Thursday, May 21, 2009

Randy Hunter Got A Vicar For Latte Lutheran Church: Got Himself a Puff Piece in FIC Before That. Mars Hill - Do You Copy?



Rev. Randy can pull a vicar out of a hat, with his C and C connections. His website is Casual About Church.org. Seriously, dude.


What to Expect


•Messages from God’s word that connect to what’s really happening in your life
•Opportunities to explore God’s
word and find answers to your questions
•Friendly people who will welcome you, not judge you
•If you’re a parent, time for you to listen and talk while your kids are busy with fun Bible lessons and activities
•Bible readings, a video message, songs to sing along with or just listen to, prayer with and for each other -- all in a style that focuses on communicating, not just repeating words from a book.
•Comfy chairs, coffee and snacks, and casual clothing
•Our gatherings usually last about an hour and 15 minutes



The worldwide Internet ministry of The HOPE is an extremely effective way to share God’s redemptive story in today’s world. People around the world are discovering how to have a personal relationship with God through this ministry. The HOPE video stream and the follow-up that is available on this site are being provided free of charge by Mars Hill Productions (producer of The HOPE) and NeedHim (the follow up ministry for inquiries about Knowing God). About The Hope.

FIC Slobber Piece.



Rev. Kristen administers the Means of Grace.



"Take up the cross daily" has new meaning for Rev. Hunter.
Isn't anyone in WELS embarrassed?



Many Evangelicals can tell the difference between coffee and pure....
Why can't Lutherans?


***

GJ - Not everyone gets a vicar when requesting one. Patterson gets a free one each year. Do his C and C buddies upbraid him for being so selfish?

Frauenkirche, Dresden


Uncloseted Church and Changers




From: Daniel Wagenknecht
To: church_and_change@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 8:00:24 PM
Subject: Re: [church_and_change] HEY CHURCH ARE YOU REALLY OUT THERE? Or Am I lost in ...


Bob and everyone,

I have been concerned for a while that I might be among those living in the last times who, "because of the increase of wickedness," will find my love, along with "most", growing "cold."

Please don't take my failure to respond as lukewarmness toward the cause, however. I seldom send out blanket emails on list servers, but I think we all need some encouragement. I'm mission board chairman for the hardest hit WELS district, the Arizona-California. We are struggling and striving to figure out how to continue three missions whose funding has been discontinued. Two others that were de-funded will survive, and we are hoping and praying we can save five. One mission program will not continue.

I am understating it if I say this is heart-rending. But I don't believe the solution lies in the synodical budget, convention decisions, mission funding, or synodical organization. We need to understand that telling someone about Jesus costs nothing. We have over 1200 congregations organized to do this, and 200,000 WELS members (the official count minus a possible inactive or disinterested third) who know how to be missionaries.

It does not look like synodical funding will be available to start many missions anytime soon. But each congregation, pastor, and member can do so much starting today, to extend the kingdom of Christ. I urge all of us to make the most of every opportunity. Keep your heads up and eyes focused on Christ. Remember even without WELS, the Spirit caused his church to grow for 1850 years. Pray that God will continue to use our little church body for this great Cause.

Pastor Daniel M. Wagenknecht
Arizona-California District Mission Board (WELS)
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
6550 Fairmont Blvd.
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
office(714)779- 2384 or mobile 624-9001
"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

--- On Thu, 5/21/09, MiscoJohn@aol. com wrote:

From: MiscoJohn@aol. com
Subject: Re: [church_and_ change] HEY CHURCH ARE YOU REALLY OUT THERE? Or Am I lost in ...
To: church_and_change@ yahoogroups. com
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2009, 12:35 PM


Thanks, Bob, for your words, your thoughts, your loss of sleep, your zeal for the Lord, and your encouragements. I'm going to use some of what you wrote for the opening part of Peace Lutheran's council meeting tonight (both they and our little mission will have Ascension service this weekend). I, too, am a bit puzzled that you are not getting more response. Maybe we're all scared about what might happen yet, if things don't turn around in the economy. Faith in our Lord's power, promise to care for us, and a desire to see him return soon should dispel the fear. If it doesn't, then something is, as you imply, happening to our faith.

Blessings on your work---get some rest!

John Huebner

---

From: Dennis Rardin
To: church_and_change@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 8:15:26 PM
Subject: Re: [church_and_change] HEY CHURCH ARE YOU REALLY OUT THERE? Or Am I lost in ...


All,

A few thoughts, random ones, from one who has been both pastor and parishioner:

1) There are very real economic issues at work, including but not limited to the banking mess/recession.
a) Taxes. They keep going up. My wife and I bought a home in 2000. We sold it in 2005 and bought a much older home in a much less desirable area. Why? Because in 5 years, the property tax on the first home nearly doubled, and was consuming nearly 10% of our pre-tax income. Not the mortgage ... the property taxes.
b) Prices. The church spends 90% of its money on 2 things: people and buildings -- the only 2 things that have consistently increased in cost faster than inflation in the last 30 years. (Health care, of course, is a "people" cost.)
c) As a result, the same percentage of income does less church work than it used to. The trend will likely continue.

2) We have not gotten through the noise of American consumerism into our people's hearts what stewardship is. In a nutshell, the simple question is: How much are we willing to lower our standard of living in order to preach the Gospel? As noted above, my wife and I found ourselves unable to give what we wanted because of a property tax problem and a (temporary) reduction of income. We fixed the problem by lowering our standard of living -- we moved.

Our people don't generally do this. They don't, as a rule, even think in those terms when budgeting. We've left training in how to take care of money to the credit card companies, real estate agents, and car salesmen. It's not working very well.

3) The result is that when we say, "Help, WELS is broke," most of our people cannot help as much as the clergy sometimes think. To help to any real degree, in many cases they'd have to go back in time and buy a different home or car, stop consuming as much and pay down debt, etc.

4) My thoughts:

a) Our pastors, especially, need to get over our cultural reluctance to speak of themselves, make sure their own giving is right, and then lead by example. Our people just do not get it. They're going to need to hear, "You paid me $X last year. The parsonage was the same as paying me another $Y. My wife makes $Z. Last year we gave $A. Let me tell you how we did that." Maybe in the pulpit, maybe in people's living rooms, maybe not quite that way. But very, very specifically.

b) Our pastors need to preach more specific law about stewardship. We are very good at talking about the Widow's Mite. We need to get better at saying, "I don't know what level of giving is right for you. I do know that 1% isn't it."

c) If you could pick a time to make this adjustment, now would not be it. It needed to happen before there was a crisis. But there you have it.

5) As long as I'm writing heresy ... we really need to take a long, hard look at ministry priorities. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but if we added up all the budgets in the WELS, don't we spend more on K-12 education than on everything else we do, combined? This, in a word, is nuts.

Climbing Off Of Soapbox,
Dennis

Do I Hear An Echo, An Echo, An Echo?



Mark Driscoll dressed as Sauron but insisted on wearing
his Mickey Mouse emblem.



The CORE's vision is to become a city within the city, Skorzewski said.

"In the same way we've been transformed by Jesus, then our responsibility and opportunity is to share that Gospel message that transforms lives," he said. "We're going to start very small like a township and our goal is to grow into a city that affects the city for our Savior Jesus."

Post Crescent

MARS HILL:

Our Mission
Mars Hill Church lives for Jesus as a city within the city—knowing culture, loving people, and seeing lives transformed to live for Jesus.

http://www.marshillchurch.org/about

Ascension Sermon - Service at 6:PM Arizona Time



The Risen Christ by Norma Boeckler


Ascension, Holy Communion Service, 6:30 PM

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship

Bethany Lutheran Worship, 8 AM Phoenix Time


The Hymn #221 Hark Ten Thousand Harps 3:33
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 Acts 1:1-11
The Gospel Mark 16:14-20
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #496 From Greenland 3:23


Post Resurrection Appearances of Jesus

The Hymn #316 O Living Bread 3:45
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 #294 O Word of God 3:31

KJV Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

[The ending of Luke fits with the opening of Acts, which Luke also wrote.]

KJV Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

KJV Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Ascension
O Jesus Christ, Thou almighty Son of God, who art no longer in humiliation here on earth, but sittest at the right hand of Thy Father, Lord over all things: We beseech Thee, send us Thy Holy Spirit; give Thy Church pious pastors, preserve Thy word, control and restrain the devil and all who would oppress us: mightily uphold Thy kingdom, until all Thine enemies shall have been put under Thy feet, that we may hold the victory over sin, death, and the devil, through Thee, who livest and reignest with God the Father and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen,

Post Resurrection Appearances of Jesus

As I promised one layman, I am going to discuss the appearances of Christ after His resurrection, because we tend to pass over them.

The Gospel of John

The Fourth Gospel unifies the four-gospel account of Christ, giving us one coherent gospel, as Lenski wrote in his Interpretation of John.

The appearances of Jesus in John are vivid and compelling. The women saw the empty tomb first but they did not see Jesus right away.

When Mary Magdalene saw the empty tomb (John 20) she ran to tell Peter and John. Those disciples saw the empty tomb but did not see Jesus.

Mary returned to the tomb, she saw two angels in the place where Jesus lay. She was weeping when Jesus spoke to her. She did not know who He was at first, until He spoke her name, “Mary.”

She responded, “Rabboni – Master,” a response which gives many people goosebumps.

KJV John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

The rest of the chapter is well known, since we use it every year on Doubting Thomas Sunday. Jesus appeared to the disciples without Thomas being there and gave them (not the pope) the Office of the Keys. That was Easter evening.

He appeared again a week later, and they were still locked in a room.

KJV John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

John concluded his Gospel:

KJV John 20:30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

So what do we make of John 21, which has another and similar conclusion? I agree with Lenski that people prevailed upon the aging apostle to produce a supplement, which could have been written down by someone else, but was still dictated by the apostle. John 21 is found in all the early copies of the Gospel, so it was part of the account from very early times. So we have to wonder, “Why was this account of Jesus meeting them by the sea so important?”

In this account, Jesus appeared to some apostles while they were fishing, but the disciples did not recognize him. Jesus hid His identity as He did at first with Mary and the disciples walking to Emmaus. The disciples had not caught any fish, so Jesus suggested casting the net on the other side of the boat.

Biblical students recognize this as almost a duplicate of the miraculous catch of fish, as the Savior doubtless intended. The disciples were not out preaching the Gospel, but providing for their material needs. “Broiled fish” is another name for wages – The broiled fish of sin is death, as Paul said literally. So they were earning wages instead of preaching.

As soon as they obeyed the Word, the net was too heavy with fish to be pulled into the boat. John recognized Jesus.

KJV John 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

Peter was not literally naked, but down to his skivvies. He grabbed his outer garment and jumped into the sea, to get to shore first.

When everyone got to the shore, they saw Jesus had a fire, fish, and bread for them to eat. And he invited them to dine.

What is the purpose of this supplement?

One striking feature is the irony of the fishermen going back to their fishing. Jesus already had a meal for them, before the fish were hauled to shore. This example said to them, “I will take care of you. The fishers of men will not starve.”

I have told ministers, who confused a synod organization with the Savior, “You can still be a pastor. Just start studying the Bible with some people and let the Word do its work.” The Word is the Means of Grace, visible and invisible. Money is not.
Another lesson from John 21 is Jesus absolution of Peter. He used the Gospel, not the Law, to bring Peter to repentance. Just as Peter denied Him three times before a charcoal fire, so Jesus asked him the same question in three ways – before a charcoal fire.

KJV John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Jesus also addressed the death of Peter, how he would glorify God, but with no details about the death of John.

Matthew’s Gospel

Matthew’s Gospel is first in order and may be the first written. (Early on, some though of Mark as a harmony of Matthew of Luke. I tend to agree, but this is not a big issue, nor is it one we can solve on this side of the veil.)

In Matthew, it is clear that the angel opened the tomb for the women, not to let Jesus out. The Savior was not limited by His human nature. He left the sealed tomb, just as he entered the locked room of the disciples.

The two Mary’s saw the empty tomb, then ran to see the disciples. On the way, Jesus revealed Himself to them. They held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.

KJV Matthew 28:10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Matthew’s Gospel ends with the Great Commission as it is called:

KJV Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Church Shrinkers, using their Reformed doctrine, try to persuade people that Jesus said, “Make disciples!” The text does not say that at all. Jesus Gospel admonition says:


· Go and teach all nations – literally “disciple all nations.”
· Baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
· Instructing them to observe all things I have commanded you.
· I am with you to the end of the world.

Luther commented (Lenski, Matthew, p. 1150) – “These are the words of a Majesty which must be termed Majesty indeed.”

So the basic admonition is not to make something, but to teach all nations – without discrimination. Not so surprisingly, the McGavran followers were taught to distinguish races and social classes. The apostolic church did not. The apostles included the scum of the earth and wealthy socialites. Man creates barriers. The Word transcends barriers.

There are many important lessons in this ending of Matthew. Lenski identifies it with the appearance of Christ to 500 brethren (1 Corinthians 15).

KJV 1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

So this gathering in Galilee was a great teaching event. The 500 believers were eyewitnesses of the risen Lord, the same who was publicly crucified. No one could doubt the death of Jesus, with the sword piercing Him and the flow of blood and water. Now 500 witnesses were in agreement about His resurrection.

The tendency of many teachers is to have Jesus giving the Great Commission to the eleven, who are mentioned specifically (Matthew 28:17). Matthew takes special notice of them and says they worshiped Him, but some of them doubted. This is paralleled in the account in John, also showing the disciples were human, not plaster saints whose feet never touched the ground. And we, who know so much, still doubt. Vast numbers of mainline clergy disbelieve the empty tomb but talk glowingly about “the Easter faith of the disciples.”

Many conservative clergy say they believe the Word of God is inerrant, but they only trust the wisdom of man.

I have had many conservative Lutheran clergy argue with that Jesus said, “Make disciples,” and that our job is to “make disciples.” That has also appeared in many Lutheran publications.

So here we have the risen Lord instructing the gathered Church of its time, urging them outward across the world, trusting in the efficacy of the Word and Holy Baptism. Clearly, Holy Communion would follow the instruction – “all things I have commanded you.”

Mark’s Gospel

Many new and improved Bibles drop the second half of Mark 16, based on very questionable texts from the Vatican and a monastery, miraculously discovered by the same man, Tischendorf, who declared them the best manuscripts of the New Testament. By the way – there are many fake discoveries which have made the reputations of a man - until the fraud was proven.

The Gospel of Mark’s ending, Mark 16:9-20, shows the harmony of the Gospel with other accounts.

Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene first.
The disciples had a lot of trouble believing Jesus was risen.
Jesus appeared to the two who were walking in the country (Emmaus story).
Jesus upbraided the disciples for not believing the first accounts of His resurrection.

KJV Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

The ending of Mark is worth reading with fresh eyes. The same story is told but in different words. When people conspire to lie, they use the same words. Truthful witnesses will use different words but agree in details.


The Gospel of Luke

We owe the Gospel of Luke our favorite unique passages of the New Testament, including the birth of Jesus, the Good Samaritan, the Lost Sheep, and the Prodigal Son.

In Luke, the women discover the empty tomb, but only Peter is mentioned in the race to the tomb. This shows how John supplements and unifies the accounts so well. Once we add John to the picture, we have the compelling picture of two men racing to see this great wonder. John enjoys stating that he won the race, but impulsive Peter went into the tomb first. (Peter also jumped into the sea, John 21.)

Cleopas and another follower were on the road to Emmaus when Jesus drew up to them and joined them. He got them to talk about the commotion in Jerusalem, giving us an important insight, “Are you just a stranger in Jerusalem?” In other words – everyone knows what just happened:

KJV Luke 24:19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

Jesus was not exactly meek and mild at this point, a common theme in all the resurrection appearances:

KJV Luke 24:25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Jesus made Himself known in the breaking of the bread, so the two disciples (one of them Cleopas) rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the eleven.

KJV Luke 24:33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. 36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Here we see the perfect harmony between Luke and John. The disciples rushed back. Jesus had already appeared to Peter. And soon Jesus appeared to them in the locked room, saying “Peace be unto you.”

When we read all the resurrection accounts together, we see a more complete picture of the foundation laid by Jesus before His Ascension:

1. They saw the empty tomb and heard from the angels.
2. The women, Peter, and the Emmaus disciples saw the risen Lord.
3. Jesus instructed His followers and upbraided them for their lack of faith, since He had taught them about His suffering, death, and resurrection.
4. This instruction lasted for a period of time, so the Eleven, other disciples, and the 500 saw and heard the risen Savior before His Ascension.

Luke’s interest in historical accuracy preserves a bit of information which is easily overlooked.

KJV Acts 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Christ spent 40 days teaching them and showing them miraculous proofs, all of which confirmed them in their faith and trained them in what they would teach. When we read the works of the New Testament, it is not only the Holy Spirit speaking through human beings, but also Jesus in His initial training, His death and crucifixion, and His post-resurrection instruction of the Apostles – and the 500. The Christian Church grew miraculously because God provided a broad base of carefully trained people who were eyewitnesses of the Risen Lord.

Jesus rose into heaven, probably from Jerusalem, His disciples lost in wonder, still gazing at the sky.

Two angels spoke to them:

Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

That statement is the beginning and the final purpose of the Christian Church. The disciples stopped gazing and began teaching what they had learned. One day Jesus would return in the same way He left. On that day, every knew will bow and confess that Jesus is the Lord.

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.

Ascension Day: DP Englebrecht - Where Are Your Pastors?




Driscoll: "We are all about Jesus."



DP Englebrecht - Anything Goes District - Appleton and Adjoining Counties.


KJV John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Church and Chicaneries Have Bankrupted the Synod: Now They Weep And Moan



The Gurgel/Wayne Mueller team ran the synod into the ground, using all the Schwan money and abusing the designated funds as well.


From: rjg3534 - Professor Richard Gurgel
To: church_and_change@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 3:05:13 AM
Subject: [church_and_change] “REGNAT”! HAPPY ASCENSION DAY!!

REGNAT! HE REIGNS!

On this Ascension Day the church around the world needs to be encouraged "REGNAT! He reigns!

For centuries the church has ended its prayers praying in the Name of Him who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
We who celebrate VIVIT! on Easter dare not ever forget REGNAT!

---

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: rjg3534
To: church_and_change@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 3:06:17 AM
Subject: [church_and_change] AN ASCENSION DAY QUESTION: “REGNAT” or NOT?!

Is He really alive?!

Does He really reign?!

Will we call on His power and use it in the face of extreme adversity which has both come upon us and that we have caused?

---

From: rjg3534
To: church_and_change@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 3:08:06 AM
Subject: [church_and_change] ANOTHER ASCENSION DAY QUESTION: Is it God's will or…

Is it God's will or lack of our will?

Is it God's will or lack of our will - that we have already begun a rapid retreat from World (and home) mission fields?

---

From: rjg3534
To: church_and_change@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 3:11:03 AM
Subject: [church_and_change] HEY CHURCH ARE YOU REALLY OUT THERE? Or Am I lost in cyberspace?


Do I know how to use the internet?

AM I lost in cyberspace?

I'm just one member of the body of Christ, my Ascended LORD.

For two weeks I have sent messages " DPYBY! Don't pack your bags yet!
I was hoping to rally the church to hear the cries calling us to deliver their land from error's chains. I have had two responses!!

Meanwhile, I am truly heartbroken to hear from Portugal to Brazil, from Malawi to Mozambique the sounds of bags being packed!! Men trained or being trained to proclaim Christ in tongues that hear precious little of him who are now called to more familiar shores and tongues¦ It's too much!

It's now 2:38 a.m. on Ascension Day morning. Have I lost my mind or are we losing our faith?

---

From: rjg3534
To: church_and_change@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 3:13:23 AM
Subject: [church_and_change] BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WHAT SHALL WE DO?


1 - Will you join with me and my congregation right now in praying to the LORD to enable us to not retreat from our corporate role in carrying out the great commission?

2 - Will you join me in emailing our Synod President right now pleading with him to ask the Synodical Council (SC) and the Conference of Presidents (COP) to IMMEDIATELY stop any and all recall?!

3 - Will you prayerfully " in addition to your personal gifts and your Congregation's Mission Offering (CMO) promise - make a special gift (according to the means the LORD has entrusted to you be they small or great) by June 30, 2009?

And another by June 30, 2010 to keep our mission going?

It could be as simple as 8,000 people promising to give $1,000 " that adds up to the 8 million we are short! It could be as simple as 1,000 congregations promising to give $8,000.

Let the LORD do the math " be a part of it and thank Him for the opportunity! !

DPYBY! Don't pack your bags yet!

If you want to have materials to stimulate your own creation of materials to help to encourage your congregation to do this ask for my rude attempt and I will sent it to you.

---

From: rjg3534
To: church_and_change@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 3:19:48 AM
Subject: [church_and_change] Sixth Message


THis is the sixth message from the same source. PLEASE read them in the order of their being sent, NOT in the order in which they may appear on your inbox.

PLEASE START with REGNAT! Happy Ascension Day and follow them ala Burma Shave Signs.

With love and partnership with you in CHrist,

RJG3534 - Bob Gurgel

It's now 3:00 a.m. on Ascension Day I am going back to bed. I pray that I will never forget VIVIT! and REGNAT! I pray that you will join with me in using the power those truths proclaim!

---

From: "kremerk@nph.wels.net"
To: church_and_change@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 9:46:40 AM
Subject: RE: [church_and_change] Something to share this Ascension Day from the East Asia mission fronteir (sic)




Dear Professor Gurgel,

You have just written (far more eloquently than I could ever have said it) something that has been weighing heavy on my own heart and mind for some time.

I am scheduled to serve as a teacher delegate this summer in Saginaw. For the first time ever, I'm not at all looking forward to that convention week because it will mean that I must not only wrestle with some difficult decisions that our synod is facing, but I fully expect to also have to
wrestle with my own complacency, selfishness, anger, pride, uncharitable attitudes, arrogance, and probably a dozen or more other "beams in my own eye." Without some serious introspection and personal repentance, a luke warm approach to carrying out our co-mission with the Lord of the church is all but guaranteed. This is not about money, a wilting economy, or hard
times for the church. And while, in Christian compassion, our hearts ache for the many people who will be affected, it's not about the WELS job market either. Nor is it about protecting and defending the WELS culture or the great traditions of the Lutheranism. Our current fiscal status is only a disturbing symptom of a much larger problem. This is about the condition of our hearts. My heart. It's about sanctified living. Its about learning to apply the truth we already know in Spirit-borne faith. That begins with a hard and honest self-evaluation of my own thoughts and
attitudes.

When we say with our lips that we belong to the ascended Lord, and that we will, in his name, carry on his gospel ministry to the ends of the earth, and then fail to walk in that direction, we are really telling him to pack his bags. That's a far more serious problem than a shortfall in budgetary funding or a poor showing in this year's CMOs.

Thank you for your heartfelt message. I will take your words to heart, and I will pray today that our leaders will do the same, as well as all of the blood-bought souls of the WELS.

Blessed Ascension Day,
Kenn Kremer

---

From: John C Lawrenz
To: church_and_change@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 5:14:52 AM
Subject: [church_and_change] Something to share this Ascension Day from the East Asia mission fronteir

Dear church and change brothers and sisters.

I've been praying for our WELS leaders. I've been writing encouraging letters and asking questions. I know it's hard--not only for the corporate synod, but for congregations, schools, families, and individuals. Nobody should point fingers quickly. Today I've received--with the rest of you--Ascension Day pleas via Church and Change from brother Bob Gurgel, pastor on Milwaukee's south side. Like many of us, he wan'ts to DO something.

I wrote to my blood brother in Africa today. He is one who may be voted in July to follow Mark Johnston, even though he has also been in Africa for a long time (22 years) and speaks African languagues. The area that he and Mark were shepherding has some 50 bush vacancies with more members than anywhere in Central Africa. The prognosis after pulling theological mentors from the Thyolo Road district of Malawi is rather alarming. The churches will dwindle, members disperse to sectarians or Moslems, and many will--that terminal word--die.

Someone suggested to me and him that the WELS plan going forward may be to downsize, nothing more.

I thought I would share with you Church and Change brothers what I wrote to to my brother earlier today. . .

Dear brother,

If “downsizing” is “THE PLAN” I strenuously disagree. Different means (less costly) to the same ends. Jesus didn’t say “downsize” when he ascended. With ALL my power go to ALL the world teaching ALL I revealed and I will be with you ALL the time!

Now, a pause and a retooling. That’s okay. But a “plan” to downsize. Nope! I don’t find that in the Scriptures! It’s a concession to people who don’t want anyone to “move their cheese.”

We can train ministers more economically, but NOT the same old way. We can spread the Gospel worldwide, but NOT the same old way. What we can’t do is downsize so that we do the same old things, but less of it!

That’s what I have to say about that. Brother John in HK

***

Heirs Together of God’s Gracious Gift of Life
Authors: Richard Gurgel and Kathie Wendland
This 11- lesson study begins by giving healthy emphasis to the often forgotten shared blessings and responsibilities men and women have in serving Christ. All the lessons are meant to provide opportunities for men and women to discuss what Scripture says about their interdependence and the unique applications of unchanging principles for different ministry settings. The topics in the first half of the study are: equality in God’s image, equality in sin and salvation, our shared mission as royal priests of God, and the spiritual gifts God gives both to men and women. The second half of the study looks at our unique callings as male and female by defining head, helper and calling, and then applying these relationships in marriage, church and the unbelieving world. Spiral bound workbook. Size 8 1/2 x 11.
Catalog Item Number: 387620
Price: $10.00

Church and Changers Revealed From Their Own Mailing List


Professor John Lawrenz, serving at the portable Asian seminary, sent this for Sausage Factory professor Rich Gurgel - brother of ex-SP Gurgel.


Forwarded Message ----
From: John C Lawrenz
To: church_and_change@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 9:35:44 AM
Subject: [church_and_change] Posting for Professor Richard Gurgel on Ascension Day





[Note: Professor Richard Gurgel posted this to Church and Change shortly after I made a post. For some reason his neither reached me, nor one other person in Church and Change. Rich asked if I would be so good to try--of all things--posting from China :-) Glad to do it. Let's hope it works. John C. Lawrenz in Hong Kong]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

(In the following reply to previous emails, I do not speak for Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. I speak only as an individual Christian reflecting on what is going on in our midst from the unique place God has graciously put me in his world.)

As I begin this reply, it is 5:45 AMon Ascension Day. Last evening, our seminary had to inform 11 of our 38 Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary seniors that while the fields are white for harvest, and while the Lord has answered the prayers of his people for workers in that harvest, that we cannot afford to send them anywhere into that harvest at this time. Having day after day seen the gospel fed and fired zeal and eagerness in these young men (which God often uses to call me to repentance when my zeal flags!), it was a heart rending meeting last night as the news was broken. We spent a long time weeping with those who weep.

We, each of us as synod, who have just told 19 world missionaries to pack their bags, have now conversely told 11 seminary students (not to mention 2 of our graduates from our Asian training program and about 20 teacher candidates at MLC) that they shouldn’t pack their bags. Of course, this does not count the as yet unknown number of other workers in our home missions and schools who may yet hear that we are no longer able to support them as they serve where we have called them.

How did we get here? Is it really the economy? Yes, that has certainly played its role. It has taken resources from many gospel empowered families who would love to give more for gospel outreach.

But, funny thing, in Macedonia, that didn’t stop the brothers and sisters there from responding with gospel empowered single-mindedness to opportunities to express love and compassion for the physical and spiritual needs of a dying world. “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints” (2 Co 8:2-4). As others have commented before on those verses, people don’t give as they are able; they give as they are led.

Every one of us – especially those of us entrusted with leadership in Israel– has to ask himself/herself how we got here. How did we end up asking so many to pack their bags while telling others no bags need to be packed? While we can certainly urge our leaders to look for creative ways to do more of the Lord’s work with less, haven’t there been many messages that we have been sending – at times for years – that have brought days like this?

I do not intend to paint with a Wagner power painter, but these next sentences are asking you to join me in doing some evaluation of where we, in our part of God’s world, may have played a part in saying “Pack your bags!” for quite some time.

Last January, I sat in an annual meeting and watched as with only one or two dissenting votes (from the all too few who had gathered) the congregation of which I am a part slashed 30,000+ from our previous year’s CMO pledge (with no equivalent pain to our own local budget that I could see). Weren’t we saying, “Pack your bags.” (or “Don’t” as the case may be)?

When a congregation is more concerned that their gym grows to high school length while agape love for souls beyond their community grows short, then aren’t we proclaiming “Pack your bags!”?

When a congregation gives little or no focused emphasis to the Year of Jubilee offering, or does not come up with their own better way of doing it if they don’t like how that offering was structured, then aren’t we declaring, “Pack your bags!”?

When a culture that is Amusing Itself to Death (as one best selling book once called it) lures us into pushing to the side what is really important as we lose ourselves for hours and hours in front of our flat screen HD TV’s (for yet another night of being amused by American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, or the NCAA basketball tournament), then haven’t we announced, “Pack your bags!”?

When I seem to be more concerned that my children know how to execute a perfect lay-up or play man-to-man defense than how to defend and confess their faith, then am I not exclaiming, “Pack your bags!”?

When I am more troubled about the losses in my 403b(7) than the losses to our gospel outreach, then am I not subtly shouting “Pack your bags!”?

The list could go on quite at length – and where it cuts me may be different from where it cuts you - but in whatever way I resemble the members of the church of Laodicea (‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot”), I am saying “Pack your bags!”

Our synod’s president, our Synodical Council, and the Conference of Presidents cannot be expected to shout louder than 400,000 voices are already shouting. They certainly have their God-given responsibility, and for that we can pray and urge and encourage. But it is in my heart, and my little part of God’s kingdom, that I must first check for beams in my eye which, if left unchecked, inevitably puts a strange message in my “voice.”

On this Ascension Day, may we in humble repentance turn to find renewed joy in the truth that he who is risen also reigns and in the awesome patience that our merciful and forgiving Lord of the Church displays for you and me. I know where I need to begin: I need to begin by finding renewed zeal and resolve in the awesome forgiving love of Christ so that in my little part of God’s kingdom (my heart, my life, my family, my congregation, my place of ministry) I less and less am heard to say “Pack your bags.”

Your brother,

Rich Gurgel

---

From: "Gurgel, Richard"
To: church_and_change@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 7:28:53 AM
Subject: RE: [church_and_change] Something to share this Ascension Day from the East Asia mission fronteir (sic)

Dear church and change brothers and sisters.

I've been praying for our WELS leaders. I've been writing encouraging letters and asking questions. I know it's hard--not only for the corporate synod, but for congregations, schools, families, and individuals. Nobody should point fingers quickly. Today I've received--with the rest of you--Ascension Day pleas via Church and Change from brother Bob Gurgel, pastor on Milwaukee's south side. Like many of us, he wan'ts (sic) to DO something.

I wrote to my blood brother in Africa today. He is one who may be voted in July to follow Mark Johnston, even though he has also been in Africa for a long time (22 years) and speaks African languagues (sic). The area that he and Mark were shepherding has some 50 bush vacancies with more members than anywhere in Central Africa. The prognosis after pulling theological mentors from the Thyolo Road district of Malawi is rather alarming. The churches will dwindle, members disperse to sectarians or Moslems, and many will--that terminal word--die.

Someone suggested to me and him that the WELS plan going forward may be to downsize, nothing more.

I thought I would share with you Church and Change brothers what I wrote to to my brother earlier today. . .

Dear brother,

If “downsizing” is “THE PLAN” I strenuously disagree. Different means (less costly) to the same ends. Jesus didn’t say “downsize” when he ascended. With ALL my power go to ALL the world teaching ALL I revealed and I will be with you ALL the time!

Now, a pause and a retooling. That’s okay. But a “plan” to downsize. Nope! I don’t find that in the Scriptures! It’s a concession to people who don’t want anyone to “move their cheese.”

We can train ministers more economically, but NOT the same old way. We can spread the Gospel worldwide, but NOT the same old way. What we can’t do is downsize so that we do the same old things, but less of it!

That’s what I have to say about that. Brother John in HK

Rockin with the Babtists - Now On You Tube





Tres Amigos



Everyone knows: Anything Goes District
Rev. Douglas J. Engelbrecht
Northern Wisconsin District President
nwdpwels@sab.wels.net
920-722-6712

What Eight WELS Workers Learned at the Babtist Drive 09 Conference


Drive Conference 2009 - Dance - Session 2! from John on Vimeo.



Readers may wonder what is real, relevant, and relational about this. Drive 09 wanted to create a quality worship experience, so they offered this training film.


---


Thursday, May 07, 2009
The Spontaneous Dance at DRIVE '09

Before one of the sessions at Drive there were people in the audience that were strategically sitting and spontaneously starting dancing. This is how they taught the dance to the staff and volunteers involved. It was awesome.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Joseph Schmidt Proposes New NPH Title


Every So Often,
They Take a Break from Schwaermer Conferences To Do Church



Tim Glende, from Ron Ash's congregation (St. Peter, Freedom) seat of Church and Change, at lunch with Ski - board member of Church and Change. Photo from Bishop Katie's Tweet.



pastorski
http://yfrog.com/10y7fj Lunch @ The Crab Pot with @glende78 & @kstrandlund.
KJV Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.


Recent Schwaermer Conferences, Known Attendees:


  1. Drive 08 (Babtist Andy Stanley) - Parlow, Buske, Ski
  2. Catalyst (Stanley and Groeschel) - Ski
  3. Granger CC (Mark Beeson) - Ski and Katy
  4. Drive 09 (Stanley) - Ski, Glende, Katy, Buske, and four other WELS pastors
  5. VP Don Patterson led a group of WELS workers to Exponential, but he is not Church and Change. Oh no. How could anyone say that? Except - they heard Babtist Ed Stetzer, slavered at his golden words, and hired him immediately to speak at this year's Church and Chicanery conference. C and C has not told the truth yet about this gig.

Facebook Drive Conference

***

GJ - Someone opined that they were Tweeting false information so they could denounce the lies on Ichabod. I have had that attempted three different times. One was a report of a pastor's adultery and leaving the ministry (utterly false). Another was an ex-pastor from WELS being welcomed back (also false). A third example was more recent.

As of this date, I have no precise information on the conference, but there is this from Tim Glende's congregation:

PASTOR CONFERENCE
Pastor Tim will be gone from Tuesday – Thursday, May 19-22nd . If an emergency arises,
please contact Pastor Christenson @ 733-7225 or his new cell# 419-4195.

http://www.stpetercares.com/home/2440/2440/docs/Church%20Bulletin%20Non%20Communion%20Sunday051709.doc?sec_id=2440

5/15/2009 Church Bulletin from 5/17/09


When Glende went to the Drive 09 Babtist Worship Conference with Ski, Buske, Katy, and four other WELS pastors, the trip was announced in his St. Peter bulletin the same way - implying a WELS conference but not identifying the actual name or place of the Atlanta conference. So I have to assume it is a Schwaermer conference or a Church and Change gathering to plan their split.

---

rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "Every So Often, They Take a Break from Schwaermer ...":

This reminds me a little bit of what Luther said about what you get with a pilgrimage to Rome; a bad conscience, a ruined stomach and an empty purse. It is worse today. These pilgrims' consciences cannot be pricked. Their purses will not be emptied as they probably are not spending much of their own money.

Mark Driscoll: The Cussing Pastor, Church and Change Fave




In the Land of Mars Hill where the popcorn pops.
One Fad to rule them all, One Fad to find them,
One Fad to neuter all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mars Hill where the popcorn pops.



Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Ski, Katie, and Glende in Seattle - For a Game?":

Should we make it nine Nazgûl chasing the Ring?

Much that once was, is lost.
For none now live that remember it.
It began with the forging of the great rings.

Three were given to the Sausage Factory WELveS, immortal, wisest, and fairest of all beings in their own minds.
Seven to the LittleSect dwarf Lords.
Nine rings were given to the race of Enthusiast-Praise Bands, who above all things desire power.

But they were all of them deceived, for another ring was made. Near the land of Mars Hill, in the Popcorn Kettle of Doom, the Evil Foe forged in secret... a master ring to dominate all others. Into this ring he poured his cruelty, his malice, and his will to deprive the world of the simple, pure Gospel. One Church Growth Ring to Rule Them All.

One by one the confessional churches fell through the deception of the Church Growth Ring. But there were some who resisted.

A last alliance of LC-Men_S and WELveS marched against the armies of Church Growth. In the land of Fuller, on the slopes of Willow Creek, they fought for the freedom of the unrestrained Gospel.


It was in this moment, when all hope had faded, that Ichabod, Son of the King, took up his Fathers' Sword...



(all in good fun)

+ Diet O. Worms

---


Drug Addict Jimmie Hendrix Memorial, Renton, Washington.
Ski caption: "Way cool."

Ski, Katie, and Glende in Seattle - For a Game?



Lampe, Ski, Becker, and Spencer: The Four Horsemen of St. Marcus, with Bishop Katie beaming down on them from above.



Ski's photo of Safeco Field in Seattle


Bishop Katie's Tweet:
In Seattle. Forgot how much I LOVE the pacific northwest
about 11 hours ago from Tweetie

The St Peter's bulletin says that Pastor Tim Glende is at a "Pastors Conference: May 19 - May 21."

Because this is graduation and call week, there are likely no WELS Pastors Conference during this time.

Mars Hill pastor Mark Driscoll is headquartered in Seattle. He is a favorite false teacher among the Church and Chicaneries.

Mark Driscoll lies?

That is all I have for the moment. Ski, Katie, and Glende discoverd their Tweets are being circulated with gusto, shock, and disgust, so they are not sharing as much as before. Anyone can check up by calling the congregations involved. Tain't my synod, as the Shrinkers keep reminding me.

Pure guesswork:
The trio has barely unpacked from the awesome Drive 09 Conference with Andy Stanley and five other WELS pastors. Another Schwaermer conference so soon suggests to me that Church and Change is developing an exit strategy for its congregations.

That would make more sense out of the Popcorn Cathedral of Rock. Hints suggest that the primary audience of The CORE consists of local WELS members. They could join PCR (aka The CORE) when the split comes.



Mark Driscoll preaches at more than one WELS congregation, via the highly trained pastor Kelming sermons from Mars Hill.


On this blog Driscoll is called "The Cussing Pastor."

R-rated description of Driscoll content.

Wikipedia entry on Driscoll - pace, Kit.

Driscoll, along with Leif Moi, Mike Gunn, and the Acts 29 network of independent churches, is part of the missional theology community that adheres to classical Calvinist, or Reformed, theology and views their mission as communicating this school of theology to "modern" people (Emerging Reformed). (Wickedpeida)

Holy Word in Austin--
Kudu Don Patterson--Got Their Vicar.
Is This One Free?



Scene at Rancho Patterson: "You must be the new vicar.
I hope you are as bad a shot as Kudu Don."


VP Don Patterson has a vicar assigned. Here is the link.

Paul A. Bowe from Menominee Falls was the #4 draft pick.

Un-CGM congregations never get one, in spite of requesting one, year after year.

Everyone wants to know - Is this vicar free too?

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Wisconsin Lutheran College Keynote Speaker in the News: Archbishop Weakland





Sex-abuse victims group rebuffs Weakland’s naiveté claim

By Annysa Johnson of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: May. 18, 2009


Weakland says in his forthcoming memoir, “A Pilgrim in a Pilgrim Church”: “We all considered sexual abuse of minors as a moral evil, but had no understanding of its criminal nature.” .


. Weakland says in his forthcoming memoir, “A Pilgrim in a Pilgrim Church”: “We all considered sexual abuse of minors as a moral evil, but had no understanding of its criminal nature.” Close Advocates for victims of Catholic clergy sex abuse on Monday released documents they say refute claims by retired Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland that he did not understand early on the criminal nature of the abuse or its long-term effects on victims.

They also disputed statements that he attempted to deal with pedophile priests but was thwarted by Vatican policy.

Weakland makes those assertions in his forthcoming memoir, "A Pilgrim in a Pilgrim Church," saying at one point, "We all considered sexual abuse of minors as a moral evil, but had no understanding of its criminal nature."

The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests took issue with the claims, and on Monday released documents from a civil fraud case involving the late Father Lawrence Murphy, who is thought to have abused as many as 200 deaf children in the 1960s and '70s.

"He likes to position himself as a critic of the Vatican, the one bishop who stood up to challenge the system," SNAP Midwest Director Peter Isely said of Weakland, in releasing the documents outside the archdiocese's Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.

"He never once stood up against the system when it came to the molestation and rape of boys" by Murphy at St. John School for the Deaf in St. Francis, where Murphy worked for two decades, Isely said.

Weakland did not return a telephone call seeking comment.

In a statement, the archdiocese said it has acknowledged for many years the allegations against Murphy included in the documents. The abuse committed by Murphy "thirty years ago was a horrendous betrayal of his priestly vows," said the statement. It said Murphy's name appears on the archdiocese's list of clergy offenders and that the archdiocese has instituted policies to ensure that such abusers no longer serve as priests.

In his book, the retired archbishop says that in the 1970s, he "naively" accepted the notion that victims would either forget or "grow out of" the abuse. He blames the leniency shown by judges toward priests (and other professionals) in sex abuse cases for shaping his views on the perpetrators.

The documents released Monday include victim statements recounting their memories and anguish from as early as 1974; a reference to a 1974 review of allegations against Murphy by the Milwaukee County district attorney's office (no charges were filed because the statute of limitations had expired); and a letter showing Weakland was preoccupied - even after the priest's death in 1998 - with preserving his "good name."

In the letter to a nun explaining why he wanted a private funeral for Murphy, Weakland said: "So far, we have succeeded in preserving his reputation, and I hope we are able to do so in the future."

The letter was written five years after a psychotherapist's assessment of Murphy - also included in the documents - detailed how he preyed on vulnerable boys, one as young as 11, after they confided in him in the confessional.

Murphy, who died in 1998, is at the center of one of the civil fraud cases now pending against the Milwaukee Archdiocese. In it, Donald Marshall, now an adult, said he was molested by Murphy at a school in northern Wisconsin in the late 1970s after the priest was sent by the Milwaukee Archdiocese to live and work in Boulder Junction.

Cheap Shots from the Shrinkers Make My Day





Bailing Water
Anonymouse said...
>>>WLC is not as mission-minded and is not under synod oversight. There have been things that have gone on there (just read GJ) that a synodically-funded school would not have done. <<<

Surely you don't believe anything Gregory Jackson writes. It doesn't take much intelligence to see the guy's a little off base in his claims and accusations. Anyone who has enough time to stalk multiple synods as he does, obviously isn't doing much positive outreach for Christ.

---

Bishop Katie
Up and our (sic) the door before 8am. This is a rare ocassion.
6:04 AM May 18th from Tweetie

***

GJ - I am walking Sassy by 5:30 AM every day. That might explain why I have time to blog, write my own sermons, and publish books. Fortunately, I now work exclusively from home, since everything I do is online. I do wonder about people who have time to comment anonymousely on two different blogs - every day. Is that a constructive, edifying, and Gospel-spreading hobby?

Doebler - District Popes Approve Rock and Roll, Copy and Paste Lutheran Church



Why are WELS sermons so Calvinistic?
Answer: They are Kelmed.


Matt Doebler's sermon:

Hasnt Christianity been an Agent of Oppression hypocrisy, Jesus Christ, oppression, church.

This sermon and more from Presbyterian minister Tim Keller can be found here:

Right-click "Download" and select 'save target/link as' to listen to sermons related to Tim Keller's book The Reason for God from the series The Trouble with Christianity: Why it's so Hard to Believe it.


  • Exclusivity: How can there be just one true religion? 1 John 4:1-10 Download
    Suffering: If God is good, why is there so much evil in the world? 1 Peter 1:3-12 Download
  • Absolutism: Don't we all have to find truth for ourselves? Galatians 2:4-16 Download
  • Injustice: Hasn't Christianity been an instrument for oppression? James 2:1-17 Download
  • Hell: Isn't the God of Christianity an angry Judge? Luke 16:19-31 Download
  • Doubt: What should I do with my doubts? (AM) John 20:1-18 Download
    Literalism: Isn't the Bible historically unreliable and regressive? (AM) Luke 1:1-4; 24:13-32

    Doebler Sermons:

    Dont we all have to find truth for ourselves?
    Matt Doebler
    05-03-2009
    4 listens

    How can there be only one true religion?
    Matt Doebler
    04-19-2009
    9 listens

    Open the Gates for the King of Glory!
    Matt Doebler
    04-05-2009
    7 listens

    The Rebel's Guide to Joy in Poverty (another borrowed series - Mark Driscoll)
    Matt Doebler
    03-15-2009
    30 listens

    The Rebel's Guide to Joy in Exhaustion
    Matt Doebler
    03-01-2009
    18 listens

    The Rebel's Guide to Joy in Temptation
    Matt Doebler
    02-15-2009
    20 listens

    The Rebels Guide to Joy in Death
    Matt Doebler
    02-01-2009
    25 listens

    The Rebels Guide to Joy in Loneliness
    Matt Doebler
    01-18-2009
    16 listens

    The State of the Church 2009
    Matt Doebler
    01-04-2009
    56 listens

    The Hero Follows Through
    Matt Doebler
    12-21-2008
    11 listens

    The Hero Delivers
    Matt Doebler
    12-07-2008
    14 listens

    The Hero Sacrifices
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    11-23-2008
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    The Hero Heals
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    11-09-2008
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  • ---

    Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Doebler - District Popes Approve Rock and Roll, Co...":

    One day the light bulb will come on at the Sausage Factory with the answer: WELS central will prepare all the sermons, and email them out to the local pastors. Of course, the local pastors will gladly pay several thousand dollars of offerings each year for the service.

    ***

    GJ - I heard there was a sermon service from The Love Shack. I cannot verify it. At one meeting I suggested shutting down Perish Services and getting everything from Fuller Seminary - direct, instead of filtered. Shocked laughter followed.

    WELS Budget Cutting Idea:
    Fire the District Popes and VPs




    The WELS doctrinal fiasco, which is behind the budget meltdown, is the direct result of District Popes and their underlings doing nothing about false doctrine for 30 years. The DPs and VPs devour a lot of the offerings. Every DP gets a full-time pastor to do his parish work, which is more like the Episcopalian model of having a bishop in a parish with a pastor doing the congregational work.

    Another neat thing about being a DP is synod-funded travel - not only to dowdy cities like Milwaukee, but also to faraway missions. No one critical of Holy Mother WELS is going to travel overseas. That includes the Little Sect pastors.

    The District Popes have Church and Change congregations in their districts - all their districts. I am not saying the DPs do nothing. They do a lot - encouraging, funding, and defending false doctrine. A recent papal gathering was at VP Patterson's congregation, named Holy Word. (Does anyone laugh when the name is mentioned?) The DPs thought Rock and Roll Lutheran was right just fine. Doebler got more money and time. Copy sermons from false teachers? No problem. All the bigshots in WELS do it.

    Patterson put in two requests for free staffmembers. These are tough times: he may only get one free staffer, a vicar.

    Did the DPs stop the Leonard Sweet Church and Chicanery conference?

    Have they dis-invited Ed Stetzer?

    Have they stopped the flow of pastors to Andy Stanley's Drive?

    Their only job is to oversee the doctrine of the Christian Church. They have failed that duty in every possible way.

    One Synod, Two Minds


    Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "WELS Budget Cuts":

    I realize that most "one plan" ideas in the past were not what most people wanted and pushed down the gullets of the delegates. However, in suggesting that the leadership of the synod present one plan instead of two, my intention was to give one plan, but not shove it down the throats of the delegates. Instead, my thought was that they would be there is any optional information the floor committee and plenary committee wants and would have solid data to back it up.
    This issue I have with two plans is that the leadership seems to have indicated their favored position by calling it Option A. It would also seem that, in offering two positions, they can favor one (A) by making the other unacceptable to many (B), with the closing of MLS.

    As I see it, the two options making the closing of MLS such a hot potato that the synod leadership did not want to deal with it, so they are leaving it up to the floor committee to make the decision, thus relieving the synod's leadership of negative PR.

    Instead of good leadership, it see (sic) it is the cleverest political move they (sic) synodical council could have devised. They are off the hook completely. When all it said and done, they can say, "We had nothing to do with it. It was your decision, and we are simply carrying out the decision of the convention." To me, the two option plan either shows indecision by the synodical leaders or fear of again being the bad guys.

    ***

    GJ- The Synodical Council has such people as Safari Timmerman on it. He stated that most worship is adiaphora anyway, that WELS is clearly failing, that something must be done.

    Something has been done--for the last 30 years--by the Shrinkers: Patterson, Valleskey, Roth, Huebner, Olson, Bivens, Bruce Becker, The Love Shack Staff, and The Sausage Factory.

    WELS has been trying to put a Corvair engine in a Chevvy, anti-confessional marketing efforts to make a Means of Grace body grow. So it has shrunked up considerably while wasting millions of dollars.

    As one sage observer mentioned to me in a signed email, the schools have fixed costs. It makes no sense to take away $1 million from the schools (as the Timmerman SC gang wants) to help fund a nebulous concept of missions. I would tell the SC, if invited, "You made your bed. Now lie in it."

    Pew Study: Happiness Is Being Old, Male, and Republican


    Here is the story.

    Monday, May 18, 2009

    WELS Budget Cuts



    SP Mark Schroeder



    Candidates for ministry: blessings from a gracious God

    From the office of President Mark Schroeder

    At Martin Luther College and at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, God is again demonstrating his love for his church by providing dozens of young people who are led by him to say, "Here am I; send me!"

    Last week at Martin Luther College, 80 candidates for the teaching ministry were assigned to their field of service. As they received their calls, our entire synod was reminded of God's promises for the future. These newly minted teachers will enter elementary schools, early childhood programs, prep schools, and Lutheran high schools. They are well prepared to teach and to guide and to encourage. Most important, they are equipped to play a vital role in teaching future generations of God's people to know the love of Christ.

    This week at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, vicars and graduates will be assigned. The vicars will spend the next year learning the practical aspects of the pastoral ministry before returning for their final year of seminary studies. Graduates will be assigned to their first year of service in the pastoral ministry. They, too, represent God's precious gifts to his church—young men who will continue to proclaim God's truth and to share the comfort of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

    When so many other church bodies are experiencing shortages of workers, we count it as a special blessing that we have been blessed with such a large number of young people willing to dedicate their lives to full-time service in the church.
    At Martin Luther College, there were 21 candidates available for service anywhere who were not assigned on call day. We do not yet know if any seminary graduates will not be assigned later this week.

    The assignment process for both pastors and teachers, however, does not end. Throughout the coming months, the Conference of Presidents will assign candidates as soon as they receive requests from congregations. Please keep all of our unassigned candidates and their families in your prayers. We will want to ask God to give them a strong faith rooted in his Word, joy that flows from the gospel, and a patient trust that comes from knowing that their times are in the hands of a gracious God.

    Proposed budget outlines impact of reductions
    Last week the Synodical Council released additional details about the proposed synodical budget that will be considered by the synod convention this summer. With expected financial resources approximately $8 million less than needed, all areas of ministry are preparing to make significant cuts in their staffing and programs. Because of the extent and urgency of the budget reductions, some ministry positions are being eliminated immediately—you may be hearing about them from various sources. Waiting longer to begin those reductions would mean additional cuts later on.

    The proposed budget includes two options. Option A calls for significant reductions in all areas of ministry but would enable the synod to maintain its two ministerial education prep schools. Option B would shift funds from Ministerial Education and provide $500,000 each to Home and World Missions; this shift would result in fewer reductions in mission programs at home and in various mission fields around the world. According to the Board for Ministerial Education, Option B would make it possible to operate only one synodical prep school after the coming year.

    The Synodical Council chose to present two options because it recognized that there are clear differences of opinion on how best to allocate the synod's limited resources. Rather than choosing one of those options and recommending it, the Synodical Council determined that it could best serve the synod if it presented two clear choices and enabled the delegates at the convention to make an informed, prayerful decision.

    Here is a brief summary of some of the reductions required by the proposed budget:

    World Missions
    Option A
    Overall 23.5 manpower positions are unfunded; of the 23 positions, 15 existing missionaries will be recalled from the field, 4 are vacant positions that will not be filled, and 4 were planned positions.
    All existing fields affected but still served at a reduced level; unable to enter 1 new field (Mozambique) as planned.
    Option B
    Four missionary positions eliminated under Option A are able to be retained under Option B.

    Home Missions
    Option A
    21 called positions (18 pastors and 3 staff ministers) likely cannot be maintained; 2 of these are currently vacant.
    13 mission fields likely to be lost.
    Option B
    Retains 7 of the 18 pastoral ministries listed above.
    Six of the 13 fields potentially lost under Option A would be retained.

    Ministerial Education administration
    Options A and B
    Allows for only a minimum level of program maintenance at the schools.
    Reduces financial assistance provided by the budget.
    Elimination of 1 clerical support staff.
    Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
    Options A and B
    Maintains existing faculty strength.
    Several staff positions removed from the budget and funded from non-budgetary sources.
    All areas of operation reduced to the lowest possible level of funding.

    Martin Luther College
    Options A and B
    Reduction of 25 faculty and staff positions (of these 9.5 positions are vacant).
    Increased teaching loads required of faculty.

    Luther Preparatory School
    Options A and B
    Five faculty positions and 6 support staff positions eliminated.

    Michigan Lutheran Seminary
    Option A
    Eight faculty and 5 support staff positions eliminated.

    Option B
    In the first year of the biennium, Michigan Lutheran Seminary is funded by a combination of reduced synod subsidy and Ministerial Education special funds.
    In the second year of the biennium, the school is not viable, and all remaining faculty and staff positions are eliminated.

    Parish Services
    Options A and B
    Position of the Parish Services administrator eliminated; 2 unit administrators and 4 support staff positions to be eliminated.
    Most ministry functions supported by special funds and fees.
    Retains Commissions for Parish Schools and Special Ministries as distinct entities with their own administrators; reconfigures remaining units of Parish Services into a new combined group (possibly called the Congregational Ministries Resource team) to carry out the functions of Adult Discipleship, Youth Discipleship, Worship, Evangelism, and Parish Assistance.

    Ministry Support
    Options A and B
    Reduces programs and budget overseen by the Conference of Presidents and the Synodical Council.
    Eliminates a total of 17 positions, reducing called and hired staffing from 72 to 57 within the areas of Facilities, Technology, Leadership, Christian Giving, Communication Services, and Financial Services.

    The Book of Reports and Memorials will be posted online by the end of next week with detailed information regarding the proposed budget and the impact on the various areas of ministry. Until then, a budget overview sent to called workers and delegates last week is available for download.

    As you begin to grasp the reality of our situation, I know that you join me in the prayer that God will guide our discussion and decisions, and in the confidence that his gracious promises remain with us in these challenging times.

    Serving in Christ,
    Mark Schroeder