Saint Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Freedom, WI (WELS) was my life-long home congregation. (St. Peter’s daughter congregation is The CORE in Appleton, WI).
In the Spring of 2011, the leadership of St. Peter Congregation terminated my fellowship with the WELS as a persistent errorist based on two letters that I wrote. Those two letters are linked below:
They said in a certified letter that they removed me as a persistent errorist because in those letters I publicly disagreed with Pastor Glende and the Northern Wisconsin District Presidium on three doctrinal issues:
- I said that plagiarism was a sin, and that Pastor Glende was guilty of plagiarism.
- I said that God does not need our service: in other words, the means of grace are sufficient.
- I said that in the light of faith Christians cannot choose to believe God’s Word: in other words, from beginning to end, faith is 100% the gift of God.
Because I believed that these positions were not doctrinal error, I appealed. However, the Northern Wisconsin District Appeal Board denied my appeal without explanation. (Because the Appeal Board’s written decision contained no explanation, I believe their decision was based on politics, not principle). Now, I have three choices:
- Sin against my conscience by renouncing the above true Christian doctrine, and then presumably rejoin St. Peter Congregation.
- Refuse to publicly recant the true Christian doctrine, and remain excluded from the WELS forever. (The WELS Constitution §§ 8.30(c) and 8.50(e) would forbid my return).
- Disregard the District Appeal Board’s ruling and the WELS Constitution (§§ 8.30(c) and 8.50(e)), and continue indefinitely in triangular fellowship with other WELS congregations who agree with me in doctrine. (Currently, this is where I am).
In summary, the leadership of St. Peter Congregation terminated my fellowship with the WELS because I questioned the methodology and doctrine of Pastors Glende and Skorzewski and the Northern Wisconsin District Presidium’s defense of their false doctrine and practice.
I did my best to resolve these issues in a brotherly way by spending years attempting to meet privately, and then after years of private effort, by ultimately bringing these concerns to the Church. In return, the leadership of St. Peter Congregation terminated my fellowship with the WELS as a persistent errorist.
Lord, have mercy.
For further reading:
- WELS Northern WI District Doctrinal Issues
- Terminated from WELS Fellowship
- Receiving Holy Communion in the WELS
- WELS Appeal Denied
'via Blog this'
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WELS church lady has left a new comment on your post "Church Status « Light from Light":
Brother Rick, bet it all on number 3! It has been my understanding that more than one WELS congregation has offered communion and thus has extended a bold act of Christian love. This is a testament that validates the fact that a significant portion of pastors and laity alike are standing against the Glende, Ski, and DP axis. This speaks tremendeous volumes. What can the DP do? Shut down these other churches that are in fellowship with Rick. No! That would be World War III. May God be with Rick and his family.
In Christ,
Rebecca
