Imitation Is the Highest Form of Flattery - Multiple Blogs Copy Ichabod

How many copy my style?
Badly?

Some people think I am offended by the anti-Ichabod blogs, but they are a great honor, albeit one I deserve.

An Englishman said, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

How many blogs have picked up my ideas in order to counter my influence:

Rock-N-Roll was the first, produced by Church and Change's Joe Krohn. He picked up my nickname for his mission congregation - Christ the Rock Lutheran in Round Rock, Texas. Kudo Don Patterson and Where's-the-Loot Gurgle are now planting a new site almost next door to Doebler and Krohn. This blog tanked early.

Fake Ichabod came along, copying my blog name to grab some readers. He was supported immediately by Joe Krohn and Tim Felt-Needs. Tim's real last name is Niedfelt, but he adopted my nickname for him. Fake Ichabod started out trying to defend UOJ and the Church Shrinkers, doubtless because he knows the two go together like rats and the plague. Fake is typically WELS, full of anonymous sanctimony, contradictions, and self-parody. Fake took it on himself to attack my departed daughters, Bethany and Erin Joy, to make himself feel important. He erased all his files, disappeared, came back, disappeared, came back, etc.

Anonymouse is the nickname I gave to a daily comment producer, virulently nasty and always anonymous. A parallel blog popped up with that name and uses the same template as Fake Ichabod. People immediately saw the real character of the blogger (who is Fake Ichabod) when he posted about toilets and vomit, with bad Photoshops provided. That was all erased, and he urged readers to go to the "scholarly" Fake Ichabod. This sad specimen wants to make things better by attacking people by name. He objects to my dealing with false doctrine, using the sources, but he indulges himself in scatological personal attacks so low they would be banned by any broadcast, even given the low standards of cable TV.

He calls it satire but I call it typical WELS pastoral training. UOJ gives them a license to be Antinomians. Ask the murderers, the child molesters, the embezzlers, and the leaders who promote known adulterous pastors.

Plagiarism
I have known for a long time that the blogger is from Fox Valley. When I step on Fox Valley toes, he rages.

I received a copy of a Christmas sermon written and copyrighted by a Baptist minister and placed on his website. I also received a copy of the same sermon, preached by WELS Pastor John Parlow and posted on his website as his own. This happened in 2007.

I was going to post both texts, but I realized Doug the Unready will still protect Parlow and nothing will be done. I added another step to the WELS pastor quiz, on plagiarism, and the Fox Valley blogger lit up again.

The Shrinkers are un-original plagiarists, enchanted with the Babtists. One WELS pastor said, "We all used to think Kelm was so creative. We found out he was just copying from the Schwaermer."

The plagiarism issue reminds me of the issue in the college classroom, where it is a real plague. I have dealt with the issue many times. Some do not know any better and want help, because high school let it go by and never taught them otherwise. I worked with one woman for five weeks, which ended with her earning a C. She wrote, "You are the best teacher I have ever had, believe it or not."

Most plagiarists are not like that, and they make administrators laugh. They get caught and phone the bosses.
"That is the worst teacher I have ever had in my life."
"No one ever said it was wrong."
"I gave the citation" (for a 99% copied essay).
"You can't prove it."
As I have said more than once to a supervisor, "They already lied once when they plagiarized. You expect the truth from them now?" I have had learning teams cheat together and tell the same bad story.

I see a parallel with the WELS Shrinkers. Because the Shrinkers are too lazy and stupid to do their own work, they attack anyone who notices their handiwork.

Fox Valley not only hosted the team of Parlow and Kelm, notorious copiers, but also the current Groeschel tag team of Ski and Glende.

As some may recall, Parlow and Limmer actually plagiarized an email from Hybels of Willow Creek. Their church was a long-time member of the Willow Creek Association and linked there - until I published that fact a zillion times.

The head of technology for WELS also plagiarized Hybels, in his first and only congregation in WELS.

WELS paid mission pastors to be trained at Willow Creek.

Does anyone notice a pattern?

The Shrinkers flatter Fuller, Willow Creek, Groeschel, Driscoll, Stanley, etc because they love false doctrine. Someone imitates my blog because he thinks he can write polemics and satire.

Please keep revealing your brittle, dishonest, copycat nature - Fake Ichabod. We need a laugh after musing about how little is done about pastors like you.

You Can Be a WELS Pastor If You Pass This Quiz

Answers are provided below,
because we know how hard they study at The Sausage Factory.

1. How do you get ahead after graduation?
Answer - Get a drive-by DMin from Fuller Seminary.

2. How you become a Mequon professor?
Answer - Go to Fuller Seminary and lie about it.

3. You are not in fellowship with Missouri, so where can you go for some continuing education?
Answer - Willow Creek, Trinity in Deerfield, Granger Community Church, Mars Hill.

4. What if you do not have enough money for all those conferences?
Answer - Join Life.TV with Craig Groeschel. He will give you a license to use all his sermons, promotions, videos, and graphics.

5. Where can you meet leaders of WELS, such a district VPs and future DPs?
Answer - Exponential is a great conference for meeting all the leaders we admire from other denominations, plus many WELS pastors and staff members.

6. How do you deal with people discussing certain outrageous facts about WELS?
Answer - First say, "Who told you?" Second, trash the person who gave up the information. Third, make the curious individual a criminal for asking about it.

7. How do you make a DP go away?
Answer - Schedule a meeting where he knows there are doctrinal issues.

8. How do you explain GA?
Answer - "There is no GA."

9. How do you explain classmates and a DP in state prison?
Answer - Look blank. Feign stupidity and lack of knowledge. Try not to sweat.

10. Where did all the Schwan money go?
Answer - In the fulness of time, this will be revealed.

11. Is plagiarism wrong?
Answer - When Ichabod quotes us and gives the source, that is a horrible sin and against the law, especially since we have no time to erase the evidence. If we borrow Baptist or Pentecostal sermons and copy Groeschel, that is not plagiarism, because we are doing it.

Lenski in Every WELS Pastor's Study

Lenski's commentaries stay in print for a reason.

I bought my set of Lenski at a Mequon seminary book sale. Everyone else already had a set.

WELS students have often repeated this quip, "All you need to be a pastor is a Triglotta, Lenski, and boxer shorts."

Audience: "The horror. The horror."

ELCA Member Involved in NKJV Audio Bible

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 2, 2010

ELCA Member Directs Award-Winning Audio Bible Project
10-183-JB

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- JoBe Cerny said it took him about 10 seconds to say yes to a project that would shape his life for three years -- directing more than 600 actors in the largest audio production of the Bible ever produced. The result was "The Word of Promise" Audio Bible, an award-winning dramatic presentation featuring well-known celebrity actors on 79 CDs with 98 hours of audio.

This was new ground for Cerny, an actor, director, producer and writer, and member of Zion Lutheran Church, an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America congregation in Deerfield, Ill. You may have seen him in movies such as "Somewhere in Time" or "My Best Friend's Wedding," or on television, where he once starred in a well-known commercial for Cheer. You've probably heard Cerny's voice -- his is that of the "Pillsbury Doughboy," a role he has had since the 1970s.

None of those roles compared to his work as director of Thomas Nelson's Audio Bible, a Protestant version based on the New King James Version (NKJV). The multi-year project culminated in the release of the Audio Bible in October 2009.

***

GJ - WELS and Missouri are abandoning the horrid NIV, but doctrinal clarity does not seem to be the issue. They are trading the NIV for a retread of the RSV - the ESV.

The New KJV follows the language patterns of the KJV, which is the Tyndale in disguise. Tyndale is closest to Luther.

Paul McCain MDiv likes to portray himself as a pastor when he is not, and confessional, which is even funnier. He is promoting the ESV for Missouri, or at least fronting for it. Otten, his old political ally, is still beating the drums for the Beck.

The constantly changing translations, which also change from printing to printing, have made memorization almost impossible.

Justification by Faith Is Simple - Only the Sem Robots Fail To Grasp It

UOJ Stormtroopers stand on the Book of Concord,
to keep people from reading it.

When WELS Pastor Papenfuss (the pope's foot) was stirring up a national controversy over guilt-free saints in Hell, he admitted, "I never heard anything about UOJ until I went to seminary."

The families who agreed with the Bible and the Book of Concord were kicked out of WELS for not subscribing to the Kokomo Statements, which are no more ridiculous than the Missouri and ELS versions of the same thing - Halle's Professor Knapp.

I understand Papenfuss next went to Africa, to teach them that the Hottentots and Judas Iscariot were already justified.

Justification by Faith
The Gospel is the message that Christ has died for our sins. When this is preached to adults, the Holy Spirit creates faith in the hearts of the audience. They receive the Gospel message in faith and are declared innocent by God because of Christ.

Infants also hear the Gospel when they are baptized and become believers. The efficacious Word accomplishes this, just as it does when preaching to adults. The newborn babies are examples to us. If we do not believe as these children do, we cannot enter the Kingdom of God.

The Babtists, who are so dear to the UOJ Stormtroopers, deny infant faith and their justification. These tiny newborns, who trust and love their parents, turning to hear their voices, cannot trust and love God or hear His Word, according to the Babtists.

We call the Word and Sacraments Means of Grace because they are the Instruments by which God gives us His grace. The Holy Spirit is always at work in these Instruments and constant in fulfilling God's will. They are Means of Grace because God has appointed them as the way in which He offers His forgiveness, love, and compassion. They are Means of Grace because this forgiveness is not based upon merit.

Someone stays under God's wrath and outside of the Kingdom as long as he remains a unbeliever. As the Parable of the Sower reveals (Matthew 13), many lose the Gospel for various reasons, which are not due to God's failure or the ineffectiveness of the Word.

The Scriptures and the Confessions teach that we should broadcast the Word, trusting in God to accomplish His will. If anyone does this, in spite of the Enthusiasts' best efforts, the Stormtroopers fly into a rage and disparage the person who relies on the Word instead of their opinions - but they do it in the name of love.

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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Justification by Faith Is Simple - Only the Sem Ro...":

In all the versions of UOJ promoted in the Lutheran churches the distribution and application of God's grace, upon the whole unbelieving world, outside of the Holy Spirit working through the Word is universal.

Scripture condemns this as the Lutheran Confessions confirm.

Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

The Smalcald Articles, Confession:
3] And in those things which concern the spoken, outward Word, we must firmly hold that God grants His Spirit or grace to no one, except through or with the preceding outward Word, in order that we may [thus] be protected against the enthusiasts, i.e., spirits who boast that they have the Spirit without and before the Word, and accordingly judge Scripture or the spoken Word, and explain and stretch it at their pleasure, as Muenzer did, and many still do at the present day, who wish to be acute judges between the Spirit and the letter, and yet know not what they say or declare.
http://www.bookofconcord.org/smalcald.php#confession

Harrison Rap Video

Team Harrison has been running circles around Kieschnick, who began his first campaign by sizing up Herman Otten. The old way of divide and conquer worked for a time.

Harrison has regular posts on Facebook. I imagine Twitter supplements that, too.

This video makes little sense to me, but it is popular and spreading via Facebook and blogs. Kieschnick is a disaster, so anything to move him into retirement is good.

Syn Conference Professors Unfit To Teach

Starting with Enthusiasm makes the downhill slide easy and quick.
Here a Mequon professor demonstrates.

Lutheran pastors and leaders must begin with the efficacy of the Word, or, from another perspective, the work of Holy Spirit through the Word. If that is not foundational, everything else will be an error.

There are two reasons why Lutherans have fallen into Church Shrinkage, Receptionism, Pietism, and the road to Rome. All are aspects of Enthusiasm.

One is they have never learned the efficacy of the Word, how the Holy Spirit is never without the Word, the Word never without the Holy Spirit.

The second reason is their habit of getting into bed with the false teachers while excusing it.

Lutherans lost their nerve many decades ago, perhaps because they were led (in all synods) by a host of historical-critical apostates. WELS had them. Missouri fostered them. The LCA/ALC bred them. That may be why they forgot about teaching the divine efficacy of the Word.

Ecumenical gatherings made the paraments look greener on the other side. Baptists sang more joyfully. Romanists did pageantry to perfection. Pentecostals demonstrated how much could be accomplished with a cardboard building and fanatical adherents.

What the Lutheran Enthusiasts lack in doctrinal discernment they make up in sanctimony. Anyone who offends their Enthusiasm is ordered, anonymously, to repent. Telling the truth about them is not allowed.

Let's See Some Denouncing by the WELSian Shrinkers

rhs (http://rhs.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Door Wide Open":

They love the seminary president who made it all possible - Valleskey.

Their love of Valleskey’s belief system demonstrates their inability to discern good from not so good.

***

GJ - Some people are secretly concerned about doctrine, anonymously befuddled about unionism. They have a convenient target who has published his false doctrine in WLQ and the former Northwestern Lutheran.

As a WELS pastor, he attended Fuller Seminary, denying it and also admitting it, depending on the audience - but furious that he was exposed as clumsy liar. His sect saw his slobbering over Church Growth books in the Quarterly and synod magazine, so they elevated him to Sausage Factory president.

When will the secretive bloggers denounce this infamy. They parade their righteous indignation about anything outside of their sect.

No wait. I get it. If a WELS professor does it, the action is conservative, confessional, worthy of imitation, commendable, admirable, amazing, stunning, beyond all expectations, above and beyond the call of duty.

As soon as the troubled blogger gets back from his AA meeting, he will probably tell us as much.

Door Wide Open

A good WELS leader will constantly warn people away from Lenski while excusing the use of materials, verbatim, from false teachers.

They are not being hypocritical but consistent. Lenski annoys them by teaching Lutheran doctrine and revealing the shortcomings of the Enthusiasts. The UOJ of WELS is pure Enthusiasm, supporting a wide variety of false perspectives: Roman Catholic, Babtist-Pentecostal, New Age, Universalist.

Luther observed that the Roman Empire welcomed every god except the One True God - Christ.

WELS honors every religious perspective except one - Luther's. They love the seminary president who made it all possible - Valleskey.

No Sale for Dana College - 125 Year Old College Will Close

Here is the link.

Other colleges will tank in the next five years. You read it here first.

Dana is ELCA. I have been there, for band tour. As Diablo says, "You've been everywhere."

Bon Voyage Anonymouse - For Now

Synod President Wendland and the newest DP celebrate
the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation,
at a special ceremony attended by several dozen members.


Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "As Predicted - Another Quitter - Or the Same Quitt...":

Interesting how when each Church Growth apostle attacks Ichabod they always attack Baptism, Holy Communion and the Holy Spirit's work through the efficacious Word. This last coward was the same way, mocking Baptism as though it was one way to damage Ichabod. What a shame and disgrace. Out of the fullness of their hearts they speak and act. It greatly clarifies the stated problems when they openly attack. It exposes their false doctrine and practice for anyone willing to test it against Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions (also funny to see how the false teachers and mini wolves hate to read anything of length and complexity ~ Luther or the Lutheran Confessions).

***

GJ - One of my regular readers said my posts made him angry, but he had to agree I was right when he read the comments.

I probably post more antagonistic comments than any other Lutheran blogger. The opponents prove my case. I linked Church and Change, but they do not link me. I link The CORE, and St. Peter's Freedom, CrossWalk, Willowcreek's Little College, Mary Lou College, The Sausage Factory, and many other sites. They do not reciprocate.

I am only too happy to quote people and refute them, offering their original links. Most prefer to attack anonymousely.

California wrote today:

Posting comments from readers of blogs serves a similar purpose as letters to the editor. Both serve as thermometers indicating the health of the respective body (institution) under discussion.

I recall instances where the WELS and ELS magazines have deliberately falsified letters to blunt a point made or to twist the original point. When a layman asked Moldstad about UOJ, the letter became headlined as "How can someone question UOJ and call himself a Christian?" I know the layman who wrote the letter.

When a pest-blogger states the same thing repeatedly, to borrow a readership he has not developed, lacking both skill and wit, I block the comment.

Several failed blogs tried to prove UOJ, but those comments are gone now. I did notice the fake Ichabod still trying to promote UOJ. Did I mention the UOJ Stormtroopers are all Shrinkers? On the same page the fake Ichabod whines about the liar Valleskey being picked on. When Valleskey is done with UOJ, Law and Gospel, the tangled threads of his thought are best left alone - what a mess.

Here is the UOJ post. <--Mequon grads, left-click.

The fake, who is too scared to list his name, cites DP Buchholz at length. Buchholz is halfway there. At least he acknowledges the Means of Grace. He is still an Enthusiast because he separates the Holy Spirit from the Word.

Joe Krohn, a Church and Change fellow traveler, has posted his objections to UOJ.

Extra Nos quoted Krohn with approval. I think Joe is still stuck on the OJ/SJ categories, which were invented by Woods translating Knapp, but he has seen the basic problems.

Perhaps the Stormtroopers will take him to a re-education camp and enlighten him until he recants. I have seen that happen on LutherQuest (sic) with Heidenreich - really pitiful.

On June 30th, The First Lutheran Martyrs Were Burned at the Stake

And yet, Lutherans today will not address the doctrinal issues, rebuke false doctrine, or uphold the truth of the Means of Grace.

Book of Concord:

"We have no intention of yielding aught of the eternal, immutable truth of God for the sake of temporal peace, tranquility, and unity (which, moreover, is not in our power to do). Nor would such peace and unity, since it is devised against the truth and for its suppression, have any permanency. Still less are we inclined to adorn and conceal a corruption of the pure doctrine and manifest, condemned errors. But we entertain heartfelt pleasure and love for, and are on our part sincerely inclined and anxious to advance, that unity according to our utmost power, by which His glory remains to God uninjured, nothing of the divine truth of the Holy Gospel is surrendered, no room is given to the least error, poor sinners are brought to true, genuine repentance, raised up by faith, confirmed in new obedience, and thus justified and eternally saved alone through the sole merit of Christ." (Closing of Formula of Concord, Triglotta. p. 1095) Francis Pieper, The Difference Between Orthodox And Heterodox Churches, and Supplement, Coos Bay, Oregon: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1981, p. 65. Tappert, p. 632. Heiser, p. 294. FC SD XI, #94-96.

The Sheep Are Seeing Their Own Lambs Punished - The Price of Silence

Thirty years ago, the ELS, WELS, and LCMS were rather prosperous and their educational systems were relatively inexpensive.

In spite of the Schwan gusher, or because of it, all three groups are strapped for funds. Their tuition costs are gigantic and offer little at the end of the road. Teachers and pastors have to spend or borrow a fortune to qualify for a lack of positions.

The children of those pastors who ran away from the doctrinal battle are now graduating with huge debts and no jobs. Many of the ovine shepherds no longer have a call. Afraid of the consequences of speaking up, they are paying the price now. More accurately, their own children are paying the price.

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bruce-church (https://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "The Sheep Are Seeing Their Own Lambs Punished - Th...":

From what I've seen, the congregations don't send as much money to synod--and it's the synod which is supposed to subsidize the synodical schools.

On this blog and others I've seen comments complaining about how Lutherans don't have large families anymore, and this is the reason for the decline in membership. The synodical schools don't help in this regard, though. Their tuition is pricey, and while there is a small break for a 2nd and 3rd child enrolled, it barely put a dent in the total bill. The message sent by the synod and society is don't have large families, hence the synod is at fault for its own declining membership.

Remember that pastor in west-central Wisconsin that died falling off a ladder while trimming a tree? A month later the church posted a letter saying that he sent his sons through synodical schools, and thus left his wife penniless. The letter was asking for donations so she could at least put down a down payment on a house. Fortunately, housing is cheaper in rural parts of Wisconsin (and Minnesota.)

What really troublesome is the synod doesn't pester congregations don't send money in to synod. Not only do I know this is the case from my familiarity with one WELS congregation that paid its pastor according to synodical guidelines, but then didn't send a dime in to synod, but when the synodical budget tanked at the start of the Great Recession, people were saying for the first time, that we have to put the screws to those congregations that don't give anything, or nothing. So the synod is at fault for its own budget predicament. Moreover, it makes the student and pastors rather cynical. They paid their dues for getting into the pension plan via tuition and years of study, and so they deserve higher wages and a pension, the thinking goes.

***

GJ - WELS is certainly large enough to have a group life policy on every church worker, payable to the spouse. They could even bill the congregation if they had to do it. Ministers and teachers are long-lived as a group. I had a group life policy in the LCA. The results were so good that the coverage went up over the years. Accidental death, which is more likely at an earlier age, could be included for a tiny amount of money. There is something in the Bible about leaving widows penniless, but there is nothing about the need to attend Fuller Seminary. The priorities are wrong in that flint-hearted sect.

Pietist - A Sheep in Sheep's Clothing

The fake blogger took time to pose for a formal portrait.
An Icarus he isn't.

The WELS Church and Money Changers are bleating and crying for help. Their last few blog departures are examples of their method - to be a sheep in sheep's clothing. Boxers call it "rope-a-dope," letting the opponent swing until exhaustion stops the fight.

Everyone is expected to view the Money Changers as victims, because they try to keep their nastiness tucked inside where no one can see it.

They will not fight in the open, because everyone would see their true nature. They dread anything being discussed in public. That is why a few people decided to produce daily personal attacks in the form of comments. One blogger I know got so tired of of such behavior that he turned off the comments.

I let them roll along to measure impact. More bleating comes in the form of hysterical comments and numerous short-lived blogs.

If WELS members or pastors try to deal with issues, in the manner ordered by Money Changers, they find the leaders being sheep rather than shepherds. Like my dogs, they are impossible to find when they suspect they are in trouble. Someone has to arrange a meeting with the alpha sheep, who will either load the meeting with his clones or disappear like Doug the Unready, the DP who guards Fox Valley and leads the sheep into the wilderness.

Anyone who buys their load is more foolish than the purveyors of false doctrine themselves.

The Doctrinal Pussycats, Sausage Factory professors, and college deceivers are all walking self-contractions. What I write about WELS is just as true about the Little Sect on the Prairie and the Legion of Mary* (formerly known as the Missouri Synod).

They claim a quia subscription to the Book of Concord while promoting the double-justification scheme of George Christian Knapp, constantly using the wording of his English translator, whose translation is still in print. Luther? They despise him and warn those who would quote the Reformer.

Their quia claim contradicts their constant evasion of the issues.

Their publications reveal their love for 19th century Pietism and the illusion that Midwestern sect founders have the final say on doctrinal issues (so forget the BOC). Harmonious (a nice pun on Concordia, eh?) with their real concerns, they adore the Pietism of Fuller, Willow Creek, and assorted scoundrels of the Evangelical Left, too numerous and tedious to name.

Because they do not love or fear the Word of God, they get their way by shunning and extending the Left Foot of Fellowship. They worship money so they think the worst punishment is to hurt someone financially. They also think the best reward is money, so they award themselves all the money in the name of mission, reaching out to the lost, using enough scams to land a banker in federal prison for life.

They are not wolves. They are sheep. Like true sheep, when one gets out through a hole in the fence, the rest of them follow until the sheepfold is empty. The alpha sheep went to Fuller 30 years ago and began to promote their school meekly while others followed.

Did Valleskey go to Fuller? Eyes open in fright. No. Avoid all future discussions. Yes he did (to David Koenig) and why did you tell the truth (to David Koenig).

Did Bivens go to Fuller? Yes and no. Let's stick with a firm "no" until the coast is clear.

Did Larry Olson go to Fuller? No, he went to the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena. How do you know he didn't? His Fuller paper in the MLC library? Are you going to believe me or your lying eyes?

The First Vice President of WELS went to Fuller to be a Shrinker consultant - along with Kelm and Olson? That could never happen so Jim Huebner did not go and this conversation never happened.

Click your heels together three times and chant with Wayne Mueller:

"There is no Church Growth in WELS."

"There is no Church Growth in WELS."

"There is no Church Growth in WELS."

Now you are back in Kansas. Go to sheep, meek ones. Your fellow sheep will lead you to green pastures. They are not much for fighting predators, but there is safety in numbers. Making noise will just disturb the rest.

*For examples, see the LCMS defections to Rome and Eastern Orthodoxy, the feigned shock of Paul McCain MDiv, the toxic blog of Kilcrease (writing from a Roman school), the genuflections of Weedon, etc.

As Predicted - Another Quitter - Or the Same Quitter Again

He scampered away, again.

The Anonymouse blogger--with his cat eating from a toilet and tales of vomit--has quit.

He was not content to attack me alone. He had to vilify others by name, but what is his name? He is so careful to deny he is an Appleton pastor. Did Doug the Unready finally put his foot paw down and say, "Find some way to deny this"?

Anonymouse removed his posts. What passes for GA humor does not amuse the general population. Most adults have outgrown the scatological obsessions of the typical four year-old.

Here is his Schwan song, which sounds so familiar:

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Monday, June 28, 2010

The Jackson Tactic

Dear Readers;

I apologize for my tardiness. I had not signed up for e-mail notification about comments posted to this blog, but in the last few days have received a few from readers. I'm told that after testing the waters with a number of specifics (pastor, Appleton, Mac user, etc.) and eliciting no reaction from me, Jackson decided that it was time to make an assertion, and implicated Pastor Joel Lillo as being myself. He is wrong on all counts.

To any readers from Appleton:

Please forgive me if I have in any way caused you to raise eyebrows at one another or your pastors. As mentioned previously, I was foolish to start the blog from the beginning. It was also foolish to leave it up while not attending to it. Maybe my deletion of the posts will wane Greggy's anger, at least to the advantage of the victims I created by him. I will be apologizing to Pastor Lillo by e-mail very soon.

To random stumblers and searchers:

I refer you to this blog on the issues at hand. It is well-written and scholarly. My blog was never intended to be such -- it was meant for jokes and satire.

I probably won't be checking back any more.

-Anonymouse L. Shrinker, PhD.

Posted by A-Nony-Mouse at 1:20 PM 0 comments

---

GJ - It takes a strong man to read his post and not break down into tears...of howling laughter.

The sanctimony tops the deception, reminding me of the prelate who claimed the Church of Rome brought morality to the world. That is true, if your taste runs to homosexual cardinals warning people about sin.

Notice that Anonymouse links to his own fake Ichabod blog, which is "scholarly." Yes, by WELS standards!

Did you know that I agree with everything Reu ever wrote, even though he changed his mind about the Scriptures? Yes, that what the fake Ichabod claims because I linked an important but difficult to find document. The horror. The horror.

This is a little insight I have been saving for some time. I got my copy of Schmid at a Mequon book sale. He was a favorite among WELS pastors for decades. This is just between you and me, if you can keep a secret. That is how the WELS grapevine works. NPH is publishing Schmid at this very moment. That means everyone in WELS/ELS agrees with everything Schmid ever wrote, using fake Ichabod's logic.

Audience: "The horror. The horror."

I think the fake Ichabod will quit soon, too. That wannabee author is afraid of being discovered. A blog may be superficially anonymous, but the name, address, email, are all registered and relatively easy to find. The problem arises when someone engages in defamation, which is a crime punishable by the law, even if the broadcaster is a sanctimonious Mequon graduate.

I love the smell of burning blogs in the morning. It smells like...victory.

Four anti-Ichabod blogs have started and sputtered to a stop. All of them have been tepid copycats of this modest production. They pretend to rectify all that is evil, but, as Samuel Johnson said about Chesterfield's books: "They teach the morals of a whore, and the manners of a dancing master."

A WELS observer said this about Anonymouse:

Unbelievable. They all end (all, being probably the same guy) with some sort of claim like "having their conscience pricked because they're acting like Jackson," and with a confession of some sort of pious enlightenment allowing them to rise above the sin of others by quitting their endeavor. The fact is, they are not motivated by love -- love for God, for God's word, and concern for the souls of men -- but from bitterness. Perhaps their consciences rightly are pricked as a result. They don't know what righteous indignation is, since their weak theology won't permit them to be indignant over error. Good riddance.

Harrison Appears To Be Winning, The Kieschnickians Are Frantic

A mustache is the new black, even when it is white.

Pastor Harrison's parents knew their baby was headed for a special role in life.

Characteristics of Pietism

Start them young.

Below are characteristics of Pietism:

1. Because the Holy Spirit is separated from the Word, little or nothing is said about the efficacy of the Word or the Means of Grace.
2. Following Spener's program, there is a hostility toward sound doctrine and the Confessions, an animus expressed by such mocking terms as - legalism, Luther complex, head religion (compared to their heart religion), lovelessness, unbrotherly attitude, divisiveness.
3. Sermons often express gratitude toward God for being separate from and superior to the sinners out there. That often includes synods in fellowship, although that is expressed in conversation rather than sermons.
4. Because the given synod is perfect, anyone doubting this has broken fellowship.
5. Thanks to Enthusiasm and its works-righteousness, people are motivated by the Law, because sinners go to Hell from their lack of generosity and witness. "Every hour - 5,000 souls are going to Hell. What are you going to do about it?"
6. Lack of trust in the Word leads pastors and vicars into dramatizing whatever liturgy they have not removed. Nothing is more pathetic that a passionately delivered benediction botched when the vicar forgets where he is.
7. The sacraments divide, so baptismal regeneration is forgotten and Holy Communion is hidden. Infant baptism may be turned into a cute little spectacle.
8. Evil-doers (who have questioned Holy Mother Synod) are shunned. This practice keeps the body pure and sinless.
9. Uriah Heep confessions of generic sin are accompanied by an Antinominan attitude - there is no Law. Paradoxically, the Antinomian Pietists are the worst legalists of all. Horror is reserved for those who break the unwritten rules, not for doctrinal or marital infidelity.
10. As Augustine noted about all false teachers, Pietists demand tolerance until they are in power. Once toleration has established them, they purge all the Lutherans, delighting in their evil, relishing their vindictiveness.

Your Guide to Pietism

WELS Church and Change children enjoy the latest electronic tools,
like flat screen TVs.
Another TV is Timotheus Verinus.

Several have asked me about Pietism. Anyone can do research using Wikipedia for background reading and the links at the end of the article. Google Books is an excellent resource for theology, because most of the old books can be converted to text mode and copied into an essay.

We all have the same library now, bigger than Harvard's, so no one can say, "I did not know that."

Northwestern Publishing House offers both the History of Pietism and T. Verinus. Both books are challenges to read but worth studying.

This is the trail I would follow if I were a newbie to the topic of Pietism. Check out the linked words. Wikipedia is flawed, but it is a place to start:

1. The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre of the French (Calvinist) Protestants led to the exile and exodus of these noble Huguenots (my kin). Many settled in the German territories and influenced an amalgamation with German Lutheran doctrine, leading to union efforts.
2. Spener borrowed the cell group method from Labadie, a Calvinist who had been Roman Catholic.
3. Francke vastly expanded the Pietist network, which Spener had begun with great energy.
4. Halle University was founded to provide a mandatory Pietistic education. It was one of two major centers of Pietism but clearly the citadel for the movement. UOJ came verbatim from the Woods translation of George C. Knapp, Halle professor, one generation before Tholuck, who was Hoenecke's mentor.
5. Zinzendorf became a key influence upon the Methodists and all union mission societies. His son founded a Party-in-the-Black-Forest group, if you catch my drift.
6. H. Muhlenberg graduated from Halle and came to America, founding what became the General Synod, which was unionistic and Pietistic.
7. Walther was profoundly influenced by the Pietist Stephan and became the leader of the Perry County group after driving out Stephan.
8. Midwestern Lutheran groups of the 19th century were Pietists.
9. A. Hoenecke graduate from Halle University.
10. The Wisconsin Synod began as a unionistic, Pietistic sect, but several leaders like Bading influenced the group away from its mission society origins, Hoenecke being the best known.

Follow the trail, fellow students.

Laity Disgusted - No Struggle in WELS

Two WELS members gave this report of the district meeting they attended:

"One of the most "UN-pretty" things is that as a result of attending and observing the entire 2010 Convention of the District my spouse is saddened and has been driven away from joining any WELS congregation. He/We had high hopes of hearing some public outcry or at least acknowledgment regarding the disunity within WELS. Had we witnessed some public outcry my husband was seriously considering joining. He was hoping it would happen. We never witnessed it. There were numerous opportunities where men could have spoken out but their lips were sealed. I don't know why. The silence indicates approval to us.

He has been driven away from joining and I feel like I was punched by the delegates, pastors and teachers. I am the odd one out. I must have some weird kind of perspective on things. I was confirmed as an adult. They are driving away the very ones they once evangelized. I don't want to hear one complaint about Kelm, Jeske, Parlow, Ski, etc. The District obviously is happy and content with what they are doing. There are no issues in WELS. My husband is in disbelief. He took 3 vacation days from work so that he could attend this with me.

He really thought he might be able to join a local congregation after hearing some public speaking-out. The District Convention was like a bad dream, a bad joke. I'm sorry."

***

GJ - All the district meetings were equally quiet. All the Changers are secure in their positions. CrossWalk and CORE are not problems. Leonard Sweet-hearts: ditto.

I agree with a pastor who thinks nothing will ever happen. There is a heart-felt desire for a false peace, an imaginary unity. The pastors, leaders, and delegates do not really value the Word of God. They hardly know the Confessions and remain content with their own ignorance.

Perhaps many have simply given up and no longer wish to work through the organization itself.

---

west59wy (http://west59wy.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Laity Disgusted - No Struggle in WELS":

District Convention agendas are carefully constructed to attend to the business at hand without allowing for the slightest deviation off course. Those who presume District Conventions would provide a forum for thorough discussion of a doctrinal nature from the convention floor convention are at best naive or worst not sufficiently jaded. It pains one to have say that because that's exactly what a District Convention ought to allow for. But, alas, dissent is not to be voiced lest it give the impression we are not walking lock-step together. If there is any forum in WELS which might possibly offer a no-holds-barred discussion concerning the obvious departures in doctrine and practice, it could most likely be found at the circuit-level pastoral study groups. And that possibility is tendered with the proviso that the "brethren" are actually sticking to a course of study which is confessional, exegetical, and historical in content. But if the "guys" are into raving about books with the next best sectarian methodology from who knows where, then abandon hope all ye who enter there. At the end of the day, courage is demanded. What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul?

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viewpoint (http://viewpoint.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Laity Disgusted - No Struggle in WELS":

Almost any member of the laity attending a WELS conference gets to see the same thing. WELS has made a practice of expecting representatives of the churches and laity to rubber stamp the decisions of the synod leaders. This has gone on for at least thirty or forty years, maybe a hundred.

WELS leaders do not want any real input from the member churches and laity. The synod leaders presume to know best, and want things their way. This closed minded and incestuous approach has led to most of the problems being experienced today – including monetary problems and the debasement of doctrine.

***

GJ - When they vote for someone like Englebrecht, who skips out on meetings, they deserve what they get. Ditto for Pope John the Malefactor. At least with the California-AZ yahoo, they asked him to step down as DP. And that man was the designated Church and Change candidate for Synod President - Paul Janke!

Lutheran Books Shipped

Arkansas take pride in its Priority Mail service.

I shipped four boxes of books today. I asked if they could send them faster. Max is doing fine, but Morris is down with hoof-in-mouth disease.

The Lenski will be sent soon. I am looking for the Romans volume.

Phase II will be the rest of the Lutheran books, history, literature, and some classic children's literature.

I will let people know on the blog first, then Facebook. I have to get the list ready.

New Ager Leonard Sweet Advises LCMS, WELS, ELS

New Ager Leonard Sweet is delivering a new load.
Paul Calvin Kelm--DMin, Concordia, St. Louis--
is the ideal man to lead the Synodical Conference into the 21st century.
WELS has recognized his genius
with many divine calls.

---

Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "New Ager Leonard Sweet Advises LCMS, WELS, ELS":

Leonard Sweet teaches a Satanic New Age cosmic christ which is being consumed by the Emergent Church ~ horns and all. WELS is now teaching this to your children.

From the Church and Change discussion concerning Kelm's invitation for Sweet to teach the WELS.

One of the church’s most important and provocative thinkers.
No church leader understands better how to navigate the seas of the 21st century. A writer of vast imagination, poise and charm. I can’t imagine a Christian leader in America who hasn’t read one or more of _______ _______'s books.
Some statistician-types will drown you in doom and gloom. _______’s
message is uplifting, hopeful and relevant.

John Huebner


Thanks for the hint. I heard _____ speak at an "emerging church" conference this year and he didn't disappoint. Great choice!

Michael Borgwardt

How about Galatians two and Acts 15? Unless it can be demonstrated that inviting Sweet or Hunter is contrary to clear Scripture, may it be that those who are "hurt" and suffering "consternation" are like the Jewish Christians who wanted to impose their religious culture on the Gentiles? The reason to ask how someone outside our fellowship sees the mission field is that we may be viewing reality through the narrow window of our own church culture. Our church's theology, based on Scripture, must remain unchanged. Our church's culture, the product of our history and experience, narrowed by homogeneity, may benefit from an outside perspective.

Why are some offended when Church and Change invites an author to speak on contemporary culture, but NOT when the World Mission Board and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary invite a Baptist seminary professor to TEACH a method of communicating the Gospel for two+ days at our seminary. Which has the greater likelihood of influencing our pastors? Is there another agenda here?

Paul Calvin Kelm

I issued no personal attacks. I raised questions ("May it be. . " "Is there. . .") Contrast this with the letter I responded to, which makes the charge "knowingly cause offense." Why is it permissible to question the love and theological integrity of those who believe there is value in hearing an expert from outside our fellowship describe the culture that is our mission field, but not permissible to question the legitimacy of these charges or the spirit that prompts them? I appreciate your passion. Try to appreciate mine.

I'm not on the Church and Change list serve. Others have forwarded SOME postings to me and posted my comments for me. You'll understand, therefore, if I'm no longer responding.

Paul Calvin Kelm

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viewpoint (http://viewpoint.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "New Ager Leonard Sweet Advises LCMS, WELS, ELS":

While the WELS leadership turns a deaf ear to parish pastors and the laity, it eagerly chases after heresy from outside WELS. Then they wonder aloud why people like me hold them in such disgust.

***

GJ - I hear you, Viewpoint. These moronic leaders touted statistic growth and took their own church body into a fast reverse, not even keeping up with normal population trends. Gurgle was still yakking about how everyone had to evangelize when he left office for a secure undisclosed location. Now he is back, stealing a mission location from a fellow pastor.

Historic Photo from DMLC, New Ulm,Before Amalgamation

Buffalo gals, won't you come out tonight...
Run, mateys, they are going to trample us!
Run for your lives!

Someone sent me this historic photo, from one of those special days when Northwestern College students from Watertown visited the Dr. Martin Luther College campus in New Ulm.

I had to crudely write over the Buffalo Crossing sign which one NWC wit had placed in the background.

The day was a success and many marriages ensued.

---

grumpy has left a new comment on your post "Historic Photo from DMLC, New Ulm,Before Amalgamat...":

Never attended DMLC (got burned out after elementary school and prep), but I recall a friend who went to NWC referring to the female students at DMLC as "buffalos". I asked why they were called that, and he mentioned something about them coming to NWC from the western plains (for Geo-idiots, Minnesota is west of Wisconsin) in a big herd to attend football ganes (and seek a more prestigious pastor versus a lower status teacher). NWC men would sometimes serenade them with the song "Buffalo Gals Would You Come Out Tonight".

Back in ancient times, most pastors married DMLC graduates. That way, they could count on their wives as being able to play the organ for church.

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Garrett has left a new comment on your post "Historic Photo from DMLC, New Ulm,Before Amalgamat...":

Indeed. One MLC professor told me a humorous story of a traveling acting troup that stopped at DMLC to perform a rendition of Buffalo Gals. During one scene, the protagonist cowboy was sitting with his cowgirl, admiring "the herd of buffalo out in the distance." Guffaws ensued in the auditorium.

It wasn't until after the performance that the poor confused actors were informed of the 'buffalo' nickname.

bruce-church (https://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Historic Photo from DMLC, New Ulm,Before Amalgamat...":

What's ironic is that many (most?) of the men who attended Northwestern were maternal sons of DMLC graduates, so for them to refer to DMLC women as buffaloes was tantamount to calling their mother a buffalo. But that thought never occurred to most Northwestern students since thinking matters through to their logical conclusion was never encouraged at Northwestern, lest one come to some un-orthodox conclusions.

***

GJ - It says a lot about their view of women in general.

Does anyone want to volunteer The Score Reports?

Mexican Fan at the World Cup Match

I was shocked, too.

WELS Leaders Suggest Babtist as Expert on Lutheranism

Your WELS Church and Change Expert on Lutheranism is Babtist Brian Tubbs.

Go to this link,
http://www.churchandchange.org/site/cpage.asp?cpage_id=4872&sec_id=2691

and click on the Lutheranism link.

It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

Protestantism

Feature Writer: Brian Tubbs

Welcome to Suite101 Protestantism. If you're looking for a site that covers issues, beliefs, and personalities pertaining to Christianity and Protestantism, you've found it. Topics here include Creation, the Bible, the life of Jesus Christ, evidence for the Christian faith, the growth of the Christian church, the Protestant Reformation, and beliefs of the major Protestant denominations.

We will also provide tips for homeschoolers, information on Christian education, movie and book reviews from a faith-based perspective, and analysis of cultural issues, such as the sanctity of human life, marriage, and the traditional family.

The feature blogs and articles are written from an evangelical perspective, but all views are welcome in our discussion forum.

---

Brian Tubbs

Feature Writer - Protestantism

Need a Speaker?

If you or your organization are looking for a speaker on communication skills, self-esteem, facing adversity, or student success, you can find Brian's contact information and a list of his programs by visiting BrianTubbs.com.

Looking for More Info on Brian's Ministry?

Brian is currently the pastor of Olney Baptist Church in Olney, Maryland. His pastoral blog can be found at PastorTubbs.com, and you can find information on Olney Baptist by visiting the church website at OlneyBaptistChurch.com.

Who is Brian Tubbs?

A pastor, writer, and speaker living in the Washington, DC area, Brian is the Protestantism Feature Writer for Suite101.com. He has written extensively on Christianity and American history, including a previous stint with Suite101.com as the Feature Writer for the American Revolution & Founding Era. (He has resurrected this topic as a blog). His articles have appeared online as well as in print outlets, including Insight and The Washington Times. He is also the founder and course manager for ChristianMarriageHelper.com.

Brian serves as the pastor of Olney Baptist Church in Olney, Maryland, a Southern Baptist congregation nestled in Montgomery County, Maryland. Brian served for three years as the pastor of Sligo Baptist Church in Wilmington, Ohio, and as the administrator of Wilmington Christian Academy. Prior to entering pastoral ministry, Brian taught high school Bible and social studies at a private Christian school in Northern Virginia.

In addition to ministry and teaching, Brian's background includes several years as a lobbyist, project manager, and/or public relations professional in the Washington, DC area non-profit community.

Brian holds a M.A. in Theological Studies from Liberty Theological Seminary and a B.A. in Government and Politics from George Mason University (Go Patriots!). He is an avid reader, whose favorite authors include David McCullough, Jeff Shaara, Charles Colson, Gary Habermas, Winfried Corduan, and Ravi Zacharias. He also enjoys chess, PC strategy games, and seafood buffets.

For more on Brian, follow this link to his personal blog.

Read more at Suite101: Brian Tubbs http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/briantubbs#ixzz0s4jHYNhD

---

Joseph Schmidt has left a new comment on your post "WELS Leaders Suggest Babtist as Expert on Lutheran...":

Gee, thanks Church and Change for pointing us to a Babtist to learn about Lutheranism. Maybe you should put up a link to the Book of Concord on your site, but that might be too Lutheran for you.

***

GJ - That shows what morons these people are. They are not only morons for doing it, but even more so for revealing their colossal ignorance on their precious website.

Just remember, all you loyalist spending money on benevolence. Gurgle said he was getting rid of Church and Change years ago. Yes, I know, that was another SP. When he said that, Church and Change was signing up people for their next conference on the WELS.net website. Schroeder ended the link.

Nevertheless, the head of WELS technology is a Willow Creek zombie - used to give Hybels sermons verbatim. The same Martin Spriggs, featured in the Radloff propaganda magazine, gave his presentation at the Arizona-California-Las Vegas district meeting just held. The title is "Brains Running Out Like Water" or something like that.

WELS - standing firm against the inroads of false doctrine. See the graphic below, supplied by a come-outter.

ELCA News Report - Not a Satire

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

June 26, 2010

Stephen Marsh Resigns as Bishop of ELCA Southeast Michigan Synod
10-175-JB

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Stephen G. Marsh, bishop of the Southeast Michigan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), informed the synod June 25 that he is resigning as bishop effective June 28. Marsh said he is "personally dealing with a number of emotional health issues, including addiction issues" and must enter an inpatient treatment facility.

"The counsel I have received from my therapists and from my own heart is that my healing in a safe environment and building a firm foundation on a road to recovery need to be my primary concerns for as long as it takes," Marsh wrote in his resignation letter. "Unfortunately, with that agenda, I will not be able to faithfully execute my duties as bishop of the Southeast Michigan Synod in ways that are needed in the present and the immediate future."

Marsh expressed his thanks to the synod, the synod staff, the synod council and its executive committee, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, and the ELCA Conference of Bishops.

"I am deeply sorry that my personal issues are now causing our synod to go through another period of trauma, anxiety and concern. I will continue to pray for the forward and missional movement of the Southeast Michigan Synod, and I ask that you continue to pray for me in my healing and my future ministry," Marsh wrote.

Marsh, 55, was elected bishop of the synod in 2009. He succeeded the Rev. John H.K. Schreiber, who died in August 2008. The Rev. Kenneth R. Olsen, former bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod, served as interim bishop until Marsh took office.

Synod leaders have made preparations for "continuity of leadership in the office of the bishop," Hanson and Dr. Will Scott, synod vice president, wrote in a letter to the synod. They added that Olsen "has expressed willingness to serve again in that capacity."

According to Hanson and Scott, this is not the first time Marsh has sought treatment for addiction issues. In 2009 they said Marsh was admitted to inpatient care for addiction issues.

"Following almost 30 days of treatment, he was released, and he returned to the synod," wrote Hanson and Scott. "In the ensuing months, we were prayerful for a successful recovery. Unfortunately, however, we learned recently that Bishop Marsh's condition requires another extended period of inpatient treatment."

Both wrote that the synod was greatly concerned about Marsh's need for additional care.

"As he departs, we graciously thank Bishop Marsh for his time of service. We also ask for your individual and collective prayers for his full recovery," Hanson and Scott wrote. They also wrote that they hoped Marsh "will be healed in body and spirit so that he can look forward to an early resumption of his service as an ordained minister."

The ELCA Southeast Michigan has 58,597 members in 128 congregations. The synod office is in Detroit.

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PS (PSanafter-thought) has left a new comment on your post "ELCA News Report - Not a Satire":

We should be glad that this bishop, who is the pastor for the pastors of a synod, has sought help for his problems and that the synod will allow him to seek this help without the pressure of the job.

Now we might also wish for a support group or time away for those pastors addicted to being judgmental.

There but for the Grace of God go we all.

***

GJ - PS is just full of accusations today, in the name of being non-judgmental. No one is more sanctimonious than a liberal Pietist, but Someone has to stand up for the drug-addicted bishops.

New Gurgle-Patterson Site Less Than Three Bunny Hops from WELS Mission

Gurgle and Patterson are moving next door to a new WELS mission.
Left-click the picture for enlightenment.
Church and Change did the same in Love's Park, Illinois.

bruce-church (https://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Holy Word WELS, Austin, Going Multi-Site":

I bet the multi-site is attractive to the CGers because then all those people who don't want communion but once a year, or never, could watch the service on-screen (like they watch TV in a sports bar), and no one around them takes communion. If they are in the main church, though, they'd feel uncomfortable if they stayed in the pews while others file up and down the rows.

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maahes (http://maahes.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Spread the False Doctrine! Holy Word WELS, Austin,...":

Here's another example of the WELS numbers game. Gurgel says Pflugerville has grown 200% to 300% in the last ten years in the target area, and "That's a lot of opportunities to SPREAD the WORD!"

That means getting out and talking to people about Christ – not starting another church and waiting for people to invite themselves. Look at Christ’s examples for ideas instead relying upon the puny, selfish interests of “trained pastors.”

If they really cared, they would leave their citadels of false doctrine, and make contact with the lost.

***

GJ - There are several good reasons for locating in Round Rock.
1. It is closer to Patterson's posh home.
2. Gurgle cannot spell Pflugerville.
3. They already have a group of WELS members worshiping in Round Rock.

Borrowin' some sheep,
Borrowin' some sheep,
We'll go on safari,
Borrowin' some sheep.

Church and Money Changers Feminist Conference

Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Holy Word WELS, Austin, Going Multi-Site":

And while the (W)ELS is sleeping their women are preparing to lead as equal partners in the ministry:

http://www.welswomen.net/site/cpage.asp?cpage_id=180009471&sec_id=180002756&nc=1263239640093

National WELS Women's
Leadership Conference
Leading with a Christ-like attitude

Keynote Address

Leading with a Christ-like Attitude: Kathie Wendland
We all envision ourselves being led by a Christ-like leader. After all, wouldn't that be the best situation possible? Do we fully comprehend though what it means to BE the Christ-like leader? Philippians 2 is a treasure chest of practical guidances for Christian leaders. The keynote will be holding the "attitude" of Christ as the example to encourage each of us as women Christian leaders to "conduct (ourselves) in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ," as we "shine like stars in the universe as (we) hold out the word of life," for those around us.

Group Presentations

Because You Are My God...Whatever: Valerie Johnson

Lord, I Shall Seek Your Face: Prof. Richard Gurgel

Break Out Sessions

Christian Leadership in the Secular World – Marilyn Sievert
Our faith doesn’t stop at the church doors, it follows us out into the world. We are a “royal priesthood, a chosen people.” We are meant to stand out and use our gifts to God’s glory and in His service. What does that mean for those gifted to be leaders? Let Christ be our guide. Explore the differences/similarities in the world’s ideas of leadership compared to following Christ as our guide.

Defining Your Leadership Style – Dr. Stacy Hoehl
Just as everybody has different gifts or callings, some gifts can be used differently. Leadership can take on many forms and strengths. It can lead in a variety of ways. Evaluate your strengths and style in order to make the most of your leadership opportunities.

Evaluating Bible Studies – President Paul Wendland
As Solomon said, “of making many books there is no end.” The same can be said for doctrinal materials and Bible studies. But which materials are valuable for building up faith and encouraging spiritual growth? Learn how to distinguish the quality study materials from the rest.

Overcoming Conflict in Service – Marilyn Miller
Although conflict can be an opportunity for growth, we may find that conflict is not always gracious. It doesn’t kindly remain outside when Christians are working together. As we serve our Lord faithfully, disagreements and discontent can creep in. We can address these issues in a loving way, remembering that we serve the same Lord and the same blood has redeemed us all.


Powerful Prayer – Ellen Cook
As in breathing, faith-filled Christians take in God’s grace and love through scripture and exhale to Him our praise and thanks through prayer. Examine the intimacy and power of prayer, trusting fully as we confidently pray, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

Cont...

Reaching Women in the Church – Sally Valleskey
How is your women’s ministry wrapped? Still on the shelf, not yet chosen? Carefully planned, opened and being used to the full? Or all tied up in knots? Whatever your situation, we’ll open the gift of women’s ministry. We’ll look at how to reach various groups of women— some easy and some not so easy but still vital to the life of the congregation. Come with your challenges; come with ideas!


Sharing With a Servant's Heart– Sarah Owens
As Christian female leaders, we desire to serve Jesus, and well. We know He wants us to share His love everywhere we go. Jesus’ words that tell us to go and share with others may at times feel like a requirement we are not able to sufficiently accomplish, a task we cannot do perfectly. In this breakout session, we will hear Jesus’ assurances, turning His commission from a burden to an awesome privilege in which we are able to walk on holy ground, sharing His love.

Too Young To Serve?– Dr. Cynthia Whaley
Are you wondering whether you're ready to serve in your church? Do you feel like you have God-given gifts but you're not sure how to use them to further God's kingdom? Sometimes young people may doubt their value in the church, but God has a plan for you. Attend this session to help discover your God-given gifts and how to use them to His glory here on earth


http://www.welswomen.net/home/180002756/180002756/Guiding%20Principles.pdf

Women's Ministry Committee Members

Pastoral Advisors
Pastor Dave Kehl - Church and Change
Professor Rich Gurgel - Church and Change

Executive Team:
Marilyn Miller*
Kathie Wendland
Linda Buxa
Carolyn Sachs
Naomi Schmidt

Publications Team:
Linda Buxa*
Amanda Maresh
Melissa Bock
Franceska Wendland

Congregational Ministry Team:
Sally Valleskey*
Su Hanson
Edie Hintz
Jane Eddinger

National Conference Team:
Amanda Bourman*
Val Johnson
Laurie Starr
Vera-Ellen Cook
Sarah Owens
Mary Clemons

Web page Team:
Naomi Schmidt*

*Chairwoman

To contact the Women's Ministry Committee, please email carolyn.sachs@sab.wels.net