Plagiarism Is a Disease of the Left

A program of sending identical letters to newspaper has been uncovered on this blog.

The Chicaneries have a lot in common with the political Left. The self-destructive and self-centered attitudes are common. Chicaneries and the Left also want to be subsidized by the people they despise.

The plagiarism cited above is interesting because the people who did it are amazingly stupid. It only takes a little Googling to find out where the original words came from. That is how the plagiarism of Kelm and Parlow was uncovered.

In the old days, last century, when I built up the database code-named Megatron, I did this with comparing texts side by side. Internet searches were crude in those days. I copied the material into ProFile, a DOS program I still use, and matched up ideas and words.

I showed how the leaders of WELS were copying the ideas of Fuller, Willow Creek, and other beehives.

The plagiarism continues, due to the laxity of the Doctrinal Pussycats in WELS. The Chicanery ministers copy sermons, even sermon series, and and post them on the Net as their own. When caught, they stop posting the information. Repentance among the Chicaneries is limited to hiding the evidence.

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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Plagiarism Is a Disease of the Left":

Speaking of plagiarism,I found a replica of your school bus PhotoShop on another site. In defense of Jeske, Engelbrect, and others, I would have them say, "DON'T HELP ME," to their younger counterparts.

In Christ,
from WELS church lady

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GJ - The Shrinkers are lazy copy-cats. The anonymous fake, a Fox Valley WELS pastor and Ski friend, copies the name and the graphics, but he cannot equal the learning, research and wit of this blog. His cowardly pals, either from seminary or detox programs, try to drive traffic to the fake, anonymously.

I use the anti-anti-Church Growth blogs as a measure of my success. Three of them are trying, in their incoherent rage, to silence me. They fail to realize that I write for many laity and pastors.

One influential person wrote, "Your polemics help us feel sane."

The Chicanery bunch remind me of smog, which happens when one layer sits on top of another and holds down smoke and pollution. For decades this inversion kept everyone from discussing the doctrinal issues. Younger men who grew up in this smog are ready to let some fresh air flow through the Valley of the Shadow of Werning.

When traditional Lutherans read how crazy their synod has been, they no longer feel like exceptions. They are not. The Chicaneries have raped the synod (Missouri too) while devouring the funds for themselves. Their results have been abysmal, and they wanted to be judged by results. Now they want to be judged by their intentions - they are besotted with outreach and no one else is. Anyone claiming intoxication with outreach is a good guy - no one else is. Given that level of discernment, the Mormons are the best of all.

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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Plagiarism Is a Disease of the Left":

I love to read Ichabod. As one who was schooled in the Synodical schools and grew up in the Michigan District, I know the cast of characters. Most of what I read on this blog only validates what I already knew. Keep shining the light on it, Pastor Jackson.

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GJ - Izzat you, DP Seifert?

The Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Norma Boeckler

The Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

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

Bethany Lutheran Church, 10 AM Central Time


The Hymn #44 Ye Lands 2.41
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
The Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn # 264 Preserve Thy Word 2.55

By God’s Command

The Hymn # 249 Isaiah Mighty Seer 2.75
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 #45 Now the Hour of Worship 2.95

KJV Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

KJV Matthew 8:1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

Third Sunday After Epiphany
O almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all dangers and necessities stretch forth Thy mighty hand, to defend us against our enemies; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.


By God’s Command – Forgiveness

The one great issue in all of religion is this – how are people forgiven their sins? This lesson addresses the issue by showing us how God’s Word is the same as His will.

There are two miraculous healings in this Gospel lesson. The first one shows the faith of the leper, who said, “You can make me clean, if you will.” Jesus’ response is concise, “I will. Be clean.”

The man was immediately healed of his leprosy. Jesus told him to show himself to the priest for the ritual cleansing, “as a testimony.” This is another example of how the Gospel spread. Jesus did not burden them with the Law, telling them they had to convert people to faith to make God happy, that hordes of people were going to Hell without an effective—and expensive—evangelism program. Instead, He told the healed man to have the cleansing ritual performed. The process of showing himself to the priest would reveal everything, and people would discuss this miracle among all their friends and relatives.

The modern frauds invent miracles and call that evangelism, when they fake events and brag about their crowds. I ran into a photo of one of these frauds in my files. He was raising the dead in Florida, he claimed, although no evidence ever emerged. His felony record did show up and he went on the lam. Perhaps he is working his miracles in Haiti now.

Jesus performed miracles to confirm His Word, so people would see that His authority came from God the Father. The miracles themselves were secondary, because even the widow’s son (Nain) and Lazarus had to face death.

The leprosy cure was especially noteworthy because the man they knew as a leper, an outcast, was cleansed of his disease in a moment. The miracle was associated with the teaching of Jesus. As the news spread, people believed in Him before they heard Him speak, before they saw a miracle with their own eyes.

This leper worshiped Jesus and trusted in the power of the Savior. We do not know exactly when this happened. There are many similar examples in the Gospels. Jesus was clearly revealed as the Son of God, in many different ways, so the countryside was coming to see Him and to seek His healing.

The leper had the advantage, if we can call it that, of having nothing. Lacking the esteem of his own people, feeling nothing but rejection for his unclean state, the leper had nothing of his own to offer – wealth, power, or good works. The Word kindled faith in his heart and that faith trusted in the power of the Savior to make him whole again.

Jesus only needed to say, “Be clean” and the leper was healed.

The miracle strengthens our faith by showing us the power of the Word. With that established, we see in the next miracle how God’s Word is not limited by the visible presence of Christ.

An officer of the Roman army came to Jesus and asked Him to heal his servant. As everyone knew then, a Roman army officer had absolute power over his men. This power was far greater and more terrible than anything known today. He could order a decimation, where one soldier out of ten was beaten to death, to firm up discipline in the ranks. For that reason, and many more, the centurion knew how powerful a command could be.

The centurion also had faith in Jesus. Like Peter, he spoke of his unworthiness, and asked for his servant to be healed.

He offered his own perspective on God’s Word.

but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

Jesus marveled at the soldier’s faith, and healed his servant at that moment.

Before the healing was announced, Jesus gave this as a warning:

11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

In other words, people from all cultures will hear the Gospel and be saved, but the natural heirs, the Jewish people, will be cast into Hell for unbelief.

The unifying element is faith, not heritage. Nothing prepares people more for faith in Christ than Judaism. All the worship, Scriptures, and practices point toward Jesus as the Messiah. The initial Christian church was almost completely Jewish in its makeup. When the rejection and excommunication set in, the Gospel rain moved on to other cultures. God gave His own people abundant chances, from the shepherds seeing the angels to the Temple appearances and miracles.

Many Jews today are Christians, often “secret believers,” to use a term from F. Pieper. To be an open believer in their families would make them modern day lepers. We known someone who went to her husband’s grave for a rabbinic ceremony and had a Bible study at her house later. When someone says, “Bible study,” it is not from the local synagogue.

Most of us are from that outside group Jesus described. As I mentioned before, one part of my family was burdened by the Law demands of the Seventh Day Adventists (no pork, etc), so they joined an Evangelical Church. Apparently some of my Adventist relatives were bigshots, so leaving that behind was an issue in the extended family. I was attending a popular mainline church with my family when the whole youth situation and Church Growth style services made me cross the street to go with traditional, liturgical, Augustana Lutherans. One step leads to another, both toward the Gospel and away from the Gospel. The person I asked about the Lutheran Church is a Hindu teacher now. We lived in the same neighborhoods, attended the same schools, and were confirmed in the same Lutheran Church.

The Effective Word
These Gospel miracles show the power of God’s Word, essential to understand when we speak about forgiveness.

People easily lose their faith in the forgiveness of sin. Truly that is the greatest miracle of the Bible, after the Incarnation. God can and does provide miraculous healing.

How can God declare sins forgiven? That is the meaning behind that term – justification. There are only two kinds of justification: self-justification, our normal state; and justification by faith, taught in the Word.

Self-justification consists of making excuses or offering up good works in exchange for forgiveness. Sometimes people make future promises as well, as if the weakness of the first instance will be overcome by a newfound strength. Self-justification is the hardest thing of all, as a desert father once wrote.

Justification by faith is instantaneous and does not require anything of us. The Gospel plants faith in our hearts and nurtures that faith.

Like the healing of the leper and the centurion’s servant, God says – Be clean, and we are clean. He says – Be healed, and we are healed.

We offer nothing but receive everything through faith. This justification is continuous from the Gospel. The Holy Spirit daily forgives us our sin, fully and freely, as we confess in the Small Catechism. (When we say the Holy Spirit, it also means the Word. And vice versa.)

When we receive Holy Communion, God’s Word says – “for the forgiveness of sin.”

It is important to cling to the plain words of the Scripture, in spite of all our doubts and insecurities. The Old Adam wants to offer something in exchange, to make a deal as Gov. Hucklebee recently said on TV.

Christ has already given all for the treasure of the Atonement. The Holy Spirit distributes that treasure through the Word and Sacraments.

Church and Money Changers - A History of Bad Plagiarism

Class of 1982, WELS Sausage Factory

Some Shrinkers from this class of stars are: Paul Jahnke as DP protected Jeff Gunn (CrossWalk), cosy classmates; Mark Freier helped start CrossRoads, now Evangelical Covenant; Joel Fredrich endorsed the Great Commission as "manufacturing disciples," the Reformed view; James Mattek - WLCFS; Bruce Becker, Perish Services, Chicanery Board, Jeske Inc.; Peter Pan-denominational promotes The Simple Church, another Babtist fad. CrossWalk in Phoenix copies CrossRoads in Michigan - similar name, similar confession of unfaith, classmates.

The class of 1983 featured such Shrinker heroes as Lawrence Olson(DMin, Fuller), Mark Birkholz, Rich Krause (DMin under Larry Olson), Robert Fleischmann, Al Sorum, Dapper Don Pieper.

Wayne Mueller and David Valleskey were in the faculty line-up for the first time 1985, so CG advocacy preceded their teaching. Gerlach was last seen in the 1977 graduate photo. He was pushed out for Reformed teaching, according to Slick Brenner. Sparky Brenner happened to graduate that year.

In contrast, the class of 1981 has a number of known Confessional opponents of the Shrinkers.

Which professors started these guys on the road to perdition? The most likely candidates are Sig Becker, an Enthusiast (UOJ and Receptionism) and Ernie Wendland, from world missions. Fuller began their first assault on all denominations by training the world missions leaders, because McGavran and Wagner were from that field.

Their second assault was focused on American mission people. That is when Norm Berg, Joel Gerlach, Valleskey, Kelm, Bivens, and the Home Mission Board people of WELS were trained.

The ones listed above are simply the ones I know most about. Knowing how conformists the graduates of the Sausage Factory are, I have to assume they were carefully trained for the journey to apostasy.

TELL began already in 1977, with Ron Roth, so it is clear the Shrinkers had a little influence already at that time. Seminary training was clearly Reformed by 1982, judging by the well known results.

Inept Copycats
Bad plagiarism has been the saga of the last 33 years of WELS. I have shown copious evidence of WELS and Missouri copying their insights from Fuller and Willow Creek. (The ELS and CLC (sic) - ditto.) Kelm, Bivens, Valleskey, Huebner, and Olson have made careers out of echoing what they learned at unionistic, Pente-babtist training sessions.

In Missouri, WELS, ELS, and the CLC (sic) - the more they copied, the more they were advanced in their synodical careers. A drive-by DMin empowered apostates to call themselves Dr. and assume teaching roles to spread the cancer.

Mary Lou College and Mequon continue to be franchises of Fuller, Willow Creek, and Trinity Deerfield. Rich Gurgle shares his Trinity Deerfield insights with WELS/ELS clergy.

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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Church and Money Changers - A History of Bad Plagi...":

Fredrich?

Did you even read all 78 pages of his essay... or just scan it? I don't see any evidence of the former in your comments about him.

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GJ - You disagree? You have to read all 3500 posts before you can disagree. "Making disciples" is the foundation of Church Shrinkage Pietism. That essay was another example of inept plagiarism.

I have nothing against plagiarizing Luther. Inept plagiarism involves echoing the Zwinglians, Calvinists, and Babtists.

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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Church and Money Changers - A History of Bad Plagi...":

To put 1981 and 1982 into perspective, the Kokomo Statements debacle was in 1979. In other words, by 1982 the seminary may have been hardened into enthusiasm after the Kokomo affair.

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GJ - UOJ (Kokomo Justification) has a strange effect on people. Ministers first react to its absurdity. Once their brains are thorough washed, rinsed, and spun dry, they are eager to pounce on anyone questioning justification without faith.

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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Church and Money Changers - A History of Bad Plagi...":

"Wayne Mueller and David Valleskey were in the faculty line-up for the first time 1985, so CG advocacy preceded their teaching."

Mueller and Valleskey still remain culpable. Do not give them a get-out-of-jail-free card.

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GJ - What? I am trying to find the Ur-Church Growth leaders, not all of Shrinkers who taught at the Sausage Factory. Valleskey and Wayne Mueller are obvious. Who got things going? I think Joel Gerlach and Ernie Wendland were the seminal apostates, the bad seed. Wendland wrote favorably about CG in 1974. Gerlach wrote to Otten and me that he was trained at Fuller Seminary. I will look up the Wendland quotes and publish them a little later today.

Fuller's strategy was to start with world mission leaders in all the denominations. They had such a roaring success at fooling them bozos that they moved to the home mission drones, who were equally gullible spendthrifts. WELS and all the other denominations (Catholics, Unitarians too) sent their clergy to Fuller and similar beehives.

The Enthusiasts of WELS, Missouri, and the ELS felt right at home at Fuller. They could greet their ELCA pays they knew from joint AAL-LB religious efforts. Those programs used to be called unionism, but under the new thinking they were called "using the money so's nobody else got to it."

One/Third Million Page Views in Last Year

The fake, imitation blog reminds me of Wile E. Coyote.


Google Analytics reports 324,692 page views in the last 12 months.

Unique visitors total almost 48,000.



When I posted a funny video for everyone to enjoy, one of the Shrinkers wrote:

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Hilarious Baby Video":

The older child reminds me of you, GJ -- Sticking your finger into the mouth of slander and then crying when you are caught doing it.

That remark is funny, because I have often mentioned how comments like this encourage and motivate me. It is also sad, because this is a WELS member who finds comfort in making anonymous, peevish statements that have nothing to do with the post itself. Something has gotten under his skin.

Joe Krohn, for instance, started a blog to urge people to boycott this one. He gets about one reader per day. The reason for his tiny audience? - he is a follower of this one and comments almost daily.

Tim Felt-Needs has to blog about the Gadarene horde attending his movie theater, where people enter the entertaining Seeker Service with a drink and a snack in their hands.

In contrast, the early Christians entered the Coliseum with their hands folded in prayer - as the entertainment and the snack.

Christians were the entertainment and the snack

in the Roman theaters.

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Anonymous WELS Pastor from Appleton has left a new comment on your post "One/Third Million Page Views in Last Year":

So what if a lot of people read this! In the words of the great proponent of confessional Lutheranism (and foe to anything that smacks of CGM) former Dean Ed Lindemann, these readers are nothing more than a bunch of "malcontents and whining puppies."

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GJ - I met Dean Lindemann at NWC and talked to him once. He opposed the closing of the school. Did that make him a "malcontent and whining puppy?" The NWC faculty wrote a letter opposing amalgamation. I sent it to Christian News for them. Did that make them "malcontents and whining puppies?"

I am not sure of the purpose for quoting Lindemann. I do not think he was speaking about Ichabod. If he was, let me know, give it a date, and include your name, your mother's maiden name, and last 4 numbers in your social.

I am the only one who can say "so what" about the numbers. I did not start the blog to reach a lot of people. Gurgle and Wayne Mueller were still co-presidents when I turned the doctrinal newsletter into a blog. I expected about 20 regular readers.

When people claim "no one reads Ichabod" and thousands do read it, the Shrinkers are the liars.

The funniest deceptions are "Ichabod has no effect" and "so what!" A regular flow of comments claiming no effect is de facto an effect. God's Word blinds and enlightens, hardens and converts. His will and Word are united, so the results belong to Him alone.

I ignore most blogs because they have so little to say. I do not write daily anonymous comments to them. I do check on the fake once a day to see if he is out of detox or done talking to his parole officer. I hope it is helping him with his personal demons, which are legion.

Hilarious Baby Video

Interesting News for Roe versus Wade Day

Ironic!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Duggar Family Leases a Home with History

To be close to their 19th child, Josie Brooklyn, born three months premature, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have leased a house in Little Rock, Arkansas. The home is the historic Cornish House, built in 1919 by Ed and Hilda Cornish. Born as Brunhilde Kahlert, Mrs. Cornish started the state's birth control movement after the death of her husband. Her efforts paved the way for the establishment of Arkansas' Planned Parenthood Association. On the contrary, the Duggars believe that children are a blessing from God and desire to receive all the gifts He is willing to give them. They are thankful to have found a house to accommodate their large family, no matter what its history is.

Hope for a Pietistic Future in WELS: Church and Change Postulant Finds Gems at Mary Lou College Evangelism Schwaermer Day

"What does Hybels say about being original,

creative, and authentic?

Relevant, too."

Thursday, January 21, 2010
Evangelism Day Gems from T. Shinnick

Today was Evangelism Day at MLC. It's always been one of my favorite days of the year. There are a lot of good thoughts being shared, so I thought I'd share a few of them with you on here.

The first presentation that I attended was titled "Strategies for Congregations to Reach the Unchurched". The biggest takeaway I got from this presentation was that the ultimate goal of evangelism is not to bring members into our church. Rather, the goal is to bring people into contact with Christ. I appreciated this perspective. As we see financial troubles and declining membership, it can be a temptation for people to think about how more people into the church. Even more nobly, one might think that we should always pull people into our churches because of our true handling of God's Word. While this certainly is a blessing to those who come to our churches, God has asked us to preach a message. We plant seeds and he does the rest. If he causes that person to join our church, wonderful. If he causes that person to join another church in which the seed that we planted can grow, we'll be with them in heaven. That too is wonderful.

The next presentation I attended was a discussion of evangelism through worship. In this presentation, Pastor Limmer presented a gem that expressed a sentiment I've always had but have never really articulated. In our world there is a huge emphasis on being relevant. In order to reach people who are looking for relevance, we must present them with a relevant message. After presenting that thought he simply said, "Law and gospel are the most relevant things in the world. We have all sinned. We all need a savior."

Perhaps the strongest presentation I attended all day was Professor Gurgel's presentation on evangelism and homiletics. Much of his presentation was the result of his research for his doctoral thesis on homiletics. [GJ - I have seen a DMin paper mentioned. That is not a doctoral thesis. Which school? The WELS worship conference listed schools for many speakers but not Richard's. Gurgle is a Church and Chicanery advocate.]

The presentation started out with a small group discussion resulting in a list of factors in preaching that either hold or repel attention. The thought is that in order to help people hear the message, we ought to present it in such a way that will not cause them to tune us out. This is not to say that the method of presentation creates or contributes in the creation of faith. We want to be wise in the way we act toward outsiders; making the most of every opportunity (Colossians 4:5). Professor Gurgel said, "If how we go about preaching practically invites the birds to pluck the seed of the path (Matthew 13:4,19), we are frustrating the very purpose of preaching." It's with this thought in mind that we went into this entire workshop. I don't want to hear anyone saying that this denied the efficacy of the Word. It didn't.

Now, in this exercise of attempting to finwhat (sic) compels and repels attention in a sermon, we had the interesting task of having a roomful of about 40 life long WELS men trying to think like people coming into church for the first time in a long time, if not for the first time ever. Therefore, if you'd like to disagree with any of these, please feel free to do so. These were just our thoughts (Well, they're technically the thoughts that were presented in the room that I thought were worthwhile):

What in preaching repels attention?:
An agenda driven by the pastor rather than the Spirit/text.
Incoherent thought
Arrogance
Poor preparation

What in preaching compels attention?:
Passion
Polished presentation
Relevant connections

This list drove much of our conversation for the remainder of the hour. The thought that was hit on the most was authenticity. It was best summed up in a quote that he presented which said, "If I'm not authentic, then they may think that Christ isn't real either." Achieving that authenticity is something that we will all strive for probably for the rest of our lives. This is something that extends far beyond the pulpit. Professor Gurgel's advice, which seems so simple, but is not always easy to carry out:

Don't preach or teach anything that you don't believe. There is nothing that's more inauthentic than faking authenticity. [GJ - Ask Paul Calvin Kelm, or Limmer. Yeah, that's it. Read Limmer's plagiarized email.]

The final workshop that I attended was on welcoming people to our churches and schools. The main thought that I took from this was that churches, just like people, can be approachable or unapproachable. There are any number of steps that can be taken in order to make our churches more approachable. This can be anything from presentation to strategy. It's something that should always be on our minds.

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Pastor Fred Guldberg has left a new comment on your post "Hope for a Pietistic Future in WELS: Church and Ch...":

GJ, Thank you for finding this post. The article sounds great, though from your couple of comments it sounds like you don't appreciate it. I would love to hear more of your thoughts - for entertainment purposes.

(Ty, congrats! You have arrived, my boy! How did he find you?)

GJ - I just started Blogg'n too. Please examine my work for doctrinal clarity - there must be something for your to correction, rebuke, or instruction. I'm not sure what we would do without your watchful eye keeping our Synod from going off the deep end.

Fred Guldberg
Star of Bethlehem Lutheran Church
www.wswelstar.org

Does God Bless False Teachers - or - Does Their Father Below?

Norman Teigen Old Lutheran

Scott E. Jungen has left a new comment on your post "This Bus Don't Carry No Luth'runs, This Bus":

Anonymous,
How do you expect these ministries to "thrive" and "be blessed"? These men have willingly sat at the feet of false teachers (Fuller graduates), ignored God's principles of fellowship meant to protect us (Jeske), ignored or semantically "whitewashed" their actions (DP Engelbrecht). You might want to consider a Catechism class. I taught in WELS schools for 24 years. I'll teach it to you.

Ichabod Reader's Labor of Love To Make Gerhard Available

Read the front-page article about Joseph Schmidt, who proves what someone can accomplish in his spare time.

His blog is a contribution to Lutheran knowledge.

Digital technology is changing publishing, so a volume like this can be made available to everyone who needs to have the text available.

I will try to convert the text of the newsletter a little later today.

The Miseries You Attack And Tear Down: Joe Blows a Spit-Valve

Sales are down at The CORE, Rock N Roll, etc.
St. Mark, Depere, failed in its capital funds drive.
Time of Generic Grace is scrounging money.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "This Bus Don't Carry No Luth'runs, This Bus":

That's correct, you will have no effect. The ministries you attack and tear down will continue to reach out to the unchurched and under-churched with the Word. Those ministries will continue to thrive and will be blessed.

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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "This Bus Don't Carry No Luth'runs, This Bus":

I don't have a problem with your view of UOJ. I think it comes down to semantics really. I don't have a problem with you saying you are the last Lutheran standing. I don't have a problem with your insistence on TLH version 1941. I don't have a problem with you living in Arkansas. I do have a problem with your hypocrisy when you call foul for the very same things you do and your INFANTILE behavior and lies. [GJ - Why do you fight against something you perceive as the same? That is a bit two-faced, but you have learned well from the Great White Hunter, Kudu Don.]

For a legalist, I find that your philosophy that there is no bad publicity is not consistent with, well being a legalist. A picture paints a thousand words, Greg. [GJ - So does your horrid sentence structure, Joe. Why so much growling over my instructive, edifying, and humorous pictures?]

Austin, TX


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This Bus Don't Carry No Luth'runs, This Bus

All aboard!

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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "This Bus Don't Carry No Luth'runs, This Bus":

Jackson, Diet, BM, DK, Church Lady,

Regardless of how you spin it, slice it, or dice it you will not have any effect on the ministries you attack.

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GJ - No effect? The Word has no effect? I almost forgot - the Reformed WELS Chicaneries think that way. And yet they fill the world with their own words, albeit copied from various sources without attribution. Why, Kelm would have flunked himself for plagiarism, according to his syllabus.

One effect of the Word is to harden the hearts of people who obstinately refuse to hear it. I see that when JWs come to the door and I teach them the Gospel. That enrages them, just as it infuriates the Mormons.

I have Church and Money Changers reading this blog every day. They take the time to make comments. They start and stop blogs to attack this one - anonymously. I call that an effect.

Moving with glacial speed, WELS is rejecting the cancer transplant they obtained from the Schwaermer of Full and Willow Creek.

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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "This Bus Don't Carry No Luth'runs, This Bus":

The Shrinkers are WELS without water.

2 Peter 2:17, "These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever."

Button up buttercup, your judgment lingereth not.

***

GJ - I watch Google Analytics and Feedjit for information about readers. Hostile comments routinely come in from Austin, Texas and Fox Valley - predictable ones at that. I see New Ulm light up and smart-aleck college comments get sent. Those are the three hotspots.

The map is lit up from all over the world, but there are "no readers." The cowardly Shrinkers have even vowed to shut down this bog, just before discovering that they love me after all.

'Tis funny.

I have given them all kinds of new material on the Moline Memories blog, but they still come up with the Eighth Commandment. With a limited education, limited intelligence, and limited reading skills, echoing the howls of their Father Below is all they can manage.

Poster in the Chicanery headquarters lounge.

WELS versus Missouri View of the Ministry

Old Lutherans drink good coffee.

Joseph Schmidt asked me about the Missouri view of the ministry versus the WELS view.

Supposedly there was a great gap between the two, but the Little Sect on the Prairie had those on both sides and traditionally was closer to the LCMS. WELS took over as Big Brother, after the Synodical Conference broke up.

Pastors like to go over the histories and cases, because they can avoid the current issues. At best they hint at the current issues, to avoid career-ending positions.

LCMS

The classic view of Missouri held that the congregation was only divinely instituted form of the church. The classic view, like UOJ, does not go back very far. That was promoted and heavily defended in the early 20th century. The extremely hilariously view of this, held by Jack Cascione, is that the Voters' Assembly is supreme and validates the call, the Means of Grace, and the Oscars.

Walther did not practice this form of Waltherianism. He simply sent certain men to congregations. That was their call. If anyone is familiar with the Prussian view of democracy, that is as close as they get to it.

Walther let the voters argue about everything non-essential, but he was in charge of the spiritual matters in the congregation. By today's standards (in some quarters), he was a softie. He argued for taking in Masonic Lodge members but counseling them out of the Lodge. Walther excommunicated only three people at his church, over many years. In contrast, one CLC (sic) pastor excommunicated over 100 member of one congregation. One of his relatives excommunicated most of the members as an LCR pastor.

Missouri's congregational position has been good and bad. A conservative man is left alone if he is established in his congregation. The officials have trouble getting at him. However, an apostate is just as secure.

Missouri creates some peculiar applications. For instance, the seminary professors have to have a call to a congregation, even though that means very little. The seminaries also have a local congregation sponsor a communion service, even though everyone knows it is a seminary communion service, not St. Walther's by the Brewery.

Missouri DPs often wear neckties to show they are not in divine calls but are serving as executives. Is that good? Bishop is a better title, but when American Lutherans get or grab that title, they go funny in the head. It would be good to have DPs who really are pastoral and doctrinal bishops, and bishops who are also the same.

WELS

The WELS position is rather papal, but papal-babtist. The DPs have the power to do more, they claim, but they do not exercise that in promoting sound doctrine and whacking apostates. Instead, they whack conservatives and protect apostates. Pastors who want the protection of their DP should murder their wives or fall for some far-out doctrinal weirdo, such as Leonard Sweet.

Wisconsin used to say they believed in prayer fellowship. One WELS pastor made a point of leaving the dinner table when his evil LCMS brother said a prayer. But the same WELS pastor had no problem with Fuller Seminary or Reformed doctrine. Foreign languages - that was his problem. Bad news in the mission field.

Wisconsin said they had a unit concept of fellowship. No one says that anymore. They have levels, degrees, and dimensions of fellowship. A WELS pastor can be in fellowship with any denomination (Methodist, Babtist, Roman Catholic) or any entity (United Nations, Trinity Deerfield, Willow Creek, Fuller Seminary) as long as he is not in fellowship with Ichabod.

Missouri and WELS have morphed into the Fuller view of the ministry, spending the years since 1977 promoting that view.

Feucht in Missouri sold his guys on Everyone a Minister, which he got from Fuller. WELS adopted the same motto and promoted it in their motto.

WELS had no trouble with a non-WELS, ex-LCMS pastor, Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, posing as a pastor as head of Lutheran Parish Resources. They lied for him, told his fabulous stories, and endorsed him for a pastoral position in Columbus. They lied about recommending him, too.

If a man is sued for wrecking the marriage of a Lutheran couple, WELS wants him for a Church Growth consultant and youth leader.

As long as Missouri, WELS, and the ELS promote Enthusiasm in various ways, they will have no coherent view of the ministry.

Foundational is the efficacy of the Word in the Means of Grace. Anyone who takes a different route is anti-Biblical, an Enthusiast. To return to a Lutheran view of the ministry, these practical manifestations of false doctrine would have to be banished:

1. Fellowship with ELCA in any form. Missouri has joint ELCA-LCMS parishes. WELS has had memberships in the Willow Creek denomination. St. Mark Depere is out but have they changed?
2. Cell groups - they are the essence of Pietism and Enthusiasm.
3. Women usurping authority and teaching men. 
4. Training at CG and Emergent Church beehives.
5. Roman Catholics teaching Lutherans! Why is that debatable?
6. Etc.
   

Henry Ward Beecher Advocated Love and Appealing to Popular Culture

Beecher went on trial for his ministry to lonely women.
He beat the rap.
He could have been a Church Growth leader in Columbus.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "WELS Church and Money Changers Fail To Convert Kat...":

The main problem I see with these posers is that instead of repudiating the sinfulness of our popular culture they give the appearance that they accept, condone, and promote the lyrics, antics, and lifestyles of these celebrity icons.

I hope that privately these pastors are instructing youth on the soul-damning implications of lyrics such as Perry's "I kissed a girl and I liked it, I hope that my boyfriend don't mind it." I hope that they are providing Biblical references demonstrating the grave sin of the porn-star they are embracing. However, the public impression that these images create dash all of my hopes.

Yes, the porn-star and Perry are sinful and in need of salvation just like you and me, but there has got to be a better way of getting your point across without these lame and misleading gimmicks.

Good and evil are like oil and water: they just don't mix.

In case some of you are interested, the following link will supply you with the ability to refute the new film Avatar. I better get this out there quickly before Skewer-your-soul-ski and company try posing with and endorsing the Christ-hating likes of James Cameron:

http://www.goodfight.org/a_v_avatar_one_world_religion.html

-TM

***

GJ - Yesterday I did some reading about Henry Ward Beecher. The Lyman Beecher lectures at Yale are named after his father. Harriet Beecher Stowe was his sister, the author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, the best-selling book in the world at the time. Lyman was president of Lane Seminary, which helped start opposition to slavery among the Northern churches. Radicals left Lane to start Oberlin College, an Ohio school known for its Lefti-ness long before the other schools caught up.

Henry's bio is called The Most Famous Man in America, because he was. He manipulated huge audiences with dramatic auctions for slaves, supposedly to set them free, gathering enormous amounts of money for himself. He was doubtless quite entertaining, a real performer. He preached to "eight mistresses each Sunday" at his church. He was doubtless the role model for all Church Growth pastors.

Henry was a political leader before and after the Civil War. He believed in marrying the church to the culture of the time.

WELS Needs a Willow Creek District

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "When Kelm Taught Reformed Theology at Wisconsin Lu...":

An English District for WELS? I noticed an article on John Berg on Bailing Water. I looked up the website for his church in Fremont, CA. I notice that his church is a member of the English District, LCMS.

The LCMS has this non-geographical district into which to send all its oddballs, liberal and conservative. Maybe it's time for WELS to add a non-geographical "English District." WLC could be its women minister training school, MLC is worker training school, Jeske its chaplain, Kelm is missionary at large, Patterson its president, etc. We could call it the Willow Creek District or the Fuller District.

WELS could re-open Northwestern College as its worker training college.
The only question is which would be larger, the Twelve Districts of WELS or the Willow Creek District.

***

GJ - I have met the Berg brothers. Their father, Norm Berg, promoted Church Growth through his position as head of Home Missions in a WEF. Norm would dictate the number of toilets in a WELS, veto an AC unit in a sub-tropical area like Columbus, Ohio, and ban a free fireplace because "it violated mission code." The only thing he did not micro-manage was doctrine.

I liked Norm as a person but thought he was ill-suited to be in charge of missions. His ideology was right for the Love Shack. That mattered most of all.

No one should be surprised that growing up Fuller would make the Berg brothers high church. I am not sure whether DP Janke or DP Marcus Nitz got rid of John Berg. WELS managed to lose a church at the same time.

WELS California was always a safe place for the Shrinkers like Valleskey, Kelm (Valleskey vicar), Bivens, Rick Johnson, and many more of the same.

Teigen on Jeske

Time for Tubby-bye-bye.
Time for Tubby-bye-bye.
Time for Tubby-bye-bye.

Norman Teigen has left a new comment on your post "LCMS Board Minutes and Jeske":

Is it possible that you may be wrong about Pastor Jeske and that his television ministry could be considered a good thing?


Norman Teigen
ELS layman

---

GJ - There is always a first time, Norman, but not with this topic.

Jeske is the force behind WELS/ELS Church and Change, a combination of Reformed doctrine, unionism, and New Age philosophies.

Listen to his program and read his odious blogs. He promotes and supports Mark Driscoll. Is it a coincidence that Ski and Katie went with Glende for a Driscoll conference in Seattle? Ski and Katie were at St. Marcus before they spread the blight to A-Town.

Jeske is dishonest about his fellowship, which is worse than his unionism. However, one cannot separate the deception from the unionism in his group. They are unionists who lie about their unionism. In fact, they even lie about being members of the Chicanery mob.

Check out the denials by Kudu Don Patterson, Mark Paustian, and others.

Before that, they lied about going to Fuller Seminary and adoring Church Growth.

Jeske belongs with Quiche-nik. May they go down the road to ruin together.

Suet and Squirrels

My suet blocks were not getting any business during our cold spell. As soon as the temperatures moved to 40 and above, the birds came back.

Suet lasts a long time, and Duncraft's blocks include seed. Birds pick seed out of the suet and drop some to the ground, where ground feeders get their share. Our dog Sassy follows me around when I have suet. She licks the bag every chance she gets.

I learned in Midland to have plenty of suet hanging from trees and bushes, because more birds can feed and tweet about food. Did you know birds invented twittering? Soon, children will say, "Birds twitter? What's a bird?"

Three suet bags were hanging on trees we could see easily from our living room, which faces the ravine. I added a fourth to a hook above the picture window. I was gazing at the bird convention on the more distant bags when I decided to move the window feeder away.  The ingrates were not using it. Just then a chickadee landed on it and began feeding.

Birds are wary and need time to adjust to watering and feeding places. Once habituated, they chirp for more when humans fail to provide as generously and regularly as the Creator.

The best part was seeing my grandchildren watch the birds on Saturday. I just happened to have one more package left in the fridge, so I sent that home with them. The directions are easy. Keep cold. Open the plastic container with a knife. Drop the blob into the net provided. Hang from a bush or tree.

My friend suggested a spinning corn-cob feeder. They cost about $24, so I decided to use the basic feeder already in place, a spike on a board. I bought some field corn and put the first one on. It took a few days to get noticed. This morning it was bare, so I put a new one on. Watching squirrels eat is great fun too. They are real acrobats, so I will get a spinner later - for the grandchildren, of course.

Squirrel corn spinner - available from Duncraft

WELS Church and Money Changers Fail To Convert Katie Perry, Who Is Living in Sin

WELS Pastor Tim Glende made this his profile photo on Facebook for weeks, open to anyone who searched his name.

 

WELS Pastor James Skorzewski - Ski - opened his Facebook photo albums to everyone for weeks, including this pose with Katy Perry and a similar one with Playboy model MariQueen.

Jim Becker WELS has left a new comment on your post "From Appleton - The Entertainment Capital of WELS ...":

KATY PERRY AND RUSSELL BRAND TO LIVE TOGETHER?

Jan 20 2010. Posted by Adam

* katy perry
* russell brand

Katy Perry and Russell Brand

KATY Perry and her fiance Russell Brand have fueled speculation they’re set to move in together — after they were seen paying a visit to Bed, Bath & Beyond in Hollywood earlier this week.

The I Kissed A Girl singer and the British comedian got engaged on New Year’s Eve after a whirlwind romance.

Russell — who owns a $3 million home in Los Angeles and recently put his North London pad on the market — was pictured loading up a trolley with the kind of necessities most couples would require when they move in together.

The trolley contained items such as a Bialetti Moka Express 9-Cup Espresso Machine priced $39.99; a Cuisinart Griddler Panini and Sandwich Press, $49.99; and a Cuisinart Stainless Steel Microwave Oven, priced at $149.99.

Katy recently revealed that she and Russell are yet to set a wedding date.

“We love each other and we desperately want to be with each other, so we’re going to take it as we come,” she said.

“I think the right time will be the right time.”

Guess Ski's evangelism efforts toward Katy Perry were fruitless.

***

GJ - The efforts of Ski and Glende were not entirely fruitless. They made themselves the poster boys for WELS Church and Change, the public face of private apostasy.

Both of them finally hid their infamous poses with the half-clad Perry. They cannot hide their in-your-face attitude, which manifests itself in so many ways.

People expect teen-aged boys to be awestruck and proud that they got to pose with Miss Perry, who apparently forgot to finish dressing that day. But no one expects middle-aged men with wives and families to remain emotionally frozen in the teen years, especially when the pastors offer themselves as youth leaders.

"Avoiding the appearance of evil" is for chumps, Church and Change says.

I am glad Church and Change chose this pair to show everyone what the organization could do. A lot of money was spent in Columbus, Ohio, to show what Church Growth could do. Glende knows because his big, old non-WELS congregation went along with it. Shrinker Stolzenburg did his work and the church is much smaller than it was in the past.

The question is how long members and pastors will put up with the DPs running interference for these louts.

Remember the Church and Change playbook:

1. Pretend to be doing something no one else can or will do.
2. Deny the facts, especially when supported by evidence.
3. Erase the evidence.
4. Anonymously attack anyone who doubts the supreme virtue of the apostates.

Deputy Doug, Anything Goes District

---

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "WELS Church and Money Changers Fail To Convert Kat...":

We have not made the world more Lutheran, but the world has made us more worldly.

That's what happens when you try to copy what the rock stars are doing.

Here's and example from the evangelical camp at large: Contemporary Christian Music. I remember 30 years ago when it was their aim to be a bridge to the lost. The lost would heard the message in music that they liked. 25 years ago Amy Grant came out with "Crossing Over" with very little if any "Gospel" message in the music. It was to be a bridge to bring people to a comfort level that would perhaps lead them to checking out the scriptures. Amy's legacy as a purely pop star is well known. Now you have "God is my girlfriend" type music that is hard to differentiate from any other secular pop.

There is no longer any message in the music. But boy does it sell!

It seems the Ski and Glende types have taken lessons from they folks described above. Now their banal and insipid attempts at being "real, relavent" has left them with a bag of nothing.
But, man are they cool.

Where's the message?

---

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "WELS Church and Money Changers Fail To Convert Kat...":

Thank you for your comments Mr. Jim Becker. We are all glad so see lay-leader(elder?) men taking an outspoken stance against apostasy.

Ski and Glende middle-aged? Those guys are under 40! Fifty-two is the new middle-age. My pastor was born a fuddy duddy; however, he did go through the ages of 12 and 20. Pastors are supposed to be squares, it comes with the job description. The Bible says that pastors are to be ABOVE REPROACH. I pray for the poor wives. Give it six months, a year at most, at least one wife from that circle will go ballistic.(always happens)

I remember the CCM from 30 year ago. Amy Grant went through a divorce. Sandy Patty had a little trouble with the 6th commandment. Showmanship is a far cry from just singing in the church choir.

In Christ,
from WELS church lady

Graphic Evidence of WELS Laity Discontented with Mary Lou College Leadership

Someone sent me this picture. He or she is a layman, active in WELS.

LCMS Board Minutes and Jeske

Below is a section of the official Minutes of the LCMS BCS, posted publicly on the Internet. Note highlighted paragraph. It will be very interesting to see how DP Dave gets around this, "evangelical" or not!



Page 1 of 3 Minutes - Board for Communication Services

April 27-28, 2009

LCMS International Center

St. Louis, MO

Present: Dennis Clauss, chairman; David Berger, John Bush, Ernest Garbe, Candace Mueller, Charles Mueller, Jr., Kevin Vogts Non-voting: David Strand Excused: Eileen Bishop List

Guests during the strategic planning segment of the meeting included several BCS staff members.

Chairman Clauss called the meeting to order at 8:05 AM and opened with prayer.

Welcome to Rev. Charles Mueller, Jr., appointed member replacing Rev. David Kluth..

Agenda approved by consensus, with addition of J. Connett in I. KFUO discussion.

M/S/C to approve the minutes of January 27, 2009.

Old Business

1. The Director of News and Information Services position is exempt from the hiring freeze. Salary for the position is included in the budget beginning January 1, 2010 (possibly earlier).

Roland Lovstad has been helping out in the interim. Time frame for DNIS search: applications due in early August; interview candidates in late August / early September; COP action on candidates in their September meeting. Pending their action, a board phone conference might be arranged to expedite the process. A question was raised regarding venues to be used for the announcement of the position; official periodicals of the Synod are not sufficient to get the word out to a broad constituency. While a theologically educated person is highly desirable, the position need not be filled by ordained clergy. Mix of skills might include marketing as well as journalism. Recommendations may be made to D. Clauss or D. Strand.

2. Time of Grace

The program hosted by Pastor Jeske remains the only Lutheran television program available nationally. RSO status was granted in January by the BCS, contingent upon the ToG board’s including a clergyman of the LCMS. At least one LCMS layman is currently on the board. The organization is adamant about maintaining a lay board and has resisted including any pastors. Given that RSO status is revocable if necessary, the board took the following action: M/S/C to remove the contingency of LCMS clergy presence on the board for LCMS RSO status for Time of Grace Ministry. [The operative assumption, however, is that the board will continue to have LCMS lay presence.]

3. Executive session guidelines from the February 2009 BOD minutes provided by R. Hartwig were discussed.

New Business

1. D. Clauss and Ch. Mueller reported their impressions of the "President’s Core Leadership Team Meeting" earlier in April. Included in the discussions were the proposals for LCMS

Church and Money Changers at Mary Lou College - WELS Lady Pastor Speaks

Pastor Kristen "administers the Means of Grace"

at Latte Lutheran Church.

Puff piece in FIC.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "When Kelm Taught Reformed Theology at Wisconsin Lu...":

Forget about Kelm. Today is MLC Evangelism Day.

Openening Speaker Pastor Richard Gurgel - Church and Money Changer.

At 9:30 Pastor Mark Bitter.

Pastor Bill Limmer - He and Parlow plagiarized Hybels' email.

and Kristin Koespell will conduct the panel discussion on worship and evangelism.

Isn't she the one at Hunter's church? (yep!)

In Christ,

from WELS church lady

---

From their website:

Minister of Worship - Kristen Koepsell

Home » About Us » Staff - Minister of Worship Kristen Koepsell

As Staff Minister of Worship, Kristen is responsible for planning and implementing all worship opportunities at St. Andrew.  She also oversees the large corps of worship volunteers who serve in many and varied capacities each week. Music is the largest part of the worship ministry at St. Andrew, but the worship ministry also includes lay readers, dramatic and visual arts, hospitality ministries and audio/visual tech support.  Kristen works closely with Pastor Hunter to study and understand biblical worship principles and practices, evaluate current worship practices at St. Andrew, and define future directions for St. Andrew’s worship ministry.

Kristen graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College in 2003 with a B.A. in Psychology and minors in Communication and Theology. While at WLC she worked for two years in the Campus Ministry Office planning and implementing daily chapel services, organizing various musical groups for worship, and learning from Campus Pastor Nathan Strobel.  She is currently pursuing Staff Ministry certification from Martin Luther College.

Kristen grew up in the Pacific Northwest and always intended to return there after college, but God had other plans for her. He has planted her firmly in the family of faith at St. Andrew and for this she is truly and deeply grateful. When she’s not writing services or running rehearsals, Kristen spends her time reading science fiction and classic literature, playing piano, writing music, taking long walks in good weather, staying connected with friends and family, and generally enjoying life.

“The best part of my job is knowing that my work directly impacts the spiritual lives of those who worship here and enables them to connect with God. I say this with a full and complete understanding (and appreciation!) of the fact that the actual work is done by the Holy Spirit through the means of grace – but it is a great privilege and a great joy to be an instrument in ‘administering God’s grace’ in the form of worship gatherings. The second most rewarding aspect of my work is assisting all sorts of members of the congregation in bringing their gifts to God and to each other as joyful offerings. How exciting it is to see brothers and sisters in Christ – of all ages! – learning and working together to serve God and His people. The interpersonal connections made and the spiritual lessons learned through this ministry are invaluable blessings from our gracious God.”

---

Mary Lou College (WELS)

Church and Change Evangelism Day at MLC 2010

last modified 2009-11-30 04:16 PM

The public is invited to attend the opening worship service and an informative panel discussion at MLC’s Evangelism Day, January 20, 2010.

Evangelism Day is dedicated to equipping MLC students to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, both in their personal lives and when they serve in the public ministry. “How Shall They Hear?” will be this year’s focus.

The opening service and the panel discussion will be held in the auditorium of the Wittenberg Collegiate Center starting at 8:30 am. The opening service preacher will be Professor Richard Gurgel of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.

At 9:30, Pastor Mark Bitter, Pastor Bill Limmer, and Kristin Koepsell will conduct the panel discussion on worship and evangelism. While you are on campus, lunch is available at the college cafeteria at a modest cost.

---




WELS Pastor Bill Limmer, Point of Grace, Milwaukee, Campus Ministry, copying and pasting his latest insights?  



Bill Hybels, Willow Creek Community Church - Not WELS.



Paul Calvin Kelm, WELS DMin from Concordia, St.Louis
  



John Parlow, WELS


----- Original Message -----
From: jp (this is how John Parlow sends his messages)

Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2003 2:47 PM
Subject: Letter from Pastor Limmer (not sure how Limmer got added, but he was)

Dear St. Mark Family,
I have never been an early riser all my life. And so for someone like me to be tossing and turning two hours before sunrise, after a fourteen hour work day at St. Mark...well that is worth trying to figure out. Jet lag? Nope. I have been in the same time zone for weeks. Family trouble? Nope. My family still graciously puts up with all my quirks. Anxiety? The world has its share of troubles, and I like many of you, have felt the need to pray more fervently for so many who are suffering. But after reflecting on that for a little while, I knew that wasn't the root cause of my sleeplessness.

Being the seasoned spiritual leader that I am, I finally resorted to a formula that has been a secret embarrassment to me for decades: "When all else fails...turn to God and ask for help." When I quietly breathed a prayer for insight from above, the Spirit whispered, "It is old fashioned excitement, Bill. You felt it in years past when Holy Week services were filled with a sense of anticipation and wonder and you are feeling it again now. It is a good thing. In fact, why not revel in the fact that you have been doing something for fifteen years and you love it so much that you can't sleep come ‘game day’." Duh.

Last night I prayed for Scott as I knew he would be putting on the finishing touches for the three Maundy Thursday Services. And today I'm contemplating the final rehearsals for our Good Friday services, and felt a sharp pang of sadness that it is not being broadcast all over the world. It was that touching to me. I was completely convinced that any and all who experience it will be moved to tears as I was, and as irresistibly drawn to the Crucified One. The Tenebrae services are at 12:30, 3:30 and 6:30 tomorrow.

Earlier in the day John, a few others and I reviewed the Easter message. (Remember we are at West High, 966 Shawano Ave. at 7:30 and 9:30 a.m.) As the group left my office, I sat with John and we grieved over the fact that we would only be having eight Holy Week services! All John and I could talk about was the redemptive potential of the next four days. Who knows what God might do--in how many lives?!

Friends, don't miss anything these next few days. Don't miss private promptings from God regarding what He wants you to reflect on this Holy Week. Don't miss a single opportunity to ask additional friends and family to come with you to the services. Don't miss the teaching moments with young children that this season affords. Miss a little sleep...but don't miss anything else. Deal?
Bill

[Milwaukee -- Cardinal Stritch Coll
(F) Rev Bill F Limmer
The Point of Grace, Milwaukee WI
414-963-2047
pastorbill@thepointofgrace.net
Wisconsin Lutheran Student Center Worship Facility]



---

But two and one-half hours earlier, this message had already arrived from Bill Hybels, Willow Creek Community Church:


----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Hybels
To: enews@arrow.willowcreek.org
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2003 12:08 PM
Subject: Sleepless in Barrington (from Bill Hybels)

Dear Enews Family,

I have been an early riser all my life. It goes back to growing up in a family that owned a fresh produce business. But for someone like me to be tossing and turning two hours before sunrise, after a sixteen hour work day at Willow...well that is worth trying to figure out. Jet lag? Nope. I have been in the same time zone for weeks. Family trouble? Nope. We recently returned from one of the most enjoyable vacations we have ever had. Anxiety? The world has its share of troubles, and I like many of you, have felt the need to pray more fervently for so many who are suffering. But after reflecting on that for a little while, I knew that wasn't the root cause of my sleeplessness.

Being the seasoned spiritual leader that I am, I finally resorted to a formula that has been a secret embarrassment to me for decades: "When all else fails...turn to God and ask for help." When I quietly breathed a prayer for insight from above, the Spirit whispered, "It is old fashioned excitement, Bill. You felt it in years past when Good Friday and Easter services were filled with a sense of anticipation and wonder and you are feeling it again now. It is a good thing. In fact, why not revel in the fact that you have been doing something for thirty years and you love it so much that you can't sleep come ‘game day’." Duh.

Last night I sat through the final rehearsals for our Good Friday services, and felt a sharp pang of sadness that it is not being broadcast all over the world. It was that touching to me. I was completely convinced that any and all who experience it will be moved to tears as I was, and as irresistibly drawn to the Crucified One. The first service starts tonight at 7:00 p.m. (And then we get to do it three more times on Friday--at 4:00, 6:00, and 8:00 p.m.!)

Earlier in the day God had graciously given my Easter message to me, after which the team and I reviewed the Easter program one final time. As the group left my office, I sat alone for just a moment and grieved over the fact that we would only be able to do it seven times! At the end of my workday Greg Ferguson and I did our typical run, but at a ridiculously fast pace, because all we could talk about was the redemptive potential of the next four days. Who knows what God might do--in how many lives?!

So, that's why I'm pecking at my laptop well before the guys with broken exhaust systems deliver the newspapers . . .raw spiritual amperage. And at my age...it is a good thing.

Friends, don't miss anything these next few days. Don't miss private promptings from God regarding what He wants you to reflect on this Holy Week. Don't miss a single opportunity to ask additional friends and family to come with you to the services. Don't miss the teaching moments with young children that this season affords. Miss a little sleep...but don't miss anything else. Deal?

Bill

-------------------------------
To find out about this weekend's service or what's happening around Willow Creek Community Church, visit http://www.willowcreek.org.
To unsubscribe from E-news, send a blank message to enews@willowcreek.org with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
If you have questions about Willow Creek, you can e-mail info@willowcreek.org or call (847)765-5000. Thank you.

---

From Mike Schottey, earlier:

Rev. Mark Bitter on "Spoiling the Egyptians:" "While the Lord was telling Moses exactly how he wanted to be worshiped, the Israelites were worshiping like the Egyptians did."

He then went on a 10 minute binge against churches who want to use praise songs instead of psalms.

It was easy to see the classmates who were grinning and those squirming in their seats.

This was all at Evangelism Day...somewhere down the hall "Ski" was torturing minds. I skipped Kelm's key note for my own sanity.