GA at work, again?
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "All Divorced WELS Pastors Have "Scriptural" Divorc...":
I was previously married to a WELS pastor who after years of emotional, spiritual, and physical abuse (not to mention constant pressure to file for divorce) I filed mostly to show him I had a spine after all. He took everything I owned and called everyone in the synod to tell them I had been unfaithful, had an abortion, was a drug addict, etc., etc. I was facing excommunication - he moved onto a call where he was doing marital counseling (and even told me to not call him because he was fearful his now girlfriend would be upset with him talking to me). He has since remarried and I tried to raise awareness of the case to the circuit pastor and president of the synod, but I continually was admonished without audience or explanation. All I can say is it seemed clear they did not care about hearing the truth but instead chose to protect their investment. Suffice to say, I am no longer WELS.
10 comments:
I pass on this pastor's marital counseling and home visits.
This story exemplifies the WELS doctrine of leadership infallibility. If this were the only example of this type of behavior, one could say that it was a mere anomaly. This rather arcane doctrine also explains why the only unforgivable sin within the WELS is questioning the leadership. This also explains why many are compelled to level the charge that the WELS has become a pietistic cult. I have also heard the automatic gainsaying come from synod minders. A condescending attitude toward victims and the laity in general does not exhibit the fruits of faith. It is ironic, isn't it? The Pietists always look for the fruits of faith. Yet, they would seem to bristle up when their fruits are exposed.
When did this happen? Does it reflect the approach of current leadership? Or was it some time ago?
To this poor woman, you are not alone. Others are where you have been. I pray for you and the others as well.
This poor woman's case sounds very much like a case that occurred in Minnesota about ten years ago. The case was described in the local court newspaper although it never made it to the Minneapolis Tribune. The best that could be said for the pastor from that situation was that he was a liar although the truth was probably that he was much worse than a mere liar. And the District President came out badly. It is very sad when such things occur. My thought is that this poor woman, and all others in similar situations, should leave the conservative synods and head out for the nearest ELCA church to find healing.
Norman Teigen
ELS layman
[It has become important for many to know that I am not an official spokesman for the ELS. I believe that many sins are committed in the name of theological orthodoxy.]
Quote, "My thought is that this poor woman, and all others in similar situations, should leave the conservative synods and head out for the nearest ELCA church to find healing."
I find it repulsive that you could acknowledge the abhorent actions committed against congregation members, by pastors in fellowship with Lutheran synods who covered up the atrocities at the expense of the victims, and still refer to the synods as conservative.
I believe that making purity of doctrine less important than "going along to get along" will result in a loss of judgement over time.
Brett Meyer
Norm, do you think the practicing lesbian ELCA female pastor could help her?
Norm, you're kidding about the ELCA thing, right?
God bless recovering WELS members.
God will bless recovering WELS members OUTSIDE of WELS,and outside any and all the synods Norm refers to as "conservative"; that does include the ELS Norm.
Since the ELCA is arguably the most apostate of all- which you recommended the WEL's Pastor wife go to, that's proof positive your your losing your own way inside the ELS, Norm dear.
Sad to say, but true.
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