What has been more toxic than WELS Perish Services?
First of all, they charged congregations $5,000 to $35,000 for consultations when the men were already on salaries paid by the synod mission offering.
In the bad, old LCA, they never considered billing congregations for synodical staff work. An architect met with congregations ready to build - no charge. Stewardship staff met with individual congregations and small groups - no charge. Various staff met with pastors and congregations - no charge.
But that is really the minor scandal of WELS Perish Services - a group so bad they had to be kicked under the porch and placed in the consecrated and consecrating hands of the District Popes.
The real scandal Perish Services is their deliberate undermining of the divine call, with expected divisive and destructive results.
What is worse than having Fuller-trained yokels like Kelm, Huebner, or Olson placing themselves between the called pastor and his flock? Are wandering wolves experts by virtue of living more than 50 miles away and carrying bonded leather briefcases?
Even the best person can only do damage when he steps in to take over a flock and assume authority on his own.
The so-called consultants have conducted their odious work under false pretenses. They hide their Fuller training while puffing out their chests at their expertise. They are not honest with the congregations and pastors. For example, Huebner simply took over one congregation's Sunday worship service to impress everyone, without telling the pastor. How is that for dishonesty, cowardice, and vainglory?
The results are in - the Fuller specialists leave wreckage behind wherever they work. Just like C. Peter Wagner said - CG principles do not work.
