ELCA Today, Your Synod Tomorrow

Lutherans Love: God Does Not Hate!

WELCOME to LUTHERANS CONCERNED / LOS ANGELES:  A Christian Ministry for all sexual orientations and gender identities. Screening of "8: The Mormon Proposition" see below GOD DOES NOT HATE! This is the message the LGBT community wants to hear--the real message of the Gospel!  The Christian faith is a gift of love not hatred, joy not dread, hope not defeat. God is love! God hates no one, since God made us as we are! "Lutherans Love!"  If you are not familiar with Lutheran Christians, this one thing is most important to know:  we are not part of the "religious right."   We are people with deep faith in God's abiding love for all!  And we believe it is our mission to proclaim God's grace for all people including lesbian/ gay/ bisexual/transgender/ queer/ questioning people (and everyone else)!

How can I find a gracious God?  Where can I find a welcoming church?
We've been working with local Lutheran congregations for 25 years to identify places where LGBTQ people can feel safe and experience love without judgment or condemnation.  About 400 Lutheran churches nation-wide have joined the Reconciling in Christ program, which encourages and enables local churches to affirm their welcome publicly.
See:  Welcoming Congregations for complete listing of Reconciling congregations in the Los Angeles area.

What's new in Lutherans Concerned?
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2010 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Join us for the Annual Meeting of the LC/Los Angeles Chapter, at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, North Hollywood, beginning at 5:30 pm.  St. Matthew's is at 11031 Camarillo Street at the intersection with Vineland and Lankershim.  Light refreshments will be served.
Following the 90 minute meeting, the recent documentary film "8: The Mormon Proposition" will be screened.

If you have not yet seen this fascinating documentary hosted by Dustin Lance Black you MUST join us! And even if you have seen it you will want to see it again. The documentary exposes how the Mormon leadership deceitfully manipulated the voters of California into taking away marriage rights from same-sex couples. You will be shocked, you will be angered, and you will hopefully be compelled to fight the tyranny of this dangerous cult.

SYNOPSIS: Director Reed Cowan initially planned on making a documentary about gay teen homelessness and suicide in Utah but soon realized that the homophobia that prompts otherwise loving parents to kick teenagers out of their homes is deep-seated in current Mormon ideology. Cowan, with his fellow filmmakers, experienced first-hand what it was like to grow up gay in Utah in the Mormon faith, then turned their attention to the historic campaign by the Mormon Church to pass Proposition 8 in California believing that it was the cornerstone of an ideology that has worked for decades “to damage gay people and their causes.” The film is their emotional outcry to what they found. See the trailer at www.mormonproposition.com

On the NEWS pages, find these recent stories:

Pastor Anita Hill approved for admission to ELCA Clergy Roster
September 20 Annual Meeting
Also see: LC/LA at Outfest 2009

 Demonstrations against Proposition 8

Did you see us? Christopher Street West PRIDE Festival, June 13-14, 2009 in West Hollywood!

In recent years we have featured "My BIG FAT Gay Church Wedding" booth at the CSW Festival.  Hundreds of couples were photogeraphed in wedding outfits.

MONTHLY CHAPTER EVENT!! Lutherans Concerned/Los Angeles gathers every 3rd Sunday, 5:30 pm at Hollywood Lutheran Church, 1733 N. New Hampshire Avenue, Los Angeles, for worship, potluck and food for thought!  For map/directions, see: www.hollywoodlutheran.org/contact.html.  For more information, join our e-mail list! Lutherans Concerned/Los Angeles     Mail: 7336 Santa Monica Blvd. Box 749, Los Angeles, CA 90046-6616 Lutherans Concerned/Los Angeles is a Chapter of Lutherans Concerned/North America  - Since 1974.

All Time Favorite Posts - Since New Stats Began - Appleton Sweeps

Appleton owns the most-read post list since June.
Congratulations, Fox Valley, and Deputy Doug Englebrecht.
You worked hard for this achievement.
Take your bows and salute your Father Below.

WELS and Other Lutherans:The Differences Explained... Jun 3, 2010, 8 comments 941 Pageviews WELS - The CORE - Features Movies for Advent Dec 17, 2009, 24 comments 727 Pageviews Bible Babes Jul 31, 2010, 3 comments 478 Pageviews Craig Groeschel Fact Page Aug 2, 2010 405 Pageviews Introducing Chuck Swindoll Aug 10, 2010 389 Pageviews

Sweet Promoted by a Graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Better Known as The Sausage Factory

The Man of the Hour, Leonard Sweet, Methodist New Ager,
aging hippy slob.

Luther

From the latest newsletter from DP Wille: http://swd.lcms.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=izPfN4jS0XA%3d&tabid=3144

Wee Wille

Professional growth day teachers' conference Oct. 29, 2010 • 8 a.m-2 p.m. Lake Country Lutheran High • Hartland For teachers and administrators in the SWD and English District. Dr. Leonard Sweet will focus on education and learning in his and our Google world or better yet a "TGIF" world — Twitter, Google, iPhone, Facebook — as he defines our world today and in the future. The $35 registration cost includes lunch and break. Register online at swd.lcms.org/registration before Oct. 15.  Flyer (PDF)

More on Frey's Resignation - From WELS Laity, Current and Ex

How many pastors did Seifert remove from the ministry for criticizing Church Growth?
But suborning promiscuity makes a pastor CRM.



Diablo:

That Katie Perry is not even a good looking tramp. Sorry I do not see the thing about her. I guess Fox Valley does however.

I think there is something rotten in Denmark as they say about this whole Frey resignation. I think you are right in that MLS will close soon. I think Frey knew or knows and does not want to be the guy doing the dirty job of closing this school. I think the closing is very close and once announced enrollment will as you say drop like a lead balloon. WELS is out of money. I do not think folks are going to give anymore than they are, not only because of the economy, but what is going on in this synod.

WELS leaders think everybody is dumb as to what is going on. Well, as with what is going on in this country, folks have just about had it with the way WELS does things. So folks may not speak up but they will close the wallet and if all else fails hit the door. The SP needs to get tough and go after these C&C jerks or else resign himself. I do not care. Time to stand up or stand down.
The above comments you can most certainly print on Ichabod.

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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Fake-O-Bod Dodges the Islamic Question at Martin L...":

"What were the circumstances? That’s the thing, my friends. I can only serve the school by this resignation if I am able to take the reasons with me."

What a pathetic display of mental hand wringing meant to portray sincere angst while deceiving most people by kicking up as much silt as possible to muddy the water.

At this point, regardless of the reason he's leaving, it's quite clear he never should have been there in the first place since he cannot be honest. He clearly lacks the bone structure to speak clearly and truthfully much less stand erect.

Just another wonderful example of the deceptive characters the laity in the (W)ELS have entrusted, without question, with the care of their souls.

They love to talk about the Bereans and how iron sharpens iron but there is very little of either in the (W)ELS and of what there is they seem to be intent on salvaging the very institution that has committed itself to their destruction.

Can someone please post the last public statement Pres. Schroeder published which condemns the false teaching and practices that's running rampant through the Appleton district? I can't seem to find it.

(no wonder the Intrepids won't post my comments)

***

GJ - Mr. Frey has unfriended me. Sigh. DP Seifert and Frey agree that he is eligible for a call, which reminds me of the Tabor and Just cases. Pastor Tabor aided in murdering his wife but moved to a new call in Escanaba, where he served for a period of time. Al Just murdered his wife, but WELS defended him with a busload of supporters at his trial and VP Huebner's father testifying about Al's sterling character.

Given the record of Church and Change false teachers promoted and funded, but never canned, anyone would agree that Frey is eminently and immanently callable. All he did was express the WELS philosophy, honed--or rather dulled--by years of UOJ hyperbole. Fred Adrian's married vicar had an affair with a minor girl in Fred's earlier congregation, resulting in a very expensive lawsuit. Nevertheless, Adrian was pronounced callable by no less a personage the DP Seifert. More could be said on that score, but the deeds of Michigan get tedious, even if they would make a scandalous prime time reality show.

Question in doctrine class, led by MLS ex-president Frey: "How far can a minor go sexually, since many of us are as young as 14?" I used my own wording, since Frey is not providing a verbatim account.

President Frey: "As far as your conscience allows."

Encouraging children to add themselves to the sex  offenders list is not a good idea, from a litigation perspective - which is the only thing that matters to WELS. If it costs them money, they are not pleased. However, they are willing to forget in a few years. Al Just is innocent, although he was convicted and also confessed. Tabor was never convicted, so he must be innocent. Only his mistress was guilty.

Criminal behavior, even among clergy, is expensive. After enough time has elapsed, the innocent may still help pay the bills. Many more simply flee the evildoers. Why bother to argue with people so bent on self-destruction? They will not listen to law enforcement. They resent the insurance people clamping down on their forgiven-in-advance style of excuses. The corrupt leadership says, "Sit down with them" and "Write letters to them." Once that is done, the same leaders get even. Sitting down with them or writing a letter is the equivalent of a signed confession of sin. Such people must be expelled to keep Holy Mother Synod running smoothly.

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More from Aaron Frey's blog, suggesting his ex-employers would like him to zip it, immediately:

Aaron Frey (11:26:15) :

Actually, college-aged WELS-ian, I can and I must. God called me to serve a lot of people at MLS, and there are many whom I served by respecting their privacy and keeping information that only I needed to know about them safe. I will continue to serve them in that way.

I think you’ll feel better if you re-read the Large Catechism, especially Dr. Luther’s comments on the Eighth Commandment. I have committed no great, public sin that has to be covered up. There are just the unnecessary conjectures and false accusations that have been made since my resignation.

And I’m afraid I don’t understand the reference to Scott Jungen. Did he mention something of importance I should be aware of on a website or something?

Reply

23092010

Joel (13:57:21) :

I hope that your online experience will help to wake up some people in our circles who slobber after a certain para-Lutheran blogger. They hang on his every word because he supports certain opinions they have about the synod. His behavior here shows that he has no love of the gospel. He only wants to spread as many negative rumors about the “higher ups” in the synod that he can. I hope that his treatment of you will get them to see his true nature as a vengeful rumormonger.

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grumpy has left a new comment on your post "More on Frey's Resignation - From WELS Laity, Curr...":

Off the record,
On the QT,
And VERY Hush-Hush...

So, Doc Jackson, what is it....resignation because you don't want to be the Captain of the Titanic, or resignation because you don't want to be forced out because of contributing to the delinquency of minors?

Gentle readers, I think NEITHER is the solution to THIS mystery. Doesn't make sense...

If a sinking ship, what has changed so dramatically for MLS in less than 10 months?

MLS has such a strong backing in WELS that it will, in all likelihood, outlast most of the readers and writers of this blog.

If granting young ones' libidos free reign, why no mass postings on Facebook, Myspace, various blogs, etc.

Watergate could not be covered up by a somewhat competent government (competent compared to today anyway...)...can we believe silence would rule in this case? Surely the class that heard this, as well as the rest of the student body, would twitter, tweet and squawk all over the WEB by now.

Hep cats and cool kitties, I think we are being played by both those story lines.

Off the record,
On the QT,
And VERY Hush-Hush...

***
GJ - Frey has managed to make things even worse with his public no-comment comments and his labored explanations and self-absolution, called by Nixonians a modified limited hang-out.

I verified what happened. The anonymous thug at Fake-O-Bod demands to know my sources. So he can picture them and name them eating cat excrement from a toilet bowl? That is the Church and Change method of honoring the Eighth Commandment, also translated as - WHO TOLD YOU?

Then genius of WELS lying - there are always two or more stories to digest: one is true, one is false, and others are variations and blends. Getting to the true story is a sin against Holy Mother Synod, aka, the Holy Spirit. Unforgivable.

Sesame Street Goes Soft Core, In Spite of Katy Perry's Special Relationship with The CORE

Our masks are slipping.

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Katy Perry: Way too 'adult' for 'Sesame Street'?
September 23, 2010 | 10:18 am

Perry

All the toddlers who brought out their best daisy dukes for Katy Perry's "Sesame Street" premiere are gonna be so cranky.

Thursday morning, the PBS children's show announced that a scheduled appearance by Perry, queen of the most inappropriate whipped-cream bra ever, had been canceled. On Monday, a clip of Perry wearing a sweetheart-cut dress, singing a G-rated version of her hit "Hot N Cold" and begging to "play" with Elmo, was leaked on the Web. Parents, outraged by Perry's C-cup-accentuating dress, immediately protested. "You're going to have to rename [Sesame Street] Cleavage Avenue," wrote one commenter, while another simply joked, "My kid wants milk now."

What Changed?

Contributed by _______ and not by me.

bruce-church (http://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "What Changed?":

Yes, but those are the professors who around 1961 said there is no special office of the ministry, but just ministry, period. So the ushers are involved in the ministry. What that can lead to is an anything goes mentality, such as in the Methodist Church they have "893 fresh expressions of church," like "Messy Church":

New figures reveal changing shape of Methodist Church

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/new.figures.reveal.changing.shape.of.methodist.church/26773.htm

excerpt: The report identified 893 fresh expressions of church, with café churches, Messy Church and cell groups being among the most popular.

Resist the Beginnings, Part 37

The ordination of an ELCA lesbian pastor was recently legitimized by ELCA after years of fake discipline.

Ah yes, for years the LCA had their clown services and jazz worship scenarios, balloons on the altar, the whole gamut--from A to B--of despising the Means of Grace.

This photo illustrates the truth of Lenski's statement - "Resist the beginnings." In the background is an older pastor who thought he knew was he was supporting by vesting and marching with the whole disco-loving crowd. Click on the photo for a close-up of his shocked face. Compare his shock to the grinning of the nearby pastor.

At graduations, various schools, the counseling students always show up with glitter and sprinkle it around the stage while receiving their diplomas. "They're all insane," I whisper helpfully to nearby faculty.

Notice also the children's wand being waved. Officiants should not purchase their liturgical supplies in the children's department of Ben Franklin.

Tim Glende, the clown prince of Appleton, stages a hissy fit on his blog every time I point out the obvious about the rotting, stinking zone of WELS called Fox Valley. Glende is comfortable with it, since he grew up with Floyd Luther Stolzenburg running Columbus WELS under a cover of lies. The ELS is also at peace with the apostasy. They were nodding off 20+ years ago, even when furnished with evidence, and they are still comatose today.

The fake outrage is something used to bully people into accepting the deplorable. I have seen it used in many venues.

I do not hear directly from the Groeschel salesmen. Using OpenID and the map stopped it, especially when I identified a comment coming from Appleton, from a Mac computer, the type used by The SORE.

I do hear from outraged WELS members and pastors. They appreciate a forum where they can express their views without being attacked. If you want a taste of the bullying thuggery used by Church and Change, visit Glende's blog and examine his anger, bitterness, and doctrinal ignorance.

Some will think that the magic fairy sprinkles and wand will never appear at a WELS service where a lesbian is ordained.

No one imagined it in the LCA, a few years ago.

Fake-O-Bod Dodges the Islamic Question at Martin Luther College

Do the various synod leaders wonder why people are fleeing the abuse?
Do WELS or ELS pastors ever admit doctrinal error?
They can go "as far as their conscience allows," as Rev. Frey advises,
which is no problem for DP Seifert.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010

Former Fired MLS Pres. Aaron Frey Writes on Facebook about Greg Jackson

Aaron Fry wrote the following on Facebook Sept. 21, 2010. It is obvious he is writing about Dr. Gregory Jackson and his Ichabod, the Glory Has Departed blog--
Like a fool still holding out hope for a man I used to respect long ago, I did check a very inflammatory anti-WELS blog just before sharing this. I know the issue of which he speaks, we've already addressed it in class and leaving for that ...reason would not be for the good of MLS. It would be lying. I only comment on it for the sake of the students who might be hurt by his unhelpful and injurious blogging habits. If he was (sic) correct, I would have had to resign for cause of heresy. It's hard to believe even now that he is so quick to believe a rumor just so that he can have a more sensational accusation, but now that he has attacked me directly without any knowledge and without a word to me, I don't know how else to take it.

***

GJ - Aaron Frey and Tim Glende - you attack me all the time without a word.

I am reporting news and offering my seasoned opinion. I feel sorry for the school and for Aaron's family, but I know the Good Ol' Boys network will take care of Aaron.

I asked six people about what happened at MLS. The story did not match the facts associated with the story. I could name the pastors who did not answer me at all. One was active on Facebook at the time. I sent him an IM. No response. Others were in a position to know. No response. Two responded with the facts.

Aaron knows Tim Glende from MLS. Frey is hardly alone in knowing who writes the fake blog.

Here is one flimsy excuse on Frey's blog. He has the qualities of a future DP. The words quoted above on Fake-O-Bod are not on Facebook. Perhaps Aaron listened to sage advice from the synod's lawyer and erased them. Glende erases his blog posts every so often and runs away, only to appear again.

I will post Aaron's slippery comments, which will impress no one and clarify nothing. Apparently they decided to jettison the burnout excuse, which is not a good start for a new job search.

The latest excuses are:

Marge, I made the decision to resign from MLS for the good of the ministry. I didn't do anything to disqualify myself (you know, no tragic, public sin or heresy and such--that would be "for cause") and it wasn't for personal reasons (health, couldn't handle it, wife or family couldn't handle it). The circumstances were unique and unforeseeable, and letting the Lord find someone else to continue in my office clearly became the most beneficial thing for the ministry at MLS and for the largest number of people. I was happy to serve the Lord and MLS by taking the office and, although it was much harder than taking the office in the first place, I was happy to serve the Lord and MLS by resigning, too. The joy of the once-in-a-lifetime chance of serving in the office will, nonetheless, be a loss that I will mourn greatly, and for this we request your prayers. (Facebook)


From his blog:

Reasons I Didn’t Resign

21092010

Brothers and sisters in Christ, especially my family at Michigan Lutheran Seminary-

I can’t say it’s been a surprise, but it’s certainly been an experience listening to friends and families share their conjectures with me. Sometimes it’s what they’ve heard from others and sometimes what they’ve personally thought. I wanted to put up this post to try to ease some tensions and to try not to lose the value of my resigning for the good of the ministry.

We have a few terms in our circles for describing different kinds of resignations. A resignation for cause is the one that I think people fear the most. Resignation for cause means that a called worker has done something sinful that disqualifies them from serving. A clear-cut example would be teaching heresy. Other more complicated issues would be getting caught in some big, public sin like adultery or embezzlement. The distinguishing mark of resignation for cause is the repentance that everyone will be hoping for. The forgiveness the resigned called worker receives is the same forgiveness we all receive—complete and unconditionally paid for by the blood of Christ. However, the called worker still must leave their post because leaders in the church are held to a higher standard than those who serve as members. “Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap” (1 Timothy 3:2-4,7). There is the possibility that the called worker might return under some circumstances, but the reputation requirements do make it difficult.

A called worker may also resign for personal reasons. Due to circumstances in his life, he cannot do the work. Perhaps his health is failing. Perhaps his family can’t handle the pressures of the ministry at this point in their lives. Perhaps it is an issue in which his wife needs extra attention so that he does not feel he is able to offer due attention to his work. These things could certainly be addressed in a way that allowed a return to the ministry if the the worker desired it.

There are some circumstances that are much more difficult to parse. There is no great, public sin. Inability to serve is not the issue. As a leader the called worker has a decision to make in a difficult situation and reaches the conclusion that the best thing for the ministry of the gospel in general and the ministry of the calling body in particular is that he simply step away, confident that the Lord of the church will provide another worker to take his place.

That’s where I am. I came here to offer myself in whatever service the school needed most. I can’t say that I thought this was the service my alma mater would need most from me, but I’m confident that is the very best service I could offer under these very unexpected circumstances.

What were the circumstances? That’s the thing, my friends. I can only serve the school by this resignation if I am able to take the reasons with me. I can only tell you why I didn’t resign. Did my marriage need intensive counseling? I’m happy to take the free counseling that the synod offers to help us deal with the upcoming transition, but I could have gotten that without resigning through the Member Assistance Program that operates right out of the school, too. Plus, that would be a resignation for personal reasons. Does it have to do with my hospitalization last spring? That’s an interesting coincidence, but that issue has been corrected (and, again, that would be personal reasons). Did I do something wrong? I do plenty, but nothing to disqualify me from serving in the ministry. Last but not least, is there something going on in the synod that a poor, naive parish pastor couldn’t handle looking at and so he had to walk away? Brothers and sisters, walking away from that wouldn’t be for the good of the ministry, would it? Of course not. There’s plenty I’d still like to work on in the ministerial education system and in the synod, too, and, quite frankly, I wanted to keep working on those issues as the president of MLS and as a delegate to the 2011 convention (I was up next for the first time in my ministry). Those things were hard to give up.

It was very hard to decide that it was better for the ministry to leave than to stay. I would not have imagined a situation happening where my service was better in resigning rather than in staying and working on the issues I had been most concerned about. Nonetheless, the situation occurred. If you can come up with it by guessing at what happened, then you’re smarter than I am—a possibility I certainly concede. However, this post is as much as I can ever say in terms of confirming or denying whether or not you actually came up with the right situation. Otherwise my service in resignation becomes useless and the school is not served by it. Seeing as I’ve already seen the positive effects of my resignation in action, I’m definitely not going to say more than I have. It’s the hardest service I’ve ever performed, but it’s still a service to the Lord, and I can still honestly say that there is joy in it.

So thank you for your concerns and prayers. I still have my CRM status, which means that I am still eligible to preach and receive a call. But I will be looking for a job while my family heals from this. We will be mourning the joy of serving at MLS. Will I go back to the ministry? I’d like to, but I want to be sure of my family’s feelings first. Resignations like this are rare but still possible, no matter where you serve. I can tell them how unlikely a similar situation would be, but first I want to make sure that it won’t sound to them something like talking about the rarity of a plane crash to someone who has just survived one.

[end of blog smokescreen]

Thanks again for your support and prayers, and God bless you all with the peace that comes from knowing that the omnipotent Father in heaven was more willing to let his perfectly faithful Son die innocently for our sins rather than see us die in them—and especially with the peace of his victory over our death.

Your brother in Christ,

Aaron

***

GJ - We all know Glende is hysterical about anyone going to Notre Dame, but he is silent about AnnMarie, the female theologian from Notre Dame, the Muslim apologist speaking at Mary Lou College.

Mrs. Ichabod just said, "He is only opposed to you going to Notre Dame." Ah, that is it.

Frey and Glende try to wrap themselves in the mantle of WELS sentiment, trying to claim Ichabod is an anti-WELS blog. (That is bad, automatical in WELS, like being anti-American.) Their reading comprehension is as limited as their grammar.

This blog was planned as a discussion about apostasy. If I see it in any given denomination, I discuss it, with extensive research and links provided. That has always inflamed the WELSians Pietists. They do not want their false doctrine to be quoted.

MLS is the red-headed kid no one wants to acknowledge. Frey has done the synod a favor by moving the school faster toward closing. Frey's resignation after a few month's work proves something was wrong, just like Glende's assistant asking for a new call after only a few weeks in the Promised Land of Church and Change, Driscoll and Groeschel.

Since WELS leaders are so bad at lying, they should start telling the truth and apologizing for the harm they have done.

Watch MLS enrollment plummet.

British Church Mouse and Islam.Driscoll, A WELS Favorite

Church Mouse knows about Eurabia.


churchmousec (http://churchmousec.wordpress.com/) has left a new comment on your post "WELS' Yankee Stadium Moment: The Wrong Message abo...":

Thank you so much, Dr Jackson, for this succinct yet informative post on Islam.

To anyone reading this post, please circulate, discuss the facts therein with your family, ensuring that your children are aware of them. Also, please read some reliable books (pre-1970s) about the Crusades. The subject has been generally absent from history books in schools and, where it is present, has been a revisionist study for many years.

All best wishes from the UK
Churchmouse

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churchmousec (http://churchmousec.wordpress.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Willowcreek's Little Chapel - Turning Your Ministe...":

Two words for what's going on here: 'itching ears'!

Every time I see Mark Driscoll's name, I get queasy. This is someone who has had no qualms about speculating on Jesus's metabolic functions in front of an audience. He makes light of them ... very bad, indeed:

http://thechristianworldview.com/tcwblog/archives/1640

'Mark had fun with the question whether or not Jesus went “potty.” ... What was the congregation’s response? They laughed.'

What more can one say? There is a LOT more at the link.

Churchmouse

Guess who studied under Driscoll in Seattle? Ski, Glende, and Bishop Katie.

Vatican Bank Laundering Funds

Vatican bank chief investigated over money laundering claims

In unprecedented move, judge freezes €23m held in account at financial institution with close church links

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• John Hooper in Rome
• guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 21 September 2010 13.23 BST
• Article history

Under investigation: Ettore Gotti Tedeschi, president of the Istituto per le Opere di Religione (IOR). Photograph: Emanuela De Meo/AFP/Getty Images

The head of the Vatican bank has formally been placed under investigation in an inquiry into a suspected violation of Italy's money-laundering laws, judicial sources said today.

At the same time, a judge in Rome ordered a freeze on €23m (£19.5m) held in an account opened by the Vatican bank, the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), at another financial institution in the Italian capital. It was thought to be the first time such action had been authorised against the IOR in Italy.

Since last September, the Bank of Italy has classified the Vatican bank as a non-EU institution whose dealings with other banks are thus subject to especially close scrutiny.

The sources said that last Wednesday, on the eve of Pope Benedict's departure for Britain, a unit of the Italian revenue guard alerted prosecutors to an anomaly in an account owned by the IOR at the Rome branch of Credito Artigiano, which has close historic ties to the Catholic church.

Of the €28m deposited, €23m was destined for transfer to JP Morgan in Frankfurt and another €3m to another Italian bank. But in neither case, it is alleged, had the Vatican's bankers supplied details of the individual or corporation for whom they were acting, as required by a 2007 legislative decree.

The sources said the president of the IOR, Ettore Gotti Tedeschi, and another senior executive were under investigation. It was not immediately clear whether there was any connection between this inquiry and another in which the Vatican bank has been named, which concerns suspect property dealings.

The Vatican has a long history of withholding co-operation from Italian investigators seeking access to its bank's books. The IOR was involved in a major scandal in 1982 arising from the fraudulent bankruptcy of Banco Ambrosiano, then Italy's largest private bank.