Divinely Called by Whom

Elton Stroh


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Assisting God’s People with Pursuing His Mission

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Freddy Finkelstein has left a new comment on your post "Divinely Called by Whom":

It appears he hasn't been called by anyone, certainly by no congregation. Maybe he claims an immediate call, directly from God? If so, where are the signs and miracles? Maybe he could proffer his source of funding as "miraculous"...

No, this isn't a "ministry" as much as it is a business for a washed up, former "Perish Services" consultant, currently without a Call. Consulting, if you didn't know it, is what "people who know better" do for "people who don't" -- who don't know what they are doing or why they ought to be doing it. Not that consultants actually do anything as consultants other than offer their opinions -- they offer advice because they know better, people believe it, and are willing to pay them money for it. How many of our pastors "don't know what they are doing, or why they ought to be doing it" and are willing to announce this fact by hiring the services of Rev. Stroh? I guess we'll find out.

I am a consultant by profession, but I would be ashamed to start such a business expecting that my family, friends and church members would be my primary customers -- that they would pay me for my opinions. This is the way multi-level marketing works in practice for most folks who try it -- buy into the program and then sell to your family and friends. Yes, I've been invited to share enough "cups of tea" to discuss a "business proposition" to recognize a scam, and this sounds just like another such "tea party." Maybe Rev. Stroh has spent too much time in the Scriptures to recognize that his business advisors are asking him to behave like an Amway salesman. Maybe he hasn't spent enough time in the Scriptures to understand that ministry isn't for sale.

Freddy Finkelstein

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Jukjs2 (http://openid.aol.com/jukjs2) has left a new comment on your post "Divinely Called by Whom":

Its obvious this Stroh person wants to create the WELS version of Terry Tieman's semi-official Transforming Congregations Network in the LCMS. Tieman does a great job of destroying congregations and intimidating pastors in Missouri's Mid-South District.

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Scott E. Jungen has left a new comment on your post "Divinely Called by Whom":

WOW! What a racket! I don't have a call either, maybe I can start a consulting ministry too. It sure beats getting a "real" job.

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September 2010

Dear people of God:

After prayerfully seeking God’s direction, receiving support and encouragement from many within WELS, and being contacted by a number of congregations after the decision was made to defund Parish Assistance and the news was widely announced (Together e-newsletter, Forward in Christ, etc.), I have decided to launch a new consulting ministry.

I plan to do this in partnership with our District Presidents, the Congregation and Ministry Support Group (CMSG), and others who have an interest in assisting our congregations. My goal, through these partnerships, is for this consulting ministry to be a blessing to congregations so that, in and through them, God is glorified and – by the Spirit’s power – more people come to know, love, serve, and share Jesus.

Crossroads Consulting Ministry will not be Parish Assistance (PA) with a new name, and it will not be a “synodical program.” I will continue to offer a comprehensive planning process, but it will be significantly modified based, in part, on the findings from the Turnaround Churches in the WELS research project. I will also offer a streamlined ministry planning process. Both processes will be custom designed around the needs and desires of client congregations and will include (1) an analysis of current reality, (2) the development of short- and long-range ministry goals, and (3) strategic implementation.

Additionally, services will be provided in response to specific requests. Examples of these services include developing multi-site ministries, coaching/mentoring, leadership development, organizational realignment, organizing staff for maximum effectiveness, team building, and assisting with conflict management. Some additional information – Core Understandings and Key Values – is attached.

If you would like to help me get the word out that the new Crossroads Consulting Ministry is now being launched, I would appreciate it. Also, if I can be of any service to you or your congregation in the future, please let me know.

Compelled by Christ’s love,

Elton

Pastor Elton C. Stroh, Director/Consultant
Crossroads Consulting Ministry

ecstroh@frontier.com phone: 608-837-3819
251 Luther Drive . Sun Prairie, WI 53590-1310

Core Understandings and Key Values


Crossroads serves with the following core understandings:

. God, through his Means of Grace (the Gospel in Word and Sacrament), produces saving faith and transforms lives when, where, and how he pleases.

. Church health is largely dependent on the spiritual growth of God’s people and Spirit-filled leaders are the most competent leaders.

. God desires that his people and his congregations have a sense of urgency and passion for sharing the Gospel in their communities and throughout the world.

. Congregations often grow larger audiences for the Gospel when they are willing to explore and implement innovative strategies appropriate within their changing ministry contexts.

. Those who are eager to learn and establish partnerships that promote Gospel ministry are often blessed and become a greater blessing to others.



Crossroads serves with the following key values:

. Biblically Grounded: Everything we say and do must be consistent with God’s Word. (1 Corinthians 4:1-2)

. Outreach Oriented: God wants all to be saved and those who know him to be his messengers, so we proclaim Christ to the world. (1 Timothy 2:4, Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 28:19-20)

. Eager to Serve: Compelled by the love of Christ, we are eager to serve and sacrifice for the benefit of others, especially the lost. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23)

. Fully Committed: Because we serve the Lord, we do our best with whatever we attempt to accomplish. (Colossians 3:23-24)

. Ministry Partners: We view working with other believers as a partnership in the Gospel. (Philippians 1:3-8)

. Body Ministry: We strive to help all believers recognize and use their personal Spirit-provided gifts to serve one another and their Lord. (1 Corinthians 12:1-27)



Crossroads assists congregations by helping them identify their strengths, address their concerns, design and communicate a compelling vision, and develop intentional strategies for enhancing their outreach and nurture ministries.

We are convinced that kingdom-minded leadership and greater lay involvement are essential for prioritizing and pursuing Christ’s make-disciples mission.

Healthy congregations have a clear sense of mission, capable and spiritual leadership, an energized membership, and a strategic plan to reach the lost and grow people in Christ.

WELS Members Pay for Church and Change Magazine - FICKLE

I get nostalgic for the good ol' days, when my WELS contact told me, from SP Gurgle hisself, that WELS Church and Change was finished, gone, shut down.

I replied, with the certainty of one who studies websites and websties, "Why is Church and Change registering people for their next conference, from the WELS.net website?"

Now many eyes are open and people report such things to me. Nevertheless, I have to remind people that the Changers have the best scam of all - they have the entire synod paying for their glossy propaganda magazine, formerly the Northwestern Lutheran, later Forward in Christ (FIC), finally Forward in Christ, Lutheran - pronounced - FICKLE.

FICKLE is prominently staffed with Church and Money Changers, advocates of Fuller Seminary doctrine. Since no one objects and the practice continues, I can only assume WELS is a Union church, to use Jay Webber's definition. There are are few dissenters, but they are few and scattered.

Here are the current contributors, after the recent non-purge of Enthusiasts:

Jim Aderman, a founder of Church and Change, fired from his church, is still doing a lengthy (interminable!) series on the Ten Commandments.

F. Bivens still teaches at The Sausage Factory and serves as front-man for why Lutherans need training at Fuller Seminary, his alma mater.

Tom Trapp had modeled everything after Willow Creek and even had his campus ministry as a member of the Willow Creek denomination. It did save on their tuition costs. Try to say that without laughing out loud.

Don Patterson took a bunch of WELS workers to Exponential and is now encroaching a nearby mission with his own project. Guess who is helping him waste more money? The expert - Ex-SP Gurgle.

Peter Panitzke has his church a member of a Babtist organziation, The Simple(ton) Church.

James Mattek, plus some of the children of aging Shrinkers.

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GJ - "That may be somewhat true of the past, but he is exaggerating." I decided to add one of the common talking points. Concede a little while denying the truth.

WELS members - you pay while the Changers prey.

David Timm Promotes New Tentacle in Growth of Jeske Synod:Would That Include Don Patterson? Yup.

Elton Stroh continues to do CG consulting.
Free or for a fee?

From: Patty Eagon [mailto:peagon@wkw.wels.net]
Sent: Friday, September 03, 2010 1:28 PM
To: peagon@wkw.wels.net
Subject: New Consulting Ministry - Crossroads

Dear Friends,

The attachment is an announcement for Crossroads Consulting Ministry. This is purely informational and personal from me to you. The attachment explains the detail of what is offered. I simply want you to know I believe this is a valuable asset available to those who choose to use it.

Dave Timm

Almost a retired person

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

I’m eager to announce the availability of a new consulting ministry, and I invite you to remember it in your prayers. More information is provided in the PDF attachment.

Ready to serve,

Elton

Elton C. Stroh, Director/Consultant

Crossroads Consulting Ministry

ecstroh@frontier.com phone: 608-837-3819

251 Luther Drive s Sun Prairie, WI 53590-1310

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Here is their websty:

http://nextdisciple.com/giahomepage.html

Familiar names are:

Mark Jeske

Don Patterson

Organizational Status:

Grace in Action has currently applied for 501c3 status through the Internal Revenue Service. We are in the final stages of this process and can receive donations at this point that would be tax deductible. Please see the "Donate" page for more details.

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GJ - I think Jeske is forming an independent organization that can double-dip from Missouri and WELS, like their money raising scheme - Cornerstone. They can also pull out if they wish, if things get too tough on them. Given the current leadership, that is most unlikely.

Goes Together Like a Horse and Carriage

David Jay Webber said...

Yep on the banjo/guitar summit.

Objectively speaking, ELCA ceased to be an identifiably Lutheran church when it entered into formal altar and pulpit fellowship with various liberal Reformed churches, on Reformed terms. Since then it has been what we have always called a "Union church." "Lutheranism" in some form is perhaps still one school of thought among many in the large conglomerated ecumenical ecclesial "thing" that ELCA now belongs to, by virtue of its official ties with the United Church of Christ, the Reformed Church in America, the Presbyterian Church USA, the Moravian Church, the Episcopal Church, and most recently the United Methodist Church. But ELCA as such is not a Lutheran Church by any objective, historical, theological definition of Lutheranism. It is, as I said, now a Union church. Its embracing of homosexuality does not place it outside of Lutheranism, since it was already outside of Lutheranism. Its embracing of homosexuality goes further than this, by placing it outside of natural law and common human morality.

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Try, try, try to separate them
It's an illusion
Try, try, try, and you will only come
To this conclusion

Love and marriage, love and marriage
Go together like a horse and carriage
Dad was told by mother
You can't have one without the other.

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GJ - Jay Webber has identified why Missouri, WELS, the Little Sect on the Prairie, and the CLC (sic) should all amalgamate. They are Union churches, in fellowship with the Babtists and Pestecostals by virtue of their promotion of CG/Emergent Church.

ELCA is definitely Union, but it is openly, honestly, lovingly, lavender Union.

The sects listed above are secretly, dishonestly, spitefully, closeted Union. And they all work with Thrivent, too.

I love it when outsiders take the CLC (sic) seriously at their word. They are also mixed up with Thrivent. They also love CG.

This is an easy and logical conclusion: If ELCA is Union by virtue of its doctrine and practice, so are the others. They go together like a horse and carriage. They have married the Spirit of This Age, so they are doomed to be Widows in the Age To Come.

Webber forgot to mention working with Floyd Luther Stolzenburg in Columbus, where Roger Kovaciny (another Shrinker) exhibited all the signs of fellowship in order to raise money for Webber's project in the Ukraine. That would make Webber a Union hero of sorts.

The Proper Aim of Preaching

Unless you have the faith of a child, you cannot enter the Kingdom of God.


I just read this on a blog:

KJV John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Yes, it was my blog, but that should not detract from its value.

Based on this passage, pastors should aim their messages at increasing faith rather than undermining it.

The UOJ Stormtroopers, advocating justification without faith, grace without the Means of Grace, paved the way for the Emergent Church takeover of today. When a Doctrinal Pussycat complains about the Emergent Church in his backyard, like CrossWalk in Phoenix--and does nothing--the apostates have already run.

The results can be seen at The SORE in Appleton, the WELS showcase for Emergent Church popcorn theaters. Victory of the Lamb and Latte Lutheran are two more. They are WELS when raking in the cash from Daddy Warbucks and the synod, but generic for the public.

Someone photographed the interior of The CORE during his visit. Two quotations, lovingly painted on the wall, gave away the works righteousness of its lupine pastor.*

One is verbatim from Groeschel: "In order to reach those who (sic) no one else is reaching, we'll have to do things no one else is doing." Bad grammar too!

This is pure works-righteousness. Reaching, whatever that means, is justification for anything that follows, using such logic. We know from observation that reaching in the Emergent Church means luring members away from sister congregations, luring them with love seats and lattes, movie theaters and popcorn.

Do not neglect the doing. We are doing things. Fidelity to the Word? That is not on the agenda, because "no one else is reaching...."

Two - St. Francis is quoted on the SORE wall as saying "Preach the Gospel always, use words when necessary." This fortune cookie wisdom has been slopping around the Emergent Church tank for a long time. Pay someone's toll on the highway! Buy their lunch! Look at their expression! "I'd like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony." My choice would be Gerhardt, of course.

The Christian Church is a mouth church, as Luther said, relying on speaking the Gospel and teaching it correctly, not reviving the works-righteousness of the Pharisees. The Shrinkers are obnoxious bullies, thugs, thieves, and liars. Have I mentioned that today? No? But that is good to remember because such behavior is the fruit of works-righteousness.

The point of the sermon is not to justify bad behavior by doing something so noble that it avoids all criticism, but to teach child-like faith.

Faith is not a virtue but trust in God's Word, which conveys Christ to us. Luther warned against the Enthusiasts who talk about Jesus all the time but tear down the bridge He uses to reach us - the Means of Grace.

The Shrinkers mock the efficacious Word, so I mock them by quoting them.

*Landlord, after canceling the lease - "That's my last mission painted on the wall,
I scraped but cannot get it off at all." (Browning, My Last Duchess, more or less)