http://www.siebertfoundation.org/pdfs/Change%20or%20Die%20Brochure%202011%20-%20FINAL%20EDITION.pdf
They know everyone will fuss about this for a day or two and forget. So far they have snookered three synods this way.
The Glory Has Departed
Friday, February 11, 2011
Change to Enthusiasm or Die! Brochure - Final Edition
http://www.siebertfoundation.org/pdfs/Change%20or%20Die%20Brochure%202011%20-%20FINAL%20EDITION.pdf
They know everyone will fuss about this for a day or two and forget. So far they have snookered three synods this way.
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7 comments:
I thought at first the "Change or Die" heading was Icha-hyperbole, but that's what the brochure says. It's another instance of where Icha-blog has to reproduce the evidence or else it's just too hard to believe. Fortunately, there's no shortage of electrons like this is for trees.
Isn't this typical. I don't know if you noticed but not one of them really spoke about the vocation of being a pastor. Not one of them spoke about the doctrine of the church.
If I remember correctly this is the first big step to theological and doctrinal liberalism. Oh wait a minute these guys are doing it by baby steps !
"Once-thriving congregations and schools are now small or gone. Why is this happening?"
1. When are we going to reject the Methobapticostal mantra that the growth of the Church is all up to us? Scripture is very clear that the Holy Ghost grows His Church.
2. Happy-clappy, feel-good worship is not growing the Church. In fact, it is having the opposite result. Jesus-fied Dale Carnegie sermons are not helping the numbers, either.
3. I would argue that the true Church that does not "scratch itching ears" will likely not be successful in earthly numbers anyway, so let's be true to Scripture and BOC.
4. When are we going to stop funding this?
"Once-thriving congregations and schools are now small or gone. Why is this happening?"
Keep in mind that the traditional pool of Lutherans is shrinking due to the fact that Lutherans are having fewer babies. Some Lutherans have also been lured away by the non-denominational churches down the street - never to return. Church Growth Movement programs within the Lutheran churches are not the answer, as Church Growth programs make it even easier for a "Praise band" Lutheran to transfer his membership to a non-denominational church.
And where are many of these "once-thriving congregations" located: Inner city areas and remote rural areas.
In the inner city and inner-suburban areas, neighborhoods have changed. The middle-class members have moved away to a remote suburb. The new people to the area (poor minorities) do not join Lutheran churches. In all likelihood, they don't join any church at all Either get serious about black and Mexican ministry, or close.
Unlike the sleepy Lutherans, other denominations (such as the Presbyterians), follow their parishioners. As soon as they get a whiff of neighborhood decline, sell their inner city church building and build a new one in the remote suburbs.
Regarding the remote rural areas, the lack of jobs causes the children of pewsitters to go away to school and find jobs elsewhere - never to return. As a result, the membership roll shrinks as the remaining old people gradually die off.
One overlooked fact about many non-denominational seeker churches: The church leaders would close several small church buildings within a given geographic area and then merge all of those congregations into one massive mega-church building: A regional "shopping mall" style church for wandering church shoppers!
"Do Church Growth Consultants Really Work?"
Not so much:
http://hirr.hartsem.edu/bookshelf/Church&Denomgrowth/ch&dngrw-ch6.pdf
But here's one who thinks he can, complete with Divine Call from St. Andrew, Middleton/Waunakee to tell your WELS church how to do it:
Crossroads Consulting Ministry. (http://www.st-andrew-online.org/MinistryInfo.aspx) "Crossroads Consulting is a ministry of St. Andrew Lutheran Church that provides assistance to WELS congregations throughout the country. Crossroads focuses on assisting God’s people with pursuing his mission by offering both a comprehensive and streamlined ministry planning process. Each of these approaches is custom designed around the needs and desires of client congregations and includes an analysis of current reality, the development of short- and long-range ministry goals, and strategic implementation. Special services (e.g. organizational realignment, conflict management, teambuilding) are also provided. Pastor Elton Stroh serves as the Executive Director of Crossroads. For an executive summary and answers to frequently asked questions, visit Crossroads Consulting’s web site: www.timeforcrossroads.com" (No mention of St. Andrew on the web site, yet "Pastor" Stroh received his "Divine Call" from St. Andrew.)
What will come of this?:
http://www.intrepidlutherans.com/2011/02/dear-pastors-jeske-and-ski-you-are.html
I believe the gloves have just come off.
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