Failure to Supervise at WELS Headquarters. Failure of Counselor To Report Felonies

Joel Hochmuth was arrested on Tuesday and confessed.
He was fired on Friday.
WELS DPs are known for walking into a pastor's office and firing him on the spot.

SuzieQ has left a new comment on your post "Warning to the WELS - From Head Elder and SusieQ":

I would suggest you read the criminal complaint and you will have a better understanding why I find the Synod President's  slow actions in firing Hochmuth puzzling. The complaint is extremely graphic and describes in detail what was depicted in the videos. I would have fired him in 30 seconds after reading it. The more important thing right now is looking for victims.

The only purpose to carry a flash drive with graphic man/boy child pornographic video and photos would be to view the information you have stored on that. It's not used to prop to open the door or to clean your fingernails.

It would certainly deter anyone from looking at children performing sex acts on grown men if they knew their employer could access their their computer at anytime. This is the case in most large corporations and educational institutions.

It is not an invasion of privacy. When you are at work you have no expectation of privacy, concerning anything you bring into the work place. This includes CDs, flash drives, emails. IM and web browsing.

As I covered previously in this response. There would be no reason to bring child sexual pornography to work unless you were going to access it using your employers computer. He wouldn't have been holding it up to the light to look at it.

And in hind sight it would be advisable for WELS Synod to monitor their employees more closely, thus lowering the level of temptation. And to quote a famous person, "What have you got to hide?"

It is obvious to me that Hochmuth had this child pornography at his Synod Office out of fear his wife or son may find it. So it does look like WELS Synod was the weak link.

WELS has the obligation to be swift and firm. For your information his office at WELS is not in his home, so all your rigamarole and misquoting of the law is useless babble. If the FBI finds reason to search other offices and computers at Synod I am confident they will.

The FBI knows exactly who Joel was sharing the child pornography with. And they don't even need his cooperation or anyone elses to prove him guilty.

They have his confession and evidence, he's going away.

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GJ - Some basic questions are:

• How did the local area network administrator at 2929 Mayfair Road manage to overlook the use of images and videos that are a federal crime to view, let alone share?
• When did this counseling take place? Before or during Hochmuth's tenure at 2929 as director of communications?
• Why did the counselor, who worked with Mr. and Mrs. Hochmuth, fail to report the crime, as required by law? 
• Was it through WLCFS?
• Pastors Glende, Ski, Patterson, and Gurgel have recently excommunicated members for questioning them. Is child pornography also an excommunication offense, or is that a trivial matter in comparison?
• Hochmuth lawyered up fast, with the best criminal defense attorney in the state. Who is paying those enormous fees?

Martin Spriggs

Martin Spriggs's Summary

I am a general technologist with a public ministerial background. Together the two form a mix that supports ministry efforts within WELS that involve the use of technology. My primary goal is to share the love of Christ with as many people as possible through whatever means are available.

Specialties
Graphic design, web design, programming, project management, management, leadership

Martin Spriggs's Experience
Chief Technology Officer Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod October 2004 – Present (7 years 2 months)

Provide vision for and management of technology within WELS. This includes infrastructure and applications development, communication tools, and general web presence.

Consultant Unisys Public Company; 10,001+ employees; UIS; Information Technology and Services industry 2004 – 2004 (less than a year)

Director of Operations Qwest Communications Public Company; 10,001+ employees; Q; Telecommunications industry 1999 – 2004 (5 years)

Manage the consulting practice and general operations for Midwest Office

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AC V has left a new comment on your post "Failure to Supervise at WELS Headquarters. Failure...":

"Mind Like Water":

http://wlsce.net/course/262

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HOME › COURSES ›
Mind Like Water: A Productivity System for Shepherds

In karate the position of perfect readiness is described with the imagery of “mind like water.” A still pond reacts appropriately to a rock that is tossed into it regardless of the size of the rock or the force with which it was thrown. It then returns to a calm state. It doesn’t overreact or under-react. That is the state of mind that every pastor needs to be productive in the often chaotic pastor’s offices of today. We all struggle with getting to a state where we always react appropriately and are as productive as possible. When we don’t, we waste time and potentially sabotage relationships with unclear communications - essentially poor stewardship.

Using established time and talent management methodologies this course mixes the sciences of technology and the art of productivity, all from a Christian perspective. The end result will be a system every pastor (or any called worker) can use to be a good steward of time and talent. Topics include 1.) Getting your inbox to zero…and keeping it there; 2.) Determining what to do next…with confidence; 3.) Turning your to do list into something you can actually “get done”; and 4.) Getting others to be as productive as you are.


Martin Spriggs
Martin Spriggs has served as the synod’s Chief Technology Officer since 2004. A former pastor serving in Milwaukee, WI and Summerville, SC he now seeks to blend technology with its effective use in ministry.

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GJ - Spriggs gave sermons in Summerville that were verbatim copies of Hybels, Willow Creek. Even the inflections were copied. He promised to stop, but started again. He was not removed for false doctrine but for being dishonest.

WELS fed me a story through a friend that Spriggs was getting another pastoral call. I checked out the story and found it false. The idea was to plant a fake story so WELS could call me a liar. They tried it again, with a story of a prominent pastor being an adulterer. WELS is allergic to the truth - typical of an abusive sect.

Spriggs was in charge of the LAN at The Love Shack when Church and Change was registering WELS members and pastors from the WELS.net website for their next conference. One pastor said, "But SP Gurgel told me that Church and Change does not exist anymore."

I said, "Here is the link. Try it for yourself." I believe that clever addition to the WELS.net website was taken down by Mark Schroeder. I would have enjoyed the Come-to-Jesus meeting about that link. I heard Church and Change was furious that they had to report their activities to the Synod President. The idea!

Since Spriggs teaches for The Sausage Factory, he should add this to his bio: "Asleep at the switch when  the local area network I manage was being used for child porn."


That would be the best he could do, because if he knew and did nothing...

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From 29A: My wife said ... [comment deleted by request]. Women do not like that kind of stuff and when he goes up the river, neither will the other cons. Cons usually get these or give these kind of guys the justice system did not do, if you know what I mean.

The question now becomes how many others at the Love Shack knew about this and also in the synod schools and even throughout the local congregations?

Also is the Appleton and Texas gangs going to call you a liar about this when it is all over the media? Does that mean the FBI agents are liars too? The WELS may want to be very careful on this issue because they could end up on the wrong side of the law themselves.

Luther Rocks: People in Bondage

Luther Rocks: People in Bondage:

'via Blog this'

Assault victim sues school, synod - JSOnline

Assault victim sues school, synod - JSOnline:


A civil lawsuit was filed Wednesday on behalf of a girl who was sexually abused by a religion teacher at Wisconsin Lutheran High School beginning when she was a freshman there in 2001.

The lawsuit accuses the school and church officials of negligence and of covering up the episode. It seeks unspecified damages.

The teacher, Brent Biesterfeld, now 35, was sentenced in July 2002 to 18 months in prison on two counts of second-degree sexual assault of a child for assaulting two female students both on and off school grounds.

The lawsuit seeks damages from Biesterfeld, the school, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and the school principal, as well as four insurance companies.

Robert L. Habush, a lawyer representing the girl, who was identified under the alias of Jane Doe, has asked that the lawsuit not reveal the girl's name because of the humiliation, distress and other injuries she has suffered.

According to the lawsuit:

School and church officials should have been aware of a 1999 criminal report on file with the Milwaukee Police Department that accused Biesterfeld of engaging in illicit sexual activities with a minor. No charges were brought as a result of that report.

School and church officials had a duty to disclose the past allegations against Biesterfeld, who was hired by the school in November 1998, the lawsuit states. He was also the basketball and soccer coach for the school, 330 N. Glenview Ave.

The assaults that led to charges against Biesterfeld began in the spring of 2001 when the girl was 15 and in the second semester of her freshman year at the school, according to court records. She was a student in Biesterfeld's religion class and was a member of the teams he coached. According to the lawsuit, Biesterfeld had ongoing sexual contact with the girl between April 2001 and March 2002, when Biesterfeld was arrested.


'via Blog this'


***

GJ - I published information about this, here -

http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2008/05/wisconsin-synod-facing-another-lawsuit.html

Lutheran official charged with three counts of child porn possession - TODAY'S TMJ4 - Police Looking for Victims. Video Report Linked

Lutheran official charged with three counts of child porn possession - TODAY'S TMJ4:


By The WTMJ News Team

CREATED NOV. 16, 2011 - UPDATED: NOV. 17, 2011



WAUKESHA - 52-year-old Joel Hochmuth, the Director of Communications for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, has been charged with three counts of possessing child porn.

According to a criminal complaint, FBI agents found at least 310 pictures and at least 38 videos of child pornography located on Hochmuth's computer and thumb drives.

Also, authorities report at one point, the Hochmuth's wife caught him viewing these images, and they had gone to counseling as a result.

The Waukesha County District Attorney's office was working Thursday to draft a criminal complaint with child pornography charges against a high-ranking official with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

Waukesha Police detectives report they found several images of child pornography inside Joel Hochmuth's home. Authorities say he may have been distributing child pornography as well.

He was to face a judge in a Waukesha County courtroom on Thursday afternoon.

Police took Hochmuth, 52, into custody at the Waukesha County Jail.  He is the Director of Communications for WELS.

Hochmuth was arrested at his home in Waukesha on Wednesday evening.

According to a Waukesha Police Sergeant, the FBI cyber crime task force discovered someone at Hochmuth's home downloading child porn.

That sergeant told TODAY'S TMJ4 a significant number of child porn images were found in Hochmuth's home and investigators are discovering more Wednesday night, as they go through additional hard drives.

TODAY'S TMJ4's Steve Chamraz also spoke with the president of the WELS church.

He told TODAY'S TMJ4 on the phone, that "this is not in keeping with the Joel Hochmuth he knows. And he is praying it is all some kind of misunderstanding."


'via Blog this'

Warning to the WELS - From Head Elder and SusieQ

Head Elder has left a new comment on your post "Wisconsin Synod President Claims Uncertainty 48 Ho...":

WARNING to the WELS:

It's time for us all to revisit the slippery slope. Notice - you are all on it.

Criminal facts are not gossip and attempts to call them gossip are only meant to deflect from the truth.

Continually stating the obvious that we are all sinful is an attempt to deflect sin itself. Also statements of "who are we to judge and don't judge until you walk in other people's shoes," are contemptuous to God's Words and warnings.

• If you see a crime being committed and you do nothing and use the excuse "who are you to judge, you are as guilty as the person committing crime.
• If you really believe in the "who are you to judge" philosophy - 
• then hire a pedophile as a babysitter. 
• Since  - who are you to judge.

If you are a member of the WELS for the warm fuzzy of the Gospel and you ignore the law, you might think about changing churches. Since there are many church denominations that run solely on "Who am I to Judge" and "you can't walk in their shoes" and "everyone should love and forgive everyone regardless", even the unrepentant. You should have no problem finding that kind of church.

God's Word is absolute and clear.

***

GJ - Two teens in my Michigan congregation died, struck down by drunk drivers. One was just recovering from his personal problems. The young woman was becoming a champion swimmer, the pride of her family.

A local WELS pastor was so drunk that he piled his car into a utility pole, injuring himself and the pole. I asked who it was. That was a secret, the circuit pastor said. Nothing was done. I had already asked the responsible people to help an obvious out-of-control situation. The lack of concern for this person's family was quite disturbing. I did what I could, and that was used against me.

Covering up for the guilty is doubly wrong when fake severity is used to get rid of laity and pastors.

The message of WELS has been - "The bigger the crime, the more we will cover for you, if you remain faithful to Holy Mother Synod."

 No wonder Wisconsin Lutheran College invited Roman Catholic archbishop Weakland to lecture to them. He was a deviant who blamed child molestation on the children, had an affair with a young man, and embezzled church funds to pay blackmail to his lover.

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SuzieQ has left a new comment on your post "Wisconsin Synod President Claims Uncertainty 48 Ho...":

Synod President the Rev. Mark Schroeder issued a brief statement "praying for all who have been affected by the events"

Why not say who those souls are? Children forced into sexual bondage to be sexually abused and used in terrible ways. Souls he should care about and want to help, not sweep under a rug.

Why was it allowed into the Synod offices? They are all very learned men - they often say so. They know the Devil exists. So why not stop the temptation as other schools and businesses do?

Every Sunday I listen to how I was born sinful and need to examine myself daily. Do you think they might apply this to the Synod Headquarters?

I hope Joel Hochmuth the ex-communications director has opened wide the door for the FBI to come in and do a clean sweep of the whole Synod.

Begin honoring your positions and stop allowing students to post videos feigning homosexuality online. It's not funny. It's disrespectful and harmful to other people. It's not acceptable behavior for our future Pastors and teachers.

Quit talking out of both sides of your mouths and act accordingly. If you can't do it with Jesus sitting in front of you DON'T DO IT!

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SolaSister has left a new comment on your post "Warning to the WELS - From Head Elder and SusieQ":

I couldn't say a louder AMEN to this post. As refugees from the WELS and LCMS both, we became sick to the teeth about hearing the "Good news of God's Luv" without a solitary word about hell, judgment and the wrath to come. (Why we need the Gospel in the first place.) Sermons were a joke. Literally. At St. John's Lutheran, Wauwatosa, home to numerous seminary faculty, our family of 7 were treated to a sermon still joked about today. It was centered around Green Eggs and Ham, written by the great theologian, Dr. Seuss. My children began laughing quietly until the whole pew was shaking. We never went back. The insult of climbing into that venerable old pulpit and giving us Dr. Seuss about says it all. Pale, ineffectual, passionless men in skirts--having a form of godliness, but with zero power.

We are familiar with the church that Mr. Hochmuth attends. It was the first church we visited when moving to Waukesha a few years ago. We were interested in their school also for our children. We walked in and were greeted with the sight of a drum set. Bad sign. We looked at the worship folder to learn that one of the hymns was Bette Midler's, You are the Wind Beneath My Wings. We got up and walked out. Trinity Lutheran is afflicted with the same disease as all the other Lutheran churches. It's all grace and not a word about the law. So parishioners in these churches are increasingly lawless. I could go on for hours. I weep over this. Our children have been harmed by this spiritually. Imagine laughing at the content of a sermon. Welcome to the WELS and the LCMS.

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GJ - Faithful pastors and laity in the Olde Synodical Conference have to listen to snide comments about the Means of Grace liturgy, the "boring and irrelevant" Book of Concord, and real sermons.

One WELS pastor said, "It is very difficult to be in ..." I could name the place, but fill in the blank. One pastor told me he is the only one who is NOT a Shrinker at his meetings.

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rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "Warning to the WELS - From Head Elder and SusieQ":

I am not convinced that this will be the straw that breaks the camel's back for the WELS. As those who have posted have said, there really is not any condemnation from the Law taking place from official synod mouthpieces. There seems to be this veiled denial as if to say, "there must be some sort of misunderstanding".

Law enforcement and prosecutors are certainly capable of making mistakes. However, there are also trained not to move forward unless they are fairly certain that an arrest will not end up in an easy acquittal. Most cases end with a plea bargain. Even if it is all just a big mistake, law enforcement will never admit to a mistake for fear of reprisal and loss of credibility.

The images and videos seized are enumerated. Whether you like sting operations or not, it has been developed into case law and it would be highly unlikely that the charges would be dropped on a technicality.

As has been pointed out here on Ichabod, there is this sentiment within the WELS that those who are on the payroll are above reproach.

Facts are stubborn things. It may also be that so many within the WELS want to be part of something bigger, that being the synod. Just look at how the synod minders get all worked up in a lather over the smallest of criticisms. This is how die-hard sports fans behave about their favorite team. An example would be how nutty Packer fans can act in public.

Moi?

Luther Rocks: Pure Gold

Luther Rocks: Pure Gold:

Pure Gold

Much ado about the WELS in the news and the blogosphere as of late. It reminded me of a blog post by my pastor last April. May those who struggle find some comfort...Read on...

A Primer on Anfechtung | St. Antony’s Cave: A Primer on Anfechtung Posted on April 18, 2011 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

As Jerry’s fellow comedian says, “That’s pure gold Jerry; pure gold I’m telling you” when Jerry tosses him a joke as a bone to his sycophantic friend. Well my friends I toss not a bone but the whole steak. First I whet your appetite with this appetizer from Johann Gerhard: “; [T]hus does God the Lord also often allows the members of Christ to experience such anguish, so that they think nothing other than that God has forsaken them and will no longer look upon them in grace. We find such examples of temptations especially in David and Job. And with such temptations God more often assails, not the ordinary Christian, but rather the greatest saints, who have increased more than others in the knowledge of God” (History of the Suffering, Gerhard, 275)...finish the article here.

Extra Nos: Why ex-Calvinists fall for Walther

Extra Nos: Why ex-Calvinists fall for Walther:

One will notice that ex-Calvinists becoming Lutheran get attracted to C. F. W. Walther.

Why is that the case?

Because most ex-Calvinists becoming Lutherans had the sad experience of being burnt by Calvinists teachings. You can read about their testimonies in the Internet. However, in their excitement to hurriedly know Lutheranism, rather than scrutinising the Book of Concord and going through the Scriptures evaluating if the Confession complies with Scripture, they are coached instead to read C F Dubya's works. The light starts to burn specially bright when they get to read how C F Dubya hated Calvinism.

Calvinism is not just confined to TULIP, but it is a whole world view, a paradigm, a spirit of doing theology. It is no mystery but it is well documented in history books that Lutherans have had issues with Calvinists as well as Zwinglians alike.

Where I came from, we have a funny saying, it is not the cops who hate thieves, but fellow thieves themselves.

Of course, when Lutherans read of Walther's critique of Calvinism, the Lutheran hears him singing their refrain. Walther did not like Calvinism, but his paradigm in collapsing atonement with justification and in his belief in unconditional election, makes him a psychological Calvinist himself. What is a psychological Calvinist? It is someone who operates in Calvinistic paradigm without realising or being conscious of it.

Unfortunately, only a few well educated and astute American Lutherans can see and recognise this in Walther. Those that protests and who point this out are ganged up, bullied and hurriedly shut up.

'via Blog this'

Joel Hochmuth Update - Disavowed by Former Employer

Joel Hochmuth taught at Kennesaw State University
and gave a presentation at the WELS Youth Rally, 2009.

The Preliminary Hearing is at 10:00 AM December 16, 2011.

These are terms of his bond:

Not to use or possess any computer or any instrumentality that can access the internet. Not to use or possess any pornography. Defendant to have no unsupervised contact with any minors under the age of 18 (except his own children).


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http://web.kennesaw.edu/news/stories/kennesaw-state-university-statement-joel-hochmuth

Kennesaw State University Statement on Joel Hochmuth

KENNESAW, Ga. (Nov. 18, 2011) ­­– Kennesaw State University Provost W. Ken Harmon issued the following statement today to the campus community:

“News reports from Wisconsin media outlets have come to the attention of Kennesaw State University officials regarding a former instructor employed at the university from 2003-06, who has been charged with child pornography.

Joel W. Hochmuth, 52, presently resides in Waukesha, Wisconsin.The former employee has not been affiliated with the university since 2006.

KSU officials have not been contacted by law enforcement officials or by the media in connection with this case.  However, we thought it appropriate to alert the campus community to these media reports.

During 2003 and 2004, Hochmuth worked at KSU as a part-time instructor in the Communications Department.  He was appointed and served as a full-time temporary instructor in the same department for the 2005-2006 academic year.  He was reappointed to that position for the 2006-2007 academic year, but resigned voluntarily from the university, effective December 31, 2006.

As with all KSU employees, Hochmuth underwent a background check prior to his initial 2003 employment.  That background check indicated no criminal record.

No personnel issues were identified during Hochmuth’s association with the university.  He resigned and departed in good standing.”

The New Rome - How Denominations Destroy Themselves Today - Their Revolt against the Word

A WELS member sent me the link to the Joel Hochmuth arrest, which was already in a newspaper. Today a search on the story, via Google News, yields 37 or more media listings. The brain-washed do not realize that most of my information comes from within. The rest is on the Net, especially since the worst characters cannot help bragging about themselves.

When District President Ed Werner was arrested and sent to state prison for molesting girls in his own congregation, WELS only admitted to it in that region, because it was in the newspapers. However, the vast majority knew nothing about it. DP Free's son (now at The Love Shack) offered the WELS cover story as soon as Werner was arrested.

But no news is local now. I can look up the smallest local paper and find out who died and what is being offered in the school lunch program. The Survivors' Network for those Abused by Priests (SNAP) had their first successes by combining information across the country, tracing where abusive priests were moved. Many of those scandals in the Roman Catholic Church were erupting in the 1980s. The same pattern continues, but reporting is putting a crimp in the plans. One prelate is in trouble because he is remembered for praising a bishop who covered up gross child abuse by one priest. "He supported this priest, a son of the Church."

Denominations are the New Rome. They are obsessed with themselves and hate their own doctrine, whatever it might be. Institutional secrecy, felonious cover-ups, shunning, and excommunication mark their Gospel work. They all gather at Fuller Seminary, which is only good at one thing - flattering idiots into thinking that business methods do the work of the Holy Spirit. Priests train there too.

The Book of Concord shows no interest in denominations and the visible church of its time. However, Church Growth is based on business management theories and marketing, so it is obsessed with institutions. Any large congregation is good simply because it is large. Faithful members and pastors are wolves, according to a founder of Jeske's Church and Change lobby, an employee at Parlow's plagiarizing church.

The Roman Catholic Church is very good at what they do - not that we should emulate them. They allow any teaching, any deviancy, but no criticism. The Church of Rome is indefectible, they claim. A priest can be a New Ager like Jeske, but he will not be touched, no matter what absurdity he teaches, as long as he remains loyal to Rome. A priest can get himself into any kind of trouble, but he is still a priest and likely to pop up again, like Fred Adrian or Floyd Luther Stolzenburg. Money talks, doctrine walks.

The Roman Catholic leaders live like royalty and court the wealthy. The Lutheran leaders also have their trotters in the trough, with first dibs on the offering money, the Thrivent and foundation grants. A Lutheran who is faithful to Holy Mother Synod can expect to travel around the world on offering money. He can almost destroy his sect - like Pope John the Malefactor - and still travel like the Secretary of State. But if he criticizes the New Rome, he will be pushed out of his parish, treated as a leper by all, and see his family trashed at every opportunity.

The synods need a Book of Concord approach if they are going to last a few years more. The clergy and laity will need to tremble at the Word, not at the voice of the DP.

How many Lutheran leaders know who Chytraeus is -
or care who he is?

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LutherRocks has left a new comment on your post "The New Rome - How Denominations Destroy Themselve...":

I believe it is the fulfillment of prophecy...from Revelation 17: " 1 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”

3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 This title was written on her forehead:

MYSTERY

BABYLON THE GREAT

THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES

AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. "

Dr. Lito Cruz on Walther, Zwingli, and Calvin

LPC has left a new comment on your post "Intrepid Lutherans: Some musings on the article of...":

Listen to what Walther said... C.F.W. Walther wrote in 1868: "…you often hear pastors preach, 'You are saved if you believe.' What they should be saying is, 'You are saved so that you might believe."

Now compare this with what Zwingli said...
"Faith itself does not save, speaking accurately, but it is a sign of salvation and election. The Father's drawing saves and justifies, and the operation of the Holy Spirit: faith, however, is the sign of all the Elect".

Can you see the difference? I don't. Of course, Walther was a sub-conscious Calvinist (and Calvin never broke free from Zwingli). He spoke like a true Zwinglian also.

In Calvinism as in UOJ, you are justified first then you have faith. This is all the result of unconditional election. Your faith is just the manifestation of justification which in eternity you already have even before you were born.

Walther said, you are saved so you might believe.

Now excuse me, where did Jesus say that?

LPC

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LPC has left a new comment on your post "Intrepid Lutherans: Some musings on the article of...":

"The doctrine that teaches such a particularism[absolute election] according to which God elected unto eternal life only certain particular persons directly without regarding faith, merely because it so pleased Him, --- this we consider Calvinistic and unchristian"--

Polycarp Leyser
(emphasis mine)

LPC

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests Issued a Statement to WELS

WELS headquarters - Hochmuth had pornographic photos and videos of young boys here.

SNAP Response

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests released a statement on this case.

"If the charges against Hochmuth turn out to be credible, it is important to know what steps the Synod president is going to implement to protect children. (The synod president) should immediately notify the congregations of the Synod of the charges that have been made against Hochmuth," SNAP said.

 Read more: http://www.wisn.com/news/29790392/detail.html#ixzz1e7mE5HLS

SNAP News

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Journal Sentinel Update

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Viewing is possession, the court rules.

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Faith Watch

Wisconsin Synod President Claims Uncertainty 48 Hours after Hochmuth Confessed to Federal Crimes. Hochmuth Fired Friday

WELS Synod President Mark Schroeder

AC V has left a new comment on your post "Readers' Comments on the WELS Child Pornography Ca...":

Time line:

Thursday night, Schroeder "Together":

"We take allegations such as these very seriously and emphasize that WELS has absolutely no tolerance for the kind of behavior that has been alleged. Hochmuth’s employment with the synod has been suspended until the facts of the case are fully known."

Wednesday night, various news sources:

"The Rev. Mark Schroeder, president of WELS, said he learned about Hochmuth’s arrest Wednesday evening ... The church official knows limited details about Hochmuth’s arrest, he said, mostly gained from a police report and information in the media."

Tuesday, various news sources:

"A Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod employee was arrested Tuesday on child pornography charges, according to Waukesha police."

"Hochmuth told authorities that the number of images found on his computer in Waukesha 'was nothing compared to what they would find in his office,' the complaint states."

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Criminal Complaint:

Tuesday:

...and officers obtained a warrant to search the defendant’s residence on November 15, 2011...

The defendant admitted to using the home computer in the basement to upload and download these images at least once.  At one point, the defendant’s wife caught him viewing these images, and they had gone to counseling as a result...

Officers then executed a search warrant at the defendant’s office, and they located a computer as well as three thumb drives.  


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by Michele McCormack
Story Created: Nov 18, 2011 CST
Story Updated: Nov 18, 2011 


WAUKESHA- On Friday, Joel Hochmuth, the communications director of a local church group posted bail after being arrested on child porn charges.


Bail had been set at $20,000 Thursday after the 52 year old was formally charged with three counts of possessing child pornography.


Within hours, The Rev. Mark Schroeder, president of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, released the following statement:


"We immediately suspended Mr. Hochmuth after learning of this matter and effective today his employment was terminated. Communication duties have been reassigned internally, and we are moving forward with our work and our ministry.


"WELS holds it employees to high ethical and moral standards; we will not and cannot tolerate behavior that goes against these principles. As we've shared with our Church leadership nationwide, we continue to pray for all who have been affected by these events, and we are cooperating fully with the authorities as this matter works its way through the legal process."




The criminal complaint say Hockmuth admitted to struggling with a pornography problem.


His lawyer later qualified the statement that it was an adult porn addiction not child porn.


Investigators executive a search warrant on his Waukesha County home Wednesday and say they found multiple images of child porn.


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Criminal Complaint:


"The defendant stated that he has been struggling with an addiction to viewing pornographic photos and videos of young boys in sexually explicit poses."
 

Catholics are buying bankrupt Crystal Cathedral megachurch | The Lookout - Yahoo! News

Catholics are buying bankrupt Crystal Cathedral megachurch | The Lookout - Yahoo! News:

Schuller started the Church Growth Movement.
Now he is watching the monument to his ego sold to the Roman Catholic Church.
If only Paul Kelm had organized his cell groups there...

'via Blog this'

Intrepid Lutherans: Some musings on the article of election

Intrepid Lutherans: Some musings on the article of election:

GJ - The article on election in the Formula of Concord should be studied and re-read by everyone.

'via Blog this'

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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Intrepid Lutherans: Some musings on the article of...":

Note that there is additional significance to the Book of Concord addressing the doctrine of Election.

Those who defend and promote the false gospel of Universal Objective Justification know that the teaching is not taught in the BOC. When challenged on this they will invariably state that the BOC was only intent on addressing the Roman Catholic Church's false gospel of Work Righteousness by teaching Subjective Justification and as such never addresses Objective Justification. This is a baseless lie since the doctrine of Election was not under contention but included in the BOC in order to make a clear confession. If the authors of the BOC clarified their confession on the unchallenged doctrine of Election why didn't they clearly and fully document their confession of UOJ? UOJ is even more offensive to the RCC since it declares not only those with faith forgiven but the whole unbelieving world forgiven and righteous -regardless of works.

UOJ isn't in the BOC because it isn't taught in Scripture and in fact contradicts and perverts Christ's pure Word.

***

GJ - Because the Book of Concord is not taught adequately, few realize the genius level of the theologians around Luther. God certainly provided two or more generations of faithful, orthodox, prolific Gospel leaders.

• Luther and Melanchthon were two of the greatest theologians of all time.
• Both men trained Martin Chemnitz, senior editor of the Book of Concord.
• Chytraeus wrote works that were kept in print over 100 years.
• Polycarp Leyser also served as an editor of the Lutheran Symbols (as they are sometimes called).
• Chemnitz worked with J. Gerhard, co-authoring a giant work.
• Gerhard produced some of the finest works of Christian theology, now available in English through Repristination Press.

This is significant because the men from the Book of Concord generation slapped down the ridiculous UOJ of Samuel Huber and kicked his Enthusiastic rear off the faculty at Wittenberg.

Leyser, who wrote the biography of Chemnitz, was one of those men. Huber taught that every single person was justified, forgiven, saved.

WELS Northwestern College Professor Was Chairman of the First Gay Lutheran Seminary, UOJ Advocate

Richard Jungkuntz taught UOJ at the WELS convention.
Later he became chairman of the board for Seminex,
the official seminary of the Metropolitan Community Church.
David Deppe was one of the Seminex professors.

Here is the UOJ WELS essay.

Readers' Comments on the WELS Child Pornography Case. Joel Hochmuth Confessed. Why Is He Suspended, Not Fired? Who Is Paying His High-end Lawyer?

bored has left a new comment on your post "What is Child Pornography? Violating Federal Law a...":

WHO is paying for Bucher to defend him? That guy ain't cheap. Whose going to be paying for the 20 large to get him out of jail?

I kinda doubt that a Communications Director for the synod is taking enough in to afford that sort of Attorney and Bail. I dunno, maybe I'm a wrong, but it kinda seems like the WELS might be paying for this stuff.

Now THAT would be a good thing for us to find out.

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AC V has left a new comment on your post "The Olde Synodical Conference Can Stop Blaming the...":

Re: "Since the WELS counseling agency was involved with Joel Hochmuth's problem (dates not given), why was this scandal and crime allowed to worsen?"

If it was a WELS counseling agency, that is a good question, especially since Schroeder said, "We take allegations such as these very seriously and emphasize that WELS has absolutely no tolerance for the kind of behavior that has been alleged." ("alleged"? Hochmuth himself admitted it!!)

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SuzieQ has left a new comment on your post "What is Child Pornography? Violating Federal Law a...":

Thank you for posting this. It seems many are adopting the it depends what is "is" in this case.

I am shocked and horrified at the response by Synod.

They need to do the RIGHT thing and Fire him!!

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Emmy0417 has left a new comment on your post "The Olde Synodical Conference Can Stop Blaming the...":

Until you have walked in any of these men's shoes, do not be so quick to judge. You are assuming that Schroeder knew about this when you have no proof other than your own judgement. The WELS is neither Anti-Lutheran nor Anti-Confessional. Ichabod needs to focus on the people involved and not tarnishing the names of those affected by the outcome.

GJ - Possession of child pornography is a federal crime, a crime that took place at the Wisconsin Synod headquarters building.

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SuzieQ has left a new comment on your post "More on Frey's Resignation - From WELS Laity, Curr...":

From a lay persons point of view - do you understand how much damage is being done?

SOULS are in the balance.

What exactly do you mean by sanctioned apostasy?

Why is there no transparency in what is happening in the Synod and in our congregations?

Maybe if there was it would lessen these serious blows to the membership. (You know the less worthy people you are suppose to be serving.) The pity party for leaving the ministry is lost on me. Or am I wrong it's not suppose to be about YOU. I've heard this whining for too long.

I'd appreciate some dumbing down for us laypeople who care about WELS and want to stay WELS. (For the RIGHT reasons.)

I'd also like to know if Joel is Hochmuth? I am shocked at SP prayers first going for the deviant sexual offender and then to unspecified children of molesters.

Anyone who buys or downloads child porn is guilty of raping that child.

Hochmuth isn't repentant or he'd cough up his suppliers and all the others he's shared with. Instead of having his attorney say it's just adult porn.

Why haven't they asked him to resign like Frey?

I hope the FBI searches all the Synod offices. They obviously won't police themselves. They are not above the law.

Remember the Millstone - who's all wearing it?

I want to know!

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SuzieQ has left a new comment on your post "WELS Love Shack - Update: $20K Bail for WELS Commu...":

It's reported Joel's wife and he attend counseling for his addiction. Was this provided by WELS Synod (as it is in most cases)? If so then WELS would have known about their employee's problem. This is not the first time WELS has had this type of problem and had to pay for it.

Why don't they don't check their employees computers for inappropriate usage?

The WELS Synod sent out an email which asks for prayers:

1st for the accused pedophile Joel and his family, and 2nd the children who were raped, photographed and videotaped against their will - do they not realize their employee was satisfying his deviant sexual appetite using children - and in their offices? They have their priorities and thinking backwards.

"FBI agent used peer-to-peer software which allowed him to connect with Hochmuth's computer and browse for files, and says Hochmuth was sharing child porn. The agent says he also chatted with Hochmuth online, and Hockmuch allegedly told him he likes pictures of males 10 years of age or older. " "Investigators found several hundred images on his home computer and 310 photographs and 38 videos on a purple thumb drive recovered from his WELS office."

Child Porn charges filed against church official

If this man is guilty and repentant he wouldn't allow his Attorney to lie and say he only had an adult porn problem.

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bruce-church (https://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "What is Child Pornography? Violating Federal Law a...":

SuzieQ is right. Hochmuth is not contesting the charges, so there's no reason to think it's all a big mistake, and therefore there's enough information to fire him. Hochmuth is not a victim of credit card fraud, for instance, where a sicko used stolen credit card info to access a child porn site, for instance.

The suspension is really a reflection of UOJ in action, similar to how the daughter of a deceased DUI victim said God had already forgiven the drunk driver without knowing the first thing about that drunk driver! One would think the WELS is practicing theology under the influence!

The synod's wrath and swift punishment are reserved solely for those who question the synod or UOJ, the only unforgivable sins according to them.

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LutherRocks has left a new comment on your post "The Olde Synodical Conference Can Stop Blaming the...":

Leading with the Law instead of the Gospel (universal absolution - WELS version) in preaching would go a long long way in the WELS. For every case like this there are dozens of others swept under the rug. Jesus said to go therefore and teach and baptize all nations...teaching them to observe what I have commanded you. That does not mean just preach the Gospel. That means preach Law and Gospel...repentance and only then forgiveness. It is time to turn that upside down evangelism right side up.

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ea5d4cfc-1238-11e1-be9d-000bcdcb8a73 (https://openid.aol.com/opaque/ea5d4cfc-1238-11e1-be9d-000bcdcb8a73) has left a new comment on your post "Readers' Comments on the WELS Child Pornography Ca...":

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/134144148.html

(notice the time stamp...)

Get your facts straight...your overall assumption that Hochmuth is Satan incarnate is sinful in and of itself. Who are you to judge? Can you read his heart? Concerning the counseling appoints, those are confidential by law. They cannot and could not be shared with the synod. This site and your biased and sinful gossip and opinions make me sick. But then, you probably can't quite here me because the plank is so long...I digress.

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AC V has left a new comment on your post "Readers' Comments on the WELS Child Pornography Ca...":

One lawyer's opinion:

http://www.cphins.com/LegalResources/tabid/65/iid/228/siid/0/Default.aspx

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AC V has left a new comment on your post "Readers' Comments on the WELS Child Pornography Ca...":

Time line:

Thursday night, Schroeder "Together":

"We take allegations such as these very seriously and emphasize that WELS has absolutely no tolerance for the kind of behavior that has been alleged. Hochmuth’s employment with the synod has been suspended until the facts of the case are fully known."

Wednesday night, various news sources:

"The Rev. Mark Schroeder, president of WELS, said he learned about Hochmuth’s arrest Wednesday evening ... The church official knows limited details about Hochmuth’s arrest, he said, mostly gained from a police report and information in the media."

Tuesday, various news sources:

"A Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod employee was arrested Tuesday on child pornography charges, according to Waukesha police."

"Hochmuth told authorities that the number of images found on his computer in Waukesha 'was nothing compared to what they would find in his office,' the complaint states."

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MaryJo (https://openid.aol.com/opaque/c6ef936a-1260-11e1-be45-000bcdcb2996) has left a new comment on your post "WELS Love Shack - Update: $20K Bail for WELS Commu...":

Words cannot even express my disappointment as I view the hurtful words and the visual mockery of someone who clearly needs prayers and forgiveness at an incredibly difficult time. Let he who has no sin cast the first stone. Each of us struggles with sin throughout our life, many of us pet sins, and all are equally detestable in God's eyes. Unfortunately, some sin is more public or illegal in nature. Let's all search our hearts and take a look in the mirror lest we find ourselves guilty of sin against the eighth commandment, especially against a fellow Christian who already knows he has done wrong. It makes me want to cry for Joel and his wife and teenage son that such horrifying treatment is given to his story here on this blog. No truly Christian person could possibly delight in this website. Satan, I'm sure, has it set as his online home page, however.

***

GJ - MaryJo has an opaque ID to hide her identity. This is from the Church and Change sorority. Hochmuth and his enablers mocked the Gospel by victimizing underaged boys, downloading and sharing extremely pornographic photos and videos. Like the MLC gay video, those files will exist forever on the Net.

This is not new. Luther said that the people of his time worshiped those cardinals who were satisfied with a woman. The WELS church workers--pastors and teachers alike--have a serious underground network of offenders. That has been ratified by three different knowledgeable sources.

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norcal763 has left a new comment on your post "Readers' Comments on the WELS Child Pornography Ca...":

To "MaryJo": I know Hochmuth's family-at least his father and sister, and I know them WELL. They are good people. His father, a Pastor, was a spiritual mentor to me. I met Joel once and I really liked him. But Honey, I read the Police Report and I ain't cryin' for NOBODY tonight but the kids that were brutalized so Joel could get his jollies. I am especially not crying for his wife, who should have turned his sorry butt IN!

***

GJ - Various people had a duty to report this crime. They did not. Others failed in their supervisory responsibilities and pastor roles. This happened in a sect where pastors excommunicate someone for asking questions - within weeks. Right is wrong, and wrong is right.

When I published the truth about the MLC gay video, Synod President Mark Schroeder rebuked me through Pastor Herman Otten (who sided with him). And yet, when federal crimes were committed by his own communications director, in his own office , Schroeder was publicly hoping the police raid and the charges were a mistake.

What is Child Pornography? Violating Federal Law at WELS Headquarters - But Hochmuth Not Fired?

What is Child Pornography?:

http://www.wels.net/spiritual-help/my-life-issues/homosexuality?page=0,0

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rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "The Olde Synodical Conference Can Stop Blaming the...":

At my place of employment, viewing porn on company computers will find you on the outside looking in very quickly. Many private businesses are more ethical and moral than some church denominations. I gathered from the TV news report that the investigation is not over. There are leaving the door open for any possible victims to come forward and also anyone else who may have had contact. The WELS way does not cut it with prosecutors and law enforcement. If only the WELS leadership had been as forthright with their members in the past as President Schroeder promises to be with secular authorities, Ichabod might have fewer daily page reads.

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What is Child Pornography? Under federal law (18 U.S.C. §2256), child pornography1 is defined as any visual depiction, including any photograph, film, video, picture, or computer or computer-generated image or picture, whether made or produced by electronic, mechanical, or other means, of sexually explicit conduct, where   the production of the visual depiction involves the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; or the visual depiction is a digital image, computer image, or computer-generated image that is, or is indistinguishable from, that of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; or the visual depiction has been created, adapted, or modified to appear that an identifiable minor is engaging in sexually explicit conduct.   Federal law (18 U.S.C. §1466A) also criminalizes knowingly producing, distributing, receiving, or possessing with intent to distribute, a visual depiction of any kind, including a drawing, cartoon, sculpture or painting, that depicts a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct and is obscene, or depicts an image that is, or appears to be, of a minor engaging in graphic bestiality, sadistic or masochistic abuse, or sexual intercourse, including genital-genital, oral-genital, anal-genital, or oral-anal, whether between persons of the same or opposite sex and such depiction lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. Sexually explicit conduct is defined under federal law (18 U.S.C. §2256) as actual or simulated sexual intercourse (including genital-genital, oral-genital, anal-genital, or oral-anal, whether between persons of the same or opposite sex), bestiality, masturbation, sadistic or masochistic abuse, or lascivious exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of any person. Who Is a Minor? For purposes of enforcing the federal law (18 U.S.C. §2256), “minor” is defined as a person under the age of 18. Is Child Pornography a Crime? Yes, it is a federal crime to knowingly possess, manufacture, distribute, or access with intent to view child pornography (18 U.S.C. §2252).  In addition, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws criminalizing the possession, manufacture, and distribution of child pornography.  As a result, a person who violates these laws may face federal and/or state charges.   Where Is Child Pornography Predominantly Found? Child pornography exists in multiple formats including print media, videotape, film, CD-ROM, or DVD.  It is transmitted on various platforms within the Internet including newsgroups, Internet Relay Chat (chatrooms), Instant Message, File Transfer Protocol, e-mail, websites, and peer-to-peer technology. What Motivates People Who Possess Child Pornography? Limited research about the motivations of people who possess child pornography suggests that child pornography possessors are a diverse group, including people who are sexually interested in prepubescent children or young adolescents, who use child pornography for sexual fantasy and gratification sexually “indiscriminate,” meaning they are constantly looking for new and different sexual stimuli sexually curious, downloading a few images to satisfy that curiosity interested in profiting financially by selling images or setting up web sites requiring payment for access2 Who Possesses Child Pornography? It is difficult to describe a “typical” child pornography possessor because there is not just one type of person who commits this crime.  In a study of 1,713 people arrested for the possession of child pornography in a 1-year period, the possessors ran the gamut in terms of income, education level, marital status, and age.  Virtually all of those who were arrested were men, 91% were white, and most were unmarried at the time of their crime, either because they had never married (41%) or because they were separated, divorced, or widowed (21%).3 Forty percent (40%) of those arrested were “dual offenders,” who sexually victimized children and possessed child pornography, with both crimes discovered in the same investigation. An additional 15% were dual offenders who attempted to sexually victimize children by soliciting undercover investigators who posed online as minors.4 Who Produces Child Pornography? Based on information provided by law enforcement to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's Child Victim Identification Program, more than half of the child victims were abused by someone who had legitimate access to them such as parents, other relatives, neighborhood/family friends, babysitters, and coaches.  What is the Nature of These Images? The content in these illegal images varies from exposure of genitalia to graphic sexual abuse, such as penetration by objects, anal penetration, and bestiality. Of the child pornography victims identified by law enforcement, 42% appear to be pubescent, 52% appear to be prepubescent, and 6% appear to be infants or toddlers. What Are the Effects of Child Pornography on the Child Victim? It is important to realize that these images are crime scene photos – they are a permanent record of the abuse of a child. The lives of the children featured in these illegal images and videos are forever altered. Once these images are on the Internet, they are irretrievable and can continue to circulate forever. The child is revictimized as the images are viewed again and again. End Notes 1 As stated by Janis Wolak, Kimberly Mitchell, and David Finkelhor in Internet Sex Crimes Against Minors: The Response of Law Enforcement (Alexandria, Virginia: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, November 2003, page vii), “The term ‘child pornography,’ because it implies simply conventional pornography with child subjects, is an inappropriate term to describe the true nature and extent of sexually exploitive images of child victims. Use of this term should not be taken to imply that children ‘consented’ to the sexual acts depicted in these photographs; however, it is the term most readily recognized by the public, at this point in time, to describe this form of child sexual exploitation. It is used in this [document] to refer to illegal pictorial material involving children under the standards developed by statute, case law, and law-enforcement-agency protocols. It is hoped a more accurate term will be recognized, understood, and accepted for use in the near future.” 2 Janis Wolak, David Finkelhor, and Kimberly Mitchell.  Child-Pornography Possessors Arrested in Internet-Related Crimes: Findings From the National Juvenile Online Victimization Study (Alexandria, Virginia: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, 2005, page  x) citing Eva J. Klain, Heather J. Davies, Molly A. Hicks.  Child Pornography: The Criminal-Justice-System Response (Alexandria, Virginia: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, March 2001) and M. Taylor and E. Quayle. Child pornography: An Internet crime. Hove: Brunner-Routledge, 2003. 3 Id., pages 1-3. 4 Id., page viii.

'via Blog this'

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US Department of Justice

By the mid-1980's, the trafficking of child pornography within the United States had been almost completely eradicated through a series of successful campaigns waged by law enforcement. Child pornographers had become lonely and hunted individuals. Producing child abuse images was both difficult and expensive, and reproducing images was equally difficult and expensive. Purchasing and trading such images was extremely risky. Anonymous distribution and receipt was not possible and it was difficult for pedophiles to find and interact with each other. Unfortunately, technology has changed the situation.

Producing child abuse images has now become easy and inexpensive. The Internet allows images and digitized movies to be reproduced and disseminated to tens of thousands of individuals at the click of a button. The distribution and receipt of such images can be done almost anonymously. As a result, child pornography is readily available through virtually every Internet technology (web sites, email, instant messaging/ICQ, Internet Relay Chat (IRC), newsgroups/bulletin boards, and peer-to-peer). The technological ease, lack of expense, and anonymity in obtaining and distributing child pornography has resulted in an explosion in the availability, accessibility, and volume of child pornography.

CEOS works with the 93 United States Attorney offices around the country and investigative agencies to vigorously combat this growing problem. By maintaining a coordinated, national-level law enforcement focus, including coordinating nationwide and international investigations and prosecutions, CEOS works to deter the production, distribution and possession of child pornography by aggressively investigating and prosecuting of these crimes. Additionally, CEOS works with law enforcement to identify victims used to produce child pornography with the goal of rescuing the victims and preventing continued abuse of these children.

Reporting Child Pornography

To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt, or production of child pornography, go to the website operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Your report will be forwarded to a law enforcement agency for investigation and action.

The Olde Synodical Conference Can Stop Blaming the Catholics: Lessons from the WELS Joel Hochmuth Arrest. Penn State at WELS Headquarters Building

Joel Hochmuth, WELS Commuications Director, right,
and his criminal defense attorney, at Hochmuth's arraignment.

DIYGirl has left a new comment on your post "The Olde Synodical Conference Can Stop Blaming the...":

Now is not the time for your trademark "humor" in tearing the WELS apart.

You should be offering prayers for this man as he struggles, and especially prayers for anyone affected by his problems.

Your cartoons are distasteful this time around and you ought to be ashamed. 

***

GJ - A WELS member created the graphic. You ought to  be ashamed of leaders who re-victimized abused boys by letting this go on at The Love Shack. The graphic expresses his or her feelings about the synod's doctrine and practice.

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Count me as one of the few people not surprised by the arrest of a WELS headquarters staffer. The WELS approach to all scandals has been:

1. Deny the facts.
2. Hide the evidence.
3. Play stupid.
4. Attack anyone who questions this approach.
5. Trash the families of the innocent.
6. Reward the offender.

WELS is a corrupt, abusive sect, anti-Lutheran and anti-Confessional.

Some questions need to be asked:

• Since the WELS counseling agency was involved with Joel Hochmuth's problem (dates not given), why was this scandal and crime allowed to worsen?
• WELS has an overpaid Shrinker in charge of technology at The Love Shack, but no one knew hundreds of deviant photos and videos were being used there? 
• No uploading or downloading? No viewing? Why were all those files at WELS headquarters when some were also at his home, where the first raid took place?
• How many WELS workers were sharing files with Hochmuth, since they have such strict fellowship rules?
• How can Synod President Mark Schroeder cluck his tongue in public about ELCA's gay agenda, work with ELCA, support the MLC gay video, and act surprised at the results?
• When will WELS connect its universal absolution (UOJ) nonsense with its own antinomian behavior?

Mark Schroeder shredded his own credibility when he acted dumb about a police raid on a staffer's home, a staffer's arrest, and a police raid on 2929 Mayfair Road, WELS headquarters. He hoped it was all a big mistake, but he must have known about Hochmuth's problem.

WELS is a sect where a DP will march in and fire a pastor on the spot - for questioning the synod. But Hochmuth has the WELS headquarters building involved in federal crimes against children. Hochmuth is "suspended."

Schroeder knows that the official complaint lists photos and videos found at his own office building. The media contents are described as graphic acts involving young boys, aged 10 to 14.

"The defendant stated that what would be found on his home computer was nothing compared to what they would find in his office." 


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Brothers and sisters in Christ,

We have some very sad and disturbing news to share with you.

On Wed., Nov. 16, we were informed that WELS Director of Communications Mr. Joel Hochmuth was arrested on charges of possessing child pornography. Acting on a tip from the FBI Cyber Crimes Task Force, officers executed search warrants at his home and at the synod administration building and seized computers and other items as a part of their investigation.

At this time, we know only what was contained in the police report and reported in the media. Those reports indicate that images of child pornography were found on the seized computers and on data storage devices.

Hochmuth has been employed for the past five years in the WELS administrative headquarters as the director of communications.

We take allegations such as these very seriously and emphasize that WELS has absolutely no tolerance for the kind of behavior that has been alleged. Hochmuth’s employment with the synod has been suspended until the facts of the case are fully known.

We have informed the authorities that we are committed to cooperate fully with them in their investigation.

We pray for God’s gracious care and healing for the Hochmuth family.

We pray for the innocent victims of the production and distribution of child pornography wherever and whenever it occurs.

We also ask for your continuing prayers for our synod. Satan is truly a powerful enemy seeking to undermine and destroy God’s people and his church. But we pray that our heavenly Father would remind us that we have a more powerful God who promises that the gates of hell itself will not prevail against his church.

Serving with you in Christ,
Rev. Mark Schroeder, WELS President