Hove - God Speaks to Us Through the Means of Grace, Acts Upon Us

"In the Word of God there is not only a speaking about God, but in and through His Word God Himself speaks to us, deals with us, acts upon us. Therefore the Word of God is also an efficacious means of grace through which God regenerates, converts, and sanctifies man. This efficacy the Word of God possesses always; it is always united with the Word, never separated from it."
E. Hove, Christian Doctrine, Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1930, p. 27.

Luther - The Church Is Recognized by the Word and Sacraments

"The church is recognized, not by external peace but by the Word and the Sacraments. For wherever you see a small group that has the true Word and the Sacraments, there the church is if only the pulpit and the baptismal font are pure. The church does not stand on the holiness of any one person but solely on the holiness and righteousness of the Lord Christ, for He has sanctified her by Word and Sacrament."
What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 263. Matthew 24:4-7.

KJV Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers laces.

Katy Perry Has Probably Added a New Clause in the Contract:No More Poses with Slobbering Fans

bored has left a new comment on your post "Tim Glende Did Not Transform This Narcissist":

I didn't see a line in the rider about banning the backstage area to pathetic Lutheran (sic) pastors.

Obviously the rider you found was outdated--pre Glende/Ski.

Tim Glende Did Not Transform This Narcissist

Two drama queens cannot disguise their narcissism.

The Smoking Gun

MAY 19--As she prepares to embark next month on the U.S. leg of her 2011 world tour, Katy Perry will be carrying a 45-page concert rider that outlaws carnations, details very specific furniture requirements, and outlines a 23-point “principle driver policy” for chauffeurs in towns the 26-year-old singer visits.

According to Perry’s rider, excerpted here, the performer’s dressing room (which has to be draped in cream or soft pink) needs to be outfitted with two cream-colored egg chairs, one of which should have a footstool. It is unclear whether Perry requires original Arne Jacobsens or cheap knockoffs. A coffee table needs to be “perspex modern style.” A pair of floor lamps should be in “French ornate style.” And the singer’s refrigerator must come with a glass door.

As for the dressing room’s flower arrangement, Perry wants “White and purple hydrangeas, pink & white roses and peonies.” If those flowers are not available, Perry will settle for a “selection of seasonal white flowers to include white orchids.” However, promoters are advised, “ABSOLUTELY NO CARNATIONS.” That warning is, of course, underlined.

In a commendable effort to curb the environmental impact of plastic bottles, Perry’s rider notes that water dispensers must be provided in all dressing rooms and production offices, and that tour personnel will be supplied with “SIGG drinking bottles.”

When it comes to hotel provisions, Perry requires a “1 bedroom presidential suite” in a “5 star property.” And free Internet service and a complimentary breakfast must be provided to the performer and her touring party.

Chauffeurs, the rider notes, are not allowed to “start a conversation w/ the client.” Wheelmen are similarly barred from conversing with Perry’s guests or fans. They also are directed not to stare at the backseat through the rear view mirror. Drivers should also not “ask for autographs or pictures, and especially not while driving!” Finally, Perry’s ride should be outfitted with four water bottles (presumably in the event she forgets her Sigg).

The rider also alerts promoters that they may be required to hold back tickets for concerts so that Perry & Co. can provide the ducats to “resellers” for “distribution to the public” on the “secondary market.” In other words, Perry reserves the right to pocket some of the proceeds from the sale of tickets--not made available at face price to her fans--scalped at inflated prices by these brokers.

The quantity and location of tickets earmarked for these secondary markets will be determined by Perry’s “Personal Manager,” according to the rider, which was provided to TSG by our pal Jester. (6 pages)

Another Example of WELS Abuse of Pastors

I cannot say more at this time. Some laws were broken, nothing new for WELS leaders.

Bored Scours the Popcornites And The Incensed

bored has left a new comment on your post "Lito Cruz, PhD - On Smells and Bells Lutherans":

I think the Smells and Bells contingent is just as motivated by Agenda as the Popcornites. Agendizing Christianity, regardless of what agenda, is the problem.

No one would mind real reverence, but when practices invented in the 8th century are thrust upon us, and we are told this is the only way to be reverent, then I ask "what's your agenda?"

Singing the Latin words of the Liturgy while everyone else sings English does not make you Holier. It makes you annoying.

You walk back to your seat after communion with closed eyes and bowed head, with your folded hands at arms length. You get an A for effort, but I think your holy-ometer was permanently damaged that time you bashed your knee into the radiator and nearly fell over.

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GJ - I used to see Roman Catholic tabloid ads about worshiping with the Fourth Century Syrians. Buy the package! I would hear nuns at Notre Dame say, "Did you go to the 9:45 AM Mass? Wasn't that great?"

Performance.

Luther - We May Not Surrender an Iota of Doctrine

"In philosophy an error that is small at the beginning becomes very great in the end. So a small error in theology overturns the whole body of doctrine...That is why we may not surrender or change even an iota (apiculum) of doctrine." What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, III, p. 1365. Galatians 5:9.

KJV Galatians 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

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AC V has left a new comment on your post "Lito Cruz, PhD - On Smells and Bells Lutherans":

GJ and LPC,

Comparatively speaking, liturgy-emphasizing confessional Lutherans turning to Rome is (sic) far less a problem than Church Growth pietist Lutherans taking an entire synod to Fuller.

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GJ - One sentence is so packed with logical potholes that I will not try to unravel it.

I favor the formal, high church style of worship, but I do not think one fad is less dangerous than another. I pay attention to what people emphasize. When they make their actions more important than their doctrine, the first is a smokescreen for the second.

For instance, the Shrinkers hate the liturgy and insist on getting rid of Lutheran hymns, the Ecumenical Creeds, and Lutheran Biblical sermons. What the Shrinkers really believe is reflected in the messages they plagiarize - salvation by works in the absence of the Means of Grace. WELS, the Little Sect, and the CLC (sic) are completely captive to these oafs, and they cannot even acknowledge its existence - let alone its dominance.

The Romanizing crowd includes such posturing peacocks as Paul McCain, MDiv, whose peritus is Jack Kilcrease!; David Scaer, seminary doctorate; and Fenton, who left the bosom of Missouri UOJ for Eastern Orthodoxy. McCain and Scaer are as goofy about UOJ as the worst in WELS.

The problem is not the incense but the nebulous doctrine. The issue is not "extremes of worship" but foul doctrine. A Lutheran minister should be content to preach in a garage in a black robe with the incense shipment lost in recent floods, trusting in the efficacy of the Word.

A Lutheran minister will not hide the Sacraments, but he will not offer canonical law on the only possible way anyone could worship. I recall a worship professor at LSTC leading people down that path. When he was kicked out of teaching for liturgical fundamentalism, he took a parish call and became a leader in gay activism, having one of the first Reconciled in Christ congregations.

The pastors bewitched by such people as David Scaer should recognize that the LCA led the way in the same trends, following Rome. They should ask themselves why they all feel compelled to obey instructions from Rome on the three-year lectionary, liturgical observations, and even liturgical colors. Is this really the time to identify with the Antichrist and present such slavery as a better way to worship?

Suet Thief Wakes Us Up at 2 AM

I was asleep when all three dogs began carrying on. I heard odd noises around the window, where the birds feed and suet hangs. I just put new suet in the baskets. A third basket disappeared on the front side of the house, so I suspected a raccoon. Last year they put an end to the large bags of suet being hung outside, since each one lasted a day.

I keep a flashlight on the window sill, but I could not find the culprit at first. I waited until the burgling sounds started again. I shone the light at the window. The shameless raccoon faced into the light, a symbol of thievery and greed, his masked face limned with hunger. With my flashlight beam illuminating him, he reached up and effortless unhooked the basket holding the suet. It fell to the ground and he went down to finish it off.

We live in the woods, above a ravine, not too far from a creek. We enjoy seeing God's Creation at work around us.

Sign Him Up for Church Growth

Threats, Etc.

May 19, 2011

Edouard submits written not guilty plea

Steve Woodhouse Journal-Express

Pella — Accused former Pella Pastor Patrick Edouard has submitted a written plea of not guilty and waived his right to a speedy trial.

Patrick Edouard, 41, a former pastor at the Covenant Reformed Church in Pella was arrested March 23 and charged with three counts of sexual abuse 3rd degree, two counts of sexual exploitation and one count of sexual exploitation by a counselor.

Court records indicate that Edouard, pictured, forced sexual contact on at least three women while serving as the minister from 2003-10. Each sexual abuse complaint included statements that Edouard told the women that if they reported the abuse, no one would believe them. In one case, he told the woman that her husband would not forgive her.

In a written statement acquired by the Journal-Express, The Consistory at Covenant Reformed Church stated, "The congregation of Covenant Reformed Church has undergone a severe trial. We request all Christians be in prayer for us. There will be no further comment."

Bruce Church on Extreme Makeovers and Takeovers

bruce-church (http://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Luther - The Word of God Brings Eternal Life - Not...":

LCMS DPs engineering closures or takeovers of churches that resist CG methods. A few weeks ago we learned about the Minnesota U chapel being sold, and now a DP takes over a church called Gloria Dei and gives it to a congregation called New Vision. Hmm:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/reclaimnews/message/241

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GJ - Isn't that how Latte Lutheran Church was created? A WELS official told me they converted a going church into Randy Hunter's personal sandbox, where a lovely woman pastor could administer the Means of Grace.

WELS pastors love casual sects.

Luther - The Word of God Brings Eternal Life - Not Love

"Therefore, do not speak to me of love or friendship when anything is to be detracted from the Word or the faith; for we are told that not love but the Word brings eternal life, God's grace, and all heavenly treasures." What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, III, p. 1411f. Ephesians 6:10-17.

Chemnitz - Quoting Origen on Doctrine

Graduation, 1982, Notre Dame. Father Hesburgh gave me the diploma, while John Howard Yoder,
my dissertation advisor, put on the doctoral hood. Both have passed away and gone to their reward.

"Let him therefore who is concerned about his life not be taken in by the friendliness of heretics to agree with their doctrine. Neither let him be offended at my faults, who am a teacher, but let him consider the doctrine itself." Origen, Homily 7, on Ezekiel. Quoted by Martin Chemnitz, Examination of the Council of Trent, trans., Fred Kramer, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1971, I, p. 154.

Lito Cruz, PhD - On Smells and Bells Lutherans

LPC has left a new comment on your post "Good Point about the Divinity of Mary":

They also want to show that a "real" Lutheran is RC friendly and anti-Prot.

This makes it easier, it lowers down the conscious resistance.

This is the effect of UOJ. Since in UOJ everyone is already saved before they even believed, life gets very stale and boring.

To preoccupy themselves with things that bring some novelty; they get into being busy about smells and bells, vestments, Momma Mary and even the rosary and yes, even the titles.

LPC

Kent Hunter, DMin Fuller - On Sound Doctrine

Kent Hunter: "Correct doctrine is essential. But it is never to be a priority at the expense of the mission. In fact, when the quest for proper doctrine intensifies to the point of neglecting mission and ministry, then it is no longer proper doctrine." Foundations for Church Growth, New Haven: Leader Publishing, 1983, pp. 152-3. Cited by Rev. Curtis Peterson, former WELS World Mission Board, "A Second and Third Look at Church Growth Principles," Metro South Pastors Conference Mishicot, Wisconsin, February 3, 1993 p. 21.

Curtis A. Peterson holds a B.A. from Concordia Senior College, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and a M.Div and STM (l966 and l983 respectively) from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. 

In almost 30 years in the ministry in both the Missouri and Wisconsin Synods, he was an activist with many published articles supporting the orthodox Lutheran cause in the "Battle for the Bible" in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and author of several articles in the Wisconsin Synod between l987 and l995. He also delivered several essays at pastoral conferences during those years. 

He served congregations in Burlington, N.C., Rock Falls, Ill., Garland, Tex. and Gretna, La., in the LCMS and in Milwaukee, Wis. in the WELS. 

A Foundation member, he is now retired, resides in Wisconsin and calls himself a humanist and a freethinker.

Freedom From Religion Foundation