Thursday Theology #154 - The Call to Common Mission... -
[Cached Version] Published on: 5/24/2001 Last Visited: 5/14/2006
Its author is Richard Jungkuntz, retired Provost at Pacific Lutheran University. Now 80-something, Richard is a co-confessor from the days of the Wars of Missouri--and before that, the Kirchenkampf in the Wisconsin Synod. Earlier on in his 4-score years he served as New Testament prof at the LCMS's Springfield (Illinois) seminary and then as Executive Director of Missouri's Commission on Theology and Church Relations. He was purged from both of these spots during the LCMS's time for confessing in the 60s and the 70s. When Seminex came on the scene, he served several terms as chairman of its board of directors. His book on baptism is still the best one I know.
[GJ - Richard Jungkuntz PhD was the first stealth pastor in WELS. He taught the Left-wing historical-critical method while pretending to be old WELS. He passed from WELS apostate to LCMS apostate to Seminex supporter to ELCA provost. He mourned the loss of respect for teachers. He was the favorite professor for the Church Shrinkers in WELS.]
will they still love me for what I really am?
It's too early to let them know. Tell it not in Gath.
Someone asked about the stealth congregations in WELS. They love the Gospel so much that they dare not speak the name Lutheran, whispering it low in Gath, lest it be heard on the streets of Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 1:20 (Krauth witticism).
To be a stealth congregation, the church must hide its identity as much as possible. For some reason, these stealth congregations worship just like the Deformed and even copy their doctrinal statements. Some do condescend to have a traditional service, but they really favor the pit orchestra, Brunhilda singing pop Evangelical songs to a soundtrack, and a smiling Pastor Bob in a cheap suit.
Here is a partial list. I will add to it later, as more data comes in.
Honor Roll of WELS Stealth Congregations:
- The Point of Grace must be added to the stealth honor roll for omitting the Lutheran name from its website and its welcome page. Pastor Bill Limmer is known for copying, almost verbatim, an email from Willow Crick minister Bill Hybels and sending it to the St. Mark's congregation - as his own thoughts and experiences. The Point of Grace website has no Lutheran affiliation mentioned, as far as I can tell.
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Paul Kelm - Pastor Paul Kelm began a congregation in the region, when he was serving the WELS congregation in Pittsfield, Massachusetts (next to Melville's Arrowhead home). When the group found out about WELS' stance (apparently hidden by Kelm), he was immediately replaced by an ELCA pastor. The last I heard, the ELCA congregation is still there. That was Kelm's only solo as a pastor. He was so good at starting ELCA missions that he went to work at The Love Shack. Now his friend, Bruce Becker, Church and Change board member, has issued Kelm a call to return to The Love Shack, as a parish consultant.
------------ - Pastor Dan Kelm, Paul's brother, deserves mention for being written up in the newspaper for his Willow Creek clone congregation in Indianapolis. Dan left WELS for Missouri, where he was welcomed. "The Network of WELS Small Group Leaders. 1. Information on active/interested small group leaders. 2. The Resource Sharing Network led by Divine Savior in Indianapolis, Indiana [Pastor Dan Kelm]."
WELS Campus Pastors, Small Group Training Conference, Jan. 7-9, 1991, Madison. p. 19.
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The only time Floyd mentions Luther is when he has to spell out his whole name. - Pilgrim Community Church - Started by Michigan District VP Paul Kuske, Mr. Floyd Stolzenburg (no synod), and Rev. Roger Zehms (WELS). Sadly, this cutting-edge mission was DOA when attendance reached 3 (three) one Sunday, soon after its ignominious start. Zehms admonished WELS members not to join or visit this mission. Apparently, they listened.
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Pastor Joe thanked Mark Freier, Rick Miller, and Kelly Voigt (all WELS, more or less, with an emphasis on less and less) for starting his Evangelical Covenant Church. Don't forget DP Robert Mueller and VP Paul Kuske. - CrossRoads Community Church - Started by Michigan District DP Robert Mueller, VP Kuske, WELS Pastors Rick Miller, Kelly Voigt, and Mark Freier. This congregation is prospering as an Evangelical Covenant church under Pastor Joe. Wipe away those tears, Ichabodians. The spirit of CrossRoads lives on at CrossWalk.
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Most of the stealth training for WELS comes from Church and Change, whose board member Bruce Becker is head of adult discipleship for WELS. They are busy manufacturing disciples and making clones of the Pietistic sects. Pictured above; Pastor Jeff demonstrating how to copy and paste doctrinal statements. - CrossWalk in Laveen (Phoenix). Pastor Jeff Gunn (or Gun, as they spell it at Church and Change) actually admits to being WELS, but his doctrinal page borrows heavily from CrossRoads, as I showed in another post.
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Pastor Mike Borgwardt minus family. WELS bragged about this stealth congregation in FIC, the stealth denominational magazine, which hides the name of the denomination and the denomination. Wayne Mueller was still in charge in those days. - CrossRoads in Chicago. Pastor Mike managed to write a bio without mentioning the specifics of his faith. I am sure the words Lutheran and WELS trembled on his lips as he wrote, but years of CGM lectures at the Sausage Factory attenuated his confession.
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A thorough search of the entire website finally revealed that the congregation is WELS and Matt Doebler is a WELS pastor. It is easier to discover his fondness for Alaskan crab legs. - 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!
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Christ the Rock. Pastor Matt has hidden away more of his life than Obama Messiah. Here is his stealth bio: Meet the Pastor
Pastor Matt Doebler has been our lead pastor at Christ the Rock since the Spring of 2006, when he moved to Round Rock with his wife and three kids: Maddie, Sam, and Caleb. His family is a constant source of support and encouragement to him through their areas of service, their examples, and their witness to the greatness of Jesus.
My Heart: Since I was born outside of Detroit, raised between Chicago and Milwaukee, and descended from generations of Chicago city folk, I have long had a heart for the urban and suburban areas of our country with all of their busyness, deep (often well-hidden) scars, and cultural diversity. I long for people who have heard little, if anything, about Jesus in these places to be transformed by His gospel power so that they can, in turn, take part in Jesus’ redemptive work in the cities.
On my iPod: Nickel Creek; David Crowder Band; U2; Third Day, and a lot of sermons
Favorite Food: Alaskan King Crab Legs
Favorite Movie:“The Empire Strikes Back” (along with all the original (not recent) Star Wars films)
Favorite Vacation Spot: San Antonio is right up at the top
Favorite Books: The Bible and The Lord of the Rings
Favorite Bible Verse: Psalm 73:23-26
23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
NIV
And most anything by Asaph
Examining the websites will reveal an emphasis on pop music and Pentecostal/Pietistic cell groups, silence about the Means of Grace, the Real Presence, infant baptism, and baptismal regeneration. Clearly the Fuller/Willow Creek model has overshadowed and extinguished the Means of Grace. If someone begins a church with this anti-Luthean and unBiblical model, no one should be surprised that the members and pastors eventually leave the Lutheran Church altogether.
Testimony from Marryin' Sam, Mark Freier: Q: Is there any couple you wouldn't marry?
A: I am very open minded. I have officiated ceremonies for people of various backgrounds: Catholic, Protestant (both denominational and non-denominational), Hindu, Jewish, etc.
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Thanks a bunch, Pastor Paul. - Godbunch
Godbunch is a new and changing ministry with the goal of gathering people together so they can build a relationship with God. Godbunch began in 2007 and seeks to expand it's (sic) ministry through through web connections and expanding the radio program onto other stations. If you have ideas or would like to help expand Godbunch contact Pastor Paul at godbunch@godbunch.net.
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Ski - As soon as "Ski" (Pastor Jim Skorewski) gets a web site up and running for the brand new Solid Rock Ministries in Appleton, Wisconsin, I will post that link. This is supposedly to be a clone of St Mark De Pere (Kelm/Parlow) and will have only contemporary music. Solid Rock will be a daughter congregation of St Peter's .....the pastor of St. Peter's retired a few weeks ago (Ron Ash) but is still the Chairman of Church and Change.
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Pastor Ron Ash
Chairman, Church and Change
Appleton, WI
Ron started his ministy by serving three congregations in Colorado. He has since served for 30 years at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI. During this time he has been Circuit Pastor, Chairman of the Board of Regents at Fox Valley Lutheran High School, Secretary of the Fox River Valley Conference, on the Governing Board at Luther Preparatory School, and Circuit Chairman. He has been a promoter of creating innovative ministries for a changing world. His wife, Renate, and he have three children.
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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?
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Here is a later list from Tim Felt-Needs:
St. Mark's Depere
St. Marcus, Milwaukee
Crosswalk, Laveen, AZ
Crossroads, Chicago
Christ the Rock, Round Rock, TX
Sure Foundation, Brooklyn, NY
Victory of the Lamb, Franklin, WI
Hope Lutheran, Oconomowoc, WI
Solid Rock Ministries, Appleton, WI
Christ the Rock - Round Rock, Texas
http://www.ctrtx.net/
Point of Grace, Milwaukee (copy and paste veteran from DePere)
Also, a newly forming Solid Rock Ministries - south of St Mark De Pere - Pastor Jim Skorzewski
