Please."
rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "Different from WELS, Missouri, And the Little Sect...":
Taken to its logical conclusion, the 007 certification has produced some mind boggling double standards at the congregational level. I have noticed that it is anything goes in the name of evangelism and the stewardship. Waldo Werning material, Fireproof series from a Georgia Babtist church, and a commission to Cornerstone for capital appeals are three recent examples from my former WELS congregation. When members are asked to be served in some rather simple matters, they are wrung through the washer and must jump through all kinds of hoops. Even the lay leadership gets afflicted with the 007 certification.
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GJ - WELS dictatorial pastors demand robotic lay leaders who obey their orders to take out the dissenters "with prejudice."
The laity should explore how WELS leaders use the synod to skim vast sums of money from the congregations. Cornerstone is just one example. Fighting them is like fighting the Mafia - except the Mob will sit down and discuss a deal.
WELS also has "consultants" who flit into congregations, make grand statements, and demand huge fees. In 13 years in the LCA, anyone who helped only received the basic salary and expenses. The only difference was Lutheran Layman's League, which had fee-based laity who were helpers in stewardship campaigns. The fees were reasonable.
St Mark's Lutheran Church Watertown, WI
2011 Capital Fund Appeal
2011 Capital Fund Appeal
Someone sent me the "devotions" from the appeal for St. Mark's. I will copy some of the weird statements below:
"For the sake of the gospel, why is our school building important?"
"Jesus, holy sacrifice for my rebellion: thank you for suffering hell in my place and dying to bring about my pardon. Cause that good news to ring out from Saint Mark's School. And energize me cheerfully to support that endeavor with my offerings. Amen." [GJ - Jesus should cheerfully energize me?]
"Why is it important for our church and school to have special space for music?"
"When a funeral or rainstorm takes place during recess, students are in the gym. Regularly scheduled gym classes occur there, as well." [GJ - I have no idea what it means to have a funeral during recess. I am glad they have gym classes in the gym ", as well."]
"In a similar way, our present day students are going to need good health to serve their Savior as they desire through their lifetime. Having a fine gymnasium promotes that endeavor considerably. Combine it with the daily proclamation of Christ's resurrection, and our student learn along with us to look forward to our rising from the dead on the final day."
"How necessary is it that a school have...a gymnasium? ...a good gymnasium?"
"Are there restaurant bills, or others, you can trim: for contribution to the Lord?"
"What would my life look like without Jesus...now...for eternity?"
"Jesus tells us, Where your treasure is there your heart will be also.
How does treasuring Christ direct my life today?
How does treasuring Christ direct my use of earthly treasure?
For your regular offerings?
For your capital fund offerings?"
Day 11 - Very Roman Catholic
Very manipulative, based on Mark 10:13ff.
"As parents cry, Jesus, bless my child, grown men growl Be quiet! He doesn't have time for your child. What was wrong with the disciples? Were they perhaps tired of the crowds and the unending requests? Remember Jesus' reaction: it's not one we'd want to be on the receiving end of."
"As troubling as the incident with the disciples was, such a scene is still possible. It may not be people blocking doors, but doors might still be shut when there's a lack of funds."
"How might a more rapid paying down of the debt assist our present and future proclamation?" [GJ - I thought growling members were slamming the door shut on little children.]
"What did our renovation/addition project mean to me...my family...our congregation...our community?"
"What has the water of God's Word and Sacraments meant to me?"
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Scott E. Jungen has left a new comment on your post "007":
Well, it's good to know that St. Mark's didn't let the Gospel get in the way of their capital appeal. What happened to "pray the Lord of the harvest" and get out your bushel baskets as He rains down His generous blessings? No, wait, then you couldn't use your cute little Law statements to try to "guilt" money out of people.
The principal at St. Mark's was my principal for fifteen years. This is surprising, since he did a nice job of staying out of the church expansion at our former congregation. I stayed out of it too, but it still ran me over. Ooops, there I am being all "bitter" again!
Scott E. Jungen
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GJ - Here is an explanation for outsiders and other untouchables: Scott's joke about being bitter is a reflection upon the automatic WELS response when anyone questions anything in WELS. That person is "angry, bitter, brain-damaged, senile, crazy, sick, jealous, lazy" and worse.
That is why Prairie was a stroke of genius, but sold/given away to become prison.
That is also why 2929, which was such a smart move, is being sold at the bottom of the real estate market.
That explains Christian Worship, the envy of every low-church feminist cult, or would be if another one got organized.
