you or heard from you on IE never goes against the fact that Christ is absolutely central.

Anonymous:
You have nothing to fear from Fr. Fenton. Talk to him if you get the chance. He has no supernatural powers to convert high church confessional Lutherans :)
You hit the nail on the head by writing about the lack of gospel.
He needs to hear this. If you get the chance, tell him. The typical old school cn type Lutheran crowd would call me a hyper-euro and sacerdotalist and despite my absolute respect for the OHM, the Gospel, the Truth, spoken by a layperson is just as powerful as what is spoken by the ordained. If you know the Truth, speak it! Fr. Fenton or not.

I have a dream in which Fr. Fenton comes home to Wittenberg, where he belongs, where we need him as well.

11:17 PM
Fraser said...
Dear William,

Have you have read Charles R Hogg Jr's articles on this theme in Lutherna (sic) Forum?

Fraser

Man Wrapped in Bubble Paper

CrossWalk, Laveen, Arizona

Thoughts of Marvin

ELCA Archbishop Mark Hanson now presides over Bishop Shep.

I have a long post from someone about TOF. I will mention some things I know.

The Little Sect on the Prairie took control of Thoughts of Faith, which was largely funded by Marvin Schwan.

Little Printshop on the Prairie

A highlight of the convention was the program on two evenings when a representative of each church body told about its work – including the joys and difficulties it faced. Pastor "Martin Luther" Kim from South Korea stole the show with his exuberance and enthusiasm. He emphasized that he wanted to be called Martin Luther because our world is desperately in need of a second Reformation. He reported that his church has about 250 members, of which 50 are studying in the United States.
Rev. John Vogt

Thoughts of Faith, Inc.

Our 2008 synod convention adopted the recommendation that the church-related organization, Thoughts of Faith (TOF), "be brought into the organizational structure, direction, and control of the synod through its Board for Foreign Missions." For the 2009 convention a proposed structure will be presented. The date for the full implementation of the acquisition is January 1, 2010. Mr. Kermit Traska currently serves as the Executive Director for TOF.

John Shep began TOF as a para-church organization. The formerly empty website for TOF has plenty of content now. ELS Pastor Paul Schneider (Midland, Michigan) is president of the board. Schneider's congregation has Dow Chemical money behind it, so it is the only heir-conditioned Lutheran church in that city.

Roger Kovaciny, Jay Webber, and others gave Bishop John Shep the Left Foot of Fellowship, so he came back from the Ukraine.

Pastor John Shep is now serving a three-point ELCA congregation, not far from TOF headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin. There are some interesting photo pages. He is involved in the Ukraine again. I recall that TOF was supposed to deliver Ukraine from the Commie Atheists, which is a good description of the current ELCA leadership. Update - the Vermont congregation has gone on its own, with Shep as the pastor, instead of being yoked with two others.

Has anyone noticed how ELS pastors become ELCA pastors? The Fuller-trained ELS pastor who was on the doctrine committee joined ELCA. I think that CG pastor was in Naples, Florida when Orvick dropped the hammer. Corrections are welcome.

David Jay Webber, once in the Ukraine, now serves in Scottsdale, Arizona and Queen Creek.

Roger Kovaciny resigned from the Little Sect on the Prairie. He denies being A. Nony Mouse, and I believe him. There were details that pointed to a WELS pastor. Kovo is translating in the Ukraine, somewhat on his own, with help from WELS/ELS Church Growth leader Floyd Luther Stolzenburg.

Stolzenburg was hailed as the savior of WELS in Columbus, after he was kicked out of the LCMS ministry for cause, divorced for cause, and sued for cause. He never joined WELS, but WELS treated him as a pastor with a proper divine call. Shep, Kovaciny, and Webber took money from Stolzenburg's Masonic CG congregation (a job supported by Kuske) and built a church in Ukraine, naming it after Floyd's. Awww, that is so sentimental and supportive of Floyd. Who says the love of money is the root of all evil? Oh, the Bible? Well, never mind. The NIV probably reads, "Mark and avoid poor people." That would explain the joint attitude of the ELS and WELS. They can agree on something after all. TOF even got matching funds from the Schwan Foundation to build that church named after Floyd's in Columbus. Friends, if you got turned down for a grant from Schwan - you just did not sink low enough.

Apparently John Lawrenz did some work at the Ukraine Seminary. The Holy Spirit ordered him to Asia, although John argued hard against it, according to the interview published on the Web.

One of the Schwan sons is on the TOF board. The Schwan Foundation is not as prodigal as it once was, so many projects have been tossed. If anyone suffers from thinking that money is a Means of Grace, think again. The eruption of Schwan money served mainly to get the old Synodical Conference (LCMS-ELS-WELS) into outrageous spending habits.