http://www.livingbold.net/welsspace/reallife/spiritual/lutherandifference
From the WELS site "Living Bold":
"A continuing problem in the Missouri Synod seems to be an unwillingness or inability to exercise doctrinal discipline with those who teach and practice contrary to Scripture or the public doctrine of the Missouri Synod."
But I can't shake the feeling the WELS is describing themselves. I'm also sensing a pattern: "Living Bold" , "Intrepid Lutherans"...
The WELS folks can claim boldness all they want but until the Mark Jeskes and the Paul Kelms of the WELS are called to repentance or given the left foot of fellowship I'm crying foul.
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What's the Difference Between WELS, ELCA, and LCMS?
WELS
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
ELCA
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
LCMS
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
WELS and LCMS
The Wisconsin Synod terminated fellowship with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in 1961 because of differences in the doctrine and practice of church fellowship. Over the years the Missouri Synod had departed from the doctrine and practice of fellowship long held by the members of the Synodical Conference in which the Wisconsin Synod and the Missouri Synod shared confessional fellowship. The Wisconsin Synod teaches that agreement on all the teachings of Scripture is necessary for all forms of fellowship. The Missouri Synod teaches that full agreement is necessary only for altar and pulpit fellowship. Wisconsin teaches that the same scriptural principles apply to all forms of church or religious fellowship. All joint prayer is an expression of fellowship. Missouri teaches that there can be joint prayer that is not an act of fellowship. In practice Missouri also indicates that full agreement is not necessary for worship at occasional joint Christian celebrations, Reformation services, convocations, rallies. Some Missouri pastors allow "ecumenical wedding services" at which pastors or priests outside their fellowship may participate.Wisconsin practices "close" or "closed" Communion, inviting to our altars only those who are members of congregations in our fellowship. Although Missouri officially teaches "close(d)" Communion, many pastors and churches practice "open" Communion, allowing joint Communion with those not in doctrinal agreement with the Missouri Synod.
There are also differences in the doctrine of the church and ministry between the two synods. Wisconsin teaches that God has not ordained any particular form of the church. The invisible church is present in the local congregation and the synod. Both can be called church in the same sense. Missouri's official teaching seems to be that the local congregation is the only "divinely appointed" form of the church. By contrast the synod is a human arrangement.
Wisconsin teaches that the pastor of a local congregation is only one form of the divinely instituted public ministry. Other forms are teachers, professors, called administrators, etc. The specific form is determined by the church's call. Missouri seems to teach that the only divinely instituted form of the public ministry is that of pastor of a local congregation. All other positions are auxiliary to this. However, there appears to be a number of different teachings on the church and ministry in the Missouri Synod.
Because Scripture assigns the headship role to men and a helping role to women, only men serve in offices and roles that involve an exercise of authority over other men. Missouri does not allow women to serve as pastors but allows women to serve in a number of areas which involve the exercise of authority over men.
A continuing problem in the Missouri Synod seems to be an unwillingness or inability to exercise doctrinal discipline with those who teach and practice contrary to Scripture or the public doctrine of the Missouri Synod.
Because the two synods are no longer in fellowship memberships are not transferred from a congregation in one synod to a congregation in another. Normally a person would ask for a release from membership from his previous congregation and then apply for membership in a congregation in the other synod.
Because the two synods are no longer in fellowship Wisconsin Synod congregations do not commune members of LCMS congregations. Many LCMS congregations practice a form of open Communion and will admit to the Lord's Supper members of congregations that are not in their fellowship. Those who practice close or closed Communion within the LCMS would probably not commune a WELS member nor should a WELS member commune in a Missouri Synod congregation.
WELS and ELCA
The leading theologians of the ELCA have abandoned confessional Lutheranism and have attacked and undermined some of the most basic doctrines of Scripture. Although the ELCA may give some lip service to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, the doctrine of the confessions are not maintained. There may still be a few "conservative" pastors in the ELCA, but they are members of a church body that tolerates false doctrine. Below are listed some teachings of WELS and corresponding false teaching tolerated in the ELCA.1. WELS teaches that the Bible is the verbally inspired and inerrant Word of God. Most pastors in the ELCA hold to the view that the Bible contains many errors.
2. WELS teaches that Jesus' words and actions as reported in the Gospels are true and accurate history. The ELCA tolerates the teaching that Jesus did not say or do many of the things ascribed to him in the Gospels.
3. WELS teaches that Genesis 1-3 is a factual, historical account and that Adam and Eve were real people. Most pastors in the ELCA seem to hold to the teaching that Genesis 1-3 is a myth.
4. WELS teaches that Jesus' death was a true payment for the sins of the world. The ELCA tolerates the teaching that the "theory" that Jesus' death was a payment for sin is one of several theories which could explain his death.
5. WELS teaches that eternal life is possible only through faith in Jesus. The ELCA tolerates the teaching that it is possible to be saved without faith in Christ.
6. WELS teaches that extramarital sex and homosexuality are sins. The ELCA tolerates the teaching that extramarital sex and homosexuality may be all right if practiced in a loving relationship.
7. WELS teaches that churches must agree on all doctrines of Scripture before they can practice church fellowship together. The ELCA teaches that it is not necessary or possible to agree on all doctrines of Scripture. Fellowship is practiced without regard to doctrinal differences.
8. WELS teaches that it would be contrary to Scripture for a woman to serve as a pastor. The ELCA teaches that what the Bible has to say about the role of man and woman in the church has no authority today. Therefore women may serve as pastors.
Further Resources
For a much more detailed explanation of the differences between the Wisconsin Synod and the ELCA you might want to read WELS and Other Lutherans by Prof. John F. Brug, Prof. Edward C. Fredrich II, and Prof. Armin W. Schuetze; and What's Going On among the Lutherans? by Patsy A. Leppien and J. Kincaid Smith. Both of these books are available from Northwestern Publishing House - www.nph.net(from the WELS.net Q&A-October 2005)
