Michigan Lutheran Seminary Could Close:Thank Your Church and Change Leaders - Like Radloff

The Michigan District's Church Growth buddies have finished off MLS.
That is how the Chicaneries treat their friends:
Kuske, Oelhafen, Adrian.

Saginaw News

Michigan Lutheran Seminary, a private residential high school on Saginaw's West Side, dodged the threat of closure in 1992 and 2007. Can it do so a third time?

About 400 voting delegates of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod will convene on the campus, a neighborhood mainstay at 2777 Hardin, from July 27-31, for their biennial convention. On tap: Deciding on a budget that could include closing the school.

"I'd say there's a real chance the school could close -- not this year, but possibly after next school year," said teacher Jim Wooster, 57, of Saginaw Township.

Wooster was a delegate two years ago, when synod leaders rejected a proposal to shut down the private school.

Delegates must choose between two budgets, said Joel W. Hochmuth, spokesman for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, based in Wauwatosa, Wis. The difference between them "is essentially how $1 million is apportioned," he said.

"In one budget proposal, that $1 million goes to ministerial education," Hochmuth said. "In the other proposal, the $1 million is allotted to home missions and world missions.

"It's under that second proposal that Michigan Lutheran Seminary is not viable."

A neighborhood mainstay

The possibility of closure is a concern for neighbors such as Dianne L. Felsing, 76, who lives at 2826 Hardin, across the street from the school that has 124 years of tradition.

"I'm hoping and praying that it doesn't close," said Felsing, whose daughter, Catherine Felsing, and granddaughter, Jamie Jurek, both graduated from Michigan Lutheran Seminary and work as Lutheran schoolteachers.

MLS students come from Michigan and other states, with some students living in dorm rooms on campus.

Two years after its founding near Adrian, German Lutherans moved Michigan Lutheran Seminary to Saginaw in 1885. The 8-acre campus includes a dormitory as part of its 126,400-square-feet of space. A related divinity school closed in 1910.

"That school is a godsend," said Robert F. Reed Jr., 53, who lives a few yards from the school softball diamond. "The seminary kids are great. They respect their neighbors. They walk on the sidewalks and don't cut through your yard, and they don't litter."

Saginaw City Manager Darnell Earley said he hopes the synod can find a way to keep financing seminary.

"They've been a valuable part of the community," he said.

Cuts already

In a nod to the budget crisis, seminary has cut 13 jobs -- including six teaching positions.

It had 60 staffers two years ago; today's staff size wasn't immediately apparent.
About 197 students attended at the start of last school year, and school officials expect about the same enrollment this fall. The population peaked in 2001 at 381 students.

If delegates approve a budget requiring closure, the coming academic year would be the high school's last, Hochmuth said.

Teachers losing their positions in the June cutbacks included Timothy Malchow, Marcus Manthey, Kenric Peterson, Daniel Retberg, Larry Seafert and Steven Westphal, the MLS Web site reports.

The synod operates two "preparatory schools": Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw and Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, Wis. Both schools train future ministers and teachers, though that doesn't mean all students end up attending Martin Luther College, the synod's worker-training college in New Ulm, Minn. Some pursue other careers.

Tuition is $4,725 for commuter students, $7,925 for those who live on campus.
The synod also runs a fourth school, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis., which prepares future pastors over four years after those men graduate from Martin Luther College.

The synod's budget for the new fiscal year that began in July declined by 21 percent from last year -- from about $38 million to $30 million, synod officials said.

"You can't go from a $38 million budget in one year, to a $30 million budget the next year, without making some stark choices," said Rev. Paul Wendland, a member of the WELS Board for Ministerial Education.

Two years ago, WELS convention delegates came up with their own budget proposal rather than approving a plan to close seminary, Hochmuth said.

"Two years ago, it was more along the lines of restructuring our synod and doing a better job of stewardship with the money we had," Wooster said. "This time the issue is, in fact, financial.

"The monies the synod counted on are not arriving, so that puts additional pressure on the synod."

Felsing believes that the denomination's members will keep the school open.

"Everybody's got to dig a little deeper for some money, and it can be done," she said.

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GJ - The Shrinkers have been digging a little deeper...a grave for MLS for the last 15 years. Gurgle/Mueller blew through all the money and millions in restricted funds to "get the synod going." Funny how no one thought about education serving as a good and permanent investment for the future.

Some Free Books Online

Bengel, whose Gnomon influenced many generations, is connected with Pietism.

J. Gerhard's Loci. He is often confused with the hymn-writer, Paul Gerhardt. Remember the "t" in The Lutheran Hymnal and you will do better than some Lutheran teachers.

Bengels Gnomon of the New Testament has had a huge impact on theology, not necessarily for the good. Bengel had the theory that Christ's blood was stored in heaven and used for justification.

Bengel's son-in-law was the first one (I know about) to discover Universal Justification, called General in German, where General means "every single person."

DK On Socialized Medicine in America

The new Obama plan will vastly increased taxes while reducing medical care - except for illegals.

DK has left a new comment on your post "Another Pyrrhic Victory for Church and Chicanery":

Howdy Professor. Please publish this Front page. Thanks.

Ichabodians must, for the briefest moment switch gears from theology to public policy.

Is everyone staying informed about Obama and the Democrat's Health Care reform Bill? I hope that you are fully aware of what it entails. I also hope you are writing your Representatives and telling them to VOTE NO!

Obama's Health Care reform bill, H.R. 3200, along with offering free national health care to every American, would require every employer to give private health insurance to every employee. This will bankrupt hundreds of thousands of small businesses, or cause them to reduce the size of their labor force. That means YOUR job is at risk.

The reason that Obama's plan includes the requirement of private insurance offerings by employers is because if it didn't, many employers would drop their private plans. This mass number of people suddenly thrown into the nationalized plan would instantly bankrupt it. Beyond that, one can imagine that the Medical Insurance lobby is lining the appropriate pockets too.

This is the biggest 'soak the rich' move that the US government has ever made. It will threaten free market capitalism and further erode our economy. Do you want free health insurance so badly that you're willing to see 3 out of every 10 people lose their jobs? Are you sure you're not on the chopping block? Did you ever imagine that you'd see the US with 24% unemployment rate and a 70% under employment rate? It is coming and it's coming fast. (these percentages are not scientifically compiled statistics, but my own rough estimates based on a realistic analysis done by me...) It doesn't take a genius to guess that this H.R. 3200 could destroy the fabric of American Business. Want a depression? Do nothing! Rahm Immanuel, Obama's Chief of Staff paraphrased someone recently. He said "Never let a crisis go to waste." They want to push us over the brink of socialism! Fight it!

WRITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVES NOW! Tell them how you'll relish voting them out of office! Send them this simple email four or five times:


"Dear __________

Vote no on H.R. 3200 or I will do my part to make sure you never hold public office again.

Yours menacingly

DK"

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GJ - I am licensed in life insurance and health insurance, with a CLU to boot. This plan is worse than Hillary's previous attempt; the bi-partisan Medicare D drug plan paved the ways for this monstrosity.

Another Pyrrhic Victory for Church and Chicanery

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Breaking News - Aderman Is Back in His Parish and ...":

I don't know if Fairview is down to its conservative member or not, and that is why the CG pastor had to go. However, it should be noted that CG pastors regularly come and go from their churches and mega-churches. Of course, some pastors are more or less permanent. If Aderman went, would it just be a changing of the CG guard, or would they receive a confessional pastor?

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GJ - I believe the Fairview conservatives would be like the Canadian conservatives. In Canada, there are liberal socialists and less liberal socialists. At Fairview, after years of Shrinkage work and frog-kissing, very little would be left. In an apostate denomination or congregation, the more discerning tend to leave, making it easier for the radicals to stay in power. The United Methodist Church is a prime example, with conservative sects leaving to establish a true Methodism and leaving Holy Mother Church like a hot-air balloon with no ballast. The hot-air balloon climbs even faster into the stratosphere of Marxism, Unitarianism, and gaiety.

The phrase 'pyrrhic victory' is an allusion to the battle. John Dryden's translation of Plutarch's Pyrrhus, 75 AD reports that:

"... they had fought till sunset, both armies were unwillingly separated by the night, Pyrrhus being wounded by a javelin in the arm, and his baggage plundered by the Samnites, that in all there died of Pyrrhus's men and the Romans above fifteen thousand. The armies separated; and, it is said, Pyrrhus replied to one that gave him joy of his victory that one other such would utterly undo him. For he had lost a great part of the forces he brought with him, and almost all his particular friends and principal commanders; there were no others there to make recruits, and he found the confederates in Italy backward."

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One more victory like this and the Chicaneries are undone. Mail your FICs back to The Love Shack and attach a note to the Synod President. Why should members subsidize a wolf posing as a shepherd? Aderman retired from the ministry. The district announced his retirement, doubtless with a sign of relief. Grabbing back the same call is a wee bit self-centered, even for a Shrinker. The only thing commending the move is the cost-savings in keeping the parish websty exactly the same.

Does Aderman actually believe the First Table of the Ten Commandments, as explained in Luther's Large Catechism? I suggest that all members review that section of the Book of Concord, which by itself defeats the Shrinkers one and all.

Yet Aderman is going to teach the Ten Commandments to WELS.

That is more absurd that Paul Calvin Kelm being a clergy member of the Willow Creek Association, via St. Mark Depere, and being called as a Consultant at The Love Shack.

Stetzer, Warren, and Sweet - Oh My!

Two Babtists at work: Warren (DMin, Fuller) and Stetzer (DMin, Beeson).

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "WELS Kitteh Laments":

How does Ichabod feel about W/ELS pastors and congregations using Rick Warren's Forty Days of Purpose, and getting their congregations placed on Saddleback's site as a recommended congregation?

Saddleback, according to their website clearly teaches decision theology and totally denies the Means of Grace.

How could any W/ELS congregation seek the sanction of such a church?

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GJ - WELS Seminary professors have promoted Babtist authors ever since Valleskey, and probably before that. J. P. Meyer, whose toxic Ministers of Christ became the foundation for Kokomo, offered up Decision Theology in his book.

A graduate of The Sausage Factory in the 1980s said his library was all Reformed, due to the books suggested by the faculty. Someone else wrote in to say Jay Adams was all the rage when he was there.

The Wisconsin educational faculties and Love Shack drones have clearly lost their faith in the Word of God. Deformed doctrine, which they love, is shot through with rationalism. Once rationalism is introduced to Biblical doctrine, the Sacraments recede and disappear. Following that, Christ turns into an inspirational oracle, full of insights drawn from Napoleon Hill, Buddha, and Paul Y. Cho.

So what do I think of studying Rick Warren's book? That is worse than feeding poison to one's spouse and children, telling them it is for their own good.

There are some remarkable exceptions, but the typical WELS pastor is hopeless about the Book of Concord and doctrine in general. The best education in theology comes from slugging it out with false teachers. WELS pastors are taught to excuse false doctrine and advocate unionism, with loyalty to the institution more important than the Scriptures and Confessions.

I will compare it with Islamic history. I never took much interest in it until I had to teach it to college students who knew little about any religion or world history. Suddenly, every serious book about Islam and the Byzantine Empire became fascinating. I had a real hunger for those books and read through Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire twice. Questions in class made me want to read more. Take away the need to teach and the desire to study diminished.

That is the genius of unionism. Once unionism is established, no one wants to pursue doctrinal differences and no one will address those distinctions. Curiosity is gone. If anyone dares to whisper, "We are studying false teachers," someone will join Valleskey in hissing, "They are Christians and we can learn from them, too."

In Columbus, talking about false doctrine was denounced as "Christian bashing." The very nature of Christianity, to distinguish between sound and false doctrine, is extinguished by such slogans, and the charge for all pastors (from the Pastoral Epistles) is reduced to nonsense.

KJV 2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

There are more than a few similar passages:

KJV 1 Timothy 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

KJV 1 Timothy 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

KJV 1 Timothy 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

KJV 1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

KJV 1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

KJV 1 Timothy 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

KJV 2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

KJV Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

KJV 2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

KJV Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Stetzer, Warren, and Sweet - Oh My!":

Many in the WELS are astonishingly ignorant and apathetic. Apathy of course leading to vast and sometimes unmeasurable ignorance.

Light of Life Lutheran Church, Covington Wa. under Pastor Jared conducted their own Purpose Driven study when the occultic book first came out. (Pastor Jared was nurtured by the WELS Church Growth fanatics at Sem. With the help of the congregation wrote their own Creeds, studied under Baptist Reggie McNeal and wrote and promoted some horrendous CGM drivel).

The whole Rick Warren occultic, New Age, New World Order drive reminds me of how he is fullfiling the three stages of error.

Speaking to the Islamic Society of North America recently Warren said, "“People don't want to be tolerated, they want to be respected, they want to be listened to. They want to be valued." "I am not interested in interfaith dialogue, I am interested in interfaith projects," Warren said. "Talk is very cheap."

http://www.isna.net/articles/News/Rick-Warren-calls-on-Muslims-and-Christians-to-work-together.aspx

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/warren-convention-muslims-2483889-interfaith-want

When the only money available comes from and through the New Age Roman Catholic religion the faithless in the Lutheran Synods will embrace anything for their share. And the sheeple in the pews will coo their unwitting approval, "All for the love of lost souls!"

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Another person wrote:

This article from a non Lutheran source is one which does a good job of laying out the final extreme result of what Spener might never have even imagined. To quote your series re: pietism, Warren's efforts stretch Bergendoff's motto to the max, "Doctrine divides, but service unites".....Warren's version is at the expense of Christianity itself.

I recommend this (http://www.newswithviews.com) article -- Paul Proctor -- Rick Warren: From Tolerance To Respect. You should check this out at, http://www.newswithviews.com/PaulProctor/proctor183.htm

I am all for non unionistic working as a Christian Church for the love of lost souls. But if it's not done in, through and with the pure Word in doctrine and practice then it is not love. Then it harms and does not help. Just as Christ says Luke 17:1-2, "Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones." Then it is not for love when what they bring is false teaching.

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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Stetzer, Warren, and Sweet - Oh My!":


The WELS on Rick Warren:

http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuTopic_topicID=941&cuItem_itemID=23728

Richard L. Gurgel, "My copy of The Purpose Driven Life proclaims: “Over Six Million Copies Sold.” Obviously many have read it and benefited. The temptation for us as Lutherans is to ignore such books, since in our justifiable fear of pietism1 we are sometimes timid about encouraging biblical piety."
http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1712&cxDatabase_databaseID=1&id=7090&magazine=Forward%20in%20Christ