Matt is the new Joel Lillo
Pastor Matt Westra left a comment for us. Let’s read through it. I’ll put his words in red.
So, it wasn’t a worship service OR a concert? Interesting. What was it then?
Are you referring to the specific picture that I used? Is that the issue--that this specific picture was taken when Koine performed at this mysterious non-worship, non-concert thing and not when they performed at the worship service? The official summary of the convention says that Koine performed at the opening service. So even if this particular photograph isn’t of the opening service, the point remains the same.
I’d be happy to post pictures specifically taken from at the worship service, but I haven’t been able to find any pictures of a worship service. Not a Lutheran service anyway with reverence and all the usual ceremonies, you know, like the Confessions say.
See? This is the patented WELS method. Don’t argue the facts, just shut down the argument with sarcastic insults.
Again, more of the WELS method. This was a public event, Matt. Why not just tell us all what the picture is about? Why the need to contact you personally? So you can make a list of the dissenters?
Basically what you’re saying is, “Don’t worry. This is totally not what it looks like. It’s something else, but I won’t tell you what it is.”
If you care so much about truth and accuracy, why not just tell us the truth?
Here's a link to the youth rally Facebook page. And here's the youth rally Instagram page. Maybe someone can scour the pictures and find some that depict the Lutheran worship service that Matt claims took place. I haven't been able to find any.
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Der Schwarz Schaf said...
Well, well, so this blog is full of lies. This Matt fellow should then have pointed them out, correct? Is not such the proper procedure if he loves the truth so very much? Experience with the WELS sickopaths has shown the only truth they are really interested in is that nothing allowed anywhere in WELS is bad, wrong, or sinful. They miss the point that while that might be true sometimes, things allowed can be UNLUTHERAN! That's the point! Talk about dense! Heiliges Kanonenrohr!
Matthias Flach said...
Black Sheep, that's the way it works. Matt has the right last name, so he can make accusations without providing proof. I have the wrong last name, so I can't make accusations even if I do provide proof.
OCP said...
Techincally Pastor Westra is correct, although I'm not sure why he wouldn't elaborate. I was at the Rally, and the picture is from one of the Morning Devotions that Pastor Westra led. His spoken devotions (he led two of them) were excellent, but the stage set-up was exactly the same as it was for the Opening Service, except for Pastor Westra's visual aids, and an extra music stand that served as a podium during the Opening Service. I'm not sure how a "Morning Devotion" is something that is not "thought to be a worship service by anyone putting the event together or anyone in attendance," but that is a question that hopefully Pastor Westra will return to answer.
OCP
Matthias Flach said...
No, OCP, technically Pastor Westra is wrong. A morning devotion is absolutely worship. What else would it be?
This is a prime example of the WELS method. Evade and insult.
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Anonymous Comment:
Higher Things is not the official LCMS youth gathering. It is sponsored by a relatively small group of committed Confessional Lutherans within the LCMS. The youth gatherings sponsored officially by the LCMS are much worse than anything the WELS does. As far as I know, the only synodically-sponsored youth gatherings that consistently have liturgical worship, with real hymns, etc., are those sponsored by the ELS.
I was sent this link by a classmate and would like to respond. (I realize I am over a week late but nothing goes away on the Internet.) As the pastor who planned and led this I would like it to be said that this picture is neither from a worship service or a concert and so I don't know why you are asking the question.
So, it wasn’t a worship service OR a concert? Interesting. What was it then?
(It truly is an "impertinent question" as it was never described or thought to be either a worship service or a rock concert by anyone putting the event together or anyone in attendance. There was a worship service but the author pretty clearly knows nothing about how that was led.)
Are you referring to the specific picture that I used? Is that the issue--that this specific picture was taken when Koine performed at this mysterious non-worship, non-concert thing and not when they performed at the worship service? The official summary of the convention says that Koine performed at the opening service. So even if this particular photograph isn’t of the opening service, the point remains the same.
I’d be happy to post pictures specifically taken from at the worship service, but I haven’t been able to find any pictures of a worship service. Not a Lutheran service anyway with reverence and all the usual ceremonies, you know, like the Confessions say.
Whoever is the brave anonymous blogger who wrote this was obviously not there and did not bother to see if what he said about Koine and this picture was accurate and true. (Just briefly looking over this blog it seems that lies and inaccuracy are a theme.)
See? This is the patented WELS method. Don’t argue the facts, just shut down the argument with sarcastic insults.
If someone is genuinely concerned about what this is actually a picture of you can look me up by my google account and e-mail me. As for me I have fed the troll enough and will not dialogue on an anonymous blog that very clearly has no interest in truth or accuracy.
Again, more of the WELS method. This was a public event, Matt. Why not just tell us all what the picture is about? Why the need to contact you personally? So you can make a list of the dissenters?
Basically what you’re saying is, “Don’t worry. This is totally not what it looks like. It’s something else, but I won’t tell you what it is.”
If you care so much about truth and accuracy, why not just tell us the truth?
Here's a link to the youth rally Facebook page. And here's the youth rally Instagram page. Maybe someone can scour the pictures and find some that depict the Lutheran worship service that Matt claims took place. I haven't been able to find any.
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OCP
This is a prime example of the WELS method. Evade and insult.
---
Anonymous Comment:
Higher Things is not the official LCMS youth gathering. It is sponsored by a relatively small group of committed Confessional Lutherans within the LCMS. The youth gatherings sponsored officially by the LCMS are much worse than anything the WELS does. As far as I know, the only synodically-sponsored youth gatherings that consistently have liturgical worship, with real hymns, etc., are those sponsored by the ELS.
