Travesty Time at Polluted WELS

Satire - this is one of my best Photoshops.
Note the horrified woman listening on the laptop - Elton Stroh's online class of one.

Elton Stroh does self-satire - manipulating the children at Martin Luther College.
I Photoshopped the whiteboard to make the words clearer.
"Some of our traditional programs have become dated and uninviting."
Church Growth is dated and destructive, and underlining is so 1980s.

http://pollutedwels.blogspot.com/2014/08/a-travesty-examined-part-six.html

MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 2014

A Travesty Examined, Part Six

Mr. Elton Stroh will be leading a session entitled "Do Metrics Belong in the Church?".

I'm assuming this will be a short session, because the obvious answer is, "NO!"

But I guess it's not that simple. Here's the description of this session (in blue) and my responses (in black).

This question is likely to raise some eyebrows and create some tensions.  

Well, yeah, I would hope that false doctrine might raise some eyebrows.

Some ministry leaders could not imagine functioning within a church without discernible metrics.  

Yes, and these leaders are called Arminians. On the other hand, real Lutheran leaders can't imagine functioning within a church without the discernible Means of Grace.

Metrics and related words (e.g. measurables, scorecards, and outcomes) are mentioned routinely in their weekly staff or monthly elected leaders’ meetings.  

Funny, those words are mentioned exactly never in Scripture and the Confessions.

Other ministry leaders balk at the use of such terms in the church.

Oh no! How dare they balk at false doctrine!

What is at the root of these tensions?

False doctrine.

Why does having meaningful metrics matter?

It doesn't. Not at all. Didn't matter to the prophets. Didn't matter to Christ. Didn't matter to the apostles.

Which metrics belong in your congregation?

In my congregation? None. (Well, wait, there might be a meter stick down in the basement, does that count? We only use the yardstick side, I promise!)

---

God's metric - 

1 Corinthians 4 King James Version (KJV)

4 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.

4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Left the Spigot On - Bird Spa Goes 24/7

Birds sing Matins and Vespers each day, praising their Creator - but are we grateful for their songs?

Today I left the spigot on when we left to take care of some things. The elevated soaker hose dripped on the fence garden and the vegetable garden, about 200 feet of soaker hose.

When we got back I did not check on the hose, so it continued longer. Walking outside, many birds took off to finish their preening duties a safe distance away.

We had some cherries and grapes we could share in the rose garden, so those were scattered among the blooms. I see constant evidence of birds working the mulch for food. When I added mushroom compost and cypress mulch to the maple tree area (for the next rose garden), birds clearly poked through the mulch to find food.

Adding organic matter is going to favor insects, soil creatures, earthworms, and birds. Water features to spread and capture fresh water will add to the creature population. That is good, because God's Creation will follow His gracious design and provide a bounty that renews itself with water and organic matter added.

For example, all the greenery from mowing, gardening, and leaf raking can be returned to the lawn and garden, a positive contribution for several reasons. The deep rooted plants will bring up minerals for the plants and us to use. Plants will convert solar power into basic foods that add to the original formula. Soil creatures will constantly improve the soil, and they will increase their total work by having more humus to work on.

I thought I had water spotting on some plants, but I realized the birds were enjoying their fence spa and sharing their fertilizer from the comfort of their watery perch.

Our neighbor thinks the soaker hose elevated on the fence is a great idea. Soon they will be harvesting from our shared fence. Gourds and beans are growing fast now, with the beans creating a wrought-iron effect as they wind around the fence, circling in various directions.

Mrs. Ichabod got her first organic tomato today. I found it ripe near the ground. I laugh at organic food prices at the grocery store. That means saving money in gardening to me.

The tomato was delicious, I heard. I do not like watery greenhouse tomatoes, but I enjoy fresh, warm tomatoes from the garden. I enjoy sharing the bounty. Mrs. I. really enjoys fresh tomatoes, so I will have quite a crop next year. I like growing cherry tomatoes too, because they are easy to pick, easy to enjoy, and quick to volunteer (grow from where the berries are tossed). Few plants volunteer as easily as tomatoes.

Three Comments from Readers

Hi Greg,

You are dead on.  It is pointless to address offenses by called workers privately - especially when the offense is what is divisive - and the real issue causing divisions.  There comes a point when the offensive Peter (church leader) needs to be addressed in front of everyone.  If that means blogs where the cult behavior gets explained over and over or privately then that is what happens.

And the 8th commandment talks about false testimony.  It's clear who the people are in the cases mentioned that are actually spewing false testimony against their neighbors.  There comes a point where it looks like they don't even believe what they preach and appropriately are labelled as wolves devouring people for their own selfish ends.

In Christ,

Tim

---

The great ones of UOJ claim Augustine as their savior,
but Augie is completely against their trashy pseudo-Christianity.

Today I was visiting a Missouri copngreation and argued in Bible study for JBFA against a  visiting pastor's UOJ opinion.  It was funny that the members agreed with JBFA.



He said that they cannot have faith in their faith!  Of course, next he 
said that you have to have a degree and know Greek and Hebrew to 
understand theology (popery).  He said after all his years of ministry, 
he is a 4 out of 10 with Jesus being a 10.  And apparently JBFA does not
divide Law and Gospel correctly.  “Theology is the art of divisions.”- 
TB



I quoted John 8:24 and asked when he thinks 
the forgiveness of sins takes place.  What do the keys effect?  He said 
he was out of time for the Bible study and gave me his phone number in 
case I want to continue the conversation.  I told him that faith is not a
work of man but a gift of God.



I quoted Romans 4:7 and asked, “Are all men blessed?”  A. Hunnius posed the same question to Huber.



No answer from Pastor UOJ.



Maybe I should call him, but he seems very bull-headed, as I witnessed 
today.  I am in awe (although I should not be, the way modern 
Lutheranism is) that someone who has theoretically read the Bible and 
the BOC can believe in UOJ, when laity know better. (John 10:27)



Thank you for your teaching and encouragement.  I thank God that even though 
you have a PhD and are a serious theologian, you only give the Holy 
Spirit credit for your understanding of the Bible.  The Holy Spirit 
teaches man better than all books!


Is UOJ really the article on which the Church stands or falls?
I have yet to find any evidence in Luther, Melanchthon, Chemnitz,
the Book of Concord, or the Bible.
---

It's great to see laity challenge the false gospel of the Lutheran Synods which 

leads men, women and children away from Christ and the righteousness of faith worked graciously by the Holy Spirit through the Means of Grace.  Faithfully 

wielding the Sword of the pure Word the false teachers have no defense.  May the Lord strengthen His Church to boldly confess and defend one Justification solely by the gracious gift of faith in Christ alone.  





In Christ,

Brett Meyer

Polluted WELS Is Back - With Comments and More Bad Advice

During the GA secret initiation rite, the GA Pope
has the first-year class look for his bowling ball in the raw sewage of the "pond."

MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 2014

I'm Back

After publishing my last post, I was contacted by one of the people I mentioned. He was able to figure out my identity based on the details of the conversation that I related. He indirectly yet clearly threatened me and my ministry. I panicked and deleted the blog.

After taking a day to think about it, though, I've decided I can't compromise the truth for selfish reasons. Despite the threats, I will continue to publish here.

The person who threatened me is very well-connected within the synod. He has the right last name and I have the wrong one. Be sure to watch the call reports in the coming weeks for my removal from the ministry.

---

"I'm Back"

6 Comments - Show Original PostCollapse comments

1 – 6 of 6

 Henry Town said...

Hi Matthias,

I assure you that many WELS laypeople--and yes, even pastors--are glad to see the return of your blog to the internet.

I've been reading it religiously (pun intended) since it debuted a month ago. You are not alone in your concerns as a WELS pastor, nor are you alone in your fear of speaking freely. Rather than threatening you, the leaders of WELS ought to ask you and others who are concerned to help them understand what your concerns are.

Keep the faith ... and keep up the good work!

August 4, 2014 at 3:22 PM

 Anonymous said...

Welcome back! As Mr. Franklin once said, "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately."

Jami Thomas

August 4, 2014 at 3:29 PM

 Anonymous said...

Though devils all the WELS should fill...

August 4, 2014 at 3:40 PM

 Anonymous said...

So glad you are back.

August 4, 2014 at 3:40 PM

 Joel A. Dusek said...

Welcome back!
May the Lord of the Church continue to grant you courage as you stand against the Holy See of Milwaukee!

Permit me a suggestion. Bring the issues up with your congregation, either through council or the full body. Present your case and the opposing case fairly. Invite your opponents to make their case in public. There are likely many of your people who will follow you if you are correct in your doctrine. Two anecdotes: Rev. Rydecki was suspended from WELS and most of his congregation went with him; my father left WELS and has been able to continue ministry while working in the secular world for 17 years now.

Do not lose heart. 

August 4, 2014 at 3:45 PM

 tlcsvaz@orthodoxlutheran.info said...

"Matthias" - Since you are now known by your opponents, you might as well allow your supporters to stand with you. I suggest you do two things: 1.) Unmask yourself on this, your own blog, and strongly encourage others not to be anonymous anymore. Since you are telling the truth, and talking about the truth, openness and honesty need to prevail here more than anywhere. 2.) Change the blog name to something just a tad less troublesome. There's little to be gained by getting in hot water over a name - granted, a clever play on words - when there are so many more substantive matters to address. Just some thoughts. God bless you!

Trying to reform anything, especially a religious organization, is difficult. One that is so insular and has such hubris, even more so. I pray God will reward your efforts with some changed hearts and minds.

August 4, 2014 at 3:56 PM

Dr. Joseph Jewell said...

Welcome back. I wanted to post with my name to tell you that I admire your decision to keep blogging. Whoever you are, you and your family are in my prayers--as is your bully, that he might repent and stop the harassment and threats.

August 4, 2014 at 4:01 PM

***

GJ - We all know that WELS is collapsing, its demise accelerated by the two Silver Marks - Mark Jeske and Mark Schroeder. They already have a target painted on PW, so having a tepid name for the blog is not going to change their minds. And nothing will change a corrupt and deviant sect run by abusive, corrupt, deviant leaders. Yes, I can say that when a DP goes to state prison for molesting girls in his own congregation. when the Director of PR under Mark Schroeder has stored and doubtless used man/boy rape videos at the WELS headquarters, and when the two most famous employees of Jeske are no less than Ski and Glende.

Did WELS like the Orthodox Lutheran Forum any better for its name, Intrepid Lutherans for its name, Issues in WELS for its name? I agree that he should use his own name now, because the opponents know who he is. But we do not.

 Vernon Knepprath said...

Pastor Spencer suggested a name change for this blog. But everything in the world is "polluted" or corrupted by sin, which includes visible church organizations. That the word 'polluted' may be troublesome, to use Pastor Spencer's words, suggests that there are some who don't have a Scriptural view of the world. We mustn't lose sight of the fact that WELS is a visible church, which is NOT synonymous with the invisible Holy Christian Church. The only thing not polluted or corrupted by sin is God and His Word.

Vernon

Polluted WELS Is Back - As Reported by Intrepid Lutherans

MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 2014

UPDATED! — Organizer of 2015 Christian Leadership Experience (allegedly): “The only thing wrong with Lutheran churches is pastors who want to be Lutheran.”

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http://www.intrepidlutherans.com/2014/08/organizer-of-2015-christian-leadership.html

On July 12, 2014, we featured content that was referred to in a post on the blog Polluted WELS. This blog was created in the middle of June 2014 by a WELS pastor writing under the pseudonym “Matthias Flach”, who was evidently frustrated with rapidly disappearing Confessionalism in WELS, with false unity among the clergy, threats from leadership, and overbearing laity in his congregation who boasted of “family connections.” The title of that June 12 post was Time to Spill the Beans, and we introduced his blog, as follows:

I stumbled across the following, rather old, exposé this morning while visiting the blog Polluted WELS. The author of that blog, a current WELS pastor who, understandably, finds it necessary to remain anonymous, included a link to [what follows] in his post, 'Conformity over Confession'. While the details are dated, as a WELS pastor, he indicates that “all of the basics are absolutely accurate,” and that he “can personally verify that it’s true...”

Yesterday afternoon, after ~20 posts since mid-June, one of which received over 150 comments, and over 20,000 page reads, Polluted WELS turned up missing.

Or deleted, rather.

He had been running a multi-part series critical of the 2015 Christian Leadership Experience -- which features Rev. Mark Jeske (WES) as the star of the conference, but who is also joined by many of his friends, followers, collaborators and other supporters in far less prominent speaking roles -- under the title “A Travesty Examined.” Many of these posts, now deleted from the blog Polluted WELS, have been preserved by Dr. Jackson on his blog, Ichabod, the Glory has Departed, at the following links:

A Travesty Examined, Part 1
A Travesty Examined, Parts 2 & 3
A Travesty Interrupted
A Travesty Examined, Part 5

Yet another pock marring what was once a reasonably sound Lutheran church body, this Conference, which bears none of the standards or identity of Confessional Lutheranism, is not only decidedly favorable to the Church Growth Movement, but drives Lutheran and Confessional thresholds even further south by swinging doors wide open to the teaching authority of women over men, inviting open ecumenism with heterodox who entirely reject the Lutheran Confession, and even flirting with pagan religiosity. In our recent post, What is the 2015 Christian Leadership Experience?, we exposed and concluded many of these points.

The final post of “Mathias Flach,” the author of Polluted WELS, was a response to one of his critics. In it, we discover the attitude of a person connected with one of the Organizers of Experience; it is exactly the attitude that we at Intrepid Lutherans have been describing and warning of since 2010, exactly the attitude our critics have denied exists, exactly the attitude which is now, in fact, normative in the Wisconsin Evangelical Synod, that is, if “pastors who want to be Lutheran” are those pastors who desire to demonstrate their Confession through church practice which is, in fact, manifestly “Lutheran” and decidedly non-Sectarian -- i.e., historical, liturgical, catholic and evangelical. We include his final post below, Kelm'ed from Dr. Jackson's blog (Proof That I Am Not the Author of the Polluted WELS Blog), following which we include links to other articles related to the Church Growth Movement for the interested reader.

---

My Response
(the final post from the now deleted blog, Polluted WELS)
Here's a comment I received, with my responses interspersed.

First, I am not sure who Lillo is, but this comment did not come from him. I do not know if your post can be edited, but that false testimony should be removed.

Lillo is Joel Lillo, a pastor from the Appleton area who (like you) wanted me to shut-up but (like you) didn't want to discuss the actual issues. I never said that you were Lillo, I said that I was reproducing your comments in pink in honor of Lillo. It's a joke from about a month ago on this blog about how colors are adiaphora. Before you start accusing people of sinning against the Eighth Commandment, you should get your facts straight, lest you yourself break that very commandment.

Matthias, I am your brother in Christ. It is also true (regardless of whether or not you want to admit it) that the leaders and presenters of this conference are your brother and sisters in that same Lord. Yes, I know many of the leaders of this conference personally.

No, the organizers of this conference are not my brothers. See, I know them personally too. One of the speakers at this conference, when he still with Parish Assistance, sowed discord in my home congregation and almost caused it to split. Another of the speakers has made attempts to personally undermine my ministry. Another person associated with one of the sponsoring organizations once said, in my presence, "The only thing wrong with Lutheran churches is pastors who want to be Lutheran."

These men are not my brothers. They are enemies of the gospel. They actively work to thwart the preaching of the gospel. I don't care how personally you know them. Jesus said, "By their fruit you will know them." These are wolves in sheep's clothing.

It is easy to know who is organizing - the hosting organizations are listed in numerous places.

That's not the same thing. How can I personally contact an organization?

This blog has become a tabloid because you are more concerned with sensationalism than truth.

What have I said that's not true? All of my posts on this conference have included direct quotations from the conference's own website.

I do not know what the Matthew 18 maneuver is. I know the chapter well, but I did not quote it.

Oh, come on. You know exactly what it is -- trying to shut down public debate by claiming that one must speak privately to a person first. As I said, Matthew 18 is about private sin, not public sin.

You are a WELS pastor with legitimate concerns about this conference. You chose to blog rather than speak to anyone. 

Yeah, you better believe it. These sponsoring organizations own the DPs. Two of the DP who are supposed to be the most Confessional are preaching at this conference. If I dared to voice my concerns, I would [be] automatically labeled "divisive" and blackballed. Anonymous blogging is the only recourse Confessional Lutheran pastors have.

Fine. But why do you choose to be the Enquirer?

How am I being the Enquirer? I'm not exposing personal information. I'm not calling people aliens.

Why not open a conversation by sharing legitimate concerns and asking the blogging community if they have more information or if they share the same concerns?

That's exactly what I am doing.

You had an opportunity to establish the style and substance of this blog a couple weeks ago. You slid into sensationalism and snide judgment. Any opportunity for positive influence or change slips right down that same slope. Your posters from now on will be the few who already share your thoughts. The inflated view count will be those who enjoy the guilty pleasure of a Lutheran tabloid.

Here's another tactic of the "synod-minders" -- whine about the tone. Guess what? When you're exposing false doctrine, you can't do it gently. The Law cuts and destroys. These are all grown men that I'm talking about, and they most certainly know how to dish out the "snide judgment" against others. They should be able to take some too.

Mathias, the members of your church need the love, instruction, and shepherding that you are trained and called to provide. My hope is that you pour abundantly more energy into that call than you expend in this online endeavor.

Why would you assume anything else? Are you trying to undermine my ministry too?

---

Here are some additional posts related to the Church Growth Movement, the real meaning of Change in the Church, and the recourse of laity, from previous posts on Intrepid Lutherans:

• The Church Growth Movement: A brief synopsis of its history and influences in American Christianity
• ‘Church Growth’ Inroads in the WELS: An Analysis of the Website Home Pages of Ninety WELS Congregations
• ‘Church Growth’ Inroads in the WELS: An Analysis of the Website Home Pages of Ninety WELS Congregations – Part 2
• ‘Church Growth’ Inroads in the WELS: An Analysis of the Website Home Pages of Ninety WELS Congregations – Part 3
• WELS Synod President Mark Schroeder issues scorching rebuke of Church Growth Movement
• The Theological Disciplines, and the nature of theological discourse in WELS from a layman's perspective
• Theological Discourse in the post-Modern Era
• The 'Tone' of polemics: Thoughts regarding vigorous public discourse
• Why We Must Speak Out
• What on Earth could the CoP possibly have meant by THIS?
• C.P. Krauth explains how orthodox Lutheran Synods descend into heterodoxy
• The Descent of the Contemporary Church into Cultural Narcissism
• The Average Layman is Defenseless!
• John Schaller gives advice on distinctively Lutheran practice
• C.F.W. Walther: Filching from sectarian worship resources equals "soul murder"
• An Explanation of Lutheran Worship: For the Lutheran who asks the Meaning of the Beautiful Liturgy of His church
• The Catechesis of the Lutheran Worshiper: An antidote to the “itching ears” and “happy feat” of CGM enthusiasts?
• Lutheranism and the Fine Arts: Dr. P.E. Kretzmann and the Necessity of Continuing Catechesis
• A Brief Explanation of Lutheran Hymnody: For the Lutheran who asks regarding the Beautiful Hymns of His church

Rev. Rydecki was once personally criticized by one of the Experience speakers for his post, A refreshing church growth strategy: Get smaller and die. In that post, he concludes:

So, God save us from the successful church. Give us churches who shun sentimentality and pragmatism and aren't afraid to face the inevitable shrinkage which comes as a result of following Jesus. God save us from church leadership strategies. After all, it takes zero faith to follow a strategy, but incredible faith to pursue the kingdom of God and leave the rest in God's hands. If I've learned anything as a pastor, it is this: faithfulness flies in the face of sentimentality and pragmatism, and if you pursue it you have to expect small numbers.

And so do we.

---

UPDATE 8/4/2014, approx 2:21pm: The blog Polluted WELS is back online. The author's explanation follows:

I'm Back

After publishing my last post, I was contacted by one of the people I mentioned. He was able to figure out my identity based on the details of the conversation that I related. He indirectly yet clearly threatened me and my ministry. I panicked and deleted the blog.

After taking a day to think about it, though, I've decided I can't compromise the truth for selfish reasons. Despite the threats, I will continue to publish here.

The person who threatened me is very well-connected within the synod. He has the right last name and I have the wrong one. Be sure to watch the call reports in the coming weeks for my removal from the ministry.

AP said...

I was glad to see the blog return, though I surely understand why the author deleted it. I would just add...

In the years that I have been publicly talking about these issues, mainly on Intrepid Lutherans, I have had a few people tell me to be careful (in a friendly way), but I have never been threatened by anyone. I did get a call once from an anonymous coward who berated me for something I wrote in support of Rick Techlin. He took great offense when I wrote that I was ashamed of my synod for how Mr. Techlin had been treated. I would say that I would be equally ashamed of a bully who would threaten another man's ministry over something written on a blog. Have the courage to come out of the shadows and engage in a real discussion of the issues and divisions we have in the WELS. I can't say that I have agreed with much of anything that Pastor Lillo has written here, but I will always respect his willingness to at least engage in the discussion. We need more of that--more people on both sides who are willing to debate the issues openly without threats and fear. If we can't have that kind of discussion--even about the little things--what hope is there?

Dr. Aaron Palmer

Link to the Copy and Paste Plus Commentary on Polluted WELS

Cloaca Maxima - the icon for the Polluted WELS blog
and everyone who took Latin 101 in the polluted WELS.
Yes - innocent lambs - WELS is a sewer.

This connects all 35 Polluted WELS blog posts that I copied or commented upon, using the label.

http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/search/label/Polluted%20WELS%20Blog

Polluted WELS criticized the latest Jeske money-making scheme,
the 2015 Napoleon Hill business seminar
designed for losers like Ski, Glende, and the rest who suck up synod subsidies,
Thrivent grants, and foundation grants.

Classic Ichabod - Hundreds of Current Views - McCain Apologizes!

Thursday, May 31, 2012

The Forgiven at Birth Repent in Public

bruce-church (http://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Universalism from the Glende/Ski WELS Theologians":

First Rolf Preus has to apologize to the Jesus First crowd, and now McCain has to apologize to Missouri's CCM (Commission on Constitutional Matters):

A Public Apology from Paul McCain
May 29th, 2012, Post by Norm Fisher

http://steadfastlutherans.org/?p=19851

---

Norman Teigen has left a new comment on your post "The Forgiven at Birth Repent in Public":

Celebrity Lutheran bloggers who regularly disparage other honest Christians shouLd desist from further offense by agreeing to be silent. The problem is that these persons cannot distinguish between their pious baloney and libel and slander. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Norman Teigen, Layman
Evangelical Lutheran Synod