Norma Boeckler's Newest Project

Norma Boeckler, our artist-in-residence, shares her art with readers and also with Facebook friends. A woman who works with Zondervan and Tyndale asked to use some of Norma's art in a new book.

Now she has asked Norma to produce her own art book.

Norma just finished two children's books, which are available through Lulu.com.

Norma wanted to have a book for young children and did most of the work to produce it. One version is printed in full color. The second version is a color book, using line drawings from the color version. The text is the same in each and included Luther's Small Catechism.

I am working with several people to produce more Lutheran works since e-book publishing is taking over from dead-tree publishing.

Luther Rocks: Veni Emmanuel

Old Augustana Seminary - for those who
pine for tradition, liturgy, and creeds.
Augustana is Latin for Augsburg.
Faithful Lutherans are Church of the Augsburg Confession,
wherever they are.

Luther Rocks: Veni Emmanuel:

Veni Emmanuel remix by TrumpetJoe

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US birth rates: Baby bust | The Economist

We would have more children to teach if the boys
were more interested in the girls.

US birth rates: Baby bust | The Economist:

JUST over 4m babies were born in America in 2010, some 3% less than the previous year, according to a recent report from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2010 the total fertility rate of 1,932 births per 1,000 women fell further below the replacement rate of 2,100 births for the third year running. 

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GJ - Bazingo.

Accused Pastor Did Not Misuse 'One Cent,' Attorney Says - Inver Grove Heights, MN Patch. At Least He Was Not a WELS "Consultant"

  

Leon Piepenbrink, 52, faces seven counts of theft by swindle after police say he took $62,500 from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Church Synod. Credit Facebook

Accused Pastor Did Not Misuse 'One Cent,' Attorney Says - Inver Grove Heights, MN Patch:


Pastor Leon Piepenbrink did not pilfer, pillage or plunder "one cent" of the $62,500 he is accused of taking, says defense attorney Kenneth Ubong Udoibok.

Piepenbrink is facing trial for allegedly stealing $62,500 from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Church Synod (WELS) between 2007 and 2010. Piepenbrink was charged in May 2011 with seven felony counts of theft by swindle.

"He is a good man. He is a good pastor. The state will not be able to prove that a cent of the church's money was misappropriated. Not even one cent," Udoibok told Patch. "Every dime of what Pastor Piepenbrink spent was to develop churches in Southeast Asia."

Udoibok also highlighted the way in which he feels privileged information was used against his client.

"When (Piepenbrink) spoke to his brother—and by 'brother' I mean within the establishment of the Church—he believed the man to be a religious counselor. When you go to confession you don't expect the government to be involved in that," he said.

"[Pieperbrink] admitted using the funds without authorization, but strictly for church-related work ... He believed he was sharing the information in a forum that was confessional," Udoibok added.

Dakota County District Attorney James Backstrom could not be reached for comment, but his office did confirm that a settlement conference has been scheduled for April 18, 2012.

In the event no settlement is reached, Piepenbrink is scheduled to appear before a jury on May 7.

While the offenses against Piepenbrink each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine, Backstom's office also confirmed it is seeking a maximum of 23 months behind bars. No mention was made of a fine.

According to the complaint, WELS officials grew suspicious of Piepenbrink and contacted Inver Grove Heights police after the pastor requested reimbursement for security systems, bulletproof glass and a gun—all for self-defense. See Patch's original story by clicking here.

Piepenbrink allegedly told his superiors that violent members of the Hmong community had threatened him, and that he had been driving near Hastings in 2010 when the occupants of another vehicle shot at him. Piepenbrink worked closely with the Hmong community in his role as a pastor.

But WELS officials couldn’t find the police reports that Piepenbrink claimed he filed, according to the complaint. The synod also checked with the businesses from which Piepenbrink claimed to have purchased personal protection equipment, and found that many of his claimed expenditures were fabricated, the complaint said.

Officials confronted Piepenbrink about his claims, at which point the pastor allegedly admitted he had falsified documents and stolen money from the synod.

Police say Piepenbrink was a pastor in charge of a Hmong outreach program at Shepherd of the Hills Church in Inver Grove Heights.

  

Shepherd of the Hills Church in Inver Grove Heights. Piepenbrink was a pastor in charge of a Hmong outreach program at the church, police say. Credit David Henke
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Child porn nets man 45 days in jail - New Brunswick - CBC News

Child porn nets man 45 days in jail - New Brunswick - CBC News:

"Hayward will serve the sentence intermittently on weekends, followed by a one year of probation, said Pare.

He was also ordered to submit a DNA sample and his name will be added to the national sex offender registry for 10 years.

Hayward was arrested on March 23 as part of Operation J Treasures, an ongoing joint police investigation in New Brunswick into peer-to-peer computer file sharing of child sexual abuse images.

Two other men and a male under age 18 were also arrested after search warrants were executed in Moncton, Dumfries and Grand Bay-Westfield."

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Former Assistant Principal Joshua Myers Gets Minimum Sentence for Child Porn Charges

Former Assistant Principal Joshua Myers Gets Minimum Sentence for Child Porn Charges:

But government prosecutors say "forensic analysis of Myers’ thumb drive and school-issued lap top revealed at least fifty videos of child pornography, including infants, toddlers, and other prepubescent children being sexually abused.”


In a statement, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Neil Macbride said,
"...Agents found online chats he had with more than 40 individuals involving child pornography, sex with children, and grooming children to be sexually abused. This case is a sobering reminder that a sexual predator is often someone familiar, and we are committed to doing everything in our power to remove these predators from our communities."


Read more: http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/virginia/former-assistant-principal-joshua-myers-gets-minimum-sentence-for-child-porn-charges-12911#ixzz1g5Ur30EV

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Martin Luther College (WELS) News - Gay Video No Longer on YouTube - But Still on Facebook

This is a still from Party in the MLC,
found on Google Images,
but also posted on Facebook.
This will not look good at the evidence hearing for Joel Hochmuth.

Someone in WELS told me Party in the MLC was no longer on YouTube. I checked and could not find it there.

I looked up the link on Facebook, and the video is still showing there. I am no video expert, but the one on YouTube claimed to be cloned and was a bit off from the quality of the original. The one still on Facebook looks like the original. The boys who made the video are now studying to be WELS pastors.

Here is the Facebook link.

I noted the Facebook link more than once before. It also shows up in Google searches. You do not want to land on the sites that linked it in the first place, although they show the video link taken down, the Google search still takes people to those homosexual website.

The Word Converts - Not Love, But What Is More Loving Than Deploying John 16:8?

The Apostles of Love have tried to sell their wares for many decades now. No one laughs harder than I do when hearing from the Slander Machine (WELS grapevine) that I an "uncharitable."

Pietism always worried itself over carnal sins, so they taught that the Law will cure the problems revealed by the Law. In other words, if an x-ray shows a broken bone (good diagnosis), an x-ray will also cure it (an early remedy that led to cancer and lost limbs).

Alcoholism was a problem, so Pietists had people take the pledge not to drink any alcohol, not even in Holy Communion. The Methodists built their denomination on the pledge. My friend in at a Methodist college school learned that Adam and Eve fell from grace because of a fermented grape, not the often-blamed apple.

Pietists want to transform the world, so they skip justification by faith and apply their Law:

• You must be in a cell group because small groups are the true Church.
• You must follow the orders of your cell group leader.
• You must shun those who do not share our deep, deep insights.

The Pietists love-bomb people into their groups and hate-bomb anyone who sees their hypocrisy. Banning all alcohol led to Prohibition and an explosion of crime through the high value illegal hooch. Making love the cause of conversion turned Pietists into selective love machines. They love large grants and bad music, but they have no love or tolerance for anyone not serving their interests.

Pietists move from the state of

1. true-cellulite thinking to
2. obvious hypocrisy
3. to atheism and hedonism.

KJV John 16:8 And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on Me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see Me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

The Holy Spirit reproves the world of sin - the sin of not believing in Christ for justification (forgiveness). Jesus Himself teaches that the unbelief is the foundational sin. Therefore, justification by faith is the primary work of the Holy Spirit.

But the Pietists do not tolerate the simple, plain words of the Bible. They offer themselves and their love as the reason for people converting. And yet the three nastiest websites in the Free World are:

• LutherQuest
• Cyberbrethren
• The fake blog (when they are sober).

All three are so "passionate about Jesus" that they expend their limited vocabularies in mindless attacks. Several UOJ gurus managed to satirize themselves recently when they snarled at Rolf Preus (another UOJ Stormtrooper) for daring to come back to the Missouri Synod. An unrepentant Paul McCain demanded repentance from Rolf Preus, although both of them were born forgiven, according to their own imaginations.

WELS Michigan Lutheran Seminary Calls Its 475th President Since 2010. Schroeder Hopeful That Someone Will Agree To Close the School for Him

I lost track of the calls issued, so I will just pull a number out of thin air for each new call.

On Nov. 29, the Michigan Lutheran Seminary Governing Board issued a call to Rev. Joel Petermann to serve as the next president of Michigan Lutheran Seminary (MLS), Saginaw, Mich. MLS is one of two WELS preparatory high schools.

Petermann, a 1986 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., is currently pastor at St. Paul, Amherst, N.H. He also has served as president of WELS’ North Atlantic District since 2004.

Rev. Petermann and his wife, Jane, are familiar with MLS because their two daughters have attended the school. One graduated in May 2011, and the other is currently a junior at MLS. The Petermanns also have an 11-year-old son.

The position of MLS president has been vacant since September 2010. The vacancy is being filled by Dr. William Zeiger, vice president of MLS.

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GJ - The congregation he serves has the sermons linked on the website. How odd. The really cool pastors in WELS simply copy their sermons from Groeschel or another clown.

If Peterman accepts the call, will he institute a program to halt the practice of plagiarism in WELS?

Obviously the most basic doctrinal training is lacking in that sect. I get angry, misspelled comments from graduates of their elite system. One little word (sic) fells them.  They are too juvenile to realize that their public hissy fits are not an argument for their position or a refutation of Lutheran orthodoxy.

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AC V has left a new comment on your post "WELS Michigan Lutheran Seminary Calls Its 475th Pr...":

Interesting how there's a reference to WELS' "This We Believe" but not to the Book of Concord on the "What We Believe" page:

http://stpaul-amherst.org/WhatWeBelieve.php

This is typical WELS. LOTS on what we do, but not much on what God has done in Christ. To many in WELS, the Bible is more a "how to" book of morality, but not primarily the revelation of Jesus Christ who justifies the sinner through faith. WELS barks a lot about "inerrancy" and "infallibility" (don't get me wrong, those terms are important), but WELS misses the point if it neglects the "efficacy" of the Word. Big difference.

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Page kelmed below -

What We Believe

We believe that we all have sinned and deserve only death. Jesus died for our sins and ransomed us from death so that we may live with him in Heaven. Our faith is a free gift from God. Praise be to God for the gift of eternal life.

Creeds

These creeds add nothing to the Bible, but restate the Truth of God in the Bible. Each was brought about because of an attack on the faith. We still use them today to guard our faith.

• Apostles' Creed
• Nicene Creed
• Athanasian Creed

This We Believe

This document summarizes the main teachings of our church body. This document is produced by the WELS. St. Paul Lutheran Church belongs to the WELS and agrees with the teachings of the WELS.

This We Believe

Luther's Small Catechism

This was originally published by Martin Luther to aid in the education of the church. We continue to use it for education today and it is also an excellent statement of our faith.

Luther's Small Catechism

4 area Presbyterian churches leave national denomination

I documented the mainline gay agenda efforts in 1987,
24 years ago: Out of the Depths of ELCA.

4 area Presbyterian churches leave national denomination:



By Brandon Smith-Hebson, Staff Writer
7:39 PM Thursday, December 8, 2011

SOUTH CHARLESTON — Four of 60 Presbyterian churches in the Miami Valley recently left their national denomination.

Their ministers pointed to changes in the denomination’s constitution that paved the way for openly gay people to become ministers or church leaders, as well as changes to the way the church is governed that could provide for a more top-down leadership in the future.

Churches sometimes organize a significant part of the charitable work done in their area, and can influence and reflect the beliefs of a community.

But these recent changes weren’t the entire reason for leaving, ministers said — rather, the national denomination, Presbyterian Church (USA), had been on a decades-long drift to a less-specific, more inclusive theology, they said.

“We were concerned,” said Peter Larson, head pastor at Lebanon Presbyterian Church, “that some might see this move as creating a church that’s anti-gay people, or homophobic.” Larson’s church voted to leave the denomination. “That’s just not true. Every person is welcome here. This is not a condemning place.”

But some pastors from churches that remain have their doubts.

“The message it sends is, ‘we love you as long as you aren’t practicing who you are, as long as you aren’t yourself,” said Dwight McCormick, pastor of Northminster Presbyterian Church in Springfield.

McCormick said that gay people “have had a lot of violence done to them over the years,” spiritually as well as physically, and that the denomination wants to distance itself from that.

Shortly after the constitution was altered, the first openly gay minister was ordained in the PCUSA, in Madison, Wis.

Secessions over similar subjects rocked Lutheran churches in the area earlier this year.

In addition to Larson’s church, the local congregations that voted to leave include First Presbyterian in South Charleston, Kirkmont Presbyterian in Beavercreek, and Greenville Presbyterian in Greenville, which is in Darke County.

Church members were invited to afternoon meetings for a vote — two churches on Oct. 23 and two on Oct. 30. All were said to have good turnout for church business meetings, between one-third and two-thirds of voting membership.

And at each church, more than 90 percent of votes supported measures to split from the denomination.

Three of the four churches also voted to join the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, another, smaller Presbyterian denomination with more conservative theology.

“There was very little hostility” in the splits, said Dennis Piermont, the top executive at the Presbytery of the Miami Valley, a local grouping of about 60 churches in the denomination.

PCUSA isn’t seeking to take individual church buildings or property, according to Piermont. In other states, departing churches have had their buildings confiscated by the denomination, or they’ve had to buy back their own building.

Piermont considers it an “enormous concern” to maintain theological diversity in the church, something that took a hit when these churches left.

“Let’s recognize we still have some of that here, and to value that,” he said. “A great many people remain who are theologically conservative. It’s now easy for them to feel marginalized, and that is a great concern for me.”

But the churches that left sometimes view theological diversity as a farce, complaining that PCUSA had become a “big tent” denomination — and that it was getting bigger.

“In scripture we see diversity based on races and male and female, but there’s no such diversity in terms of doctrine and theology. It’s a pretty tight document,” said Bill Riesenweaver, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in South Charleston. Riesenweaver’s church voted unanimously to leave the PCUSA.
“Some people believe you can be a good Buddhist, Muslim — different strokes for different folks,” said Larson. “It’s a fundamental disagreement, ‘who is Jesus?’ ”

The denomination believes it’s following tradition in its more inclusive approach.

“Theological diversity has been a mark of our church from the beginning. There were debates in the early 1700s,” said Gradye Parsons, a PCUSA official whose responsibility includes theological discussions. “We’ve never really been what’s called a subscriptionist church, where you have to subscribe to very specific doctrines.”

Like most other large church denominations, Presbyterian Church (USA) has had a declining membership in the United States since the mid-1960s, according to church historians.

At its height in 1965, it counted around 4.2 million members, while last year it had just over 2 million members. It is the largest of the Presbyterian denominations.

But as reported in The Layman, a conservative-leaning source of Presbyterian church news, PCUSA experienced a large drop in membership in 2010 — likely as a result of the changes to the constitution.
Because presbyteries don’t report their membership loss or gain until the end of each year, officials said, the full effect of the changes won’t be known until early 2012.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0353.


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VirtueOnline - News - Exclusives - South Carolina Bishop Asked to Explain "Quitclaim" Property Action

VirtueOnline - News - Exclusives - South Carolina Bishop Asked to Explain "Quitclaim" Property Action:
GJ - Bigger Than the Donation of Constantine - And Historically True

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GJ - My understanding is - the traditional bishop has made sure the parishes own their own property. Archbishop Jefferts Schori cannot sue on behalf of The Episcopal Church. Hahahaha.

The New NIV - An Upcoming Battle or Another Uncontested Contest?

solafide (http://solafide.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Intrepid Lutherans: ELS doctrine committee recomme...":

I agree that it is a little fuzzy, but at least they had the guts to initially recommend against it. Props to the ESV doctrine committee on this one. Perhaps they can teach their WELS brothers something? Ahh, who am I kidding...

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GJ - I see a few positive signs of resistance to the New NIV in WELS. Apparently some groups have already formed to discuss and work against the NNIV. Beware, each group has synod-minders in it, to report back to Wendland and Schroeder. Neither one will tolerate any dissent from The Plan. Gay videos are fine with them, but not independent thinking.

I read about district votes. That will be more managed than one of Stalin's show trials. The outcome will be determined before anyone meets, with the right floor committees and resolutions. This can easily be by-passed by a significant group with significant spine.

If there is no real objection to this monstrous joke of a translation, the few objectors will be picked off, one by one, using various excuses to undermine the man's ministry. Everyone knows that in advance. Tyndale was burned at the stake for his translation. Most ministers are afraid of missing lunch. The laity who care have drifted away. In many cases the all-loving and grace-filled Wisconsin Synod has extended the Left Foot of Fellowship to them.

WELS - Wendland and the NNIV are your punishments for buying the Classic NIV, almost as rotten, for the last 25 years.

David R. Barnhart: Lutheran leader confronts state's Catholic bishops over gay marriage

David R. Barnhart: Lutheran leader confronts state's Catholic bishops over gay marriage:



To My Brothers -- The Catholic Bishops of Minnesota:

In 1976 I was elected a Lutheran bishop in Minnesota -- one of seven such Lutheran leaders in the state. Over the next years one of the highlights of my time in office was the annual noon-to-noon retreat with our eight Catholic counterparts in the state.

The bond that developed between us was deep and respectful. We shared our differences; we celebrated our likenesses. My friendship with Archbishop John Roach and Bishop Raymond Lucker, in particular, is a blessing I will treasure as long as I live.

May I share a word with all of you who now lead the Roman Catholic community of faith in Minnesota?

First, I would go to the wall to defend your right to work for the adoption of the so-called marriage protection amendment. Having said that, I must tell you that I believe you are making a significant mistake.

Over my 35 years as an active and retired bishop I have come to know hundreds of gay and lesbian persons. I have yet to meet even one who is opposed to the marriage of one man and one woman. After all, they are the daughters and sons of such unions.

What they cannot understand is why church leaders would oppose their fundamental desire and right to be in partnership with someone they love and respect who happens to be of the same gender and sexual orientation. They don't understand why they should not enjoy all the rights and privileges their straight counterparts take for granted.

More than a half century ago Father Francis Gilligan spoke out for equality for African American citizens of Minnesota. Though many argued on the basis of the Bible that these neighbors were inferior to others, Gilligan fought tirelessly for justice for these brothers and sisters.

In our generation homosexual persons are subject to the same discrimination. Their detractors often use the Bible and tradition as weapons of choice.

Is it not time for religious leaders, walking in the footsteps of Father Gilligan, to do the same for another minority, neighbors who are as responsible as our African American sisters and brothers?

I also suggest that you ask yourselves an important question: If the amendment is passed, will it make one particle of difference in our common culture in Minnesota? I don't think so.

Responsible lesbian and gay persons will continue to seek companionship with those they love. This law will only work to drive many of them deeper into closets of anonymity.

Instead, why not welcome them into our communities of faith where they can work side by side with us as equal partners?

Let me put out a challenge to each of you brothers. Invite 15 gay and lesbian persons from your respective areas, one at a time, to spend two hours with you.

Thirty hours are a pittance compared to the time you are investing to promote adoption of the marriage amendment. Use the time, not for confession, but to listen to them describe what it is like to live in our culture in Minnesota.

Hear as they tell you what it means be a child of God and a faithful member of your church, persons who happen to be gay or lesbian through no choice of their own. I can promise you, based on my experience, that your heart will be deeply moved by what you hear.

When you have finished your time with these sisters and brothers in Christ, spend a quiet hour reflecting on a single question: "As I understand the heart of my Savior Jesus, how would he treat these sons and daughters of my church?"

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Herbert W. Chilstrom is former presiding bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.



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GJ - I had lunch with Chilstrom (Minnesota Bishop) and some other LCA pastors, at a conference for men in the ministry a certain number of years. He was a pleasant person, face to face, but he was ice cold as a  leader. When his policies caused firings of staff, he managed to be out of town when his co-workers were given security exits - "Don't go back to your office. We will send your personal effects to you. The guard will show you the door."

Chilstrom was definitely an architect of the change from Don't Ask Don't Tell homosexual ordination to Please Ask Please Tell. In the name of UOJ he pronounced everyone except the traditionalists "forgiven, absolved, saved," not that it mattered. Chilstrom taught against the Virgin Birth of Jesus - no one noticed.

When Paul Calvin Kelm ended his Church Growth conference (disguised as evangelism) at Mequon, he had this dramatic statement at the climax of his scripted speech.

"Given what we teach about the Wisconsin Synod, can you think of anyone in the world who would not join if he found out?"

A pause followed.

I said, "Herb Chilstrom?"

The place just rocked with laughter. Even Kelm had to laugh. In fact, the laughter went on so long that he could not say much more, since the laughing kept starting over.

One reader, known only as 29A, wants everyone to remember that the radicals of ELCA were trained in WELS and the LCMS. Their most honored leader, Richard Jungkuntz, was a professor at Northwestern College and a UOJ fanatic.

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Jimmy James has left a new comment on your post "David R. Barnhart: Lutheran leader confronts state...":

This reminded me of an editorial an African-American contributed in yesterday's Detroit Free Press. She was complaining about the "lack of diversity" on today's television. She started in with the way it use to be; The Cosby Show, The George Lopez Show, Family Matters, etc.

I quickly called her Feedback Line and pointed out that today's television has all kinds of diversity! In fact, diversity that other African-American columnists in your paper (i.e. Leonard Pitts) have promoted AND endorsed. They have also compared it with the civil rights movement of Martin Luther King! GAY RIGHTS!

I explained that every cotton pickin' night on the TV, I can find at least a dozen current or previously run television programs that either have a gay plot or feature a gay character(s).

Last week, Tim Allen's new TV show had a plot about a new lesbian couple that moved into their neighborhood. I changed the channel and found an old episode of "That 70's Show" featuring the same used plot! Only this time, it was two gay men who moved into the neighborhood! (And the two actors who were playing the gay men were two of the three "Brady Bunch" brothers!)

Every time I look around, it's in my face....

LCMS Seminaries - Where the Money Is. Ultra High Tuition and Salaries

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From Bruce Chuch, Ichabod Research Department:

Summary: The LCMS seminaries have the highest overhead per student of all the accredited Lutheran seminaries in America, in part due to  an inadequate endowment fund. However, much of the overhead is a result of choices the LCMS seminaries and synod have made. First and foremost is the facilities overcapacity. One seminary on one campus would more than suffice for the needs of the LCMS (allowing for the expansion of classroom buildings and dormitories, of course). Secondly, there is the over-payment of professors at Concordia St. Louis, which campus has the highest tuition rates, by the way. Third, the federal government deems the LCMS seminaries to be in great financial shape, better off than most of the ELCA seminaries, and they of course charge much lower tuition. In other words, the LCMS seminaries could afford to lower their tuition quite a bit without losing their OK credit rating with the government, and without going broke.

Discussion: In the spreadsheet and charts, I have called overhead any cost not associated with professor salaries. However, if one wished, one could add to overhead the amount that he or she estimates the Concordia Seminary St. Louis professors are overpaid. When professor salaries are subtracted from tuition, a LCMS seminary student is paying $21,500 for overhead per year, twice as much as all the ELCA seminary students, except at one seminary. The fiscally troubled Philadelphia ELCA seminary still has $5,000 less overhead per student than the LCMS seminaries. Philadelphia also has the highest tuition and fees of any ELCA seminary, but its yearly tuition still trails $5,000 behind the LCMS seminaries.

The professor salary ($89,483) at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is $22,923 more than the average ($66,560) holding at the nine other Lutheran seminaries listed. Its associate professor salary ($71,201) is $14,287 more than the average ($56,914) at the other  seminaries. The assistant professor salary ($59,830) is $5,410 more than the average ($54,420) at the other seminaries. If the amount of this over-payment of professors were factored into the overhead cost, the overhead cost per student at the LCMS seminaries would be even greater.

Links of Interest:

With church membership dwindling and more families struggling to afford the cost of college, many private religiously-affiliated colleges and universities are slashing tuition and offering incentives to attract new students -- and to stay afloat.

http://money.cnn.com/2011/11/28/pf/christian_colleges/

Concordia Seminary FAQ on its high tuition--It's all your fault!

http://www.csl.edu/friends/questions/

Dept of Ed Rates Private Seminaries and Colleges for Fiscal Soundness:

http://www2.ed.gov/finaid/prof/resources/finresp/finalreport/edlite-compositescore1.html

http://federalstudentaid.ed.gov/datacenter/compositescores.html

    or download 2009-10 report here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/34974726/0910CompositeScores.xls

http://chronicle.com/article/Interactive-Chart-/129353/

http://chronicle.com/article/180-Private-Colleges-Fail/129356/

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/10/13/scores_of_colleges_fail_u_s_financial_responsibility_test

http://chronicle.com/article/Low-Grades-on-Education/123872

ELCA Seminary Fiscal News:

http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4160

http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Vocation/Lutheran-Partners/Complete-Issue/100102/100102_03.aspx

http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Office-of-the-Treasurer/Financial-Reports/Current-Year-Financial-Reports.aspx

http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2009/07/overspending-presby-seminary-piled-up.html

This report's spreadsheet and charts can be found here:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/34974726/2011-2012_lutheran_seminaries_finances.xls

Seminary Tuition Scandal:

http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2011/09/lcms-seminary-cost-scandal-fabulous.html

Intrepid Lutherans: ELS doctrine committee recommends AGAINST NIV 2011

Intrepid Lutherans: ELS doctrine committee recommends against NIV 2011:

Doctrine Committee recommendation regarding Bible translations

Many congregations of the ELS currently use the NIV (1984) Bible for worship and Christian education. This edition of the NIV will no longer be available for purchase at the end of 2011. It has been replaced with the NIV (2011) which makes significant changes to the text of the NIV (1984). 

These changes have diminished the accuracy of the NIV. Therefore, based on preliminary study of the NIV (2011), the Doctrine Committee recommends against the use of the NIV (2011). 

The Doctrine Committee recommends for use in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod translations such as: New King James Version (NKJV), English Standard Version (ESV), An American Translation (Beck, AAT), and the New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB95). 

These translations are accurate and understandable. If a new Lutheran translation is prepared in the future this also could be an option for use in the ELS. The following essay from the WELS website is suggested for further study on this matter. (Other essays at that site are also of benefit.)

http://www.wels.net/sites/wels/files/Essay%20-%20Keller.pdf

'via Blog this'

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GJ - I found the report rather tepid and fuzzy.

The Lutheran translation that the ELS longs to own is the King James Version. Too bad that cannot be mentioned during the 400th Anniversary. The Olde Synodical Conference basks in hypocrisy, so why not pretend to like the KJV for one measly year?

Once again - Tyndale enrolled to study under Luther and Melanchthon. Name one translation family where that is true. The Tyndale became the KJV.

The lauded ESV is the Calvinist Packer version of the RSV. Paul McCain loves it, but he does not comprehend justification by faith, English grammar or spelling.

The NIV--owned by billionaire Murdoch--cleverly marketed itself by getting all the denominations involved, making all these professors part of the team. The Pentecostals were not going to criticize their man's work, and WELS was not going to criticize John Jeske's compromising, unionistic efforts.

I am not interested in a new Lutheran Bible. I like the KJV. I doubt whether the current crop of lazy-bones could get 3 John done in time before the Parousia. If they had invested their time in Biblical studies instead of running off to Fuller Seminary...  But that is why they galloped off the Gadarene cliff into the Schwaermer sea.

Brett Meyer Answers the AnonyMouse Tim Glende

They pretended they were going to a WELS pastoral conference. They also
skipped Professor Deutschlander in Atlanta to worship with Babtist Andy Stanley.

Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Fake Blogger In Panic Mode":

It's interesting to me that he thinks that self-justifying, hyper self-defensive, psychotic rage-filled rants are somehow convincing.

And posting their own anonymous opinions criticizing Pastor Jackson, myself and others is the preferred method of convincing others? Illegally posting comments in my name and attempting to capitalize on them with your own personal critiques is the preferred method of convincing others? Disregarding the fact that I politely informed you that I didn't post the infantile comments and my request that they be removed is the preferred method of convincing others?

Most people can read what has been written and judge the merits of the discussion concerning doctrine, personal opinion and people's actions for themselves.

If your opinions are to have any possible shred of consideration you would post your real names. But you want to say anything and do anything and not have it affect how others would view you. As the only outspoken group of (W)ELS clergy you are the distinct antithesis of 1 Peter 3:15, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"

The Ichabod caption describing your actions is accurate - "They vowed that together they would blog for truth, courage, honor and truth - anonymously"

***

GJ - The reprobate mind of Romans 1 is emerging with clarity in WELS - in all its parts, including the well known (among the clergy) homosexual pastors. Yes, the pastors know which ones are living as homosexuals. What is done? Nothing.

I was happy for the latest ignorant comment on the fake blog. I was motivated to Photoshop Fuerbringer into a quotation from the old Concordia Cyclopedia.

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rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "Brett Meyer Answers the AnonyMouse Tim Glende":

If these fellas won't sign their own name and thus reveal their identity, what makes us think that they would have any inkling of contending for the faith once delivered unto the saints? They have shown that they are both ashamed of being Lutheran and also that they are nothing more than weather vanes.

Mid-Week Advent Service. December 7, 2011

"The blind receive their sight."
By Norma Boeckler

Advent, December 7, 2011

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship

Mid-Week Advent, Thursday, 7 PM Central

The Hymn # 62        O Come, O Come Emmanual            4.51
The Order of Vespers                                                         p. 41

The Psalmody            Psalm 2                                              p. 123
The First Lection                      
The Second Lection           
 The Sermon Hymn #657            Beautiful Savior                    4.24

Sanctified by the Word

The Prayers and Lord’s Prayer                                     p. 44

The Collect for Peace                                                       p. 45

The Benediction                                                               p. 45

The Hymn # 558     All Praise to Thee                           2.9

KJV Matthew 11:2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? 4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. 7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

I.                     John’s mission – to send his followers to Jesus.

II.                 Jesus’ answer – to sanctify them with the Word and show Himself as the Messiah.

John had the greatest and most difficult work of all – to point to an ordinary looking man and said, “This is the Christ.”


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Narrow-minded Lutheran has left a new comment on your post "Mid-Week Advent Service. December 7, 2011":

Finally, someone gets it correct about the Baptist sending the diciples out so Jesus could speak His Word to them. Most pastors argue that the Baptist had a lapse of faith, since he was in prison.

Thanks, Pastor Jackson. You better get with the program, though, about sanctification. Most Lutherans today, like their Arminian heros, teach that we sanctify ourselves.

***

GJ - I kelmed that from Martin Luther.

Fake Blogger In Panic Mode

Fox Valley Jimmy said...
Jackson responded to the last post with more hearsay. Oh there's no official report about it, but peopls say stuff to him. When I am able to compare facts that he offers to reality, it's generally a half truth or a garbled remembering on his part of a past event. Case-in-point: Jackson made reference to a former blog (possibly associated with this one, I don't know) which parodied him. I personally thought it was pretty funny. In any case, it had a picture on it of a cat with its head in the toilet with the names of the Jackson cultists photo-shoped on to it's (sic> body. Jackson remembers this as a cartoon of his cultists "eating cat feces." This is utterly false - but one can see how his memory got garbled on this point. Whenever I read gossip on the Ichabod, I usually think its a grabled version of some event to fit Jackson's narrative of the fall of American Lutheranism.

BTW, I am not ignorant of the reference of Ichabod to 1 Samuel. The fact that he now claims that it is a reference to the departure of the means of grace is rather odd since 1.) After having looked through quite a lot of Lutheran theologians I have found no identification of the means of grace and the divine kabod or glory. 2.) It makes no sense. American Lutheranism has not lost the means of grace. As bad as American Lutheranism can be at times, the means of grace are still present creating faith. Luther claimed this was also true of the Roman Catholic church, despite its massive level of corruption.

Jackson's hatred of American Lutheranism has primarily to do with A. His need to feel smarter than everyone else. B. His sense of personal rejection by the established Lutheran Churches. They in effect to failed recognize his theological clap-trap as brilliant in the way he believed it was. His response to invent a make-believe conspiracy narrative where the Churches were all poisoned by UOJ- why else would they reject him? That leaves him and his small band of followers as the only enlightened people who can see the truth of the gospel- thereby validating his brilliance and orthodoxy against everyone else. It's an oddly transparent self-defense mechnanism.

Jackson will doubtless response to this with a series of childish insults and non-sequiturs. It's interesting to me that he thinks that self-justifying, hyper self-defensive, psychotic rage-filled rants are somehow convincing.

***

GJ - I kept the graphics, which are not what Tim's friend (or Tim) claims. They show a scatological obsession, a real mental disorder. The speed of their disappearance says a lot.

The vague and anonymous disclaimers above mean nothing. The murder of Mrs. Tabor is part of the legal record. What the chief of police said was broadcast on TV. VP Huebner's father testified on behalf of the murdering Al Just at the trial where Just was justly convicted. That also is a matter of record.

WELS lying is axiomatic, not only from their training in GA and covering up for criminal friends, but more importantly from their opinion that they were born forgiven and saved. The current fake blog claims I endorse UOJ but criticizes me for publishes against their precious doctrine. So many contradictions are the sign of a booze-befuddled mind, a rock-hard liver, and soulless deceiver.

When is Tim's blog going to have anything edifying in it? Many are worried about his emotional state. Plagiarizing and lying about it takes it toll, even if the spineless DP approves.

Quote - After having looked through quite a lot of Lutheran theologians I have found no identification of the means of grace and the divine kabod or glory.



"The doctrine of the means of grace is a peculiar glory of Lutheran theology. To this central teaching it owes its sanity and strong appeal, its freedom from sectarian tendencies and morbid fanaticism, its coherence and practicalness, and its adaptation to men of every race and every degree of culture. The Lutheran Confessions bring out with great clearness the thought of the Reformers upon this subject."
"Grace, Means of," The Concordia Cyclopedia, L. Fuerbringer, Th. Engelder, P. E. Kretzmann, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1927, p. 299.

I have quoted this many times, with the observation that the Olde Synodical Conference has forgotten the Means of Grace in their Enthusiasm for such clowns as Groeschel, Driscoll, Stetzer, Sweet, and C. Peter Wagner.

Twice-convicted sex offender arrested on child-porn charges in Cambridge Springs | GoErie.com/Erie Times-News. Another Example of Distributing Files

Twice-convicted sex offender arrested on child-porn charges in Cambridge Springs | GoErie.com/Erie Times-News:

'via Blog this'

The Green Bay Packers Gospel

"The G looked fine in the mirror when I put it on."

AC V has left a new comment on your post "Prayed with a Priest and a Rabbi?But What Is the P...":

The gospel according to Packers player Greg Jennings at St. Marcus Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, WI:

http://bcove.me/aqtnd02w 

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AC V has left a new comment on your post "Prayed with a Priest and a Rabbi?But What Is the P...":

Summary of Greg Jennings message "preached" in a Lutheran church in the same place Rev. Mark Jeske preaches on "Time of Grace" TV:

"I truly believe that if you put forth the time and the effort and the passion, you can become and do whatever you want."

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/135108688.html

Jesus had a lot of passion. It got him crucified. (Thank God.)

"Ski, you are not too old to play for the Packers.
There is another reason."

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AC V has left a new comment on your post "The Green Bay Packers Gospel":

St. Marcus pupils listen intently as Jennings explains his favorite phrase he uses daily: It’s a great day to be great.:

http://www.jsonline.com/multimedia/photos/135109353.html#id_60295463

Exploring options for the administration building | Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). Sell P. U. Towers or Hochmuth Hall? Sell Both and Lease Two Rooms at NPH.

This may be too modest for the WELS synod headquarters.

Exploring options for the administration building | Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS):


A Synodical Council task force is exploring all options in addressing the recent setback in plans to relocate the synod's administration building.

Here is a brief review of the situation. Earlier this year, the synod reached an agreement with a developer to sell the current administration building on Mayfair Road in Milwaukee, Wis., for $2.82 million. The sale was to be finalized in January of 2012, but the developer had until Nov. 4 to perform “due diligence” in making arrangements for rezoning and financing. When the offer was accepted, the Synodical Council authorized the purchase of a newer building in Pewaukee, Wis., for $2.85 million. The building was a perfect fit for our office needs, and we received an exceptional price on the property. That purchase was finalized last summer and tentative plans were made to move to the new building in December.

At the end of the due diligence period, the developer who had agreed to purchase the current building withdrew from the purchase agreement after concluding his planned project for the site was not financially feasible. This resulted in the synod now owning two buildings.

A task force was appointed by the Synodical Council to explore all options available to remedy this situation. Those options include renewed efforts to work with the city and interested developers to sell the Mayfair Road building. In addition, the task force will also be considering the possible sale of the Pewaukee property.

Obviously, it is not desirable for the synod to be holding two properties. However, we do have reserves that allow us to hold the two properties for a time without using any mission offerings to pay for this. The task force will consider all options carefully in an effort to arrive at a recommended course of action that will best serve the needs of the synod in the long term. The full Synodical Council will make any final decision.

Vacant positions
Two important administrative positions are currently vacant. The process to fill the positions of Director of Human Resources and Director of Communications has begun. Updated position descriptions for both positions will be made available after a review by the Conference of Presidents in December.

The duties of both of these positions have been temporarily reassigned to other staff members. We are working to ensure that the services provided in both areas will continue without interruption. Please note that the WELS Connection segments for January through April 2012 are being completed this month and will soon be distributed to congregations.

Advent preparation
As we prepare our hearts and homes for the Advent of our King, we direct our thoughts and worship to the One who came as one of us to redeem fallen mankind, and to the One who will come again in the clouds with all power and glory as the King of kings and Lord of lords. God’s richest Advent blessings to you all!

Serving in Christ,


Mark Schroeder


'via Blog this'

***

GJ - Some remember when the synod staff consisted of Carl Mischke and his wife Gladys, working in a room or two at Northwestern Publishing House, at the bottom of the stairs.

That reduced the risk of a staffer being arrested by the police and the offices searched by the FBI - the most excitement at headquarters since the document shredding party for William Tabor.

Most of those staffers are useless. The magazine is waste of money. Slick Brenner called it The Ladies Home Companion, and that was before it really went downhill.

The Shrinkers love business models. Try this one - reduce the overhead by eliminating most of the staff. Reduce it even more by selling the two office buildings.

Perfect - Just enough room for needed staff.
Everyone else - get a job.

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AC V has left a new comment on your post "Exploring options for the administration building ...":

When the offer was accepted, the Synodical Council authorized the purchase of a newer building

Accepting an offer buy your property is not the same as closing on the sale of your property, something a seller should do before buying another property.

SYNODICAL COUNCIL NENBERS (sic) - Check the original linked below!

Rev. Mark G. Schroeder, WELS president and chairman
Mr. Kurt L. Austad, Nebraska District
Mr. Warren Ehlke, Pacific Northwest District
Mr. Charles Fiedler,  South Central District
Mr. Seth Hansen, Dakota‐Montana District
Mr. Philip Hempel, Michigan District
Rev. Philip C. Hirsch, chairman, Board for Ministerial Education
Mr. Paul Holzhueter, Minnesota District
Mr. Mark Massmann, South Atlantic District
Mr. David Metzger, North Atlantic District
Mr. James Moeller, teacher‐at‐large
Rev. Peter Naumann, Conference of Presidents
Rev. Joel Petermann, Conference of Presidents
Rev. David Rutschow, Conference of Presidents
Mr. Tom Schlittenhart, Arizona‐California District
Rev. Larry Schlomer, chairman, Board for World Mission
Rev. Jonathan Schroeder, pastor‐at=large
Mr. Timothy Snyder. Southeastern Wisconsin District
Mr. John Tappe , Western Wisconsin District
Rev. Earle Treptow , pastor‐at‐large
Rev. Charles Westra, Chairman, Board for Home Missions

Advisory:
Rev. Keith Free
Rev. Brian Gerlach
Rev. James Huebner
Rev. Daniel H. Koelpin
Rev. James D. Liggett
Mr. Todd J. Poppe
Rev. Paul Prange
Mr. Mel Schuler
Mr. Martin A. Spriggs
Rev. Joel R. Voss

http://www.wels.net/sites/wels/files/WELS%20Leadership_0.pdf

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/KeystoneKops.jpg  

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Contingency contracts, for buying before selling the original property.

Contingency purchase?
We don't need no stinking contingency contract!

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AC V has left a new comment on your post "Exploring options for the administration building ...":

"Here is a brief review of the situation...."

"the synod reached an agreement with a developer to sell the current administration building..."

Was this done at the synod convention? I missed that one.

"When the offer was accepted, the Synodical Council authorized the purchase of a newer building"

The SC "authorized." Was every member of the SC involved in the contract negotiations, did they see the paperwork, or did a representative(s) make a "trust me" recommendation?

"This resulted in the synod now owning two buildings....A task force was appointed by the Synodical Council to explore all options available to remedy this situation."

Was there not a "task force" in place to negotiate the sale of 2929 and purchase Pewaukee? If so, who were the members?

"The full Synodical Council will make any final decision."

Did not the full SC make the previous sell/buy decisions?

***

GJ - They got a smokin' deal on Pewaukee Universalist Towers, so your questions are impertinent, immaterial, irrelevant, and just plain irritating.

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"Brett, I warned you.
WELS and ELCA and the Salvation Army work together.
We won't stand for that kind of questioning."

Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Exploring options for the administration building ...":

To add to the irritation: Where did the $8,000,000 go?! Where's the documentation detailing who allocated it, where, how and why?

The beatings will continue until offerings improve - or the WELS laity demand an accounting.