ICHABOD, THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED - explores the Age of Apostasy, predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, to attack Objective Faithless Justification, Church Growth Clowns, and their ringmasters. The antidote to these poisons is trusting the efficacious Word in the Means of Grace. John 16:8. Isaiah 55:8ff. Romans 10. Most readers are WELS, LCMS, ELS, or ELCA. This blog also covers the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the Left-wing, National Council of Churches denominations.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Mizzurah Accent: Church and Chicanery
Campus conference highlights worship diversity
By Joe Isenhower Jr.
A first-time three-day conference in mid-February for worship leaders from the Synod's colleges, universities, and seminaries to "openly discuss divergent worship practices" on their campuses was "a practical unveiling about the extreme diversity in music repertoire, artistic expression, and liturgical heritage that shape the worshiping communities within the LCMS [resulting in] a fervent appreciation for the level of excellence in worship and pastoral care for our students in each of these institutions."
Rev. David A. Johnson, executive director of the Synod's Commission on Worship, gave Reporter that assessment of the Feb. 15-17 conference at Concordia University, Irvine, Calif. The conference title was "Word and Sacrament Ministry in This and the Next Generation: Worship Leaders' Conference Exploring Worship Diversity in a Campus Culture."
The agenda included several major presentations on worship-related topics, followed by a "table talk" for each topic; 30-minute "worship portraits," with representatives of the schools highlighting worship activity on their campuses; and three of Concordia, Irvine's, chapel services and its Sunday-night Communion service.
The Commission on Worship also participated in the conference, along with representatives from several other Synod-related entities.
Major presentations addressed "Freedom in Christ," "Practicing Those Middle Things [adiaphora]," "The Emerging Church Model," "Understanding the Millennial Generation," "Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi (what we pray is what we believe)," "Worship - Mission - Context," and "The World of Technology. [GJ - Tweeting the Gospel?]
Johnson said that both during the conference and later at a meeting of the Commission on Worship on the Irvine campus, commission members "expressed a unified exuberance for the level of honesty and integrity among worship-conference participants."
"This conference has ignited in us a desire to further the conversations among the seminaries, colleges, universities, and churches," Johnson said.
The commission is "seeking to understand and intentionally support the contextual (worship) practices" of each community, conveyed in pastoral and musical care," Johnson said.
"It is clearly not the intention to diminish our Lutheran heritage," he explained, "but to allow for the expansion of worship repertoire that faithfully undergirds the proclamation of Word and Sacrament ministry."
Johnson said that, toward that goal, the commission "will be considering processes to develop liturgies for contemporary instrumental ensembles, and new songs that sing about Baptism and the Lord's Supper."
"From this event, we hope others will intentionally engage in conversation, seeking to understand and not divide," Johnson said.
He added that the LCMS Commission on Worship is currently working on a "paradigm" for a composers conference -- tentatively set for 2010 -- "to engage young artists from the Millennial Generation to craft and record Lutheran song that is filled with language about Christ."
The campus worship leaders conference at Irvine was made possible through funding from a Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation grant.
Sharing ideas, resources
In the application for that grant, Johnson pointed out that an LCMS Commission on Worship member visited each Concordia college and university in the 2004-07 triennium, leading to the decision to hold the conference, based on "a significant finding [of] ... felt need on the part of campus worship leaders to be able to share ideas and resources with one another as part of a shared event, as well as an opportunity to support one another in the work of ministering to the diverse student bodies of our Concordias. The need for interfacing with worship staff at the seminaries also was expressed."
At its conclusion, the 30-some conference attendees gave the conference high marks in a written survey. Several also expressed to Reporter their appreciation for the event.
"This was really the best chance I've had to hear and consider the big variety of situations we have at our Concordias as we plan and lead worship," Rev. Steven Smith, campus pastor and assistant professor of theology at Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, wrote via e-mail.
Dr. Kent Burreson, acting dean of chapel and associate professor of systematic theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, stated that the conference "provided an unparalleled opportunity to intersect worship life and formation on the LCMS university campuses with worship life and formation on the seminary campus. The result: increased understanding and appreciation for the rich and diverse worship that pulses on the campuses of higher education in our church body."
For Dr. Jean Boehler, a director of parish music and an adjunct professor at Concordia College, Bronxville, N.Y., who also is on the faculty of Concordia Conservatory, the conference "enabled us to look to the future as we discussed the needs of the millennial generation and how we might minister to them in our unique settings."
"It was a joy to mix with other college chaplains and worship leaders, and of course, to hear their points of view and for them to hear ours," said Dr. McNair Ramsey, interim president of Concordia College, Selma, Ala. Ramsey presented the school's worship portrait with Rev. Steven Washington, who assists with chaplaincy duties at the college and is its athletic director. Washington is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Selma.
The Selma college -- with a predominantly African-American student body, faculty, and staff -- is in the process of seeking a full-time campus chaplain.
Campus diversity
In a recap by phone of their "worship portrait," Ramsey said that worship on the Selma campus is diverse in style -- using different campus choirs and speakers, including area Lutheran pastors and members of the college's board of regents -- to appeal to a diverse student body."
"They come from all over the United States," Ramsey said of the school's students. In addition, he said, there are a significant number of international students, and about three-fourths of the student body is not Lutheran.
"In chapel, we get to share what we believe as we touch on what we have as Lutherans -- a clear understanding of sin and grace; that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ," Ramsey said.
Jon Jordening, director of Contemporary Worship Arts at Concordia University, Irvine, explained via e-mail that for a number of years, chapel worship at Concordia, Irvine, led to "a sense of frustration on the part of worshipers not knowing the worship format for each day. People would come with a certain set of expectations for worship, only to find out something different had been planned on that day."
Jordening added that chapel worship also "had not been reaching a large part of our campus community. We had become a very diverse campus," he said -- with students from many Christian denominations, and with a climbing percentage of unchurched students.
"The impression by a large part of our students and staff ... was that chapel wasn't for them," he said.
These factors led to adjusting the approach to campus worship some three years ago.
"We decided to take a broad perspective [with] ... spiritual care in a corporate setting, and felt an obligation to offer a variety of Christian resources for the diverse populations on campus. In other words, to be faithful to our ministry of the Gospel in our diverse setting, we felt compelled to provide a diversity of corporate student settings.
"While the core of our chapel experiences would remain 'worship' in the 'narrow sense' (Divine Service), some of our other corporate gatherings might focus on a broader aspect such as teaching, outreach, or devotion -- worship in 'wider sense' as our diverse population might view it."
He said that the changes have led to greater participation in new "wide sense" weekly worship settings, while the "narrow sense" chapel worship settings remain very stable.
The photo that accompanies this story -- of Dr. David Mennicke shaking jingle bells to accompany conference participants' singing -- illustrates "mixing musical styles during Epiphany-season chapel services at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minn., [providing] a purposely eclectic mix of musical styles to show the diversity of the Body of Christ," according to Mennicke.
Chairman of the Music Department and cantor for the chapel at St. Paul, Mennicke explained that his accompaniment was for the singing of "'Helleluyan' -- a Muskeego (Creek) Indian melody that we have used for an Alleluia verse in Eucharist" services.
Johnson said this first-time campus worship-leaders conference was "clear evidence that LCMS colleges and universities are united within their sphere of influence to develop opportunities and certification programs that will shore up and train musicians with a variety of diverse and contextual skill sets and experiences."
Posted March 26, 2009
Big Love - From the Latter Day Saints
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "WELS and Mormonism":
I feel that you people seriously need to get a life....mormonism is very good. i feel that you people need to grow up and stick to your faith, and not put down others. GROW UP!!!
Busta Says: "Fellowship Is For Suckahs"
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "I Give Up: WELS Pastors Write Better Satire Than I...":
"We have a rockin' music team that leads us in worship every week with familiar Christian rock songs right off the radio. Our music volunteers are all talented musicians who have gone through an audition process to keep the quality of our worship experience one that will keep you wanting to come back."
I personally listened to auditions at a WELS congregation, (not this one) where the person that was chosen to be the "lead singer" in the praise band revealed that she was LCMS! I spoke up and said that this would disqualify her because it was a fellowship issue, especially when she did still consider herself aligned with "her church" - an LCMS congregation. The pastor over-rode my thinking and vote because she was good and had definte (sic) charisma. She was given the gig despite her very clear testimony that "her church" was not the one where she was now going to be leading worship. I no longer see any justification for the "praise band" thing and have stepped away from the "Church Nouveau."
I now feel as though I have to be very cautious and careful at which WELS congregation I align myself. A sad commentary on what used to be a very homogenous lot. But Christ himself did talk of the narrow and wide path didn't he? Choose wisely bretheren (sic).
***
GJ - This is not new to WELS. The Kuske-Stolzenburg-Zehms Lutheran Parish Resources ("the first WELS CG agency")sponsored Soter, an ecumenical rock group, for an Ohio youth gather in Jenera. The same group performed badly at the national WELS youth rally in Columbus, 1989, where Kuske was clearly in charge. One Soter member was Greek Orthodox because The Donor was Greek Orthodox (and many other denominations, not to mention c-notes). Given the make-up of the WELS clergy and pseudo-clergy, Satyr would have been a better name.
Soter was ecumenical and pretty bad. I really cannot define a bad rock group since they range from mediocre to horrible. I shocked a college class by saying it takes no talent to be a rock performer. I struck my imaginary guitar, "Twang!" and screamed. They enjoyed my brief rock career and laughed. However, many were scandalized at my claim. They eventually agreed that the members of the Boston Orchestra could all be rockers if they wanted to, but almost no rockers could be seated in the Boston Orchestra.
Where are they now?
Richard Stadler was the main speaker at the communion service. Jon Balge thanked me for not puking on him during the sermon, which was an extended children's talk done in a lispy voice. Stadler left WELS with his congregation.
Mark Freier was another speaker. After visiting destruction on a number of congregations, Mark served CrossRoads in S. Lyons, Michigan, which is now Evangelical Covenant. Mark will perform your wedding whether you are Hindu or atheist. He is also a life-coach.
Mark Schroeder (POP-Lutheran, married to Johne's daughter: Johne hunts in Africa with Patterson) was kicked out of WELS, and his congregation left with him.
Wayne Mueller spoke, too. This was a proto-Church and Change rally.
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Roger Zehms, and Paul Kuske were in charge of the rally. Kuske and Schumann endorsed Stolzenburg for a job at Emmanuel, Columbus, an independent Lutheran-Masonic congregation. Floyd promised to commune Masons in a letter he wrote to his prospective employer. Kuske wrote a letter of recommendation for Floyd and denied having anything to do with Floyd's new job.
The Michigan District voted Kuske out of office, an event as rare as a Book of Concord study-group at The Love Shack...or The Saussage Factory.
PS - Church Growth Enthusiasts are bolded in red.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday, The Sixth Sunday in Lent
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship
Bethany Lutheran Worship, 8 AM Phoenix Time
The Good Friday service will be at 6 PM.
The Hymn #160 All Glory Laud and Honor 4.49
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual Philippians 2:5-11
The Gospel Matthew 21:1-9
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #162 Ride On 4.80
The Crowds Who Met and Followed Him
The Hymn #305 Soul Adorn Thyself 4.23
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #370 My Faith Is Built 3.11
KJV Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
KJV Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
Palm Sunday
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast caused Thy beloved Son to take our nature upon Himself, that He might give all mankind the example of humility and suffer death upon the cross for our sins: Mercifully grant us a believing knowledge of this, and that, following the example of His patience, we may be made partakers of the benefits of His sacred passion and death, through the same, Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
The Crowds Who Met and Followed Him
On the day we call Palm Sunday, crowds came out of Jerusalem to greet Jesus as the Messiah, and crowds followed him from Bethany.
There was a reason, supplied by John.
KJV John 12:9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; 11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and Lazarus was a prominent citizen. We know that because he had a grave carved from stone, like Jesus’ future grave. That was the mark of a wealthy man.
So Lazarus was known already for being prominent, but even more for being raised from the dead. He was a living witness to Jesus being the Messiah the Son of God.
KJV John 12:12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, 15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. 16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. 17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
John 12:18 For this cause the people also met Him, for that they heard that He had done this miracle. 19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
So we can see that Palm Sunday was a miraculous procession, with the story of Lazarus being proclaimed and Jesus hailed as the promised Messiah. The religious leaders saw His popularity and plotted against Him. The secular leaders naturally feared a Messiah, a King of the Jews followed by an enormous crowd.
Every government fears a general insurrection, and nothing is more powerful behind a revolt than one based upon religion. One of the famous wars happened less than 40 years later, when a small battle turned into the Jewish revolt, a massive siege against Jerusalem, and the utter destruction of Herod’s Temple.
John’s Gospel shows us why Jesus was a dual-threat, to the Jewish leaders and to the Roman occupiers.
Lenski made this point in his commentary about John’s Gospel. The Fourth Gospel assumes the reader knows Matthew, Mark, and Luke. So the Apostle John unites the Gospels into one by adding supplemental material and the sermons, by not repeating what is already well known and fully described.
I recall one skeptic saying he believed what John and Paul said about the Virgin Birth, and neither one mentioned it. That is a good case of injecting one’s opinion into a text and making silence say the opposite of what is intended. Paul and John did not discuss matters beyond debate but addressed the spiritual topics needed by their audiences. Many theological books mention one area of the faith but not others, but that does not mean they are rejecting what is not mentioned. One can hardly imagine an argument more juvenile than one from silence.
So some also try to say that Jesus did not consider Himself the Messiah, the Son of God. The Gospel accounts are relatively quiet about Messianic claims, but consider the opposite. What kind of person says he is the Messiah all the time? – a madman! Jesus clearly taught His role but did not read from a theological textbook to do that. He did not have to make claims often when He turned water into wine, still the storm, walked on water, multiplied the loaves, healed the sick, and raised the dead.
The ministry of Christ, His human nature and divine nature, are perfectly described in the great Philippians passage for this Sunday:
KJV Philippians 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
The four verses of introduction are a beautiful expression of how we should live as believers. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in Christ-like humility.” Instead of being self-involved, be considerate of others.
The foundation for this behavior is stated in verses 5-11. It is the Gospel. When we consider this passage, we should remember how it transcends all human efforts to achieve the same results, for no one could really object to the goals of the first four verses. Many people would call them Utopian, idealistic, and impossible. But the apostle bases his admonitions upon one thing only – the Gospel of forgiveness and what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross.
Many human books can smash us with the Law, but only the Gospel can comfort us and put us at peace. Man-made books tell us why we should behave in a certain way, and it is always connected to something beneficial. It is good for society, or for the family, or for inner happiness. But the Holy Spirit teaches us in a different way. God does not even place conditions on this. He does not say, “If your family is good to you,” or “If you want to get along at work,” or “If you want to get ahead.” This passage stands by itself even if someone is living in a Marxist dictatorship, in great wealth, or in the most miserable family. Whatever is done is faith glorifies God. Whatever is done without faith is a sin.
Therefore, this Gospel message has the power to create faith in an unbeliever, to strengthen our faith, and to encourage us to please God.
What was the mind of Christ?
The eternal Son of God, the creating Word at the Creation, accepted the state of humiliation when He lived among us as a mere man. Obviously He was never just a man but remained God-in-the-flesh. However, He allowed Himself to be regarded as a man and treated as an ordinary man most of the time. Whenever something happened, it was because Jesus allowed it to happen.
For instance, when the crowd tried to make Jesus a king, He refused. Likewise, when they wanted to kill Him, before His time, He passed through the crowd (indicating very clearly that His divine nature was not limited by His human body and nature). That is why the orthodox theologians write about Jesus’ state of humiliation. He accepted a lowly state, giving us an example of how we should live.
When we would have been tempted to flash our divinity frequently, if we had been in the same situation, Jesus took on the appearance of a slave (as the text says literally). It is worth remembering that Luther called John the Baptist the greatest prophet of all, because John said “This ordinary looking man is the Messiah.” It is far easier to believe in a glorious Messiah not yet seen than to look at a man standing there, someone known in the community, and say, “This is the promised Christ.”
So it was very difficult for Jesus to carry out His ministry, knowing all and moving toward His crucifixion, and yet to teach from day to day and be viewed as a man, as an enemy to His people (according to the religious leaders).
8 And being found in fashion as a man,
he humbled himself,
and became obedient unto death,
even the death of the cross.
We should never imagine that it was easy for Jesus to accept the cross because of His divine nature. It was all the more humiliating to have His own people first cheer Him and then yell crucify Him, jeering at Him on the cross. Nevertheless, Jesus accepted this role, because He knew He would died on the cross for the sins of the world. Only God Incarnate could die on the cross. Only the perfect Son of God could atone for my sins and for yours.
God exalted Jesus, just as He will exalt every humble believer who serves Him with the mind of Christ.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,
and given him a name
which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of things in heaven,
and things in earth,
and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
When believers are brought low by being faithful to the Word, they should remember this entire passage. The Word brings the Cross. The perfect Son of Man was not spared. All of us, who are sinners, will do no better. And even though our Old Adam rebels against bearing the cross, it brings us closer to Christ to know that whatever we might suffer is nothing compared to what He has done for us.
When I was a teen, most of my classmates were Lutheran. The entire class cheered once when Luther’s name was mentioned in history class. I was not Lutheran at the time. I was amazed that my friends had gone to classes for three years on Saturdays to be confirmed. In the Lutheran congregation I joined, every student had already memorized the catechism before starting confirmation, following what the Book of Concord says about Luther’s Small Catechism – the Head of the Household will teach in a simple way to his household. I was especially impressed because the confirmed students knew so much about the Bible and Luther.
When I left the LCA as a pastor, I still had two year confirmation classes. My colleagues adopted camp-firmation, a week of summer camp followed by confirmation. One can only guess how little education took place.
No one should think that confirmation is the equivalent of a Ph.D. in theology. Whether someone is confirmed with a smattering of knowledge or as an expert, the real challenge is to constantly remain attentive to the Word and willing to learn. Dr. Martin Luther was the greatest theologian of the Christian Church, with a genius IQ, having a knowledge of the Bible which staggers us today. Nevertheless, he also studied the catechism all the time. We can never know the basics well enough.
Some pastors never study again after leaving seminary. Some pursue graduate studies and then stop studying. Luther said that pastors who do not remain diligent in the Word should be “chased out of town and pelted with dog manure.” I have no hesitation in quoting him, because his comments are included in the introduction to the Large Catechism. We subscribe to the Large Catechism as a correct exposition of the Word.
The greatest blessing of doctrinal controversy, whether big or small, is becoming more certain of the Word. I recall many experiences where people questioned whether an infant could have faith. I knew what the Scriptures said, but I knew it far better when those ideas were under attack, sometimes by innocent people raised among the Baptists. This Gospel is a good example of how infant faith (and therefore infant baptism) is taught, a few verses later.
Matthew 21:15-16 (KJV) And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased, {16} And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
How can a baby, a nursing child, lack faith while praising Christ? Maybe the babies did not say Halleluiah, but certainly their faces lit up when Jesus came by. A child’s face will change the moment it hears its mother’s or father’s voice. And siblings – they can make a baby laugh without the slightest effort. That shows trust in people, so trust in God cannot be so great an effort.
Infant faith and infant baptism need to be affirmed in an era where people say, “All you need is Jesus,” but they deny and reject the Means of Grace, which are the appointed instruments to obtain what the Scriptures promise.
Luther: "True, the enthusiasts confess that Christ died on the cross and saved us; but they repudiate that by which we obtain Him; that is, the means, the way, the bridge, the approach to Him they destroy...They lock up the treasure which they should place before us and lead me a fool's chase; they refuse to admit me to it; they refuse to transmit it; they deny me its possession and use." (III, 1692)
The. Engelder, W. Arndt, Th. Graebner, F. E. Mayer, Popular Symbolics, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1934, p. 5.
That is why I cannot go to a Baptist for spiritual wisdom, even though many are friends or students. A Baptist religion teacher is always going to deny one of the most basic Christian doctrines – baptismal regeneration (rebirth). That is another way of saying that the Word is not effective, since it is the Word not water that makes Holy Baptism powerful.
A Baptist religion teacher is going to direct people away from the Word and Sacraments to make a decision for Christ. That simply supplants the foundation of faith. No wonder that Baptists often become so liberal they are hard to distinguish from Unitarians. One Baptism minister I knew even talked about “the continuing revelation of the Holy Spirit.” He meant the Scriptures have a different content for each generation.
But some will say, “Aha. The ELCA is as left-wing as they come, and they are supposedly Lutheran. How can you blame that on the Baptists.”
I can.
The key change took place when the measure of sensitivity came from an interpretation of the “Kingdom of God.” The Social Gospel Movement (which promoted socialism, not being social) interpreted the Kingdom of God as the visible church becoming a political advocate and changing or redeeming society. The leader best remembered for this was Walter Rauschenbusch. In his famous lectures at Yale, The Social Gospel, he reinterpreted the doctrines of Christianity to mean the opposite of what they said. For example, when Jesus died on the cross, it was to show solidarity with the poor. (Solidarity is a favorite term with the labor movement.)
Rauschenbusch became the litmus test for all mainline denominational leaders, including Lutherans. Those who liked him and quoted him were rewarded. It really meant repeated the religious terms and meaning the opposite, something the insiders knew.
The theologian loved by the Church Growth Movement is Karl Barth, who was Reformed. He was a notorious adulterer but he was even more unfaithful with the Word. He also did the same thing will all religious terms. He imparted his new meaning to all the terms, and all Barthians knew what they others meant when they used Christian terms to say exactly the opposite of what people thought.
Baptists, like the Reformed, rely heavily on rationalism. By saying the Word itself has no power, they make claims to impart power by the way they present this powerless Word. Sometimes they acknowledge a little, but overall they jump at every chance to reject the Means of Grace.
So today – how does Jesus come to us?
In the Word. The Word of God—spoken, taught, preached, sung in hymns, confessed in Creeds—conveys Christ and His forgiveness to us.
How do we know we are forgiven all our sins?
First the absolution declares this in the Name of Christ.
Secondly, the liturgy, hymns, and sermon teach this Promise of God.
Thirdly, Holy Communion makes this instrument of grace visible to us and individual for each one of us. This comes to us through the Divine Word, not through human effort, virtue, and reason.
"For let me tell you this, even though you know it perfectly and be already master in all things, still you are daily in the dominion of the devil, who ceases neither day nor night to steal unawares upon you, to kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against the foregoing and all the commandments. Therefore you must always have God's Word in your heart, upon your lips, and in your ears. But where the heart is idle, and the Word does not sound, he breaks in and has done the damage before we are aware. On the other hand, such is the efficacy of the Word, whenever it is seriously contemplated, heard, and used, that it is bound never to be without fruit, but always awakens new understanding, pleasure, and devoutness, and produces a pure heart and pure thoughts. For these words are not inoperative or dead, but creative, living words."
The Large Catechism, #100, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 609.
Efficacy of the Word
(1) (1) "An aweful mystery is here To challenge faith and waken fear: The Savior comes as food divine, Concealed in earthly bread and wine. (2) This world is loveless--but above, What wondrous boundlessness of love! The King of Glory stoops to me My spirit's life and strength to be. (3) In consecrated wine and bread No eye perceives the mystery dread; But Jesus' words are strong and clear: 'My body and My blood are here.' (4) How dull are all the powers of sense Employed on proofs of love immense! The richest food remains unseen, And highest gifts appear--how mean! (5) But here we have no boon on earth, And faith alone discerns its worth. The Word, not sense, must be our guide, And faith assure since sight's denied."
Matthias Loy, 1880, "An Aweful Mystery Is Here" The Lutheran Hymnal, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941, Hymn #304. 1 Corinthians 11:23.
"So confident now should every preacher be, and not doubt, that possesses and preaches God's Word, that he could even die for it, since it is worth life to us. Now there is no man so holy that he needs to die for the doctrine he has taught concerning himself. Therefore one concludes from this that the apostles had assurance from God that their Gospel was God's Word. And here is is also proved that the Gospel is nothing else than the preaching of Christ."
Martin Luther, Commentary on Peter and Jude, ed. John N. Lenker, Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1990, p. 245. 2 Peter 1:16-18.
"Besides, it is an exceedingly effectual help against the devil, the world, and the flesh and all evil thoughts to be occupied with the Word of God, and to speak of it, and meditate upon it, so that the First Psalm declares those blessed who meditate upon the Law of God day and night. Undoubtedly, you will not start a stronger incense or other fumigation against the devil than by being engaged upon God's commandments and words, and speaking, singing, or thinking of them. For this is indeed the true holy water and holy sign from which he flees, and by which he may be driven away."
The Large Catechism, Preface, #10, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, J-110 p. 570f.
"Now, for this reason alone you ought gladly to read, speak, think and treat of these things, if you had no other profit and fruit from them than that by doing so you can drive away the devil and evil thoughts. For he cannot hear or endure God's Word; and God's Word is not like some other silly prattle, as that about Dietrich of Berne, etc., but as St. Paul says, Romans 1:16, the power of God which gives the devil burning pain, and strengthens, comforts, and helps us beyond measure."
The Large Catechism, Preface, #11, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, 002 p. 571 Romans 1:16.
"And what need is there of many words? If I were to recount all the profit and fruit which God's Word produces, whence would I get enough paper and time? The devil is called the master of a thousand arts. But what shall we call God's Word, which drives away and brings to naught this master of a thousand arts with all his arts and power? It must indeed be the master of more than a hundred thousand arts. And shall we frivolously despise such power, profit, strength, and fruit--we, especially, who claim to be pastors and preachers? If so, we should not only have nothing given us to eat, but be driven out, being baited with dogs, and pelted with dung, because we not only need all this every day as we need our daily bread, but must also daily use it against the daily and unabated attacks and lurking of the devil, the master of a thousand arts."
The Large Catechism, Preface, #12, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, 003 p. 571. Chapter 4.
"Since, therefore, so much depends upon God's Word that without it no holy day can be sanctified, we must know that God insists upon a strict observance of this commandment, and will punish all who despise His Word and are not willing to hear and learn it, especially at the time appointed for the purpose."
The Large Catechism, Preface, #95, The Third Commandment, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, 007 p. 607. Exodus 20:8-11.
"Note, therefore, that the force and power of this commandment lies not in the resting, but in the sanctifying, so that to this day belongs a special holy exercise. For other works and occupations are not properly called holy exercises, unless the man himself be first holy. But here a work is to be done by which man is himself made holy, which is done (as we have heard) alone through God's Word. For this, then, fixed places, times, persons, and the entire external order of worship have been created and appointed, so that it may be publicly in operation."
The Large Catechism, Preface, #94, The Third Commandment, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, 006 p. 607. Exodus 20:8-11.
"On the contrary, any observance or work that is practised without God's Word is unholy before God, no matter how brilliantly it may shine, even though it be covered with relics, such as the fictitious spiritual orders, which know nothing of God's Word and seek holiness in their own works."
The Large Catechism, Preface, #93, The Third Commandment, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, 005 p. 607. Exodus 20:8-11.
"For the Word of God is the sanctuary above all sanctuaries, yea, the only one which we Christians know and have. For though we had the bones of all the saints or all holy and consecrated garments upon a heap, still that would help us nothing; for all that is a dead thing which can sanctify nobody. But God's Word is the treasure which sanctifies everything, and by which even all the saints themselves were sanctified. At whatever hour, then, God's Word is taught, preached, heard, read or meditated upon, there the person, day, and work are sanctified thereby, not because of the external work, but because of the Word, which makes saints of us all. Therefore I constantly say that all our life and work must be ordered according to God's Word, if it is to be God-pleasing or holy. Where this is done, this commandment is in force and being fulfilled."
The Large Catechism, Preface, #91-2, The Third Commandment, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, 004 p. 607. Exodus 20:8-11.
"For these words are not inoperative or dead, but creative, living words. And even though no other interest or necessity impel us, yet this ought to urge every one thereunto, because thereby the devil is put to flight and driven away, and, besides, this commandment is fulfilled, and [this exercise in the Word] is more pleasing to God than any work of hypocrisy, however brilliant."
The Large Catechism, Preface, #102, The Third Commandment, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, 012 p. 609. Exodus 20:8-11.
"For let me tell you this, even though you know it perfectly and be already master in all things, still you are daily in the dominion of the devil, who ceases neither day nor night to steal unawares upon you, to kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against the foregoing and all the commandments. Therefore you must always have God's Word in your heart, upon your lips, and in your ears. But where the heart is idle, and the Word does not sound, he breaks in and has done the damage before we are aware. On the other hand, such is the efficacy of the Word, whenever it is seriously contemplated, heard, and used, that it is bound never to be without fruit, but always awakens new understanding, pleasure, and devoutness, and produces a pure heart and pure thoughts."
The Large Catechism, Preface, #100-1, The Third Commandment, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, 011 p. 609. Exodus 20:8-11.
"Likewise those fastidious spirits are to be reproved who, when they have heard a sermon or two, find it tedious and dull, thinking that they know all that well enough, and need no more instruction. For just that is the sin which has been hitherto reckoned among mortal sins, and is called akedia, i. e., torpor or satiety, a malignant, dangerous plague with which the devil bewitches and deceives the hearts of many, that he may surprise us and secretly withdraw God's Word from us."
The Large Catechism, Preface, #99, The Third Commandment, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, 010 p. 609. Exodus 20:8-11.
"Know, therefore, that you must be concerned not only about hearing, but also about learning and retaining it in memory, and do not think that it is optional with you of no great importance, but that it is God's commandment, who will require of you how you have heard, learned, and honored His Word."
The Large Catechism, Preface, #98, The Third Commandment, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, 009 p. 609. Exodus 20:8-11.
"Therefore not only those sin against this commandment who grossly misuse and desecrate the holy day, as those who on account of their greed or frivolity neglect to hear God's Word or lie in taverns and are dead drunk like swine; but also that other crowd, who listen to God's Word as to any other trifle, and only from custom come to preaching, and go away again, and at the end of the year know as little of it as at the beginning. For hitherto the opinion prevailed that you had properly hallowed Sunday when you had heard a mass or the Gospel read; but no one cared for God's Word, as also no one taught it. Now, while we have God's Word, we nevertheless do not correct the abuse; we suffer ourselves to be preached to and admonished, but we listen without seriousness and care."
The Large Catechism, Preface, #96-7, The Third Commandment, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, 008 p. 609. Exodus 20:8-11.
"For let me tell you this, even though you know it perfectly and be already master in all things, still you are daily in the dominion of the devil, who ceases neither day nor night to steal unawares upon you, to kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against the foregoing and all the commandments. Therefore you must always have God's Word in your heart, upon your lips, and in your ears. But where the heart is idle, and the Word does not sound, he breaks in and has done the damage before we are aware. On the other hand, such is the efficacy of the Word, whenever it is seriously contemplated, heard, and used, that it is bound never to be without fruit, but always awakens new understanding, pleasure, and devoutness, and produces a pure heart and pure thoughts. For these words are not inoperative or dead, but creative, living words."
The Large Catechism, #100, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 609.
"Therefore it is not a Christian Church either; for where Christ is not preached, there is no Holy Ghost who creates, calls, and gathers the Christian Church, without which no one can come to Christ our Lord. Let this suffice concerning the sum of this article."
The Large Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #45, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 689.
"For where He does not cause it to be preached and made alive in the heart, so that it is understood, it is lost, as was the case under the Papacy, where faith was entirely put under the bench, and no one recognized Christ as his Lord or the Holy Ghost as his Sanctifier, that is, no one believed that Christ is our Lord in the sense that He has acquired this treasure for us, without our works and merit, and made us acceptable to the Father. What, then, was lacking? This, that the Holy Ghost was not there to reveal it and cause it to be preached; but men and evil spirits were there, who taught us to obtain grace and be saved by our works."
The Large Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #43-44, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 689.
"For, in the first place, He [the Holy Ghost] has a peculiar congregation in the world, which is the mother that begets and bears every Christian through the Word of God, which He reveals and preaches, [and through which] He illumines and enkindles hearts, that they understand, accept it, cling to it, and persevere in it."
The Large Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #42, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 689.
"For neither you nor I could ever know anything of Christ, or believe on Him, and obtain Him for our Lord, unless it were offered to us and granted to our hearts by the Holy Ghost through the preaching of the Gospel. The work is done and accomplished; for Christ has acquired and gained the treasure for us by His suffering, death, resurrection, etc. But if the work remained concealed so that no one knew of it, then it would be in vain and lost. That this treasure, therefore, might not lie buried, but be appropriated and enjoyed, God has caused the Word to go forth and be proclaimed, in which He gives the Holy Ghost to bring this treasure home and appropriate it to us. Therefore sanctifying is nothing else than bringing us to Christ to receive this good, to which could not attain ourselves."
The Large Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #38, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 689.
"For now we are only half pure and holy, so that the Holy Ghost has ever [some reason why] to continue His work in us through the Word, and daily to dispense forgiveness, until we attain to that life where there will be no more forgiveness, but only perfectly pure and holy people, full of godliness and righteousness, removed and free from sin, death, and all evil, in a new, immortal, and glorified body."
The Large Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #58, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 693.
"But outside of this Christian Church, where the Gospel is not, there is no forgiveness, as also there can be no holiness [sanctification]. Therefore all who seek and wish to merit holiness [sanctification], not through the Gospel and forgiveness of sin, but by their works, have expelled and severed themselves [from this Church]."
The Large Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #56, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 693.
"Everything, therefore, in the Christian Church is offered to the end that we shall daily obtain there nothing but the forgiveness of sin through the Word and signs, to comfort and encourage our consciences as long as we live here. Thus, although we have sins, the [grace of the] Holy Ghost does not allow them to injure us, because we are in the Christian Church, where there is nothing but [continuous, uninterrupted] forgiveness of sin, both in that God forgives us, and in that we forgive, bear with, and help each other."
The Large Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #55, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 693.
"We further believe that in this Christian Church we have forgiveness of sin, which is wrought through the holy Sacraments and Absolution, moreover, through all manner of consolatory promises of the entire Gospel. Therefore, whatever is to be preached, concerning the Sacraments belongs here, and in short, the whole Gospel and all the offices of Christianity, which also must be preached and taught without ceasing. For although the grace of God is secured through Christ, and sanctification is wrought by the Holy Ghost through the Word of God in the unity of the Christian Church, yet on account of our flesh which we bear about with us we are never without sin."
The Large Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #54, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 693.
"I am also a part and member of the same, a sharer and joint owner of all the goods it possesses, brought to it and incorporated into it by the Holy Ghost by having heard and continuing to hear the Word of God, which is the beginning of entering it. For formerly, before we had attained to this, we were altogether of the devil, knowing nothing of God and of Christ. Thus, until the last day, the Holy Ghost abides with the holy congregation or Christendom, by means of which He fetches us to Christ and which He employs to teach and preach to us the Word, whereby He works and promotes sanctification, causing it [this community] daily to grow and become strong in the faith and its fruits which He produces."
The Large Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #53, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 693.
"Behold, all this is to be the office and work of the Holy Ghost, that He begin and daily increase holiness upon earth by means of these two things, the Christian Church and the forgiveness of sin. But in our dissolution He will accomplish it altogether in an instant, and will forever preserve us therein by the last two parts."
The Large Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #59, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 693f.
"Therefore we believe in Him who through the Word daily brings us into the fellowship of this Christian Church, and through the same Word and the forgiveness of sins bestows, increases, and strengthens faith, in order that when He has accomplished it all, and we abide therein, and die to the world and to all evil, He may finally make us perfectly and forever holy; which now we expect in faith through the Word."
The Large Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #62, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 695.
"If we would be Christians, therefore, we must surely expect and reckon upon having the devil with all his angels and the world as our enemies, who will bring every possible misfortune and grief upon us. For where the Word of God is preached, accepted, or believed, and produces fruit, there the holy cross cannot be wanting. And let no one think that he shall have peace; but he must risk whatever he has upon earth--possessions, honor, house and estate, wife and children, body and life. Now, this hurts our flesh and the old Adam; for the test is to be steadfast and to suffer with patience in whatever way we are assailed, and to let go whatever is taken from us."
Large Catechism, The Lord's Prayer, Third Petition, #65, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 715.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Rock and Roll Blog Swan Song:
Not With a Bang... But a Whimper
An Apology for a 'Rock and Roll' Lutheran Church
Blog has been removed
Sorry, the blog at randrchurch.blogspot.com has been removed. This address is not available for new blogs.
Another blog will provide--for now--examples of juvenile mockery, the fruit of Church and Chicanery.
Lutheran Enthusiasts Go to Rome or Fuller for Good Reason
LCMS pastors have been turning into papist priests ever since.
"And in those things which concern the spoken, outward Word, we must firmly hold that God grants His Spirit or grace to no one, except through or with the preceding outward Word, in order that we may [thus] be protected against the enthusiasts, i. e., spirits who boast that they have the Spirit without and before the Word, and accordingly judge Scripture or the spoken Word, and explain and stretch it at their pleasure, as Muenzer did, and many still do at the present day, who wish to be acute judges between the Spirit and the letter, and yet know not what they say or declare. For [indeed] the Papacy also is nothing but sheer enthusiasm, by which the Pope boasts that all rights exist in the shrine of his heart, and whatever he decides and commands with [in] his church is spirit and right, even though it is above and contrary to Scripture and the spoken Word."
Smalcald Articles, VIII., Confession, 3-5, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 495. Tappert, p. 312.
The Jesus of the Enthusiasts
Luther: "True, the enthusiasts confess that Christ died on the cross and saved us; but they repudiate that by which we obtain Him; that is, the means, the way, the bridge, the approach to Him they destroy...They lock up the treasure which they should place before us and lead me a fool's chase; they refuse to admit me to it; they refuse to transmit it; they deny me its possession and use." (III, 1692)
The. Engelder, W. Arndt, Th. Graebner, F. E. Mayer, Popular Symbolics, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1934, p. 5.
Are Pastors Overpaid for Their Work?
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Why Is the Patterson Network On Synod Welfare?":
Often it seems that the called workers/administrators have a poor grasp of financial matters. I think that is what has caused many of the problems in the church in recent decades.
For example, our pastor's parsonage is comparatively nicer than the majority of the members' homes (larger, more modern, in a nicer neighborhood). No rent is required, the utilities are all paid by the congregation. In addition, there is no tax liability to the pastor with respect to the implicit cash value of this housing, which could well exceed $1,000 per month if an individual needed to pay for these items out of pocket.
The pastor also receives a good health plan; again, better than many members, some of whom are uninsured. The premiums are entirely paid by the congregation.
Car mileage is also paid for visitation trips, etc.
Our congregation also pays a salary according to synodical code. No, it's not a fortune but with the preceding items it is greater than that of many of the members.
Often our pastor seems unhappy with this arrangement and feels that the congregation is not doing enough.
Often the pastor claims that he is on a fixed salary. This claim is made with no appreciation that most members cannot simply go to their employer and ask for more money on a whim. It either has to be earned through increased productivity, tenure, innovations to the running of the business etc.
If our congregation was a business, with declining membership and a constant loss of money the pastor would be let go.
As far as I can tell, the only drawback the pastor might legitimately claim is the pension plan offered. However, most of the members (currently employed) are no longer covered by pension plans. Pension plans have pretty much disappeared.
I once heard a quote that went something like this:
"The best pastor is a full time farmer and a part time pastor..."
Maybe it is my non-German heritage that makes me a bit critical at this point. (I'm Italian, as shown by my name).
Sincerely,
I. Donwannago Broke
***
GJ - Those in a parsonage may think it is a bad deal, but paying for all those things is a real burden. Those of us with mortgages also have home repairs and property losing value steadily. If a pastor with his own home gets a call, he has the burden of selling it. Pastors paying Social Security have to add the "value" of living in a parsonage, so they pay that extra SS tax on top of the salary tax.
The advantage of a parsonage for a church is the long-term equity buildup. However, many congregations are negligent about keeping up the property, but quick to criticize the occupants. Proportionate giving in Lutheran congregations is anemic, although pastors are quite generous, even when poorly paid.
Don't worry - the supply of pastors will go down steadily. So will the number of congregations. Seminary education costs are absurd. So are health benefits. The old system is falling apart.
Pastors and lay leaders should study tax law. A pastor can receive a furnishings allowance, or a housing allowance, or both. Like the military allowances, it is not counted as income. Consult a tax lawyer about the fine points. A pastor in a parsonage can have part of his income stipulated as a furnishings allowance. That will reduce his tax burden, which is equitable, since military people get the same benefit from the tax code.
A home-based business can provide added income and tax benefits.
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Are Pastors Overpaid for Their Work?":
You have it right most of the time. (I can't say all of the time because I'm a WELS pastor's wife and sometimes I will know the inside story.) But for the most part, you are right on target! Thanks for Ichabod, I really enjoy reading it. I usually can get a real good laugh from it and sometimes it just makes me sad that what you are writing is actually true. My biggest shock on reading the pastor's comments has been their horrendous spelling! God's blessings to you.
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GJ - It is my melancholy duty to focus on the bad spelling, bad grammar, bad theology, and bad behavior of the Lutheran clergy. But I know there are many good, faithful pastors helped by their dear wives, no matter what crosses they have to bear.
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Are Pastors Overpaid for Their Work?":
Unfortunately some are paid too much and others not enough. Much of this is due to the fact that some pastors are hard workers while others are simply slackers doing little more than playing church.
GJ - So true. Unfortunately, the slackers in Church and Change who play at church get all the money, tons extra for assistants (to twitter for them?), and the adoration of their soft-brained leaders at The Love Shack.
I Give Up:
WELS Pastors Write Better Satire Than I Can Dream Up with a Pot of Fresh Coffee
Christ the Rock Lutheran Church, Round Rock, Texas: a Kudu Don Patterson franchise, sponsored by Church and Chicanery.
We have a rockin' music team that leads us in worship every week with familiar Christian rock songs right off the radio. Our music volunteers are all talented musicians who have gone through an audition process to keep the quality of our worship experience one that will keep you wanting to come back.
Lil Rockers
The "Sunday Gathering" begins with children and parents worshiping together. After the children's message the children are dismissed for a worship gathering which is designed to teach them on their level. This gives them the experience, joy and ownership of a church that is built with them in mind, so they can praise God with all their heart!
Lil' Rockers is held every Sunday at 10:20 a.m. in the Rice's Crossing Store located at the Old Settler's Association. Bring a friend!
CTR Sports Teams
Our T.A.G. (Touch Another with Grace) sports teams are a way for us as a church to fellowship and to reach out. One way we do this is by supplying our opponents with Gatorade before each game.
Seasonal teams currently include coed softball, men's softball, and tag football.
We are always looking to add new people to our teams so if you are interested, please email Mike Chalman at mchalman@yahoo.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Go T.A.G.!!!!!!!!
Hate Going to Church
If you hate going to church, we understand.
Studies show that many men - and more and more women too - will not even set foot inside a church today. Way too much of church is boring and irrelevant. Many feel like we don't have time. We don't want to be constantly asked for money. And frankly, many believe church is for wimps. Beyond all that, the number one reason most don't like going to church is obvious -- there are way too many hypocrites there!
If you hate going to church, CTR was built with you in mind. At CTR we're casual in our approach, yet what we have to communicate is extremely serious stuff. We strive to make every message and every service relevant and applicable to real life, as well as of excellent quality. At the same time, you can come to church in your jeans and feel perfectly comfortable in one of our services. Grab a cup of coffee on your way in and settle in for a high-octane hour of power-learning about God.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "I Give Up: WELS Pastors Write Better Satire Than I...":
Ummmm, isn't "ministry coordinator" the pastor's job?
Or has the rock n' roll praise band gotten so large, the church has to pay for a full time manager too?
Why Is the Patterson Network
On Synod Welfare?
need synod subsidies.
They must know how to po-mouth...or network.
From our research department, based on published information:
Austin is in Travis County (http://www.traviscad.org), and Round Rock is in Williamson County (http://www.wcad.org).
Paul Mattek's home is at http://www.traviscad.org/travisdetail.php?theKey=142144 . It's valued at a little over half a million dollars.
Looking under Robert Timmerman in Travis County, you'll see he owns three properties. His business location is worth $350K. The other two homes are worth a total of $650K. He's got some kind of ranch property in the Texas Hill Country as well.
Ron Stelljes is in the Williamson County listing for only $180K. The researcher thinks it is undervalued.
Tim Moll's home is 2/3 of a million dollars.
Bill Starke - $280K.
Lew Rabenberg - $254K.
Allan Gebert - $195K.
Nathan Steinke - $182K.
Gary Franke - $170K.
Andy Alff - $170K.
I found a "Joey Krohn" at
http://www.traviscad.org/travisdetail.php?theKey=584345 , and he's got a home listed at $276K.
And Pastor Doebler's home looks to be worth about $165K.
It looks like Holy Word sold the parsonage to Pastor Patterson on Nov 30, 2006. It's appraised at over $200K. You can get this information from the "Datasheet" PDF link on http://www.wcad.org/appraisal/publicaccess/PropertyDetail.aspx?PropertyID=162930
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Why Is the Patterson Network On Synod Welfare?":
You also neglected to unearth Patterson's own ranch that he owns out in the Hill Country.
***
GJ - Doebler, at Rock and Roll
The amount of money wasted in WELS is simply phenomenal. Estimate the lease and overhead for the Popcorn Cathedral of Rock in A-Town. Add the salaries and benefits of a pastor and a pricey executive assistant. That is a staggering amount of money for a "mission" no one wanted, for a white elephant theatre, for two people Tweeting about how hard they work: one service a week during Lent, a half-hour service followed by a three-hour party, with an official launch date based a rock band and a performance platform being built. The Sunday evening services allow local WELS members to attend to make the "mission" look like it has real attendance.
The CORE's two blogs, from two full-time people, are D.O.A.
Rick Gunn has a similar deal in CrossRoads
Most pastors have an unpaid staffer, named Frau Pfarrer (the pastor's wife). The vast majority of wives are lucky to get a little income as the church secretary or school teacher. I wonder what these wives think about Church and Chicanery missions needing $50k staffers when there is so little to do and even less is being done.
I proved to a local professional that a little blogging would bring in new customers. She and her husband did a little more with the blog I set up for them. They landed a new customer just like that, for free. The Internet is a phenomenal method for broadcasting the Word for little or no cost. I find the Shrinkers are ga-ga for useless overhead but numb to the efficacious Word.
Look at the silly website for The CORE. A lot of elaborate eye-candy techniques are designed for people with short attention spans. But nothing has been done in publishing good content since it was launched with a three-hour party. Given the need for three days to recover from a three-hour party, a website could easily have dozens of worthwhile items on it by now. But, WELS members should be glad, the offensive new material is published at a glacial pace. Twitter uses up so much time and energy, dontcha know.
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Anonymouse has left a new comment on your post "Why Is the Patterson Network On Synod Welfare?":
You will be judged by your own standards, Ichabod.
***
GJ - Actually, WELS is being judged by its own standards, by its own members. They are appalled at: the COP protecting false teachers: throwing money at wasteful self-indulgent, non-missions; and soft-pedaling the Stetzer gig at Church and Chicanery's conference.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Freddy Finkelstein on Ski's Theology
In a blog post below I mention how Rev. Jeske is promoting a Lutheranism that is encouraging leaders to be "Rule Breakers." A recent Jeske presentation was posted on Ichabod. In this presentation Jeske quotes the idea of breaking rules from a reformed author. Listen carefully to all of Jeske's words about Germanizing and Lutheranizing. The premise being promoted is that anything goes in worship.
Below is an editorial comment from Freddy Finkelstein about Jeske's friend Ski....
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He's (Jeske) not the only one on record saying this, of course. I recently visited Ski's Drive '08 blog, and on his Day_5 entry, he has some very telling comments regarding "Rule Breakers," and the influence they ought to have in directing ministry.
Here's the link: http://web.me.com/pastorski/Site/Day_5.html
The final Main Session with Andy Stanley was just phenomenal. We began with awesome worship. Today though, they began with a Christian rapper, Toby Mac. Our school kids would have loved it. I’m not sure that they would have believed that it was church though.
When Andy began his session. He started by saying that he was not going to follow his notes in the Drive ’08 Journal Book. Instead he was going to do something that he called, “Recent Random Thoughts On Church Leadership.” He shared 5 points and 5 takeaways. I think that he was at his absolute best this afternoon. Here are the 5 point & takeaways:
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To reach people no one else is reaching we must do things no one else is doing. (Question: "What is the measure of 'reaching people not yet reached?'" Numeric Growth in the church? Numeric growth from among the unchurched? Who's to say that they haven't already been reached with the Gospel, and that the Holy Spirit hasn't been doing His work all along?" Stanley's first point, here, unquestionably arrogates credit for the Holy Spirit's work to Man and his efforts.)
Takeaway - Become preoccupied with those you haven’t reached as opposed to those you keep. This is easier said than done. (Church Growthers are not concerned with back-door losses -- just perpetual growth. It is part of the program. Those who stay for awhile and contribute, but later leave, are nothing but throw-away "scaffolding" anyway, according to Church Growth theories.)
Wow, it seems so simple. And yet so hard.
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The next generation product almost never comes from the previous generation. (In other words, every new generation re-invents itself, makes its own mistakes, learns from them etc. In response to this, the single word "catholicity" comes to mind -- a word which a Church Growth sectarian like Andy Stanley would never think to utter or contemplate. The New Testament Church has made mistakes and learned from them for 2000 years. What has been handed down to us in terms of public practice is the result of trial and error over this entire period. Human nature has not changed over this period, making such wisdom entirely "relevant," especially given that it is primarily the nature common to all men to which the Church must address itself -- not man's culture, whimsical and fleeting as it is.)
Takeaway - Be a student not a critic.
What more can be said? How do we approach things? When things are different & involve change are we scared? Do we criticize or do we look to learn and implement? (What? Critical reception of change is necessary, especially among those publicly confessing catholicity and orthodoxy -- doubly so among those who consider themselves to be Berean!)
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What do I believe is impossible to do in my field? But if it could be done it would fundamentally change my business. (Everything we are in Christ is impossible for man to accomplish -- this is the fundamental truth of our "business." Nothing we do can change this fact. The making of a Christian is a miracle from start to finish. It is the Holy Spirit's work, not ours. We employ His Means, according to the command of Christ, and the Holy Spirit does the rest.)
Takeaway - Pay attention to the people who are breaking the rules. (What rules? The "rules" of public practice handed to us in the Western Rite and embraced in the Confessions? The few strictures of public practice placed on us by the Scriptures? The voluntary and brotherly "setting aside of personal preferences" in favor of unity in practice? As if there isn't great enough freedom within these boundaries, now we are to regard them as "rules which need to be broken." The entire Church is called to a mind of adolescence by such statements, called to regard "The System" with disdainful suspicion, and to cast aside the sound wisdom of our fathers. Indeed, Church Growthers make a joke out if it -- "It's not your father's church, anymore!" But we are called upon in the Scriptures to exercise sound wisdom in our freedom. Catholicity offers such wisdom as it has been gathered over two millenia. Will the "unhistorical spirit of our times" cause us to disparage and forget such wisdom? Looks like it...)
Crazy sounding isn’t it? We can fight technology and change, but in the end it will pass us and we will become archaic and irrelevant. Not our Message, but the manner in which we present it. Who would have ever thought texting would be as big as it is? How about multi-site church? Video church? These are all things that have changed how we worship. (The use of "new technology" is not "breaking rules" of any sort. There is, however, great wisdom in exercising caution in our use of it, as certain usages may well carry us outside of acceptable practice. It is also unwise to invest in fads, but only in those aspects of "new technology" which are going to remain a fixture.)
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If we got kicked out & the board brought in a new CEO what would they do? Why shouldn’t we walk out the door & then come back in & do it ourselves?
Takeaway - Acknowledge what is NOT working & own up to why you are unwilling to change it. (Again, what is the "measure of what is working?" Numbers? If a given congregation doesn't have what "central command" defines as "positive stats," then the Holy Spirit is not working? Hogwash.)
Some thoughts on this - rarely does the church (in general) get concerned about change until they run out of money. What if we asked some questions before it was too late? (As in, "Why are we spending so much money on needless changes?")
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What’s in decline? (According to whose standards of decline? Why is all decline considered to be evidence of something wrong? At one point, as a result of hard teaching no less, almost all the disciples abandoned Jesus until only the original 12 were left. What a failure He turned out to be...)
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Where are we manufacturing energy? In other words pretending something is important. An example would be if I continued to say that Bible Study was important, but never attended. I’m blowing hot air, “manufacturing energy.” I don’t believe that anyone wants to stand behind that or get involved in something like that.
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Finally, when are we going to unearth all underlying assumptions? Sometimes, what we assume, is not the reality. Are we willing to dig to find out the truth or are we happy with assuming. ("Underlying assumptions," as in, "If my stats aren't 'good' then the Holy Spirit isn't working, and it's all my fault?")
- When your memories exceed your dreams the end is near.
Takeaway - Don’t let success or momentum overshadow your vision. Keep the out front. (Again, what is success, and how does one know he has momentum? Given that it is "your vision" against which these are compared, I would assume measures of success and momentum are rooted in some aspect of man.)
How quickly can we be satisfied? How often do we look at things and say, “Well, it’s not great but it is better than such and such church.” Scary, but we sometimes fool ourselves into thinking like this. Some questions to ponder:
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What the burden on your heart?
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What breaks your heart?
(I stated above, "...rooted in some aspect of man." Yup. Look to yourself and into your own heart.)
That was it. After that Andy just ended and prayed for all the people there & for there (sic) ministries. As you can see from the pictures above, Buske & I got to get a picture with Andy, pretty cool. He is way down to earth. His wife Sandra was there also and she is just great. We actually got to talk to her a little more than Andy. You also notice John with the North Point member who played Bender in one of their sermon series called “Twisted”. The series was all about how Satan twists God’s Word. Finally, there is a photo of Buske & Todd Fields.
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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Freddy Finkelstein on Ski's Theology":
Interesting statements in The Core's website. www.gotocore.com
It may be a complete mistake or maybe even a Freudian one but the About The Core section of their website states, "The purpose of the new congregation (The CORE) is to have a church that, without comprising our beliefs, removes all barriers possible to reaching people outside the church." Comprise means to consist of or be composed of. I'm inclined to think the latter after reading the website.
The About The CORE section also states, "We are passionate about lifestyle witnessing - as St. Francis of Assisi said "Preach the Gospel at all times, use words when necessary." Really? quoting a Roman Catholic monk to confirm your passion for witnessing? A soul murderer! How about quoting a faithful Christian? And did they even think about what this trite phrase is saying? Is it really possible to teach the true Gospel without Words, Christ's Words?
And under Relevant it states, "We work to be students of the culture." What about Romans 12:2, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." and 1 John 2:15, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
Under the Download section there's two current bands. One is a man called Lil Mike's Christian Rap. Above they mention removing all barriers possible to reaching people. Really? Don't you think someone may be offended by Christian rap? Certainly since Rap music is generally associated with rebellion and immorality. Isn't causing an offense considered a barrier? Or does the freedom to worship card trump the breaking down all barriers card? Personally I abhor the whole breaking down barriers mantra. It's only an excuse to remove the Word of God which is the only thing that causes offense to the unbelieving world.
In the Welcome to The CORE section he says, "you will be...taught through God's Word how to connect to your Savior." There is a very Methodist/Baptist decision theology interaction proposed here. Scripture says it is God who calls people out of darkness and it's by grace through His Word and Sacraments. We don't initiate or even maintain a 'connection'. Romans 3:11, "There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God." Acts 2:39, "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call." Romans 8:30, "Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." It is not we who are taught to connect. We are only to remain faithful to His Word, and that is still by His grace and doing. God does it all.
I won't go into the inference in the first part of the paragraph where they correlate coming to church dressed up (having reverence for God) with pretending to be perfect. That's offensive.
In What is a worship service at The CORE like? section Pastor Ski states, "Maybe you have had a bad experience at church and it has led yo to think that church worship doesn't connect with you, your heart or life. At The CORE, we'll try to change that impression with straight honest talk about the issues that concern you as well as the feelings that trouble you." Now with every denomination under the sun trying to speak the language of today and connect with the worlds heart and life they can only be speaking about Liturgical Lutheran Worship. Even the Catholic Church has gotten into the raging Church Growth enthusiasm worship. Throughout this website they take one opportunity after another to bash traditional Lutheranism and present an exciting, relevant, relational church as the one that really cares.
The section on What Does The Core Believe links back to the About The Core, Mission and Vision statements. Again with the 'without comprising our beliefs'.
Christ says in Rev. chapter 2, "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted."
This could not be said of those who allow the apostate Church Growth horde to destroy the Pure Word and souls of men.
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