Tim Glende's Anonymous Blog Described

Reaching out with our fangs fantastic programs,
soiling the Confessions spoiling the Egyptians.


rwakeman (http://rwakeman.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Fox Valley High School WELS Played This Video for ...":

One read of the Fake-O-Bod should tell you everything you need to know about WELS leadership. They are mean and nasty.

The Boomers Got Their Cheap Seminary Education, Only To Stick the Next Generations with Harvard Costs and Mudville Quality

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Twitter Advice Sought

Some of you use Twitter and know more about it. Clearly its use is omnipresent among the youth and very handy for instant communication.

I am using it now to promote the new posts. I would like to add the social networking buttons below each post but my efforts have failed so far.

One reason I got into this new format was the promise I could add the social network boxes easily. I pasted the code in the right place (I thought) but nothing showed up.

Let me know if you can help.

I do not use mobile devices, but lots of people do, so they can use Twitter for updates. So if you join as a follower you will get instant updates you can re-Tweet (as they say in Twitterland) Ichabod posts. I know The SORE backers are daily communicants at Ichabod and love to use Twitter.

A Reader Sent This Graphic

SIECUS Could Not Have Done It Better Than The SORE - Here Is Why

Paid fly-by.
SEEK US would be a good motto for this operation.


A keen observer of WELS and the cultural climate wrote:

I do have some observations re: the sex ed youtube. Outrageous as it is on the surface, obviously WELS hasn't a clue about Behavioral Psychology and the effect of "role playing" on those who assume the identity (role) of others and this time the role of the Devil. Behaviorists know that once ideas are verbalized by language a threshold becomes crossed by the person who might not otherwise verbalize or express what the character played says. It involves an element of giving ones self over to the characterizing of the character portrayed in order to be convincing. It is a dangerous thing to do especially with a subject having to do with a titillating subject for the purpose of "educating"?

The young man portraying the Devil is either a very well trained professional actor or he was enjoying playing the part of the Devil. Behaviorists know that repeated verbalization of words, phrases, and ideas once considered objectionable, become easier and easier to accommodate
and assimilate as acceptable and eventually "normal". They know that "role playing" works to break down barriers including moral barriers of society. That is why it is used so much in corporate, education, etc.(and yes churches) to create conformity and "group think".

The danger for the soul of an actor who plays the Devil exists not only for himself, but for the hearers who become accustomed to the language. In the case of the WELS youtube....SEICUS couldn't have done it any better. There can be a place for theater or drama, but many years ago Missouri Synod had provisional membership for people who were actors or involved in theater, for the very reason of the dangers to the soul when putting one's own "self" aside in order to assume the persona of a character played. Such display as this latest from WELS is soul destroying in more than one way.

When some of us who were opposing the Human Potential exercises being imposed on classrooms in public schools years ago, one exercise to make profanity and profane ideas acceptable and common place, was for the teacher (facilitator) to encourage students to shout out every "forbidden" word and phrase they could think of.

The teacher (facilitator) would write the words and phrases on the blackboard, then everyone in attendance was instructed to repeat all the words and phrases until saying the words and phrases was no longer uncomfortable. Dramatization such as demonstrated in the sex ed youtube will be just as effective to break down any Biblical moral restraints remaining in WELS..

My name appears on articles, letters to the editor etc., on a regular basis with unpopular and politically incorrect ideas, and if slings and arrows come, unless it is for a "fact" correction, I consider such as having succeeded in touching a nerve. When one is identified with one's own words, and when one's writing is proven to be correct, it is easier to say, "I told you so".

Mary Thompson

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samuelthrace has left a new comment on your post "SIECUS Could Not Have Done It Better Than The SORE...":

I can't recall a bigger load of psychological claptrap in my life! So does this mean that no one should play Macbeth on stage for fear of becoming a murderous pretender to the Scottish throne?

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GJ - OpenID - no profile. That is curious because WELS uses a role playing model to mold their sausages at The Sausage Factory. This secret initiation rite, called GA, is still being held in secret for the chosen few. The heart of GA is indeed role playing. The upperclassmen play one side or the other. The Softs or Pietists pretend to help the incoming students. The Hards aggressively persecute the students. The big climax is when the newcomers run through the doors, frightened of the Hards pursuing them. A big beer party awaits on the other side. Deception is theme, and WELS clergy forever play that game. Of course, GA is a big secret. No one can tell anyone. If someone begins GA knowing about the deception, he really gets it.

Role-playing is used to make the students fit in. Various other methods make sure all the students graduate just the same - like sausages; hence the ELS nickname for Mequon - The Sausage Factory.

I would hesitate to say no other clergy are two-faced, but WELS pastors do their sect proud in their double-talk. If the WELS pastor is taking a sympathetic approach with a layman, he is just as likely to switch sides when it really matters.

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Rev. Fr. Spencer has left a new comment on your post "SIECUS Could Not Have Done It Better Than The SORE...":

The current cesspit of the WELS is the Core in the city of Green Bay. Lest someone think this too harsh or unbrotherly, remember that a sewer is simply "a collection system that transports only the liquid portion of wastewater through small-diameter pipes laid at contour," while a cesspit or cesspool is "a pit, conservancy tank, or covered cistern, which can be used for sewage or refuse." [Thanks Wikipedia!] Thus, the Fox River may be termed the sewer of the WELS, transporting religious excrement, theological waste, and spiritual fecal matter downhill toward the Core located in Green Bay, which then becomes the collection point for such waste. An apt description of the situation, no? I think yes. But that's just my own personal opinion.

The Gadfly

Between This Video and the MLC Gay Video - Why Join WELS?

This video was also featured at Ski's sexucation class at Fox Valley High School - WELS.

Everyone invited. Aimed at minors.

Stupidity like this got Aaron Frey canned at Michigan Lutheran Seminary.

No wonder Glende blogged in support of Frey. Birds of a feather Tweet together.

Thrivent supported.

Groeschel produced it.

I am sure SP Schroeder will send a fierce email, carefully nuanced.


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"Special thanks to our promotional partners

1. Thrivent Financial - Joint Ministry with ELCA
2. WEMI - Schwaermer Family Radio
3. Christian Family Counseling - a ministry of WLCFS"

Fox Valley High School WELS Played This Video for Ski's Sexucation Class

Brought to you by the indolence of the COP, the hands-off of the SP, the protection of the DP, the spinelessness of the district, and Fake-O-Bod's Tim Glende.

I could only watch a few seconds of this tripe. I thought Beavis and Butthead swore off Groeschel. The DP lied and credibility died.

Groeschel Alive and Well at The SORE, Thanks To Englebrecht's Anything Goes District

Beavis: "So Doug says no more Groeschel outlines. Heh heh heh." Butthead: "But nothing about Groeschel videos." Slaver. Slaver.

A reader writes,

Deputy Pope Engelbrecht forced Ski to stop using Groeschel?   Were his fingers crossed?   

At the Fox Valley Lutheran  Sexed event last night, the tweens were shown Groeschel skit videos.  Two are linked. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxABegyOjHw 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGyWKjth0ek 

Is Satan really just a casual, humorous fellow?  Does the Devil wear sequins, or the flayed skins of Faithless sinners?  

Guess which insurance company down the road from FVL bought the  cookies for the festivities? 

Extra credit for guessing which downtown church FVL promoted in the fill in the blank lecture handout.

Commentary on the Stolzenburg Case

Tim Glende is the product of St. Paul German Village harboring and promoting Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, so do not say this is old news. This is current.

2010
ELS Pastor Jay Webber (also Board of Doctrine) has been busy contacting the Intrepid Lutherans about my low opinion of his work. He is claiming he explained everything to me - wrong. Using someone else as a go-between is a typical WELS/ELS tactic and does not speak well anyone going along with the tactic. Matthew 18 applies to the manipulator and the manipulatee.

Readers know I am in constant contact with the laity and pastors of the ELS, WELS, and LCMS. That means they know how to reach me directly - and do so with frequency. Various WELS leaders use WELS Pastor Steve Spencer as my social secretary, which says a lot about the leaders, all that Matthew 18 stuff they love to apply to others.

WELS Pastor Tim Glende has provided a surprising amount of fodder for this blog. He grew up at St. Paul German Village, where Stolzenburg planted himself and began promoting himself as a Church Growth expert. Stolzenburg and Zehms, both divorced, did their best to ruin Columbus--protected by WELS officials--before Zehms was given a job at WELS Lutherans for Life and Floyd was promoted to a Masonic, independent church.

I contend that St. Peter Freedom, Wisconsin, and The SORE are the direct results of WELS/ELS promoting false doctrine and clergy adultery in Columbus. Credit also goes to the Shrinkers at Mequon, The Love Shack, and Church and Change.

I could discuss many more details and name people. One woman was so terrified that the family moved to another location. That is all I need to say.

Thrown out of LCMS, Adopted by WELS

Stolzenburg was the senior pastor at Salem in Black Jack (Northern St. Louis) when the DP forced him to resign on Saturday and preached for him on Sunday. Floyd's first wife sued him for divorce and his girlfriend's husband sued everyone. Both lawsuits are public documents. Various other revolting details have been provided by the pastor who worked with Floyd at Salem, the DP who canned him, and some LCMS pastors.

The WELS members were told Floyd had a "Scriptural divorce," that anything said against him was persecution.

Floyd's first wife moved to Columbus and Floyd followed. He could not get a job in education so he drummed up the idea of a Church Growth agency, which was named Lutheran Parish Resources. The board did not want to hire him at all, so they hired another divorced Shrinker, Roger Zehms (now with Mark Jeske). The loot was doubled so Floyd could have his job. He attended all Columbus WELS meetings - the circuit never met for years until I mentioned that fact. That was a constitutional requirement but VP Kuske had his own rules from the GA Handbook of Malice and Deceit.

Floyd never worked with the Columbus WELS Lutherans For Life chapter. He assumed he was in charge of everything else, every parish as well. He butted into everything, even phoning prospects and warning them against joining my congregation. He promoted himself to give a paper at a WELS conference and claimed he was invited to do so.

Circuit Pastor John Seifert knew all the details and did nothing. He urged me to put DP Mueller on trial, but refused to help in any way. That is how DPs get elected. The District Mission Board (Wally Oelhafen, Fred Adrian) also knew. Wally said, "I am so glad you are there in Columbus, Greg. I hate to think what it would be like otherwise." He had a different story at meetings, joining Kuske in the Sisera method of counseling.

Thoughts of Faith, ELS
I mailed plenty of material to the ELS as well - George Orvick, Gaylin Schmeling, Jay Webber. I told future WELS VP Huebner that I had "Ministry of Xeroxing," which made him turn pale.

Shep was running TOF at that point, with money from St. Marvin Schwan. As I recall, Kovaciny was called to the Ukraine first. Somewhere around that time Shep contacted me, but my wife was already disabled. WELS pastors, subservient to the Eighth Commandment, said she was not sick at all. A weirder story came from Seifert's own daughter. I wonder where she heard it.

Zehms was invited to the Ukraine but Shep said his divorce and Church Growth fanaticism made him ineligible. There was some sort of dust-up and Zehms was very unhappy, according to Shep (who is now an ELCA pastor).

The last straw for me was WELS promoting Stolzenburg into a parish, knowing full well about his past and his false doctrine. After a few years of pounding by me, the officials finally admitted some of it, with a modified limited hang-out.

I resigned from WELS but DP Mueller/VP Kuske tried to ban me from preaching the last few Sundays. These were the same thugs who could not do enough to get Floyd back into the ministry. Of course, Seifert and all the capons of the Michigan District were silent.

Webber and TOF
ELS Pastor Jay Webber was outraged that Stolzenburg was working with Thoughts of Faith through Roger Kovaciny. He demanded to know if I placed the item in Christian News about this. He was going to oppose it. Pretty soon he was talking about going there himself. Later he had no problems with loot coming from Stolzenburg.

Kovaciny would travel back to the States and raise money for his own salary, preaching and teaching at Floyd's Masonic church while going around to WELS congregations.

Former members of that church (Emmanuel) were disgusted with Floyd being forced upon them, so they mailed me all his newsletters, quoted in the other post. Obviously Kovaciny was their pet missionary. The Little Sect on the Prairie was apparently hankering to add another church to their quiver. ELS SP Orvick had no problem with Masons. His Madison congregation grew by his welcoming of Masons. St. Paul German Village also communed Masons, one secretly.

Stolzenburg featured Thoughts of Faith all the time on his website, as if they had joined the ELS and were members in good standing.

Obviously something official was happening. St. Marvin Schwan gave Stolzenburg a matching grant for raising money to build a church in the Ukraine. According to Shep, that was about $35,000. They named the new church Emmanuel, after the Masonic one. Doesn't that make tears well up in your eyes? Mine too.

I heavily promoted Stolzenburg's connections with the ELS and TOF. Eventually his website went silent and no more photos were published about the Ukraine. That did not mean the relationship changed. The ELS and WELS are all about perception, not reality.

Kovaciny left the Ukraine for a time and came back. There was a concerted effort to toss Shep out, so he became an ELCA pastor.

Some people worry that I am a Shep fan. He sent my of my contacts an email asking what she knew about me, did she think I was normal. At the same time he sent an email to one of his generous financial supporters, praising me to the sky. I emailed the negative email to the supporter, who forwarded it to Shep and asked about it. He never replied.

Conclusion
Jay Webber belongs to that long parade of ELS/WELS clergy enablers who did nothing to stop Stolzenburg - who did everything possible to place him in another pulpit and parade him around as a good example, a pastor in their fellowship (without joining). They shut their eyes to his infidelity to his wife, his false doctrine, and his ineligibility to serve as a pastor. "Apt to teach" and "husband of one wife" are requirements, not suggestions.

KJV 1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

When people cluck their tongues about sexual abuse in the Church of Rome, I say, "But I saw the same cover-ups going on in the Lutheran church, and the clergy get married there."

Jay Webber, John Shep, DP Seifert, VP Kuske, Kovaciny and Shrinker Stolzenburg

Does anyone see the doctrinal connection between the Kuske/Stolzenburg stealth mission and The SORE?

Floyd Luther Stolzenburg was never a member of WELS, yet WELS paid him a fortune to be the Shrinker guru for Columbus WELS, with Roger Zehms, also divorced but a WELS ex-pastor. Jay Webber, John Shep, and Roger Kovaciny (all ELS pastors) took over fellowship with Stolzenburg after WELS got Floyd an independent church, where he still serves.


Results from searching the legendary Megatron database for Stolzenburg.

Commentary linked here.

First Stolzenburg Was Forced To Resign from the LCMS Ministry
Separation agreement, July 24, 1986. Floyd Luther Stolzenburg and Jane Dorothy Stolzenburg. Sole care, custody and control of the minor children given to Jane.

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Floyd’s Promise To Commune Masonic Lodge Members
While “Serving” WELS As a Non-WELS Member
"I would also convey to you that I will continue to commune lodge members as long as I feel assured that they know and believe that their salvation is by faith."

"Please feel free to contact Pastors Kuske or Schumann or come and hear for yourself."
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg Letter to Emmanuel, 9-20-91,
Lutheran Parish Resources letterhead "
Serving the congregations of the Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod"

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How Floyd Started LPR with Church Growth Doctrine
46 from St. Paul's attended the Win Arn Church Growth seminar, including Floyd Stolzenburg, George Skestos, Vicar Mike Nitz, etc. March and April, 1985.

"He has served as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Charles, Missouri and Senior Pastor of Salem Lutheran Church in Florissant, Missouri...He is trained in the Bethel Bible Series, Church Growth program and Dialogue Evangelism. As a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Columbus, he now seeks a different form of Christian service, outside the pastoral office."
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, "The Homewood Church Enrichment Program,"

"In the autumn of 1985 and the winter of 1985-1986, a truly momentous step was taken by the five Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) congregations in the metropolitan area of Columbus, Ohio. The five pastors and lay representatives of those churches organized and incorporated Lutheran Parish Resources, Inc., the first Church Growth institute in the WELS." David G. Peters, "Lutheran Parish Resources: Pilot Program in Church Growth," Mequon: Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, April 27, 1987 p. 1.

"Lutheran Parish Resources, Inc. (LPR) is dedicated to the concepts of the Church Growth movement only insofar as they agree with the Scriptures and as taught by the WELS--that is, Church Growth with Lutheran theology rather than Evangelical, and without the typical Church Growth emphasis on quantitative measurement of growth. Kent R. Hunter's definition of 'Church Growth' justifies the use of this term in describing LPR: 'Church Growth: That science which investigates the nature, function and health of Christian churches as they relate specifically to the effective implementation of God's commission to make disciples of all peoples (Matt. 28:19). Church Growth is simultaneously a theological conviction and an applied science,....' Foundations for Church Growth, p. 187.
David G. Peters, "Lutheran Parish Resources: Pilot Program in Church Growth," Mequon: Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, April 27, 1987 p. 1.

"Consultant, Lutheran Parish Resources, Inc., Columbus, Ohio, 1985-1991, as a consultant for this program, I worked with the training of pastors and lay people for effective ministry in leadership skills, Sunday School organization and teaching, youth ministry, outreach, stewardship and care ministry. I continue to work with supervision of some of these programs. Semior Pastor, Salem Lutheran Church and School, Florissant, Missouri, 1976-1985. (nothing said about being removed from the ministry) Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church and School, St. Charles, Missouri, 1968-1976. Floyd Luther Stolzenburg 2904 Maryland Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43209-1157 614-235-5200.

"People Person: Have been recognized as a counselor and mediator. Brought harmony to what was once described as 'the most troubled Lutheran church in America. Personal: Born, December 6, 1941, Columbus. Married, three children. Spiritual gifts: Exhortation, teaching, administration and evangelism.
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg 2904 Maryland Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43209-1157 614-235-5200

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Thoughts of Faith, Webber, Kovaciny,
Shep, and Stolzenburg

"Since the salary of Pastor Kovaciny and their basic expenses are paid through the 'Thoughts of Faith' ministry, we will continue to include the overall work in our regular budget." Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Cornerstone, Emmanuel Lutheran Church Columbus, Ohio October, 1994.

"...the Ukraine project of Thoughts of Faith (Pastor Kovaciny)" Use of mission funds. Charlotte Proctor, treasurer. [The female treasurer of Emmanuel went to jail for embezzling.]
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Cornerstone, Emmanuel Lutheran Church Columbus, Ohio November, 1995.

Recording secretary, Christine E. Scheiderer; treasurer, Charlotte Proctor.
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Cornerstone, Emmanuel Lutheran Church Columbus, Ohio November, 1995

"Pastor Kovaciny, in an effort to respond to our request, sent a copy of the third quarter treasurer's report of the Ukrainian congregation, signed by the treasurer and written in his own hand. We thought you might enjoy seeing it! You should be aware that our budget offering goes to pay for Pastor Kovaciny's salary and expenses through 'Thoughts of Faith,' the radio ministry which has been bringing the Gospel to the Ukraine for many years...."
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Cornerstone, Emmanuel Lutheran Church Columbus, Ohio January, 1995.

"All designated funds for Thoughts of Faith are spent on the program for which they are designated by the donor. Funds not designated by the donor are used to pay for administrative expenses. Thoughts of Faith would like to thank our congregation for our support towards this important work in spreading the gospel throughout the world."
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Cornerstone, Emmanuel Lutheran Church Columbus, Ohio November, 1995.

"About Missions" c. Thoughts of Faith through the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, d. St. Sophia Lutheran Seminary-Ukraine.
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Cornerstone Emmanuel Lutheran Church Columbus, Ohio August, 1996.

"From the Mission Committee...Good News from the Ukraine Reproduced at the bottom of this page is the masthead from the Ukrainian Lutheran, which has now been published by our mission in Ukraine for two years and grows in circulation with each issue."
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Cornerstone Emmanuel Lutheran Church Columbus, Ohio November 1996.

"EMMANUEL SAVES BIBLE SCHOOL! A SPECIAL MESSAGE was just received from Pastor Kovaciny to let us know that Emmanuel's Mission offerings have rescued their Bible School this summer!...[Pastor Kovaciny] writes to tell us about it. 'As we looked forward to an even more successful program this coming summer, we were told by our sponsoring organization that our Bible School budget had been cut by $8,000. It seems that some people in charge believe that we have been too successful and they need to put their funds toward programs in other areas which are lagging behind.' (Pastor Kovaciny)"
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Cornerstone Emmanuel Lutheran Church Columbus, Ohio June 1998.

"In the midst of all the positive, exciting things Pastor Kovaciny had to say about the mission work being done in the Ukraine, he constantly mentioned the most pressing problem, a lack of space...As he spoke to us about the many needs, he mentioned the possibility of building achurch of the approximate square footage of our sanctuary (though not nearly as elaborate) for $50,000...Pastor Kovaciny, obviously excited about the possibility, has agreed that the new church would be named Emmanuel Lutheran and would have a picture of the 'mother church' prominently displayed in the new building."
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, "From the Mission Committee, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Kremnetz, Ukraine, Emmanuel Lutheran Church #899, August, 1999 1500 South Third Street, Columbus, Ohio 43207-1000 .

"We supplied funds for our missionaries in the Ukraine, and the Gideons." Sherry Huffman, Sunday School.
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Cornerstone Emmanuel Lutheran Church Columbus, Ohio February 1999.

"Pastor Kovaciny, obviously excited about the possibilities, has agreed that the new church would be named Emmanuel Lutheran and would have a picture of the 'mother church' prominently displayed in the new building."
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ohio #899 for August, 1999 1500 South Third Street Columbus, Ohio 43207 $50,000 to be raised.

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Stolzenburg and LPR

"Most pastors and members do not seem willing to pay the price for growth and new life." Floyd Stolzenburg, Consultant's Annual Report, 1-12-89 Lutheran Parish Resources

"The area L.W.M.S. annual retreat has been created and led by L.P.R. General successes in this area have been very positive."
Floyd Stolzenburg, Consultant's Annual Report, 1-12-89 Lutheran Parish Resources. [GJ – He was famous for his “work” with women’s retreats in the LCMS.]

"L.P.R. is due to play a major role in the West Side Mission." [Pilgrim Community Church] Floyd Stolzenburg, Consultant's Annual Report, 1-12-89 Lutheran Parish Resources "There is a strong feeling of strength in tradition. Even non-doctrinal issues bring fear to the membership and an unwillingness on the part of staff to 'buck the system.' In a church that opposes other groups who trust in traditions, are we raising 'We've always done it that way' to the level of Scripture? Is it possible for our faith to be exciting and still be traditional?"
Floyd Stolzenburg, Consultant's Annual Report, 1-12-89 Lutheran Parish Resources.

"In the doctrinal sense, the word 'fellowship' may have hindered some growth by the fear of new techniques and ministries. There seems to be an openness to new programs but also a fear that such new ideas may destroy some facets of the doctrine of church fellowship. Will that inevitably happen?"
Floyd Stolzenburg, Consultant's Annual Report, 1-12-89 Lutheran Parish Resources.

"CHURCH GROWTH. This program was basically the beginning of L.P.R. at St. Paul's. Certainly a church growth consciousness exists in all of the congregations which was not there four years ago. It is also evident that most of the congregations are not really willing to make church growth a major priority of their ministry. Some new people who visit our churches are turned off by the comments of church members. It would seem that many members will 'tolerate' growth if it does not upset the church's traditions."
Floyd Stolzenburg, Consultant's Annual Report, 1-12-89 Lutheran Parish Resources.

Stolzenburg, Kuske, and Zehms –
The Stealth Congregation That Failed
"Initial services will be less formal than our traditional worship services. LPR Director Roger Zehms has been requested by Beautiful Savior to serve as pastor of the new mission with Floyd Stolzenburg serving as evangelist and music consultant. Please include this new approach project in your prayers."
LPR UPDATE October, 1989.

"Our decision not to use the name Lutheran in the name of the congregation seems to have caused some concern. We point you to the Lutheran confessions which clearly state that a name is an adiaphoron. So only when not using the name is a denial of what the name stands for is there a problem. We reject the inferences that have been drawn that have been drawn that it is our intention to deny the biblical teach (ibid. conservative Lutheran teaching). Put in very practical terms our question is: Can we reach more of the unchurched if we can begin with sin and grace, guilt and forgiveness, rather than having to deal with lodge, scouts, the vagaries of ELCA, etc. at the beginning." [unchurched and at the beginning in bold print]
District VP Paul Kuske Letter to the Ohio Conference Pilgrim Community Church, sponsored from Grove City by Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church Fall Conference, Gibsonia, 1989

"Mr. Floyd Stolzenburg will serve under Rev Zehms providing such services as are appropriate for a person who is not 'CRM.' As a layperson Mr. Stolzenburg can under appropriate supervision do anything that a layman in your congregation can. -- We also reject any inference that Pastor Zehms will not be able to stand up to pressure from Mr. Stolzenburg, or from the donor who provides the funds for LPR. -- We also question the procedure in which the reason for Mr. Stolzenburg's resignation has been broadcast, even though the issues had been addressed by LPR." [Not true. People were told Floyd had a Scriptural divorce, that the divorce was the fault of his first wife.] Pastor Paul Kuske Letter to the Ohio Conference Pilgrim Community Church, sponsored from Grove City by Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church Fall Conference, Gibsonia, 1989

"The administrative committee has applied to Lutheran Parish Resources for the services of Rev Roger Zehms. This application is the equivalent of a (limited) call. The committee has also applied for the services of Mr. Floyd Stolzenburg to act in a supportive role in the mission. Both of these applications have been approved." Pastor Paul Kuske Letter to the Ohio Conference Pilgrim Community Church, sponsored from Grove City by Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church Fall Conference, Gibsonia, 1989.

"The consultants were to be hired, so two men were interviewed. Roger Zehms was engaged first. Since George Skestos admired Floyd's gifts, he chose to provide an additional salary for Floyd as a second consultant...As the consultants serve in the congregations, they served under a 'limited call,' similar to the call of a Sunday School teacher or a church officer."
District VP Paul Kuske, Letter to the Michigan District Mission Board, April 21, 1990 p. 2.

"BUT I would suggest that some of the essential criticisms that have been used by Pastor Jackson and published are invalid. Please, examine the three column layout on the cherry sheet." [After conceding that Church Growth is Reformed] Note: the cherry sheet sets up a straw man argument which bristles which sarcasm, such as: "If Pastor Jackson is consistent with the criticisms he has published, he would have to say:...Paul really goofed. Look how few were converted. (Oops! I don't really mean to put a CGM argument into Greg's mouth.)"
District VP Paul Kuske, Letter to Michigan District Mission Board, April 21, 1990 p. 5.

"To Floyd's credit, it should be pointed out that Floyd could have tried to ingratiate himself into St. Paul's while Pastor Roehl's health was declining and taken over the pastorate and there would not have been a thing that WELS could have done about it."
District VP Paul Kuske, Letter to Michigan District Mission Board, April 21, 1990 p. 6.

"Are pastor's (sic) bound by the 8th Commandment? LPR knew about Floyd's background from the beginning. What right did Pastor Jackson have to assume that we were being duped? What right did Pastor Jackson have to investigate, without even asking people at LPR about their knowledge? What right did Pastor Jackson have spreading this investigative information to the young pastors of the Ohio Conference? What right did he have to spread it to the DMB?" [Note: Pastor Jackson was not told the truth about Floyd being removed from the LCMS ministerium, either by Paul Kuske, who led the call meeting at Shepherd of Peace, or by Wally Oelhafen, who discussed the call with Pastor Jackson. The mission counselor and others were told that Floyd had a Scriptural divorce. Pastors are supposed to protect their congregations from wolves, but the truth makes enemies, as Walther has said in Law and Gospel.]
District VP Paul Kuske, Letter to Michigan District Mission Board, April 21, 1990 p. 8.

"I think it was the last letter I wrote you in which I said 'It would be a disaster if you left the ministerium of the synod.' I retract the entire letter. I have owed you great debts in the past. I consider them all discharged by the times I have protected you from the consequences of your own bad decisions. I'm not going to run interference anymore. Suffer your own consequences hereafter. Speaking of consequences, I have never heard, or heard of, one of our brethren getting a public reprimand in writing such as the one Kuske gave. I wonder who Kuske was talking about." [The reference is to Kuske's remarks about Floyd Stolzenburg and Pilgrim Community Church.] Pastor Roger Kovaciny, Letter to Gregory Jackson, October 17, 1989.

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Stolzenburg at St. Paul, German Village (Non WELS)
Where Little Timmy Glende Grew Up Schwaermer

"What the Bible Says about CHURCH GROWTH," Taught at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ohio p. 1.

"WELCOME TO CHURCH GROWTH. Our study is designed to help all of us gain a new perspective of what God has always had in mind for His Church. Church Growth is not new." Floyd Luther Stolzenburg.

"We have discovered that the Early Church was an institution that unknowingly saw its world through Church Growth eyes. We have some benefits they did not have in that we can look back today and analyze their successes and failures."
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg,
"Church Growth - the Acts of the Apostles,"
Taught at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ohio.

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WELS Ladies Had To Pay
To Listen To a Non-WELS Shrinker

"...Your share of Floyd's accommodations..."
[Floyd Stolzenburg leading the Buckeye Circuit LWMS retreat] Buckeye Circuit LWMS December 10, 1989

The Eighth Commandment Does Not Apply To WELS Pastors

"False doctrine? I say: EIGHTH COMMANDMENT and MATTHEW 18! Both trump your adiaphora."


Jukjs2 (http://openid.aol.com/jukjs2) has left a new comment on your post "Deputy Doug Rides Writes To the Rescue; Yeast Repe...":

I agree with Pastor Jackson. When confronting public errors of doctrine and practice, a public reproof is permissible without a private confrontation. Private sins are a different matter entirely.

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GJ - The question is whether we agree with the Book of Concord and the Scriptures.

WELS pastors cite the Eighth Commandment and Matthew 18 but do not feel constrained to follow either one. They use their backhanded grapevine to pass stories about anyone who crosses them, and it takes very little to irritate these touchy little men.

For example, I have had WELS leaders send personal, insulting remarks about people who posted comments they did not like. Either they state something is wrong with the person or they wonder aloud what is wrong. I said about one commenter, "He is one of many people WELS has crapped on."

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John has left a new comment on your post "The Eighth Commandment Does Not Apply To WELS Past...":

Matthew 18 and the 8th Commandment don't apply to pastors in synods that are in fellowship with WELS, either.

Do Not Celebrate The Popcorn Cathedral Victory Too Soon

I checked, and yes, Ski's brag about studying under and worshiping with Babtist Andy Stanley is still posted.

Here is the link if you graduated from Mequon and did not notice the link above.

Lots of photos are there. Lots of WELS workers were there.

Wouldn't most Lutherans want to hide the evidence when they have been exposed as Babtist believers? What does that say about Ski, Glende, Parlow, and the rest? Fox Valley? The Anything Goes District? The DP and SP?

Deputy Doug Rides Writes To the Rescue; Yeast Repents of Publicly Rebuking Public False Doctrine and Plagiarism

When pastors and laity had an appointment to meet with Deputy Doug, he skipped out and sent a letter! That shows how much he follows his own advice.

Response Received from District President

For those who are keeping tabs on this blog, in the interests of fairness I wanted to report that I have, at long last, received a response regarding my concerns about the CORE from District President Engelbrecht.

While I will not violate his confidence by sharing the contents of the letter, suffice it to say that I found his response thorough, charitable, honest, and sincere.  While many are probably skeptical of his motives, he assumed the best of my motives and I will return the same in the interests of Christian love.

I would also like to point out that, though I do not regret posting the information I did on this blog (after all, the reason I went to the CORE was for this very reason - to inform via a first-hand account whether or not CORE was as "bad as they say"), I should point out that it would have been more appropriate for me to have first voiced my concerns to Pastor Skorzewski in person, rather than immediately jumping the gun and going to his superiors.

Having said all of that, I encourage everyone to continue to examine the work of Pastor Skorzewski via the CORE's website to insure that the content is indeed in line with Christ-centered, orthodox Lutheranism, and that he in fact has ceased copying the sermon outlines of Craig Groeschel's LifeChurch.tv.  

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GJ - I think his blog entry was the final blow in knocking Groeschel's sermons off the stage. Of course, there is no telling what Glende and the rest are up to. Englebrecht defended sermon plagiarism as "many are doing it." That makes it right, of course.

Ski owes all Lutherans an apology for slobbering all over Groeschel, Stanley, Driscoll, and the rest.

Yeast did not owe Ski a private Come To Jesus meeting for dishonestly presenting a false teacher's sermon and graphics as his own. Englebrecht needs to crack open his Book of Concord and study what we all confess about Matthew 18 and the Eight Commandment. Hint - it is in the Large Catechism, under Eighth Commandment.

Like I said, everyone has to pound away on the doctrinal issues. The leaders are indifferent about doctrine, but they do care about public relations.

Bruce Church and Brett Meyer on WELS UOJ

bruce-church (http://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Seminary Costs Compared - Missouri Leads With Most...":

The seminaries of the ELS, WELS and LCMS, remind me a little of Scientology in that they think their Waltherian doctrine is soooo much better than all other doctrinal systems, including that of other Lutherans, that students ought to pay a pretty penny to learn it. CG doctrine and practice is just another layer of Gnostic secrets that makes LCMS seminaries worthy of being 9th and 11th most expensive in N America, and the ELS and WELS unaccredited seminaries worthy of being more pricey than the average accredited seminary in N America.

The "Gnostic Secrets Premium" (GSP) is about $5 grand, and if you want accredited GSP (LCMS), add another $7 grand:

http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2010/09/seminary-costs-compared-missouri-leads.html
--
Scientology:
http://www.bible.ca/scientology-gnostic-roots.htm

A religion where you pay to learn secret knowledge that saves you!!!

Scroll down/search for "picture from a Scientology book" and read:
http://zombietime.com/mohammed_image_archive/misc_mo/

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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Sloppy Synod Sermon":

Pastor Samelson states, "But that forgiveness doesn't do me, you, or my neighbor any good without faith"

This UOJ statement that Pastor Samelson regurgitates for spiritual enlightenment is in the same spirit as a secular backwards compliment.

Note that UOJ has God forgiving the whole unbelieving world of their sins but it isn't true and doesn't do them any good unless they believe it. The Triune God who created the world in a Word. Who speaks of what isn't and it is. Who said "Let there be ..." and it was. That same Triune God has in a Word declared the whole unbelieving world forgiven. But it doesn't benefit them unless they believe they're forgiven. UOJ teaches that God declared the whole unbelieving world forgiven of all sin, righteous in Christ, children of the Almighty God, justified and guiltless in His sight - and yet they aren't unless He calls them to believe that they already are. And that faith they use to believe they're already forgiven children of God doesn't do anything but accept that it's true.

UOJists claim that there's only certainty and comfort in Objective Justification as the UOJ doctrine teaches. It's in fact the opposite. The same God who declares them fogiven of all sin when they believe it is the same God who declared them forgiven of all sin while they were unbelievers and it wasn't true then. It didn't benefit them when God declared them forgiven before - how can you be sure it benefits you now - especially since nothing changes through faith. Remember, UOJ teaches faith doesn't do anything but accept what was already declared to be true.

Note that UOJ teaches if faith justifies, if faith does anything to make something a reality (justification of the sinner through the righteousness of Christ) then faith is a work of man and synergistic. This is a clear admission that UOJ teaches faith is from man and not from the Holy Spirit. An example: Faith is a work of man if it brings anything about that wasn't there before. So they remove the activity of faith and replace it with pure passivity. Their UOJ confession still makes it the work of man. If they truly believed that faith is a work of the Holy Spirit then when shown by Scripture and the Confessions that it is only faith that makes a just man from an unjust man the work would be attributed correctly to the Holy Spirit and not to man. No wonder Baptists Stetzer and Stanley are so attractive to the (W)ELS.

Lutheran Confessions
71] but we maintain this, that properly and truly, by faith itself, we are for Christ's sake accounted righteous, or are acceptable to God. And because "to be justified" means that out of unjust men just men are made, or born again, it means also that they are pronounced or accounted just. For Scripture speaks in both ways. [The term "to be justified" is used in two ways: to denote, being converted or regenerated; again, being accounted righteous. Accordingly we wish first to show this, that faith alone makes of an unjust, a just man, i.e., receives remission of sins".
http://www.bookofconcord.org/defense_4_justification.php

This BOC declaration alone destroys UOJ for those who are truly Confessional Lutherans:
71] but we maintain this, that properly and truly, by faith itself, we are for Christ's sake accounted righteous, or are acceptable to God.

And if you're not Confessional, meaning if you don't have a quia subscription to the Lutheran Confessions, you're not Lutheran. Just sayin'...

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GJ - WELS does not subscribe to the Book of Concord and says so in one of their divinely inspired collections of essays, either the Wauwatosa set or Our Great Heritage. They are not bound by the Confessions or anything else.

Someone would have to purge the pastors of their synod-worship before they could ever deal with justification by faith. Every WELS discussion begins with their own talking points, which define anything following. The Gnostics would be jealous.

Sloppy Synod Sermon

From Intrepid Lutherans  <--This the link, Mequonites. Left-click for illumination.

LutherRocks said...

Douglas,

If you got the impression that I was downplaying the sacrament, I apologize. As I said...whether you increase or decrease the frequency you need to question the motive. Personally, I go whenever I can because I know I need it. My church does not offer it every week. If they did, I would go every week.

Pastor Samuelson,

I don't deny the objective work of Jesus on the cross. But let's call it what it is. There is a reason that the two justifications have a bad history. When we use words to describe that work such as justification, righteousness or forgiveness, we are trying to put a round peg in a square hole. That is why Wycliffe invented the word atonement because there was no word in English that accurately describes the work of the cross. Those words don't work separately or in combination. There is no maybe about what words John the Baptist chose. What he said fits with atonement. Jesus takes away the sin of the world. He died that all would be saved and his death makes salvation possible for all men. But none are forgiven unless they receive faith through hearing the word and repent of their sin. The atoning sacrifice of Jesus sets aside salvation for those who believe in his promises. How can anyone with a straight face say that the souls in hell have their sins forgiven and are justified? This is why the sin against the Holy Spirit is so damning. The hard heart denies the word and the messenger (Holy Spirit) that brings the good news of salvation. The Ministry of the Keys shows us how repentance and forgiveness work.

I have to disagree about this being the right place. It needs to be discussed and as long as the Intrepid Lutherans provide a platform for discussion and call attention to these matters, we should take advantage of it. There should be no sloppiness when it comes to a sermon coming from synod. I think it exposes symptoms of a bigger problem. To me this notion of an objective justification on all of mankind hints at universalism.

Respectfully Submitted,

Joe Krohn

September 29, 2010 4:55 PM 

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Pastor Jeff Samelson had said:

This is perhaps not the thread for this kind of discussion, but what you're talking about here is the distinction between objective and subjective justification. We always need to tread very carefully here, because if we deny the objective (or universal, or general) effect and significance of Christ's work, we diminish the gospel in a horrible way. [This issue has a long -- and not entirely pleasant -- history in American confessional Lutheranism, especially in the WELS.]
[Ask your pastor or a trusted WELS source for more information. Most definitely do not ask for or trust the answers of someone who only wishes to bash the WELS.]

But this isn't the place for a drawn-out discussion of the issue. Just consider one verse: John 1:29 -- "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." Maybe John the Baptist didn't use the word "forgive" here, but he clearly connects Christ with the removal of all the world's sins. So yes, that means my sins are forgiven, your sins are forgiven, and my neighbor's sins are forgiven in Christ.

But that forgiveness doesn't do me, you, or my neighbor any good without faith -- and with faith, there will, of course, be repentance.

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GJ - The UOJ minders will always trot out their talking points, but they cannot get past a layman who has studied the Word of God and examined the UOJ claims. The Tepid Lutherans will not post Brett Meyer's perceptive comments, but dauntless Ichabod has.

Here are some additional excuses for ignoring the issue, paraphrasing what I have recently read:

1. Sig Becker and JP Meyer were beloved professors, so criticizing their published words will only annoy their admirers in the Wisconsin sect. Sig and JP are the ruling norm now.
2. When Sig and JP wrote what they did about guilt-free sinners in Hell, they did not really mean it. That means we should trust in an unsupported claim rather than their repeated publications? JP even published a lie about what the European orthodox Lutherans believed.
3. The UOJ Enthusiasts and the justification-by-faith faithful are "talking past each other." If two parties conclude the opposite about this invented notion of Universal Objective Justification, they are really saying the same thing?

UOJ used to start flame wars, initiated by the Stormtroopers. Now they are trying to make UOJ a non-issue. That is a good sign, meaning we are at the third stage of debate.
A. The first stage is agreement, so it was not worth stating in the first place. Many sermons stay at this level of Methodist irenics rather than Lutheran polemics.
B. The second stage is angry denunciation. That means the opponents have understood the message and are alarmed by it. They believe but their hides bristle.
C. The third stage is apparent indifference and silence. When a debate has reached this level, the opponents are so terrified or mystified that they refuse to participate in any serious discussion at all. They joke. The cavil. They flim-flam.

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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Sloppy Synod Sermon":

Justification by Faith Alone is the doctrine upon which a person is a Christian or not a non-Christian. It is the sole doctrine upon which your sins are forgiven by grace through faith in Christ alone. To reject and pervert this doctrine is to separate yourself from Christ and His righteousness which is only ours through Faith worked graciously by the Holy Spirit through the Word alone. UOJ is a perversion of God's Word, a man made doctrine which wages war against the chief articles of Christian faith revealed in Scripture and confirmed in the Lutheran Confessions.

How the Intrepid Lutherans deal with this most critical doctrine and their confession towards UOJ and Justification by Faith Alone will determine if they are truly BOC Confessional, Christian, Lutheran and if their efforts on all doctrinal fronts will ever be fruitful and God pleasing.

The Lost Sheep

Copyright, Norma Boeckler.

Returns from the legendary Megatron database on "anxious."

"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.

"Early in the morning it rises, sits upon a twig and sings a song it has learned, while it knows not where to obtain its food, and yet it is not worried as to where to get its breakfast. Later, when it is hungry, it flies away and seeks a grain of corn, where God stored one away for it, of which it never thought while singing, when it had cause enough to be anxious about its food. Ay, shame on you now, that the little birds are more pious and believing than you; they are happy and sing with joy and know not whether they have anything to eat." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed. John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 114. Trinity 15 Matthew 6:24-34

"Pietist preachers were anxious to discover and in a certain sense to separate the invisible congregation from the visible congregation. They had to meet demands different than those of the preceding period: they were expected to witness, not in the objective sense, as Luther did, to God's saving acts toward all men, but in a subjective sense of faith, as they themselves had experienced it. In this way Pietism introduced a tendency toward the dissolution of the concept of the ministry in the Lutheran Church." Helge Nyman, "Preaching (Lutheran): History," The Encyclopedia of the Lutheran Church, 3 vols., ed. Julius Bodensieck, Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1965, III, p. 1943. [Ski, Glende, Church and Change - he is talking about you and your ELCAish transforming members and all that Pietistic baloney you are using to destroy Lutheran worship and doctrine, with the help of your Methodist Episcopal Lutheran friends.]

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

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GJ - This is the new Ichabod: tanned, rested, and ready for battle.

God Hates the Synods: Punishing Them For Promoting False Teachers

KJV Luke 5:5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at Thy Word I will let down the net.
Drawing copyright by Norma Boeckler.

Luther has a fine statement, which Megatron cannot find at the moment, about God allowing false teachers to thrive, the surest sign of His wrath. False teachers punish the Church, flailing the followers and extracting every last dollar from them, because they did not have a penny for Christ.

The vanity, greed, and conceit of man are revealed by his reliance on human wisdom and experience in the stewardship of the Church. Hand wringing about offerings will increase as the Obama measures continue to assault the economy. Nevertheless, a slight change in giving would end those woes. Why does that not happen? People are tired of the guilt trips laid on them by officials who must have every luxury, benefit, and perk while meeting in posh locations, using insurance money to hobnob with ELCA.

"Reaching out with the Gospel" means consuming millions of dollars that never make it outside of the DPs' palaces, the Purple Palace, the Love Shack, and the Little Vatican on the Prairie. McCain and Barry kissed up to DP Benke, who is known for keeping 95% of all mission offerings.

The ultimate folly is that money will make the difference, instead of the Word. That theory should be shredded by now, since St. Marvin Schwan, of blessed memory, lobbed millions and millions upon the LCMS, WELS, and the Little Sect. Trotters in the trough, they squealed with delight and consumed the money with no effect - except insolvency and some impressive new buildings. Meanwhile, Marvin was begging Lazarus to dip his finger into some water and relieve his agony. "Let me go back and tell them that money buys a pan-Lutheran indulgence, but not salvation."

The answer must have been, "They have Moses and the prophets. Let them hear them."

The fishermen are an example that should throw the synods into paroxysms of remorse, godly contrition, and faith in the Gospel. The disciples knew from their experience and their night of hard labor that no fish could be found.

"Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at Thy Word I will let down the net."

The nets were so full that they tore from the strain and threatened to sink the boats, which were made for such fishing.

In contrast, we see synods that openly mock the Word but call themselves confessional, conservative, orthodox. Why is no one laughing? Can they not see that unprotected sects lead to outbreaks of The SORE?

The Lutheran Confessions witness to the truth and also reject falsehood. If Pope John, SP Harrison, and SP Schroeder are confessional, what do they confess? All three are content with Reformed doctrine, New Age Emergent Churches, and consorting with ELCA.

Nothing says more about the Biblical poverty of Lutherans today than synodical inability to reject any false doctrine. They devote themselves to getting even with anyone who questions them and expend their wrath on them. False teachers are loved, comforted, protected, adored, absolved, and promoted. And why not? Anyone who condones such behavior is a false teacher himself and not a confessional Lutheran. False teachers love other false teachers. Wolves run in packs and kill for fun.

People like tepid Lutherans. This generation will be known as the Methodist Episcopal Lutherans.

They are Methodist because they have no confession at all. Methodist leaders are kindly, mild, a bit Biblical, and loathe to engage in any kind of doctrinal dispute because they have no doctrine.

They are Episcopal because they covet the fancy titles, the cool robes, the crozier, and the endowments.

They are Lutheran when it suits them, especially when raising money from Lutherans to promote more false doctrine.


Quotations about False Teachers

"O Lord, look down from heaven, behold And let Thy pity waken; How few are we within Thy fold, Thy saints by men forsaken! True faith seems quenched on every hand, Men suffer not Thy Word to stand; Dark times have us overtaken. (2) With fraud which they themselves invent Thy truth they have confounded; Their hearts are not with one consent On Thy pure doctrine grounded. While they parade with outward show, They lead the people to and fro, In error's maze astounded. (3) May God root out all heresy And of false teachers rid us Who proudly say: 'Now, where is he That shall our speech forbid us? By right or might we shall prevail; What we determine cannot fail; We own no lord and master. (5) As silver tried by fire is pure From all adulteration So through God's Word shall men endure Each trial and temptation. Its light beams brighter through the cross, And purified from human dross, It shines thru every nation." The Lutheran Hymnal, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941, Hymn #260. Psalm 12.

"Note the master hand wherewith Paul portrays the character of false teachers, showing how they betray their avarice and ambition. First, they permit true teachers to lay the foundation and perform the labor; then they come and desire to do the work over, to reap the honors and the benefits. They bring about that the name and the work of the true teachers receive no regard and credit; what they themselves have brought--that is the thing. They make the poor simple-minded people to stare open-mouthed while they win them with flowery words and seduce them with fair speeches, as mentioned in Romans 16:18. These are the idle drones that consume the honey they will not and cannot make." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 110. Second Sunday before Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9; Romans 16:18.

"And such false teachers have the good fortune that all their folly is tolerated, even though the people realize how these act the fool, and rather rudely at that. They have success with it all, and people bear with them. But no patience is to be exercised toward true teachers! Their words and their works are watched with the intent of entrapping them, as complained of in Psalm 17:9 and elsewhere. When only apparently a mote is found, it is exaggerated to a very great beam. No toleration is granted. There is only judgment, condemnation and scorn. Hence the office of preaching is a grievous one. He who has not for his sole motive the benefit of his neighbor and the glory of God cannot continue therein. The true teacher must labor, and permit others to have the honor and profit of his efforts, while he receives injury and derision for his reward." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 110f. Second Sunday before Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9. Psalm 17:9.


"In the second place such teachers are disposed to bring the people into downright bondage and to bind their conscience by forcing laws upon them and teaching works-righteousness. The effect is that fear impels them to do what has been pounded into them, as if they were bondslaves, while their teachers command fear and attention. But the true teachers, they who give us freedom of conscience and create us lords, we soon forget, even despise. The dominion of false teachers is willingly tolerated and patiently endured; indeed, it is given high repute. All those conditions are punishments sent by God upon them who do not receive the Gospel with love and gratitude." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 111. Second Sunday before Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9. John 5:43.

"In the third place, false teachers flay their disciples to the bone, and cut them out of house and home, but even this is taken and endured. Such, I opine, has been our experience under the Papacy. But true preachers are even denied their bread. Yet this all perfectly squares with justice! For, since men fail to give unto those from whom they receive the Word of God, and permit the latter to serve them at their own expense, it is but fair they should give the more unto preachers of lies, whose instruction redounds to their injury. What is withheld from Christ must be given in tenfold proportion to the devil. They who refuse to give the servant of truth a single thread, must be oppressed by liars." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 111f. Second Sunday before Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9.

"It is not enough that we preach correctly, which the hireling can also do; but we must watch over the sheep, that the wolves, false teachers, may not break in, and we must contend for the sheep against the wolves, with the Word of God, even to the sacrifice of our lives. Such are good shepherds, of whom few are found." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 34. Second Sunday after Easter John 10:11-16.

"This is going through closed doors, when He comes into the heart through the Word, not breaking nor displacing anything. For when the Word of God comes, it neither injures the conscience, nor deranges the understanding of the heart and the external senses; as the false teachers do who break all the doors and windows, breaking through like thieves, leaving nothing whole and undamaged, and perverting, falsifying and injuring all life, conscience, reason, and the senses. Christ does not do thus." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, II, p. 355. First Sunday after Easter John 20:19-31.

"As soon as the Word of God appears, the devil becomes angry; and in his anger he employs every power and wile to persecute it and wipe it out completely. For he is the father of lies and a murderer (John 8:44); he plants his lies in the world through false teachers, and he murders men through tyrants." Martin Luther, Lectures on Galatians, 1535, ed., Jaroslav Pelikan, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1963, 26, p. 455. Galatians 4:29

"We are not free from blame if we have a wrong faith and follow false teachers. The fact that we did not know will be of no help to us, for we were warned beforehand. Besides God has told us to judge what this or that person teaches and to give an account. If we fail to do this, we are lost. Therefore the soul's salvation of each person depends on his knowing what is God's Word and what is false teaching." What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, II, p. 636.

"They [the false teachers] fared like a man who looks through a colored glass. Put before such a man whatever color you please, he sees no other color than that of the glass. The fault is not that the right color is not put before him but that his glass is colored differently, as the word of Is. 6:9 puts it: You will see, he says, and yet you will not see it." What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, II, p. 644. Isaiah 6:9.

KJV Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

NKJ 2 Timothy 2:17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,

112] Accordingly, with heart and mouth we reject and condemn as false, erroneous, and misleading all Sacramentarian opiniones (opinions) and doctrines which are not in accordance with, but contrary and opposed to, the doctrine above presented and founded upon God's Word:
113] 1. As when they assert that the words of institution are not to be understood simply in their proper signification, as they read, of the true, essential presence of the body and blood of Christ in the Supper, but are to be wrested, by means of tropi (tropes) or figurative interpretations, to another new, strange sense. We hereby reject all such Sacramentarian opiniones (opinions) and self-contradictory notions [of which some even conflict with each other], however manifold and various they may be.