Church and Change Website
Bruce currently serves as the administrator for WELS Parish Services. He has also served as the WELS Adult Discipleship Administrator, [The Love Shack] as a parish pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church of Brillion, WI, and as a mission pastor in Springville, NY. He is married to Linda and has four children. They are members of Morning Star Lutheran Church, Jackson, WI. Bruce has been actively involved with Church and Change since 1998.
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GJ - Note how Bruce Becker's name comes up in an old posting in denying the efficacy of the Word, which is common, perhaps mandatory, in the Church Shrinkage Movement:
A message from a WELS pastor, forwarded by an anonymous source:
“Just a quick note to keep you up to date on the current "efficacy" controversy in the WELS. Pastor Howard Festerling has now been formally suspended from the ministerium of the WELS, officially for the crime of being "divisive and contentious," contrary to Titus 3:10. But the real issue was his refusal to accept the following statement from a Conference paper by Pastor Bruce Becker, to wit:
"The proclamation of the Gospel is not always effective because of us."
He labeled Becker's comment as "heresy," and said any, including the DP, who accepted it were heretics also. After a year of maneuvering and wrangling over words, Howard is now out. He is appealing, but since they refuse to talk about the real issue and only want to discuss his "divisiveness," there's not much hope.
Many other men in the WELS know about this – [names omitted] etc... Also, many, even in Howard's own district agree with him, but are afraid to speak up. As they put it to him, "Look what happened to you!"
It is certainly yet another sad day in the WELS. The downhill grade of the slippery slope into reformed theology is increasing almost daily now. Whither WELS? Only God knows!
Have a great weekend.
END OF QUOTATION
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Church and Change Bragging, or Confessing Their Guilt?
Church and Change folk are committed to Lutheran Theology as explained in the Lutheran Confessions. However, they are thinking about, working with, and pioneering different ways to reach more people, more often, with the gospel so the Holy Spirit can do His thing.
Innovation in methodology is yesterday's news in the WELS. Pastors, teachers, synod administrators, worker training leaders, home and world missionaries, worship leaders, computer buffs, and countless local laymen and laywomen, have been tweaking (and/or radically changing) ministry methods for years.
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Lutherans Imatating (sic) Evangelicals
Craig Parton, author of The Defense Never Rests, is interviewed on KFUO. He staunchly defends the Lutheran liturgical approach to worship. Note: this is an audio file.
[GJ - Evangelicals can spell.]
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Christian Life Resources
Christian Life Resources has information on life issues (abortion, euthanasia, infanticide) - all from a scripture-honoring perspective. Included are references to current and past news releases, Bible studies and devotions, and photos.
[GJ - Not included on the website - How to Dump Your Wife, Marry Your Secretary, and Still Lead Christian Life Resources.]
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Church From Scratch
In this project, we will start by looking at Biblical principals and Biblical approaches. Then we will examine some relevant, cultural and common-sense truths and misconceptions that pertain to ministry. Then we will look at what God’s people, families, non-Christians and Families of disciples truly need to know God and carry out his ministry. After that, we will use these principals to consider some possible approaches to ministry. It is our prayer that this project brings glory to God and can help in some small way to further revitalize the ministry of God's Church among us in America.
[GJ - Scratch is a synonym for Satan, so this is aptly titled.]
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Church and Change Idea Exchange (Bad news -
This is just a small sample)
Church in Trouble? Conference Breakout 101.... Extreme Makeover: Church Edition
Pastor Adam Mueller
Is your congregation stuck in the mud? Has attendance plateaued? Are offerings stagnant? Maybe your congregation needs an extreme makeover.
Email: pastormueller@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.crosswalkinlaveen.org/
[GJ - Adam is the son of Wayne Mueller, ex-VP.1 of WELS]
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Churches - How to Build One From Scratch
Pastor Jeff Gunn
Crosswalk - Phoenix, AZ
Pastor Gun is also a great resource for:
Marketing a Church a Target Community
Small Groups - Starting them Successfully
Contemporary Music - Doing it up
Outreach Methods - Getting Involved
Researching Alternative Ministry Methods and Models - How To Do It and Pull Workable Ideas From It
Email: jeff@crosswalkinlaveen.org
Website: http://www.crosswalkinlaveen.org
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Conference Keynote Speaker: Breakthrough Thinking in WELS Ministry
John Di Frances
From John’s experience, the Evangelicals are great at connecting with people, but are often lacking in the depth and solid foundation of biblical truth. John joined a WELS congregation because he is convinced that WELS teaches the truth of God’s Word. But he has also observed that WELS isn’t necessarily very good at connecting with and engaging people or being seen as relevant to life today by non-Christians. John is personally convinced that WELS can impact our world in ways that surpass the impact of the Evangelical movement. But to do so will require some break-through thinking.
Email: jdf@difrances.com
Website: http://www.difrances.com
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Congregation -Conference Breakout 103.... Growing Your Congregation’s Staff from Within
Dr. Lawrence Olson (DMin, Fool-er Seminary)
The WELS Congregational Assistant Program (CAP) encourages and equips members, men and women alike, for a broader ministry within a congregation.
WELS Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI), which guides and assists men from a broad cultural spectrum through their pre-seminary and seminary training.
Email: OlsonLO@mlc-wels.edu
Website: http://www.fuller.edu----------------------------------------
Contemporary Music - Doing it up
Pastor Jeff Gunn
Crosswalk - Phoenix, AZ
Pastor Gun is also a great resource for:
Marketing a Church a Target Community
Small Groups - Starting them Successfully
Outreach Methods - Getting Involved
Churches - How to Build One From Scratch
Researching Alternative Ministry Methods and Models - How To Do It and Pull Workable Ideas From It
Email: jeff@crosswalkinlaveen.org
Website: http://www.crosswalkinlaveen.org/
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Contemporary Worship - Conference Breakout 501....
Creating Irresistible Environments with Contemporary Worship
Pastor John Parlow
Explore transferable principles that will help you build a church for outsiders to come to and hear truth that makes a difference now and for eternity. Now is the time to shed ethnic rationalizations, personal preferences, and doomsday attitudes that are offered as excuses for outreach failures. The truth is the Gospel is timelessly relevant, the church and its representatives may or may not be relevant; the Gospel is timelessly efficacious, the church and its representatives may or may not be effective. Let’s talk about building ministries that are dangerously Christian. [GJ - Confidential to Parlow and Kelm. Plagiarism is against the law, dangerously so.]
If you are interested in getting your hands on this conference workshop PowerPoint or want more information, email the speaker by selecting the link below!
Email: john.parlow@stmark-depere.org
Website: http://www.stmarkpartners.org
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Contemporary Worship - Conference Breakout 506....
Your Guide to Starting Your Own Alternative Worship Experience
Pastor James “Ski” Skorzewski and Staff Minister Brian Davison
Changes are taking place in the worship world. There still remains a strong interest in blended and contemporary worship among many in our midst. A number of WELS congregations have been conducting blended or contemporary services for years. This workshop will provide help and guidance from someone who has undertaken the process at St. Marcus in Milwaukee. Topics to be discussed include how to begin a blended/contemporary service in a small/traditional congregation so that everyone is blessed; recruiting musicians, vocalists, and technical persons; equipment needs; stage presence; best music to use at the start; copyright matters; music/worship sources (websites, friends, etc…); use of contemporary liturgies; establishing a WELS network for those interested in helping each other with materials, ideas, and encouragement; and the awakening need for more joyful experiential worship in our midst.
If you are interested in getting your hands on this conference workshop PowerPoint or want more information, email the speaker by selecting the link below!
Email: brian.davison@stmarcus.com, james.skorzewski@stmarcus.com
Website: http://www.stmarcus.com
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Corporate Ministry - CEO
Brian and Tracy Lampe
It is hard to recognize that relationships should be encouraged and that work life needn’t be separate and distinct from one’s personal life. In truth, we all bring our personal lives to work each day and often talk about them with our colleagues. Even those who don’t share what’s going on outside the workplace bring their moods or attitudes to the office. Leaders and managers recognize that each employee is a whole person with a private life that accompanies him or her to work. Ignoring this reality prevents office and its staff to maintain a prepared, productive, and polished team.
CEO also has programs for:
Men's Ministry
Student's Ministry
Couples Ministry
Parent's Ministry
Email: Brian@CEO-Ministries.com
Website: http://www.ceo-ministries.com/corporate.html
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Couples Ministry - CEO
Brian and Tracy Lampe
The Lampe’s vision is for every home to be impacted with God’s love and to mature. You will hear life changing results as they share the victories through Jesus in their marriage and to be able to minister truth and healing to other marriages.
CEO also has programs for:
Men's Ministry
Parent's Ministry
Students Ministry
Corporate Ministry
Email: Brian@CEO-Ministries.com
Website: http://www.ceo-ministries.com/couples.html
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Creative Arts
Jonathan Favorite
Director of Worship Arts
Crosswalk - Phoenix, AZ
Jonathan specializes in getting the talent excited with a church. Starting groups for:
Music
Techs
Graphic Arts
Video Production
Photography
Phone: 602-304-0072
Email: jonathan@crosswalkinlaveen.org
Website: http://www.crosswalkinlaveen.org/
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Feature Contact______
Graphic Arts
Jonathan Favorite
Director of Worship Arts, Crosswalk - Phoenix, AZ
Jonathan specializes in getting the talent excited with a church. Starting groups for:
Music
Techs
Creative Arts
Video Production
Photography
Phone: 602-304-0072
Email: jonathan@crosswalkinlaveen.org
Website: http://www.crosswalkinlaveen.org
