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| One WELS pastor compared his sect to the Leakin Lena, from the famous cartoon series. Do not rock the boat. |
http://www.alpb.org/forum/index.php?topic=5128.msg311632;topicseen#msg311632
Pastor Ted Crandall
- ALPB Contribution Leader
- Posts: 942
- Saint and Sinner
http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=4cd64d7a7ba58bdc6c27bcc68&id=513958132b&e=ad0e17c73a
Excerpt: "Our Synod was roundly critical of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) when they used a model known as “Reconciled Diversity” to achieve “unity” between church bodies of widely divergent doctrine and practice. In its simplest form, "Reconciled Diversity" is a model for church fellowship that seeks to find whatever common doctrines may exist between those church bodies who are attempting to establish pulpit and altar fellowship with one another. It simply declares that those issues which cannot be reconciled to be “non-divisive.” By using this model the ELCA is able to welcome with open arms both pastors and communicants to each church's communion rails and pulpits (including members and pastors of the United Methodist Church; Presbyterian Church, USA; United Church of Christ; Reformed Church of America; Moravian Church; and Episcopal Church, USA).
"While our Synod was right in criticizing the ELCA for this method of “establishing” church fellowship, the truth of the matter is that we are doing the exact same thing in our own church body. We are also seeking the lowest common denominator in our doctrine and practice when we insist on agreeing to disagree on issues we are not able to agree on. In effect, the LCMS is also practicing "Reconciled Diversity!" It would appear that now the greatest “sin” a person can commit in our Synod is "rocking the boat" and "disturbing the Synod" with the truth! Maintaining “peace” within the institution of the Synod now appears to be of paramount importance, rather than making sure our doctrine and practice conform to the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions. May God forgive us for this!"
[emphasis added]
Excerpt: "Our Synod was roundly critical of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) when they used a model known as “Reconciled Diversity” to achieve “unity” between church bodies of widely divergent doctrine and practice. In its simplest form, "Reconciled Diversity" is a model for church fellowship that seeks to find whatever common doctrines may exist between those church bodies who are attempting to establish pulpit and altar fellowship with one another. It simply declares that those issues which cannot be reconciled to be “non-divisive.” By using this model the ELCA is able to welcome with open arms both pastors and communicants to each church's communion rails and pulpits (including members and pastors of the United Methodist Church; Presbyterian Church, USA; United Church of Christ; Reformed Church of America; Moravian Church; and Episcopal Church, USA).
"While our Synod was right in criticizing the ELCA for this method of “establishing” church fellowship, the truth of the matter is that we are doing the exact same thing in our own church body. We are also seeking the lowest common denominator in our doctrine and practice when we insist on agreeing to disagree on issues we are not able to agree on. In effect, the LCMS is also practicing "Reconciled Diversity!" It would appear that now the greatest “sin” a person can commit in our Synod is "rocking the boat" and "disturbing the Synod" with the truth! Maintaining “peace” within the institution of the Synod now appears to be of paramount importance, rather than making sure our doctrine and practice conform to the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions. May God forgive us for this!"
[emphasis added]
