Library Sale Update

A number of people have asked about my library downsizing. I will compile a list of available Lutheran books and send it this weekend, with prices, on Excel.

Thanks for the great response.

Contributions of The CORE in Appleton

When the pastor's favorite TV show is Sponge Bob Square Pants...


Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "From The CORE":

1. The Core has shown that it's acceptable, in the (W)ELS, to use titillating sermon themes to peak the interest of the "already saved". Example: Satan's Sex Ed

2. The Core has clearly shown what's beyond the "edge of the envelope" when it comes to witnessing to the lost. Example: publishing a photo of The Core's (W)ELS Pastor with a practicing satanic porn star in an intimate embrace.

3. The Core has demonstrated that members of the (W)ELS are allowed to worship with the Baptist New Age Emergent churches. Example: The Core's pastor enjoyed Excellent worship at Baptist Andy Stanley's church.

4. The Core has demonstrated that the oversight of doctrine and practice in the (W)ELS is catastrophically lacking by the synod administration and certainly on the part of the lethargic and comatose laity.

5. The Core has been a visual aid in understanding the progressive apostasy that the false central doctrine of UOJ is having on churches and synods that claim a heritage in the Orthodox Lutheran Confession.

Robert Benne - On ELCA's Predictable Decline

He did not mention the implicit gay quota understood by all when ELCA was formed.


Lutherans in Search of a Church

May 27, 2010

Robert Benne

In its August 2009 Churchwide Assembly, the Evangelical Lutheran Church decided formally to leave the Great Tradition of orthodox Christianity for a declining and desiccated liberal Protestantism. The decisions it made—accepting a weak and confused social statement on sexuality, allowing blessings of gay unions, ordaining gays and lesbians in partnered relationships, and requiring Lutherans to respect each other’s “bound conscience” on these issues—crossed the “line in the sand” that separates revisionist Christians from orthodox.

That result was a foregone conclusion for critical observers who had been watching the ELCA carefully since its inception in the late eighties. (Among them, of course, was Richard John Neuhaus, who saw clearly the trajectory yet to unfold.) What had been the promise of a renewed and robust Lutheranism in the merger of the American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church in America was aborted before its birth, in 1988. The planners of the new Lutheran church saw to it that those who provided theological guidance to predecessor churches—then almost exclusively white and male—were marginalized from the real decision-making centers of church life.

One of their instruments was a quota system that insured that the more “progressive” elements of the church would be overrepresented. Every committee, task force, and voting body must be comprised of 60 percent laypeople of whom half must be female and 40 percent of clergy of whom half must be female. 10 percent must be people of color or people whose first language is other than English, of whom half must be female. This scheme dramatically reduced the role of white, male pastors in the church.

Other instruments were: making the Bishops merely advisory; categorizing theologians as only one interest group among others; and locating final authority in lay-dominated, semiannual assemblies that could vote even on doctrinal matters, as one fatefully did in August 2009. These bodies made sure there would be “many voices” in the life of the ELCA, and we now have “many voices,” but no authoritative ones. What is left of classical Lutheranism in the ELCA is a mere “aroma in the bottle.”

But church organizations abhor a vacuum. In the absence of a genuine confessional teaching authority, the ELCA has followed liberal Protestantism in adopting a working theology sharply different from its classical confessions. It has substituted the “Gospel of inclusion” for the classic “Gospel of redemption” that emphasizes repentance, forgiveness, and amendment of life. The former diminishes the importance of the Law as the source of both repentance and guidance for Christians. The god of self-esteem promises everyone acceptance just the way they are.

But the ELCA is far more interested in pressing forward the liberationist themes issuing from feminism, multiculturalism, anti-imperialism, and environmentalism. These themes constitute the non-negotiables in ELCA church life. The ELCA bishops recently participated in a workshop that featured a presentation titled “Power, Privilege, and Difference.” Being therefore educated about their propensities to be oppressive, the worthy bishops resolved to have “observers” at all their meetings to monitor for “PP&D” thinking. One might note that they employed no monitors for confessional theology, perhaps because there was nothing of significance to monitor.

The decision to allow the blessing and ordination of gays and lesbians in partnered relationships was the flash point for those who had observed these deep-running liberationalist trends operating in the church for many years. That flash point, however, illuminated the deeper problem of authority in the church. Scripture and its Lutheran confessional interpretation seemed to have been cast aside for the voting process of a Churchwide Assembly that was shaped more by contemporary experience, highly-organized interest groups, and the scarcely veiled agenda of ELCA headquarters.

The ELCA’s proclamation that it held no clear teachings on homosexual conduct, yet allowed the blessing and ordination of partnered homosexuals, individualized and congregationalized the church in one fell swoop. Each individual and congregation has to exercise their own “bound conscience” on these matters. Some individuals may simply leave for other churches or press their congregations to leave the ELCA, while some divert their offerings to purely local causes or participate in organized efforts to renew the church. Most members, however, try to act as if nothing has happened.

Some congregations have left the ELCA for other Lutheran bodies, while others have publicly proclaimed orthodox beliefs and practices and allowed their members to divert their offerings into “bound conscience” funds that cannot be sent on to the ELCA. Most try to avoid these controversies like the plague. Pastors know the tension will cost them membership and support no matter what direction they go.

The national church has a budget far less than the one it began with in 1988, even if one does not account for inflation. Sixty-four of the sixty-five synods have diminished their giving to the national church. All the synods have less to work with.

However, the most interesting fall-out is the organizational changes.The two organizations formed to resist the direction of the ELCA—the Word Alone Network and Lutheran CORE—have redefined themselves. Neither desires to continue organized resistance within the ELCA, which they regard as futile. Both have turned their attention to building new organizations independent of the ELCA, as they seek to provide harbors for those in search of a church beyond their congregations.

The Word Alone Network has become Word Alone Ministries, which provides educational and worship materials, mission opportunities, and theological education for the church that it founded earlier. That church, or better, that “association of congregations,” is the Lutheran Congregations in Ministry for Christ. The LCMC was formed during the fracas over an agreement, between the ELCA and the Episcopal Church, Called to Common Mission, which required ordination to the historic episcopacy for Lutheran pastors and bishops. That requirement was anathema to the mostly Midwestern, low church Lutherans. The LCMC now lists 410 member congregations, with 191 having joined since last August. Among them are some of the largest Lutheran churches in America.

Representing the “evangelical catholic” or high church wing of the church, Lutheran CORE redefined itself after the fiasco of August 2009 as a coalition for the renewal and reconfiguration of Lutheranism in North America. Though it had no initial desire to start yet another Lutheran church, CORE responded to the wave of churches wanting to leave the ELCA for a more “churchly” organization than Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ, and hopes to facilitate the birth of the new North American Lutheran Church next August. It is uncertain just how many congregations will be on board at its founding.

Both CORE and the NALC see themselves as instruments of a reconfiguration of Lutheranism in North America—CORE as an ongoing convocation of Lutheran teaching theologians, and the NALC as an ecclesia embodying those teachings.

Whatever comes of these ventures remains to be seen. If the Holy Spirit blesses them they will flourish and provide new beginnings for Lutheranism in America. For many they are the last, great efforts to live out the promise of Lutheranism as a church on this continent. If they fail, the only remaining option may be a bracing swim across the Tiber.

Robert Benne is Director of the Center for Religion and Society and Jordan-Trexler Professor of Religion Emeritus at Roanoke College. His Good and Bad Ways to Think About Religion and Politics will appear this summer.

From The CORE

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: May COREspondence
From: "The CORE"
To: SomeoneWeThinkWeCanFool
CC:

_What a Difference a Year Makes_

April 18, 2010 marked the one year celebration of the official launch of The
CORE. Though we started having informal worship gatherings on Sunday
evenings in February of 2009, we officially launched with full worship on
April 19th.

God has truly blessed the ministry here at The CORE. In a year we have seen
regular attendance double. Eight people, children and adults, have been
baptized, and we have 68 official members including children and adults. At
the end of the day those numbers are important only because they represent
people. They represent people whom God created and loves. People who have a
story to tell that brings glory to their Savior and His gracious love.

This year God has given us the opportunity to be his hands and feet in
Appleton and the surrounding community. A chance to be a city within the
city that loves the city for Him. Thank you for your support of this
ministry and being a part of what God is doing here at The CORE. It is our
prayer that we can continue to partner together to bring the Gospel to
Appleton and beyond for many more years to come.

_First Annual "In the Know" Event_

Join us on Saturday,
June 12th at 11:00am for The CORE’S very first
“In the Know” event. Lunch and beverages will be provided. “It’s our
congregation’s opportunity to get to know other members and serves as a
celebration for completing 1 year together,” says Pastor Ski.

Get to know us so we can get to know you! All are welcome.

_Looking Ahead_...

_"Religion Bytes"_

June 6th- June 27th

_"Miracles"_

July 4th - July 28th

_Miss a sermon? No worries. Click here to listen to the podcasts or
subscribe in iTunes._

_Join us on Facebook _



"How quickly we forget what it's all about.
We can get so strategic that we worship so our church will grow, not because
He is worthy. But we're doing all this because God is worthy and we want to
worship Him."

- Tommy Walker

We are excited to welcome Mara Donnan to the staff at The CORE! Mara will be
filling Katie's position. We know what you may be thinking, but there is no
drama here! God is simply calling Katie to serve the Kingdom elsewhere.

Mara was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. She recently moved to Appleton
after marrying her husband, Jonathan.
Mara comes to our team from the Brady Corporation where she worked as the
E-Business Content Specialist. In 2006, she graduated from Alverno College
with a degree in English. She has a passion for writing, helping others, and
most importantly... Jesus.
“I know the miracles that He has done for me and I am excited share my
passion with others,” Mara says.

_Do you know someone who might be interested in hearing about what God is
doing at The CORE? Foward this newsletter to them today._

The CORE 215 E Washington St. Appleton, WI 54911 920-364-0200
_Check us out online! _[1]www.gotocore.com
Links:
1. http://www.gotocore.com

***

GJ - Readers are invited to contributed what The CORE has accomplished in plagiarizing Groeschel

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diet-o-worms (http://diet-o-worms.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "From The CORE":

God *must* be blessing the Muslims too at the rate they're growing. {facepalm}

***

GJ - Sheep-stealing from local WELS congregations is outreach, according to a non-Lutheran entertainment center.

Downsizing the Library

But not my Triglotta.

Most of my reading is on the computer now, and that is true for the family.

I am going to greatly reduce my library in the next few months.

Many books are Lutheran and include volumes from Luther's works.

I have a beautiful set of Dickens' best novels, leather-bound, now out of print.

Others are classics from Easton Press (leather-bound), Folio, and Limited Editions. I have children's literature classics, various histories, etc. For instance, the three-volume Norwich history of the Byzantine Empire is almost as good as Gibbon.

I am not going to sell one book at a time. I prefer a box at a time. Almost everything is in new condition, even though most have been read or used.

The best thing about breaking up a collection is that new people get to enjoy it. These books are beautifully bound and made to last.

Those seriously interested can email me at gregjackson1948@qwest.net

WELS Quiz

1. Which sin will disqualify someone from getting a promotion?
a. Adultery
b. Teaching false doctrine
c. Unionism
d. Embezzlement
e. Hinting that WELS may have been wrong about something

2. Which school is unacceptable by WELS standards?
a. Fuller Seminary
b. Gordon Conwell
c. Trinity in Deerfield
d. Denver Seminary
e. Willow Creek
f. Concordia Seminary

3. If I join WELS Church and Change, which positions can I still hold?
a. Love Shack Staff
b. FIC editor
c. Sausage Factory professor
d. MLC professor
e. WLC professor
f. Doctrinal Pussycat
g. Vulpine Pussycat
h. Circuit Pussycat
i. All of the above

4. Under what conditions can I lead worship in WELS and Missouri?
a. If I am about to be kicked out.
b. If my name is Mark Jeske.

5. Name the Means of Grace.
a. Thrivent
b. Marvin Schwan
c. Foundations
d. The family tree

6. Pastors who criticize the Church Growth Movement are:
a. Rare
b. Lazy
c. Hurting the synod
d. Not creative
e. Ineligible for a call

7. Pastors who support the Church Growth Movement are:
a. Full of costly but exciting plans
b. Creative
c. Hard-working
d. Winsome
e. The salvation of the synod

8. Founders and leaders of Church Growth in WELS are:
a. Ron Roth
b. Robert Hartmann
c. Paul Calvin Kelm
d. David Valleskey
e. Frosty Bivens
f. Waldo Werning
g. Jim Aderman
h. John Parlow
i. Steve Witte
j. John Lawrenz
k. Jim Huebner
l. Larry Olson
m. H. Hagedorn
n. Wayne Mueller
o. There is no Church Growth Movement in WELS.

9. Which will hurt a congregation's growth?
a. The name Lutheran
b. The word church
c. The historic liturgy
d. Creeds
e. Law and Gospel sermons
f. Liturgical garments
g. Lutheran hymns - better known as funeral dirges
h. Less than friendly ushers
i. Your attitude of standing in the way of progress

10. An ideal pastor will spend his time:
a. Planning for growth
b. Attending the conferences of creative denominations and exciting outreach organizations
c. Listening to audio from Fuller, Willow Creek, and Ed Stetzer
d. Deciding on the best sermons to use, whether from Mars Hill or Groeschel or Andy Stanley
e. Visiting the sick and shut-in
f. Visiting prospects
g. Studying the Word and Confessions for sermons, youth and adult education

11. Which authors cannot be named favorably, but must always be warned against?
a. Leonard Sweet
b. Ed Stetzer
c. Waldo Werning
d. Kent Hunter
e. Andy Stanley
f. Craig Groeschel
g. J. P. Meyer
h. Martin Luther
i. Lenski
j. Any Concordist, if I can remember their names.

12. Which one on this list does not belong?
a. Pneumonia
b. Scarlet Fever
c. Strep Throat
d. Church Growth Pastor

Answers to WELS Quiz

1. Which sin will disqualify someone from getting a promotion?
e. Hinting that WELS may have been wrong about something. Even thinking that is equivalent to breaking fellowship with Holy Mother WELS and must be punished.

2. Which school is unacceptable by WELS standards?
f. Concordia Seminary - Unless one obtained a DMin in Church Growth from Concordia.

3. If I join WELS Church and Change, which positions can I still hold?
a. Love Shack Staff
b. FIC editor
c. Sausage Factory professor
d. MLC professor
e. WLC professor
f. Doctrinal Pussycat
g. Vulpine Pussycat
h. Circuit Pussycat
i. All of the above

I made that one easy because a lot of tough questions are coming up.


4. Under what conditions can I lead worship in WELS and Missouri?
a. If I am about to be kicked out.
b. If my name is Mark Jeske.
Both answers are correct, which means, "It all depends on who your relatives are."

5. Name the Means of Grace.
a. Thrivent
b. Marvin Schwan
c. Foundations
d. The family tree
WELS trusts in these Means alone for forgiveness and salvation.

6. Pastors who criticize the Church Growth Movement are:
a. Rare
b. Lazy
c. Hurting the synod
d. Not creative
e. Ineligible for a call
Now you are starting to catch on. All of the above are true.

7. Pastors who support the Church Growth Movement are:
a. Full of costly but exciting plans
b. Creative
c. Hard-working
d. Winsome
e. The salvation of the synod

The only problem is - there are not enough of them.

8. Founders and leaders of Church Growth in WELS are:
o. There is no Church Growth Movement in WELS.

That was a trick question. Wayne Mueller, as First VP, published a statement in the denominational magazine, solemnly declaring with utmost clarity - "There is no Church Growth Movement in WELS." If you dispute that, you have broken fellowship with WELS.

9. Which will hurt a congregation's growth?
a. The name Lutheran
b. The word church
c. The historic liturgy
d. Creeds
e. Law and Gospel sermons
f. Liturgical garments
g. Lutheran hymns - better known as funeral dirges
h. Less than friendly ushers
i. Your attitude of standing in the way of progress
Now you know why WELS is hurting.

10. An ideal pastor will spend his time:
a. Planning for growth
b. Attending the conferences of creative denominations and exciting outreach organizations
c. Listening to audio from Fuller, Willow Creek, and Ed Stetzer
d. Deciding on the best sermons to use, whether from Mars Hill or Groeschel or Andy Stanley
If God could only grant more of these!

11. Which authors cannot be named favorably, but must always be warned against?
h. Martin Luther
i. Lenski
j. Any Concordist, if I can remember their names.
That was another easy one, because the last one is tricky indeed.

12. Which one on this list does not belong?
d. Church Growth Pastor

You can get rid of pneumonia, scarlet fever, and strep throat, but you cannot get rid of a Church Growth Pastor.