Money Management in WELS - Cornerstone Stewardship "Ministries"

Church and Change promotes R-rated sermons, where children are warned not to attend,
and Cornerstone Wild Hare Fund-Raising.


rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "Speak Up":

From my own experience, all of the above observations fit quite well. In the situation that I referred to, it was strictly a budget problem. The teacher was told after the last day of the semester. I am sure that there was much more to it all. It was the tip of the iceberg. The congregation just had a multi-million dollar expansion. They had engaged in full fledged masonry evangelism. They were borrowing against the pledges for the expansion to meet their operating costs. In a rare moment of conscience, they realized that this was wrong. My beloved wife had pointed out the total of 10 full time called workers on the payroll, including the full time child care director. My response was "that is a lot of salary and benefits". The expansion was sold to the voters with the assumption of a growth in both members and amount per giving unit. That never materialized. After three capital appeals, they are still coming up short. The third capital appeal caused my departure because they had contracted with Cornerstone Stewardship Ministries. (continued)

rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "Speak Up":

Working backwards from the comments:
Grumpy, I have been a part of the scenario which you have described. I was an elder when we had a pastor who was well known for his rather intimidating cold stare. Did they teach him this at the Sausage factory? I plead guilty for not speaking up when I should have. This is just another indication that the WELS can really be an abusive cult. When my wife and I were discussing the termination of the teacher's call, she reminded me of the history of the grumbling members who always talked, but never acted. When I was an elder, the Council President did stand up to the pastor. The pastor's knees buckled. Schoolyard bullies can get rather timid when you stand up to them. Members would complain that the same lapdogs would always be elected. In all honesty, who would want to serve under those conditions? (continued)

rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "Speak Up":

Mr. Meyer,
I agree about the WELS is cloudy (by design) concerning the doctrine of the public ministry. Furthermore, they co-mingle it with the doctrine of vocation. I have heard it said that everyone is a minister. But wait, not a public minister. So, then what they say they mean by everyone being a minister is that everyone has a calling. By that, they meant to say that they are talking about the doctrine of the vocation. Why did they not say so from the start? If it sounds confusing, it is. I'll bet that they use this convoluted argumentation to justify Bishop Katie being a "Worship Minister". I have also seen this used in a round about way to shame members into serving on one of the many useless committees. In other words, you are not really serving the Lord unless you are doing busy work in the congregation. (continued)

rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "Speak Up":

The name calling is usually engaged in by those who have no legitimate argument against you. It is similar to that schoolyard bully who does that in front of his minions to look tough. An abusive sect can be an equal opportunity offender. I have witnessed several faithful teachers get treated rather harshly. When members expressed outrage about it, they were called troublemakers. Mr. Jungen, thank you for pointing out that the congregation bears the responsibility for supporting the called workers. As we have been made aware of here on Ichabod, there are many faithful and knowledgeable laity. They need to be reminded to pray for and support their called workers.

Removing a Church Worker Properly

Scott E. Jungen has left a new comment on your post "Bueller, Bueller. Anyone? Anyone?":

Brett,
I believe teaching of false doctrine,not being apt to teach, scandalous life are some the reasons for removal from the ministry. Those are the ones off the top of my head.
Nowhere of which I know does Scripture say anything about church budgets. Hmmmmm.

Scott E. Jungen

PS- Another reason is health. But I saw that misused to remove a coworker the principal didn't like. Soooooo.

SEJ

Bueller, Bueller. Anyone? Anyone?

Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Speak Up":

This discussion brings up the nature of the (W)ELS doctrine concerning the Public Ministry of the Word (PMW). Clearly those in the office within the (W)ELS agree with the doctrine as it's taught and enforced (enforced is a strong word in the (W)ELS concerning doctrine, maybe encouraged or suggested would be better - have you read the essays in the (W)ELS Essay files?!).

(W)ELS teaches that they have the God given right to change what Christ instituted and restrict parts of the overall PMW responsibilities to one individual (male or female) and still call it a divine office instituted by Christ. They still insist that it's a divine office into which Christ Himself calls these people to serve. This is why they can so easily remove someone from the position. They have taken Christ's place. Certainly (W)ELS President Moldstad set a solid precedent when he wickedly schemed to have Pastor Preus removed from his active call. Less than a handful of churches protested so the churches that remain in fellowship with the (W)ELS agree that his Antichristian behavior was acceptable. I say, so far (W)ELS is getting less then what they have asked for. Why are you upset at the termination of this pastor? Or any pastor.

What are the reasons Scripture gives that allow the removal of the man that Christ calls to serve a congregation?

Bueller, Bueller....anyone?

***

GJ - Many times they hate someone out of the call, and they wonder why the children of church workers are not signing up for their $100,000 college degrees. Ha.

WELS is dead, and the Amen! Corner is sure to follow.

Missouri loves to work with ELCA, too. That will make Missouri even more like ELCA, and not make ELCA more like Missouri.

They all agree on universal absolution - without the Word. Doctrinal agreement and fellowship always work together.

M. Loy on Doctrine

M. Loy translated hymns in The Lutheran Hymnal and wrote at least one there.
His Delaware, Ohio congregation is now ELCA.

Matthias Loy, Lutheran Standard, May 15, 1886, p. 84  (as cited by C. George Fry in The Springfielder, October 1974, Volume 38, Number 4,  Matthias Loy: Theologian of American Lutheran Orthodoxy)

"What was once settled as fundamental orthodoxy has, in various  particulars,  become  strangely disturbed.  The  old  ways of  thinking  no  longer  fit  and  satisfy  and  command  the  stern and  unfaltering  consent,  as  they  once did  . . . Notice  the  contradictions,  the  inconsistencies,  the  vacillations  of  theological opinion,  in  all  statements  of   our time,--how  vague  the language  chosen,  how  uncertain  the  note  struck,  how  many  the loopholes of  evasion!  . . . . Try if you  can get a definite declaration of theological  faith from your intelligent friends of  any denomination. Question  the  professed  teachers  of  religion,  and notice  how  slowly,  how  guardedly,  how  vaguely  they  answer direct inquiries....There has been an almost universal loosing of old moorings, a breaking away from the firm fastenings of other days, a drifting no one can tell whither."

Speak Up

This movie poster seemed to fit.


rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "Bruce Church on the Synods Dividing and Conquering...":

Likewise, the laity should sound off before they depart from a CG congregation. At my former WELS congregation, a veteran teacher recently had his call terminated after the first semester. Usually, those calls are terminated at the end of the school year. Many of the members are up in arms because this faithful servant was given the heave-ho rather abruptly. My beloved wife commented that most of them will complain but get over it. Unfortunately, she is correct. My response was what they needed to do was to let some leaders know just exactly what they think, then walk away and never come back. The Wisconsin Sect has whipped so many into silence that only a few will have that much needed Luther moment and stand firm.

---

Daniel Baker has left a new comment on your post "Speak Up":

Right, Scott. and I'm just a brainwashed, maligning grandstander.

In all seriousness, the case rlschultz describes is currently happening to a teacher I had back in gradeschool (this is his third call since then). He is the principal, but from what I gather that congregation most likely terminates positions based on seniority.

The most disconcerting thing, however, is not that they terminated him, but rather that they notified him right before Christmas. This is the third position at a WELS church in the last decade that has failed him, and they have the gall to notify him over the holidays? They were so eager to let him go that they couldn't wait until after New Years to do the dirty dead? Merry Christmas!

Party Outreach - The CORE Did This First

"Son - fat, drunk, and stupid is the way we attract members and keep them."

http://apprising.org/2011/01/16/seattle-seahawks-have-more-than-a-prayer-on-sunday/


Seahawks have more than a prayer on Sunday

Two churches in the Seattle region are hosting tailgate parties to celebrate God — and the Seahawks.

By Sonia Krishnan

Seattle Times staff reporter

Related

Ryan Meeks wants to explore a question: Why shouldn't Christians be considered world-class partyers?

The 32-year-old will be talking about this on Sunday at Eastlake Community Church in Bothell.

Where he is the pastor.

Where 4,000 congregants will be tailgating during his sermon.

Where, as the Seahawks try to fight their way through another round of the NFL playoffs, there will be no mention of sin or guilt or immorality for indulging in that ultimate American pastime — rooting for one's hometown team.

Trust that it will all be done with plenty of pulled pork, beer, big-screen TVs and trucks, Meeks said. He's even bringing in his old Volkswagen bus. Kids are also welcome to run free in the church's big warehouse space.

"The church is the last place in the world where you'd expect to find people happy or excited or partying," Meeks said. "But why do we have to be so separate from what's happening in our culture? You should celebrate when cool things happen in your community."

And Meeks' church just happens to be where quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and a few other Seahawks attend Sunday services.

For North Sound Church in Edmonds, tailgating also seemed the perfect solution to bring God and his football followers together.

Kickoff is at 10 a.m. That posed a conflict.

So earlier this week, Pastor Barry Crane and the church's worship pastor started kicking around ideas about what to do.

Their solution? Have one service at 8:30 a.m. instead of three throughout the morning, and throw a party/sermon/killer breakfast at the conference center across the street. Prepare enough food for 300 people. Open it to everyone. And voilà: A tailgate church service was born.

advertising

Attendees, by the way, are urged to wear Seahawks colors.

So do Meeks and Crane think God will have a hand in the game's outcome?

"I would love to see the Bears get thrashed," Meeks said, laughing. "But to thank God if we beat another team? That might be a stretch of theology."

Crane got straight to the point.

"I don't think this is something God is too concerned about," he said.

Then he added quickly: "We're pulling for the Seahawks, of course."

Sonia Krishnan: 206-515-5546 or skrishnan@seattletimes.com

Library Liquidation Sale - The Spanish Armada

Boxed volume - new condition - lovingly read.
$40 plus shipping, including a second book on the Armada.

Garrett Mattingly's Defeat of the Spanish Armada

'I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman but I have the heart and stomach of a King, and of a King of England too ...' Elizabeth I to her troops at Tilbury, during the Armada crisis

The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 marked a defining moment in British history. A small, Protestant nation, ruled by a Virgin Queen, faced, and faced down, the overwhelming power of the Spain of Philip II, the self-appointed champion of the Roman Church. The image of Sir Francis Drake, calmly finishing a game of bowls before sailing out to confront the largest seaborne invasion in England's history, stamped itself for ever on the national psyche.

***

GJ - Folio Books are often reprints of great classics. This book explains the details of the defeat of the Spanish Armada, a force so great that England should have been reduced and made a Roman Catholic vassal state again. Mattingly had the gift of burrowing through the archives and making the historical facts interesting and fun.

Folio sells a book for a time, then stops. This seems to be out of print at Folio.

How many students raise their hands and say barrel staves defeated the great Armada?

I have included a second book on the Armada, a slender volume called The Great Enterprise, published by Folio. This volume reprints documents and illustrations from that conflict.

Contact me at gregjackson1948@qwest.net

Make a Bird Swing

By Norma Boeckler

Birds love to perch near their food and water, to have a safe place for watching the surroundings.

The closer the birds are, the more interesting they are to watch.

A bird swing is easy to make and fun to watch in action. I am the least likely to make anything except a new book, but I did come up with the recipe for this.

At a hardware store:
1. Buy a metal rod of suitable length, such as 12 to 24 inches. The circumference should be narrow. A wooden dowel will also work for this, but a threaded metal rod will stick in the chains better.
2. Buy two lengths of chain where the links allow the rod to pass through. If the clerk asks what this is for, make something up. People think bird swings are weird. I suggest, "This is a lightning rod for my hamster cage." Believe it or not, that will be more acceptable than "a bird swing."
3. Buy two hooks that will screw into the window frame on top.
4. The chains hang from the hooks and the metal rod goes through the chain links.

Soon the birds will land on the swing and have a merry time on it. Smaller birds will favor it, because they can maneuver a landing. Two or three will swing on it at once, depending on the room allowed.

Doubtless a perch could be fashioned easily too, but I like seeing the birds swing back and forth, and they seem to enjoy the movement. A bird will land on a narrow branch of the bush near the feeder and swing back and forth. The vertical sprout will only hold one small bird, so he knows he will not look down and find a cat crawling up to catch him.

Snowed In, With the Birds

By Norma Boeckler

Yesterday, Sassy Sue and I filled the Duncraft bird feeder with black oil sunflower seeds and added new corn to the squirrel feeder. We also scattered seeds in the front of the house, in the rocky area sheltered from snow and rain.

I heard about a storm coming, but our little corner of Arkansas usually misses the worst storms, which go north into Missouri or south toward Little Rock and Fort Smith. Nevertheless, we had about 3 inches of snow on the ground this morning and another 3 on the way, the Bella Vista equivalent of a blizzard. We cannot leave the house today, but I imagine salt and sun will do the job Friday and Saturday.

The birds were already accustomed to our feeding areas, which include two spots for suet. This morning the birds were up before the sun, getting their morning Jo from the sunflower seeds and suet. Cardinals flock together in early spring because they have not chosen a mate and established their homesteads yet. We have 3 or 4 males cardinals happily eating from the same feeder.

The seed cost is about $1 per week. The suet cost is pennies per week. I can buy a basket/suet combination for $2, and that lasts for months. Refills are about $1, with interesting variations aimed at the buyer.

I will consider roasted mealy worms in the future. That is a blue bird favorite. They enjoy them live most of all, but that is not on the agenda.

Gardeners should start planning natural settings for promoting a bird-filled yard. Seedy flowers to consider planting are:
1. Sunflowers.
2. Cosmos.
3. Zinnias.
4. Safflower.

Birds love trashy, leafy, branch-littered areas for nesting and feeding. Trashy does not mean bags of garbage, but dead leaves, long grass, weeds and herbs. Leaves at the base of bushes will help feed the bushes via the earthworms, and the dead organic material will attract creatures for the birds to eat.

Blue jays and cardinals love bushes, and evergreens are popular with most species. Birds want a safe place to watch the feeder and to eat. A bird swing is easy to make and hang. I will put up a separate post on that project.

---

Brian G. Heyer has left a new comment on your post "Snowed In, With the Birds":

I'd also suggest purple coneflower (echinacea). The goldfinches flock to them for weeks to pick apart the seed heads. Don't plant near a path, as the seed heads are annoyingly stiff and prickly, but created perfectly for nervous finches.

Bruce Church on the Synods Dividing and Conquering - Themselves

bruce-church (http://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "What Does BC Know? Or Is He Just Bluffing?":

As long as we are talking about what BC knows or doesn't know, how about let's talk about what BC is speculating:

Over the last three decades God has noticed the non-support of the seminaries and seminarians in the LCMS, WELS and ELS, and that the quick fix the synodical tightwads who live in big houses in nice neighborhoods came up is to continually increase their compensation and not to fund the seminaries better, while creating alternative tracks in which Hebrew is not taught, nor classical languages or German. So God said, fine, since they are showing their contempt for my Word, what they are doing is creating the very situation where I'll divide each synod in half so half the DPs won't have their jobs anymore, and the other half of the DPs and president can't afford to live in fine houses in nice neighborhoods anymore. For when the synod divides, there won't be a need for thirty-some districts and DPs, and pay will be cut.

When God sends the aforesaid synods a theological disagreement over election or UOJ or a re-repristination of Lutheran theology, which feat God knows how to do well, the DPs and others who milk the system for all it's worth will naturally toe the Walther-Hoenecke party line. All the DELTO and SMP and WELS second career persons know their certificates are only worth something in the LCMS or WELS, so they will toe the Walther/Hoenecke party line no matter what. Around the DPs and alternative track will gather many Div pastors, enough to form a true schism instead of just a few dozen churches pealing off and forming another micro-synod. So the synods have already sown the seeds of their own demise. Of course, this is all speculation.

***

GJ - I agree in general. The revolt began many years ago, with people just melting away. Another sign of this in the LCMS is the refusal to turn in statistical reports. That was happening in previous years, so the numbers are meaningless, especially when people exaggerate on the positive side.

I was going to change pealing off (sounding their bells, above) to peeling off (separating), but I like the idea of congregations sounding off before leaving.

The synod officials have used the schools to keep their own cash flow going, but they are all dead and dying anyway.

My hesitation about BC's optimism comes from my experience with the ELCA merger. All the facts were known, available, and published in 1987. Hardly anyone did much. The pastors in the historical Delaware, Ohio congregation objected a bit, then surrendered to the merger concept. The retired ELCA bishops starting their synod were at the peak of their careers at that point. ELCA had to rub their noses in apostasy for 23 years before some of them started to wake up.

SPs Harrison, Schroeder, and Moldstad fit the description of investment company CEOs. "They do not manage the business, but the public perception of the business."

The turmoil in ELCA comes from people studying doctrine and seeing Holy Mother Synod in action, without their sentimental blinders on.

---

bruce-church (http://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Bruce Church on the Synods Dividing and Conquering...":

The doctrinal dispute would probably need to involve a repristination of Lutheran doctrine for Lutherans to get excited about it--enough to leave and form a new synod. During Walther and Pieper's time, repristination was the rage, and all Walther did was put Reformed doctrine into Luther's mouth--yeah, some repristination. Althaus' book on Luther's theology could be a springboard into a true repristination.

It occurred to me I had typed pealing instead of peeling a half hour after I made the comment. Oh well.


---

What Does BC Know? Or Is He Just Bluffing?

bruce-church (http://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Bruce Church Is Optimistic":

LPC, Yes, it will take time, but probably not as long as you think. Some critical* scholarship must be done first, and then result will come quickly. When God's Word is untangled from the mess they made of it, it will work even more wonders than it already has.

*By critical, I mean crucial or necessary, not the historical critical method.