Spoiling the Ukrainians While Spoiling the Egyptians

bruce-church (https://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "John Shep Has a Question for the ELS/WELS":

Plenty of people know the answer to Rev. Shep's question. The answer is that for some reason it was felt necessary to pay Bishop Horpynchuk a salary midway between a Western salary and the $250 per month wage that the average Ukrainian made at the time, and still does. So $1,000 per month was four times the average salary of the average Ukrainian, so it is no wonder he was able to accumulate enough money to build such a nice house.

Of course, if the WELS, ELS and LCMS laymen were supporting their seminaries and seminarians like they should be, this would never have happened since they would not have been in a position to even THINK about paying a Ukrainian that much money.

So now we have seminaries where roughly half the graduates receive certificates that aren't accredited, and in many cases don't even need any college credits to attend seminary. That's right. I asked a SMP person where he attended college, and he said he never had!

Ironically, the laymen think everything is fine and the seminaries are supported enough since there are hardly any calls open.

WELS - Allergic Reaction to the Book of Concord.Brett Meyer Observations

Wayne Mueller


(W)ELS is not restricted to the Lutheran Confessions. Wayne Mueller states that appeals to the Lutheran Confessions did not resolve the UOJ controversy. He fails to explain that the reason the Lutheran Confessions did not end the controversies and why the Lutheran Confessions do not limit the (W)ELS in matters of doctrine and practice is because they reject the BOC as being the faithful expanation of God's chief articles of Christian faith which they as professing the Lutheran name have sworn and oath to uphold. There are far more quotes than these but this should help begin the discussion concerning the glory of the (W)ELS.



"We apply the Confessions as a limited standard to judge those doctrines which they directly or incidentally addresses."

Page 5



"IV. Application of the Confessions to the Present Controversy

Appeal to the Lutheran symbols did not resolve the inspiration of Scriptures controversy. No, our confessions do not have the last word when it comes to determining what we are to teach. That belongs to Scripture. When, therefore, the matter of the inspiration of Scripture becomes a contested doctrine in the church, as it has, God expects us to state what Scripture states. It is not necessary to call a council of all Lutherans to determine what the Lutheran stand will be: Scripture has already determined that. We are not restricted to those doctrines laid down in our confessions. (Harold Wicks, Scripture is the Course and Norm for the Christian’s Faith and Life,’ Our Great Heritage, Vol. I, p84)"

Page 6


"We are not restricted to those doctrines laid down in our confessions. This is the very procedure followed in the confessions themselves. The Augustana did not restrict itself to those points treated in the Apostles’ Creed. The Formula of Concord [1577], in turn, did not restrict itself to those doctrinal statements found in the Augustana [1530], the Apology [1531], or the Smalcald articles [1537]. It went beyond them, because the framers of these documents considered it wise to do so. This is especially true of its Article on God’s Eternal Foreknowledge and Election. (Harold Wicks, "What is Doctrine According to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions,’ Our Great Heritage, Vol. I,p841"

Page 7



"Appeal to the Lutheran symbols did not resolve the objective justification controversy.

(Note Vernon Harley’s use of the Confessions to limit exegetical conclusions in his "Exegetical Study of Scripture Passages Generally Used to Teach ‘Objective’ or ‘Universal’ Justification" 1984, p8) "This is basically why they contend so strongly for ‘objective’ justification and go a step further than our Lutheran Confessions insisting that Objective Justification is the Chief article of the Christian Faith, while our Confessions give that honor to justification by grace through faith" (Formula of Concord, S.D. III, 6, p. 540 in Tappert)."

Page 7

http://www.wlsessays.net/files/MuellerSymbols.pdf

***

GJ - Judging from LI's experience, I would say that the Little Schoolhouse on the Prairie does a better job than The Sausage Factory - when it comes to using the Book of Concord.

However, since UOJ Wisconsinites dominate both sects, the results are the same. The ELS pastors know Lutheran doctrine better, but the ELS leaders parrot the WELS line on everything.

John Shep wants people to know that he coined the line, "When Mischke drinks beer in Milwaukee, Orvick burps in Mankato."

First of all, WELS pastors do not know Lutheran doctrine at all. What they know, they despise. There are exceptions, but they have to stay under the WELSian radar, and away from the WELS KGB.

WELS does a poor job of teaching the Confessions, so no one has the capacity to read and teach the Confessions - not that they care to do so. Wayne Mueller, another advocate of UOJ and Church Growth, is typical in his snotty attitude about the Book of Concord.

Everyone must look at the claims of WELS and the reality. The gap is breathtaking, like looking across the Grand Canyon the first time. That is always the WELS approach - a boastful claim for the public, a snide and arrogant attitude for the brothers. Their quia subscription might as well be a Chia subscription to the Book of Concord.

A Chia subscription to the Book of Concord - just as meaningless as a quia subscription to a book they neither trust nor comprehend.
But it will grow on you.

More Comments on Thoughts of Faith, Forensic Audit

"Pastor Jonathan Balge, official WELS contact man, has visited our church on January 12-17. Pastor Balge has met pastors in Kyiv, Kremenets and Ternopil and worshipped at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kremenets. He has also preached in the Resurrection Lutheran Church in Kyiv. WELS is a sister church of the Ukrainian Lurtheran Church, is a member of the Confessional Lutheran Conference and the largest church body in our fellowship."

Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "John Shep Has a Question for the ELS/WELS":

Interesting quotations related to this here: http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2010/10/jay-webber-john-shep-dp-seifert-vp.html

2005 discussion about Horpenchuk (actual spelling is Horpynchuk - full name Vyacheslav(Slavik) Horpynchuk) preaching at Resurrection church in Kyiv: http://www.christianforums.com/t6950278-53/

Photo's of Bishop Horpynchuk:
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/barbsullivan-380981-ukraine-presentation-education-ppt-powerpoint/

Ukrainian Lutheran Weekly
"On October 20 and 21, 2010 Convention of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church took place in Kremenets. Rev. Steven Petersen has greeted the Convention on behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, John Moldstad and Bishop Horpynchuk has read a greeting for the Convention from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod President, Rev. Mark Schroeder. The delegates of the Convention have thanked both ELS and WELS for the support they provide to the Ukrainian Lutheran Church."
http://lutheran-weekly.blogspot.com/

Ukrainian Lutheran Church
Written by Pastor Neumann
Wednesday, 24 February 2010 11:27 - Last Updated Wednesday, 24 February 2010 11:45
Dear Pastor Neuman and Brother Marvin Van Haften,
I have learned from Pastor Neal Schroeder about a very generous gift to the Barnabas Project
from you. We appreciate it very much. Ukrainian Lutheran Church is one of the largest church
bodies of our fellowship in Europe and it is in a very difficult situation as our support declined
rapidly and Ukrainian economy is in the worst condition in Europe now. Results of recent
Presidential elections, as some experts say, may cause shrinking of religious freedom in our
country. We hope and pray it does not happen. Yet we know the Lord is loving us, and He has
expressed his love through your congregation. We continue to preach the Word and administer
the Sacraments whatever happens around us but what a joy bring such news that we are not
forgotten and that we are not alone but have faithful brothers and sisters in Christ! Thank you
very much!

Have a blessed Lenten Season!
In Christ Crucified,
Slavik Horpynchuk
Bishop, Ukrainian Lutheran Church
http://www.grace-wels.org/index.php/wels-news/pastors-corner?start=20

John Shep Has a Question for the ELS/WELS

The official response from the Little Vatican on the Prairie was....


john shep has left a new comment on your post "From the Little Vatican on the Prairie":

Thoughts of Faith was my creation. It had noble and spiritual goals. It is so sad to see that the ELS is still passing a monumental scam as a legitimate mission. Will someone please demand an audit? Begin with Bishop Horpenchuk's 8,000 sq. foot home built outside of Kiev on a $1.000 monthly salary.

***

GJ - The members of of the ELS and WELS should ask for a forensic audit of both sects.

Forensic accountants trace who took the money and how they took it.

Members would enjoy finding out:

1. The salaries and benefits of all those spending offering money, Thrivent funds, and foundation loot. Both sects have a fiduciary duty to spend the money prudently.
2. How much money the "consultants" bill congregations. I know they will spend a few hours with a congregation and charge them thousands of dollars. Most people wear a mask when they boost that much money for a little bit of work.
3. What is the relationship between Cornerstone and WELS/ELS? Are people using synodical connections to give a business the image of a charitable church agency? What are they charging people and why?
4. Where did all the Schwan money go, before he died and after?

That will not happen, because church officials appoint yes-men to be yes-men. The ELS and WELS leaders love middle management types who second the motion to keep everything a secret. The "little" people would not understand how these things work.

The treasurer of WELS told Gurgle they could not misappropriate designated funds. Gurgle fired the treasurer and blamed the treasurer for funds disappearing. Next came one of those lame lies about how $8 million or so "got spent twice," leaving the Cathedral of St. Marvin of Schwan, MLC, high and dry. Gurgle slipped out of office and out of the country.

Soon he was back - working with Kudu Don Patterson and getting a salary! - after taking about $2 million in salary and benefits from WELS. And he was soon at work creating a new and exciting mission, in a nearby town that already had a new and exciting WELS mission.

A Glimpse of My Moline

Mike broke this window as a child.
This is why it was never repaired...

In his own words:

"I was playing marbles with Jim Putnam and Harry Mahar on 11th Ave C when we decided to see who could throw a marble the farthest. My choice was over the house on 27th street facing 11th C. I was short.....I walked up to the guys house and knocked on the door to turn myself in, so to speak, and he didn't even know it had happened. He asked me what we should do and I told him to call my dad. After my dad showed up we went and bought a window and came back to replace it and the owner told us he wanted to do that himself and put the window in the garage. That was about 1960 I think.

Years later when I was living in Arizona , I was visiting and saw the man and his wife working in the front yard. I stopped and told him who I was and he and his wife got big smiles on their faces and he told me he never replaced the window because I had renewed his faith in the youth and wanted a reminder not to become angry over neighborhood kids anymore. He showed the window to his friends and church members and used it for a lesson/story. That was in 1976. I told him then it was time and I could do it for him and of course they wouldn't let me....

I was recently in the neighborhood with my son Joe, 12 years old, and told him the story, and then stopped to see if it was still broken."

Mike spotted neighbors of the original victim on this latest trip, who invited Mike and his son into their house for tea. They spent a long time talking about the neighborhood and the tale of the broken window.

Mike said, "It was a great trip and a chance to impart a little wisdom on my youngest son."

Drama and Communications
Mike was in theater as a child. Moline High classmates remember him in "The Importance of Being Earnest." He was also Von Trapp in "The Sound of Music."

He was also in Playcrafters and the Music Guild. He worked at the Apacheland Movie Ranch, doing stunt work and some small parts, including "one terrible B movie" he has not named.

Back in the Quad Cities he directed Crazy For You. He came down with Guillain-Barre, a neurological disorder causing extreme weakness, among other symptoms.

Car Restoration
Mike earned a communications degree while he was recovering from Guillain-Barre, graduating with honors from Illinois State, and did most of the master's program. That did not turn into a communications job, so he went back to car restoration work. Some of his work is pictured below.

Mike says:
"I did a 51 Frasier and a 36 Pierce Arrow before opening my own location. (photos of both of these are in my Facebook photos albums, I am currently working on a lounge interior in a 40's passenger train car and have a 68 Malibu to start on the end of February. I would like nothing more than to return to Moline, to do whatever work is available. I am hoping to get some more rod and classic interior work, but it is hard to do when out of that for so long."

Pierce Arrow interior work.

The Barbie Jeep.

Frasier seat, green cloth with chestnut leather.


Dad
Mike loves being a father again, coaching his young son's baseball and football teams.

Mike and his son Joe enjoy time together.
Mike's favorite job is being a father.

John Gresham Machen on today’s education system « Churchmouse Campanologist

John Gresham Machen on today’s education system « Churchmouse Campanologist

The last two posts have featured excerpts from John Gresham Machen‘s Christianity and Liberalism, a short volume which he wrote in 1923 to expose Modernist error in the Church.

Along the way, he also adds insight about Western society. Today, he critiques and criticises modern education methods.

Today’s excerpts are taken from pages 15-19 of the PDF version of the book, generously put together by Reformed Audio. Subheads and emphases are mine for easier navigation.

GJ - Machen is a pivotal figure in American church history. Read more at the link.