The Shrinkers in WELS and the Little Sect on the Prairie were doing well--for themselves--until the election turned things upside-down.
The Wisconsin Synod is starting to reflect its actual income instead the bubble economy. A recession was once defined by Margaret Thatcher as a time when socialists can no longer spend other people's money. Likewise, the WELS recession is a symptom of wild-hair spending coming to an abrupt halt.
The money spent hired new people at the Love Shack and sent people overseas, creating an artificial shortage of workers, remedied by the economy's body slam. Schwan's foundation took a major hit, with all other foundations. Thrivent was pinched. And there was no money left for Church Growth to steal.
WELS has only three states with significant membership - Wisconsin has half the members. Michigan and Minnesota have roughly 25% each. The rest of the states are marginal in numbers. Obviously, with Michigan hit hard, there is a flat tire on the tricycle.
Some are hopeful that Missouri will turn out the Quiche-niks and elect a new Synod President.
If the Wisconsin Synod and the ELS get serious about doctrine, they will have to address the errors of the last 50 years instead of playing the old Church Growth games. I cannot imagine them admitting to error, but a study of the Confessions may wake them up at last.
Pope John the Malefactor may not remain in office. Most confirmands know more theology than the ELS president, so that may have an effect on his inglorious reign. This is another case of admitting a mistake or pretending to be infallible. The ELS made the mistake in electing a walk-the-plank guy after having George the Everlasting as president. Orvick would please one faction, then another. He kicked out the pastor in Scottsdale and the Shrinker in Florida.
But Moldy got out his scythe, and people remember. Think of Facebook. Get a few friends and pretty soon everyone has 20 mutual friends. The ELS is like that, except the relationships are almost at the 100% level.
Now that things are so bad in the economy, people may be less worried about hanging on to security. If they concentrate on the Word instead of the budget, things will happen.
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wahoo (http://wahoo.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Shrinkers Out in the Cold":
And there was no money left for Church Growth to steal.
How much did Church Growth steal?
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GJ - It would take a team of forensic CPAs from the FBI to find out. Consider this - WELS went broke after it got a series of enormous gifts from the Schwan Foundation.
