Sunday, September 26, 2010

The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity



Sunflower by Norma Boeckler. Fibonacci numbers by God.


The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

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

Bethany Lutheran Church, 10 AM Central Time


The Hymn # 44 Ye Lands 2:41
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual
The Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #203 Morning Breaks 2:70
Unity of the Word
The Communion Hymn # 315 I Come O Savior 2:66
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn # 467 Built on a Rock 2:83

KJV Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

KJV Luke 14:1 And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. 2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. 3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? 4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go; 5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? 6 And they could not answer him again to these things. 7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, 8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; 9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Seventeenth Sunday After Trinity
Lord God, heavenly Father: We beseech Thee so to guide and direct us by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may not exalt ourselves, but humbly fear Thee, with our whole hearts hear and keep Thy word, and hallow the Lord's day, that we also may be hallowed by Thy word; help us, first, to place our hope and confidence in Thy Son, Jesus Christ, who alone is our righteousness and Redeemer, and, then, so to amend and better our lives in accordance with Thy word, that we may avoid all offenses and finally obtain eternal salvation, through Thy grace in Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God. world without end. Amen.

The Unity of the Word

Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

The seven ones in this passage are no accident. Some say that seven is the perfect number because it combines the “four” used to represent the entire world with the “three” of the Trinity. This perfect number is often represented in liturgical design, such as seven candles on each side of the altar.

Needless to say, some people have to turn numbers into magic. That is a common theme in Asian religion, with an obsession about magic numbers and numerology. One of my denser students went to a Buddhist temple and was astonished that they found his magic, or favorite number. They pulled it out of box and converted him – for the moment. Since he was so talkative, he probably gave away the number during his tour. People prefer magic to revelation. Cary Grant lost his stagehand job when he was young because he let the spotlight shine on the wrong area of the stage, giving away the secret of a magic act. Magic loves darkness.

There is no doubt that God has embedded a mathematical relationship in nature, as shown by Fibonacci numbers.

http://creationwiki.org/Fibonacci_number

This numerical relationship can be found throughout God’s Creation, and people find it pleasing to the senses. Artists use the numbers for planning their work.

One
The significance of one throughout the Bible is impossible to miss.

First of all, there is One God, Three Persons. This is a mystery revealed by the Holy Spirit. Human reason cannot grasp it. Whenever someone tries to subject this mystery to human logic, reason, and experience, horrible distortions appear to replace the clear teaching of the Word.

God existed before time came into being. As Augustine wrote, time is the measure of change. Until the universe was brought into being by Creation, there was no change and no concept of time.

God created time for us in the form of seven, 24-hour days. Various powerful societies have tried to change the week, to make everyone work more, but the seven-day week has continued, with one day still a day of rest and worship.

Because God is One, there is only One message – the truth of revelation. And there is only One Book where God’s will is revealed – the Bible.

There are many human authors of the Bible but only one divine author – the Holy Spirit. That gives the Scriptures a unity not found anywhere else, and yet the various human personalities come through all too clearly.

From the beginning of time in Genesis until the closing of time in Revelation, there is one message – Jesus Christ crucified for the sins of the world. The Gospel is so important in the Bible that the first Gospel promise is given already in Genesis 3, when Adam and Eve were forced out of Paradise because of their sin. They were no longer innocent and carried original sin with them, but they also had the Gospel Promise of the Savior, who would crush the head of that Tempter who led them away from God’s Word.

The unity of the message of the Bible is obvious, because the Word of God has no other purpose except to convey Christ to us and to plant faith in our hearts. Sin is not believing on Jesus Christ (John 16), and justification comes from the revelation of His crucifixion and resurrection (you will see Him no more).

John 16:10 Of righteousness [justification], because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

The emptiness of the tomb is the ultimate sign of God’s victory in Christ – His conquest of sin, of death, and of Satan.

Because this is the One Truth of the Scriptures, any other message that seeks to supplant it is fraudulent, cancerous, and toxic.

The unity of the Word means that all the books of the Bible speak with the same voice, across the centuries, in many different cultures. The Word is not conformed to culture but cultures are transformed by the unchanging Word of God, from the wandering herder culture of Genesis to the powerful metropolitan culture of the New Testament.

Because there is one divine Author of the Bible, there is only One Doctrine. There are not many little doctrines that are strung together like pearls on a necklace, with people picking 27 pearls versus 36 pearls.

The reason we often talk about one article of faith is our limitations as humans.
Dividing the One Doctrine lets people think the truth of God’s Word is subject to a vote. Synod conventions continue to promote this view, by voting on doctrine and declaring anathemas on people who do not accept the latest, most popular heresy.

Therefore, this One Doctrine cannot be accused of contradicting itself. Anyone who has studied the Scriptures seriously has seen that. There is a Christ of the Psalms and a Christ of Isaiah, as if Christ is different when revealed by one author or another.

What religion has four biographies of its leader, side by side, all of them in agreement and all four in harmony with history (to the extent we can verify ancient facts)?
In fact, there is no difference between Paul’s teaching about false teachers and Jesus’ teaching, except that Jesus is even harsher in His words – whitewashed sepulchers full of dead-men’s bones, wolves in sheep’s clothing, blind guides, hypocrites, etc.

Because of this unified Doctrine, Law and Gospel are taught throughout the Scriptures, with the sole purpose of creating and sustaining faith.

We also see in the Scriptures a unified teaching about how Christ comes to us, how we receive forgiveness in Him.

I read many different religious documents, often claiming to show me the way. But they do not. They have many vague statements about Jesus, but also include odd expressions about emotions and experiences, as if I have to capture the right feeling.

The Word of God prepared mankind for the Means of Grace from the beginning, with many physical signs of God’s Promises: the rainbow, the ark (prefiguring baptism, the Passover Lamb, the pillar, the rock gushing with pure water, the serpent raised on the staff (John 3), the manna from heaven, the Promised Land (heaven). Those are just a few that prepared man to see Holy Baptism and Holy Communion as the visible Word, earthly elements combined with the power of the Word.

The Word of the Gospel exists for faith, and faith is justification.

How do I know that I am forgiven of all my sins? My feelings? No – they are deceptive and constantly changing. My experiences? No – I may think I have made up for my sins by doing some good, which is sin piled on sin.

Forgiveness is based upon the objective truth of God’s Word. Jesus died for the sins of the world, while we were weak with sin, while we were still enemies of God, while we were still sinners.

From justification by faith come the works of faith, the fruit of the Spirit.

This truth has lasted throughout each generation, no matter how many or how few believed. The Gospel is constantly attacked and persecuted and often moves on, always bringing God’s grace through the Word.

"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, Trigl. 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.

"Thus too, if our confidence is to begin, and we become strengthened and comforted, we must well learn the voice of our Shepherd, and let all other voices go, who only lead us astray, and chase and drive us hither and thither. We must hear and grasp only that article which presents Christ to us in the most friendly and comforting manner possible. So that we can say with all confidence: My Lord Jesus Christ is truly the only Shepherd, and I, alas, the lost sheep, which has strayed into the wilderness, and I am anxious and fearful, and would gladly be good, and have a gracious God and peace of conscience, but here I am told that He is as anxious for me as I am for Him." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, IV, p. 86. Third Sunday after Trinity, Second Sermon Luke 15:1-10.

WELS Laymen Comments on Joseph Schmidt


Joseph Schmidt found a rare copy of Gerhard.



rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "Joseph Schmidt Leaving WELS":

I am encouraged when I read accounts of those whose patience has gone thin and eventually leave a synod. The exodus of faithful members is brought about by leaders who refuse to be held accountable for their apostasy. The question of where to go is also a valid one to ask. For years, many of us have been told that only the WELS is pure as the driven snow.

 This is why doctrinal study is so important for the laity. A working knowledge of the Confessions helps expose the false teachings and practices that are all around us. Secondly, it gives the departing member the discernment that is needed to find a new home.

This is why apostate leaders refuse to engage their members in a serious study of the Lutheran Confessions. These leaders would much rather waste their and their members' time with meetings, workshops, conferences, seminars, et al. This topic has been covered often here at Ichabod. Leaders at my former WELS congregation keep begging for money because of an endless shortfall in their budget.

The shortfall may be both a symptom and a diversion. The root of the problem is false doctrine and the practice of small m methodism. This pattern has repeated itself many times across all synods. As a side note, today is Walking Together Sunday in the WELS. I find this rather ironic as this same WELS is falling apart. How can any member with discernment say with a clear conscience that they walk together with The SORE? Intrepid Lutherans does a good analysis of the pre-packaged sermon sent out from the Love Shack for all to use today. The sermon is heavy with Third Use of the Law. This is so typical of the message coming from those who embrace today's navel gazing evangelicalism.

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twissted_sisster has left a new comment on your post "Joseph Schmidt Leaving WELS":

'Lord, grant while words endure,
We keep ITS teachings pure
Throughout all generations. Amen!'

It a sad commentary but it should be a glaring wake-up call for the WELS when long-time or lifelong members are talking about quitting due to doctrinal issues. We - here in this little forum- are just the tip of the iceberg. I think the C&C crowd would be happy to see us go because are on to them, see what they are up to, and don't like the light shining on it. We should never have had to wonder what comes next after the WELS but it's come to that. THEIR leaders are well known but who will lead our cause of confessional Lutheranism? There are plenty of followers out here!

From Rogue Lutheran - Sweet Is Just as Big in Missouri




LPC has left a new comment on your post "From Rogue Lutheran - Sweet Is Just as Big in Miss...":

Pr. Greg,

This is truly a turn of events. I encountered Sweet while I was a Charismaniac and have listened to some of his teachings. He can make your tears jerk. The guy is an Enthusiast.

Then a few years ago, I saw Sweet being interviewed by an LC-MS Seminary on the internet. They seem to be buddy buddy with him.

I think the reason why Sweet is flavor of the month at LC-MS is because once UOJ is established, then life becomes boring and as human beings, we need some things to pre-occupy us. Sweet is the fruit of that.

LPC

---

Rogue Lutheran has a good article here on the LCMS promoting New Ager Leonard Sweet, a favorite of Paul Calvin Kelm.

Missouri, WELS, and the ELS lack doctrinal leadership. Lutherans have been waiting decades for something to be done about the synods being toadies for Fuller Seminary, Willow Creek, Trinity Deerfield, and the rest of the beehives of Enthusiasm.

Instead, the synods skimmed offering money to train their leaders at those bastions of false doctrine. Now so many are babtized into Groeschel and Stetzer that the leaders refuse to address the issue.

The Intrepids posted a polite evisceration of the official WELS sermon, recently sent out to promote Universalism Synod Sunday. Note the forgiveness without the cross passage.

The ELS, LCMS, and WELS agree on UOJ, which overturns justification by faith.

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From Intrepid Lutherans:

#4 – "Have you done everything in your power to share the gospel?" What an unscriptural guilt trip to send God's people on! How does one even know what's in one's power when it comes to sharing the gospel? When phrased this way, the Christian is under constant obligation to be "evangelizing" from dawn till dusk, and even afterwards, if it's "in his power" to stay awake a little later and continue fulfilling the "sharing the gospel" Law.

  • (This paragraph given word for word) Yet, see the trouble for what is it. We remain the redeemed of God. Our eternity remains secure. Our names are written in the book of life. Your sins are forgiven. So are your neighbor’s sins. Even more, God has made sure that angel after angel after angel has flown into your life to make sure you remain in Jesus. Our parents, our teachers, our pastors, and even our children are God’s messengers to us, proclaiming “Jesus has forgiven you for all your sins. Yes, he forgives you for the sins of timidity, fear, and selfishness.” He sends to you angels to personally speak the words of the gospel, just like he did for the shepherds. There were just a few shepherds in the field the night of Jesus’ birth, yet God thought, “It is worth it for me to send thousands of angels to proclaim peace on earth.” Your God loves you and comes to you through angels.

I classified this paragraph as Gospel, but parts of it are questionable. First, there is no call to repentance or mention of it (even though no sins have yet been identified, according to the Scriptures). The thought process goes: "You have sinned, but that sin doesn't harm you or your relationship with God, because your sins are already forgiven, so don't worry about it." This is not the proper application of the Gospel. Christ's atoning death on the cross and satisfaction for sin is mentioned nowhere.

Then it goes on to say, "So are your neighbor's sins." What does this mean? To whom is the Gospel being applied? If he means the person sitting next to me in church, for what purpose does he assure me that his sins are forgiven? If he means my atheist neighbor, then he's simply wrong. My atheist neighbor does not have the status of a forgiven child of God, for my atheist neighbor still rejects the Son of God and remains condemned in the devil's kingdom. If he wanted to say that Jesus died for my atheist neighbor and wants him to be saved, too, then he should have said that.



End of quotation.


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GJ - This UOJ they kill for is nothing more than an anti-Confessional, anti-Biblical, watered down version of Universalism. ELCA teaches the same thing, with a little more boldness.


The emulsifying pastors, who make oil and water mix so well, are the ones who pose as confessional Lutherans while peddling their UOJ. The result is - Leonard Sweet.


Two of the shills for UOJ, Paul McCain and Jay Webber, stalk the web, warning people against those who agree with the Book of Concord. Posting a blog comment is so much easier than earning a degree or writing a book. 


Thus the omnipresence of Sweet in the  conservative synods is the direct result of McCain, Webber, Buchholz, and the DPs and CPs of UOJdom.



Saturday, September 25, 2010

Joseph Schmidt Leaving WELS


Joseph Schmidt with Gerhard



SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2010
I Am Leaving The Wisconsin Synod
After much thought and consideration I have decided to leave the WELS due to the direction Church and Change is going. This group has repeatedly sought direction and instruction from false teachers such as Bill Hybels (http://www.willowcreek.com), Craig Groeschel (www.lifechurch.tv), Andy Stanley (http://www.northpoint.org) , and Leonard Sweet (http://www.leonardsweet.com) to name a few. I have little confidence that WELS will enact any kind of church discipline to bring Church and Change into line with genuine Lutheran doctrine and practice, but I pray God's Word will do its work and lead those teaching, inculcating, and promoting false doctrine to repentance.

***

GJ - That is the negative evangelism of Church and Change. Apostasy drives out the very people who would oppose the cancer while embracing the emulsifiers who blend oil and water, light and darkness, sound doctrine and false doctrine.

"White-washed sepulchres full of dead men's bones." Let's be more like Jesus and identify the Shrinker Pharisees for what they are.



---

twissted_sisster has left a new comment on your post "Joseph Schmidt Leaving WELS":

'Lord, grant while words endure,
We keep ITS teachings pure
Throughout all generations. Amen!'

It a sad commentary but it should be a glaring wake-up call for the WELS when long-time or lifelong members are talking about quitting due to doctrinal issues. We - here in this little forum- are just the tip of the iceberg. I think the C&C crowd would be happy to see us go because are on to them, see what they are up to, and don't like the light shining on it. We should never have had to wonder what comes next after the WELS but it's come to that. THEIR leaders are well known but who will lead our cause of confessional Lutheranism? There are plenty of followers out here!

Exposing the Synods





This is not kelmed in order to show how bad ELCA is, but to show how all the synods behave. The website is now linked on the left for readers 'convenience:


 
This March, Rev. Jason Cooper of Emanuel Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Strawberry Point, Iowa, gave a sermon on the topic of sexual immorality using scripture from the lectionary on 1 Corinthians 10.  (read here and listen here)

Toward the end of the service, a former church council president approached the microphone and voiced his disagreement with the message and claimed that Rev. Cooper had violated his "Letter of Call" for stating that the ELCA's new policies oppose God's directive in Scripture. (listen here - the last minute of the service)

This incident led to a meeting between Rev. Cooper, Northeast Iowa Synod Bishop Steven L. Ullestad and Assistant to the Bishop Mark Anderson.  Rev. Cooper explained that during the meeting Bishop Ullestad informed him that if the former church council president followed through with his claim against the pastor, Bishop Ullestad "would rule against me, that I had, in fact, violated my Letter of Call.  The only two things he specified, that I recall, was that I was a little too Catholic in my understanding of the .  .  . reason for sex.  The second thing was that he said I couldn't say that the ELCA had violated the will of God."

At a second meeting, Rev. Cooper said that Bishop Ullestad told him "You don't understand.  You could be in really serious trouble."  Rev. Cooper replied, "Do what you have to do . . . I stand by what I said."

Rev. Cooper went on to say that during the meeting there "really was a feeling that either I recant or I was done, at least from the synod's perspective."

To set the context, Rev. Cooper had been the pastor at Emanuel Lutheran for 6 years, and it was his first call.  The year prior to this incident, Rev. Cooper submitted his papers with the ELCA seeking a specific call, to which the bishop's office encouraged him to consider two or three other calls as well.  But Rev. Cooper did not feel God was calling him to any of those positions at the time.

In February of this year, Rev. Cooper again submitted his papers seeking a new call.  As of the first week of September, 2010, he has not received any profiles from any of the four ELCA synods to which he submitted his name, and none of the synods have talked with him.

According to Rev. Cooper, "When I asked the Bishop (Ullestad) flat out, 'Am I blacklisted?'  He said, 'Well, congregations don't want pastors who cause problems.'"

So let's look at Rev. Cooper's record.  Over the last 6 years, Emanuel Lutheran has met their expenses every year.  Their benevolence has been at least 10% to 20%.  They have seen an increase in worship attendance every year and received 40 new members in 2009, all in a town with a population of just over a 1000 people.

The only "problems" that Rev. Cooper can be accused of causing are that he took a public stand against the denomination's homosexuality policies and clearly stated that the ELCA is elevating their own view over the authority of Scripture.  Rev. Cooper believes this is why the ELCA has refused to work with him as he seeks to find a new call.

Based on Rev. Cooper's testimony, it seems clear that the denomination wants to deny pastors the freedom to express publicly their "bound conscience," if it does not line up with the ELCA's decisions.  It can further be understood that pastors are not to preach or teach anything other than what the ELCA social statement says.

With that in mind, pastors should remember that their responsibility is to faithfully live out his or her calling and the vows taken at ordination, most especially to teach and preach in accordance with the Holy Scriptures, the creeds and confessions.  We all are ultimately responsible to God and God alone.

It is wrong for the ELCA or any denomination to prohibit or discourage pastors from teaching from the Word of God. It appears that the ELCA is trying to silence orthodox pastors, which should cause all of us to question the ELCA's motives and actions.

(Rev. Jason Cooper resigned from the ELCA, Sept. 2010)



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From ALPB:

I am a pastor in the NE Iowa Synod. I know and vouch for Pr. Cooper. The blog article is accurate. I have both read and heard Pastor Cooper's sermon (back in April, about four weeks after the sermon). I've talked with Jason and with members of Emmanuel in Strawberry Point. The fact remains that Bishop Ullestad four times told Jason he had violated his letter of call by preaching the sermon he did (in which case, I have done that far more), yet the Bishop refused to initiate discipline, despite Pr. Cooper's repeated request that he do so; indeed, if the Bishop thought Pastor Cooper had violated his letter of call, then the Bishop should have been willling to back that up with the full weight of the discipline process.

Two more points of interest and follow-up:
1) Pastor Cooper is not a long-standing critic of the ELCA. In fact, he was dean of his conference through March of this year; he was a moderate who three years ago thought that pastors Hahn, Hatcher, and myself and others in Call to Faithfulness were a little too radical. Interesting thing is that the direction of the ELCA over the last two years opened Jason's eyes. BTW his sermon is not radical--it's simply Biblical and catholic.

2) Emmanuel, after Pr. Cooper left and led strictly by their lay leadership, passed a first vote to leave the ELCA on June 6, by 92-28. The second vote on Sept 12 fell one vote short with a 107-55 margin. The 28 pro-ELCA revisionists recruited 27 inactives who hadn't darkened the church doors for years (a lesson in the importance of having an up to date list of voting members). I doubt those 27 showed up this past Sunday at Emmanuel. Certainly the 107 did not--they, representing 75% of the active membership of Emmanuel, have left and begun a mission congregation (which I think will go NALC). My two congregations provided them with 70 LBW's for their first worship service this past Sunday (yesterday) at the Strawberry Point Civic Center--and the mission congregation worshiping at the civic center likely more than doubled the rump congregation that gathered at Emmanuel. Another pyrrhic victory for the revisionists at Emmmanuel and for the ELCA.

Ken
---

Jim,
No one else in terms of being told directly that they have violated their letter of call, as Pastor Cooper was (but I note that the Bishop explicitly refused to bring discipline charges against Pr. Cooper which of course would have required the Bishop to make public such a case vs. Pr. Cooper, which would also have put his "neutrality" principle and "bound conscience" on public display--and demonstrated the unworkable and empty nature of such principles and terms). However, with 38 pastoral vacancies in the synod, something does indeed seem to "be up" in that other orthodox pastors besides Jason Cooper, who have filed their mobility papers with the synod have been told that "congregations do not want pastors at either extreme on this issue." I think the Bishop's generalization does not speak for all the congregations seeking pastors (and note then that to be orthodox and to have spoken out on these issues make one an "extremist.") I know personally of orthodox pastors in other synods who have sought to have their mobility papers sent to the NE Iowa synod and who have been told that "we have no vacancies at the present time." There are congregations among the 38 vacancies who are going into their 3rd year without a pastor.
Ken

***

GJ - This example can be multiplied many times over. The established synods--whether far Left (ELCA) or Methodist Mild (LCMS, WELS, ELS)--are fascinated with their own power and saturated with doctrinal, financial, and moral corruption. All of them have been yammering about evangelism while driving out faithful members and pastors for decades.

They all talk about doctrine, too, but what do they promote? They spend most of their time and money on the latest bilge. They do a little bit to publish older material and whine, "But nobody buys it."

Thrifty pastors whose computer skills are limited to copying my Photoshops and Groeschel's sermons have a potential solution that meets their felt-needs.

Lulu.com is a user-friendly publishing service. Someone can write a book and publish it, with many promotional features, for free. The only cost will be ordering a proof copy, which is provided at the wholesale price (about 50% off).

Old-fashioned publishing - $10,00 to 25,000 per title.
Computerized publishing - $3,000 for ordering 1,000 copies, which have to be sold at a profit to get into the black.
Lulu publishing - $10 proof copy to get the final version in public view, with promotion through Google. $200 to make it an e-book with Apple.

Starting a church:
ELCA/WELS/LCMS model - Spend $1 million buying land, providing mission or salary support.
Independent model - Find an inexpensive meeting place, use a computer and broadband to broadcast and save the services. Very little cost.

More people are now outside of the synods and calling themselves Lutheran than those who are members of synods. Decades of unfaithfulness to the Word have accomplished this.

MLS Graduate Makes a Suggestion



Buckle your seatbelts.
It's going to be a bumpy ride.



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

I am a huge fan of Pres. Schroeder. I was estatic when he was elected to lead our synod. I had high hopes to see real progress on putting an end to the sanctioned apostasy. I've written him emails of support and he's expressed a bit of frustration. I don't know where or how we can help. Maybe a good start would be a several page article in the next issue of FIC, written by Pres. Schroeder himself, laying out what is actually going on in the synod and his efforts to put an end to it. He should name names so that everything is an open book. Let the chips fall where they may. You could respect the guy for doing something like that. The average joe sitting in the pew may not even know and may be shocked to learn what has been going on. It may wake up alot of folks.

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Friday, September 24, 2010

Remember What It Takes To Be Removed from the WELS Pastoral List



This has been used to get rid of WELS pastors:

  • Criticizing reliance on AAL.
  • Questioning the use of the NIV.
  • Opposing the doctrine of the Church Growth Movement. 
  • Disagreeing with an article written by a Daddy Warbucks.
  • Tagging a public sidewalk, even though restitution was made immediately.
  • Writing a letter about the error of "making disciples."


The following events or reasons did not keep someone from receiving another call, being promoted, or being put on the CRM list.

  1. Murdering or helping to murder his wife.
  2. Molesting girls in the congregation while serving as DP for two decades.
  3. Teaching the Joy of Sex to minors in prep school.
  4. Embezzlement from the congregation, school, or synod.
  5. False doctrine.
  6. Adultery.
  7. Abandoning his wife and five children to run off - punished with an ELS call.
  8. Attending Fuller Seminary and lying about it.
  9. Obstruction of justice in a felony investigation.
  10. DUI conviction.
  11. Plagiarizing false doctrine. 
  12. Copying Groeschel's sermons and graphics, deceiving people about the source, even though Groeschel himself advises against such dishonesty.

ELCA Practices Fellowship

Gnesio “It is the nature of all hypocrites and false prophets to create a conscience where there is none, and to cause conscience to disappear where it does exist.” - Martin Luther


Faithful follower Stan Olson promoted communion with the Reformed and recognition of the Lavender Mafia.
One thing cannot be tolerated, as the post below reveals:



ALPB Forum:

I recently shared a post about actions I heard that was being made in our synod's.  I apologize that I was emotionally responding to something I heard.  To those I misrepresented I apologize to the bishop and the dean.  I pray that before we post on these web sites we take time to clarify what we heard and keep our emotions in check.  I am sorry to those I offended.  Hence, I removed the original post.  I contacted the dean to ask for clarity on what actually was said.  He graciously sent me an email of his report.  I would like to share what was actually written.

"Concerning the relationship to clergy who have left the ELCA -  Such conversations have already been taking place in conferences.    It was agreed that deaneries and clusters are for ELCA rostered leaders and synodically authorized ministers only.  In other settings, like local ministerial associations or lectionary study groups, relationships may be similar to those of other denominations, which are part of that group.  We trust that those who have left the ELCA will find collegiality with partners in their church body.

Concerning clergy (Retired, On Leave from Call, Specialized Ministry) who may be asked to provide  Sunday supply for a congregation which has left the ELCA -  Please remember that such congregations have decided to join a new Lutheran church body and should find such persons in that body for Sunday supply.  It is not appropriate for ELCA clergy to serve in such circumstances.  If there are specific instances you feel require conversation, please contact the bishop.
 

Concerning persons who interfere in the life of a neighboring congregation -  It is inappropriate at an ELCA event (congregational or conference) to distribute information from other church bodies (e.g., LCMC/NALC/etc.) and encourage members to pursue leaving the ELCA.  This has happened mostly by laypersons who have attended a Bible study, fellowship event, etc., and who have brought written information to share.  The local pastor is encouraged to speak privately with such person/s to prevent such interference and invite such person/s to leave the event if the interference continues.

Again here is what actually was shared.  Thank you for reading this post.

***

GJ - Does anyone else see the hilarity of this information? ELCA is in fellowship with Rome (joint parish), all the Reformed sects, the liberal Baptists, and in a de facto merger with the Episcopal Church USA. Someone in the far out all religions lead to God UCC sect can also have a call in ELCA and vice versa. BUT - they are not in fellowship with anyone who has left ELCA. Those dreadful people have no business being anywhere near an ELCA gather of any type. Nor should they expect mercy for they deserve none.

---

Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "ELCA Practices Fellowship":

Pastor Jackson, I believe you are pointing out the hypocrisy in the fellowship actions of the ELCA and are not implying that fellowship should continue where confession of doctrine has divided them.

Correct me if I'm making the wrong assumption.

Doctrine has divided them and that division needs to be maintained fully while their confession of doctrine is opposed. Scripture isn't man's doctrine but God's. Certainly for ELCA it is merely removing the fly legs from the soup and leaving the rotting carcass basting. Nonetheless it's something to be considered by every member of the Lutheran [sic] denominations.

So far there hasn't been any WELS spittle the ELS wouldn't lick or imitate.

Just sayin'...

***

GJ - Yes, ELCA is hypocritical, but they do have standards. ELCA works with Missouri, WELS, and the ELS, too, but only on ELCA's terms. ELCA's problem is with those who have left, which proves that they really do care that so many are leaving, so much money is disappearing, and the come-outters are urging their ELCA brethren to join them.

I have read hints that a number of ELCA seminaries are in deep financial stress.

They Trust in Foundations, Daddy Warbucks, and Thrivent,
Not in the Word of God




I expect nothing to happen among the Syn Conference partners. The leaders are committed to keeping the status quo, which means not offending the Daddy Warbucks while kissing up to the foundations and Thrivent.

Long-time readers will recall that the solution for Rock N Roll Lutheran Church in Round Rock, Texas (WELS), was a $200,000 grant to hire a worship leader. At one point, Rock N Roll had 30 people attending and two full-time staffers. Most people think the pastor is the worship leader, but Doebler probably had his hands full planning growth and listening to Kudu Don's hunting tales.

The Daddy Warbucks are consistent Enthusiasts. They always back Shrinker programs, in spite of the obvious false doctrine, laziness, and stupidity involved. Businessmen are experts in their own business but nothing more. However, the woebegone milkman in Fiddler on the Roof had it figured out in "If I Were a Rich Man."

The most important men in town would come to fawn on me!
They would ask me to advise them,
Like a Solomon the Wise.
"If you please, Reb Tevye..."
"Pardon me, Reb Tevye..."
Posing problems that would cross a rabbi's eyes!


And it won't make one bit of difference if I answer right or wrong.
When you're rich, they think you really know!

That is why the synods drift off into the pseudo-business lingo of the Shrinkers.

The synods do not trust that God will work through the Word. Therefore, anyone who rocks the boat is the enemy.

The ELS was furious, long ago, when I sent an article about Marvin Schwan to Christian News. In that article, Daddy IcecreamBucks bragged that he got rid of his first wife for $1 million and a Cadillac.

As I recall, Otten told me about how upset the ELS was about that article. I said, "It was not a secret. It was already in Forbes." He said something like this, "They say no one in the ELS reads Forbes."

The ELS did not want a harpoon in their whale, even if it came from Schwan in the first place. St. Marvin married the wife of one of his managers. Mrs. Schwan.2 became a Lutheran, but returned to Romanism when Marvin suddenly reached room temperature. That cluster of events probably sealed the ELS conviction that money is efficacious. Money converted Mrs. Schwan.2 to Lutheranism and unconverted her when the bulk of the fortune was left to his foundation.

Was the ELS furious that Floyd Stolzenburg was their new sugar-daddy, working with Thoughts of Faith to build a Ukraine parish building? Not at all. Someone got involved and won a matching grant from Schwan, to leverage the gift from Floyd's Masonic CG church. Sure, the female treasurer working for Floyd went to jail for embezzling, but that probably had nothing to do with the wonderful work they were doing with John Shep, Roger Kovaciny, and Jay Webber. To make an omelet, a few eggs must be broken.

The synods are so much in awe of their foundations, Daddy Warbucks, and Thrivent that they will throw everything away while the foundation of the Church--the Word--is abandoned.

Two Synods, One Organization - WELS




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

I am WELS and also a MLS grad. Scott, like you, I believe a split in the WELS is inevitable. I say the sooner the better. There are two different churches playing out and the time is coming when we will all have to make a choice. Even those people who don't know, don't care, or just have their heads in the sand will have to soon stand up and make that choice. The silence coming from Milwaukee makes me wonder where is our SP on these vital matters? I'm sure he's in the minority being a confessional Lutheran in the synod headquarters but he would surely gain alot of respect from the rank and file if he'd start cleaning house. Most people would back him for routing out those who would 'set at naught all He hath done.'

---

erickel (http://erickel.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Sesame Street Goes Soft Core, In Spite of Katy Pe...":

Even Sesame Street practices higher moral standards than The CORE!

***

GJ - A clue about what is happening - all the DPs were re-elected. In WELS, a DP has to be convicted and sent to state prison, like DP Ed Werner, before he leaves office.

AnnMarie, the visiting theologian at Mary Lou College, thinks Islam is tolerant. No sect is more tolerant than WELS.


Thursday, September 23, 2010

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.  

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Congratulations, Fox Valley, and Deputy Doug Englebrecht.
You worked hard for this achievement.
Take your bows and salute your Father Below.


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