Wednesday, January 21, 2015

From 2009 - Working the Foundations

Money has an inevitable gravitational effect
upon apostates. 


New Arcadia church nears completion
By K�ri Knutson Lee Newspapers


.
ARCADIA, Wis. The members of Bethel Lutheran Church come together each Sunday to worship in a small room. The site is fine for the 80 or so members of the congregation unless they all decide to show up.

“We can seat about 50 comfortably,” said the Rev. Nathan Strutz, pastor of the church. “After that, we’re kind of squishing it.”
That won’t be a problem for long. The church is building a new 7,000-square-foot home off Hwy. 93 in Arcadia that will hold about 200 people. It’s the first new church built in Arcadia since 1910, Strutz said.

Strutz is leaving the church’s official grand opening in the Lord’s hands, but people who want a sneak peek can come to an open house this evening.

The Arcadia church is an offshoot of Bethel Lutheran Church in Galesville, Wis., where Strutz also serves as pastor. About a dozen members who used to drive to Galesville formed the Arcadia church in 2001.

The church received a $50,000 grant toward the new building from the La Crosse-based Antioch Foundation. An anonymous donor gave $650,000. The contributions have helped the project go beyond the basics, allowing for a bell tower, stained glass windows and carport.

“We’ve had one blessing after another,” Strutz said.

Church member Laverne Putz, 85, has come to the site every day to help and watch the church’s transformation.

“It’ll be different, that’s for sure,” Putz said.

He’s also enjoyed working with the Builders for Christ, a volunteer workforce helping to build the church. The volunteers come from all over the country, on a mission to help build churches, schools and nurseries for members of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

The group started with about seven members in 1991 and has grown to more than 300. The average age is about 72.

Martin Leyrer, 77, and wife Rose came from Muskegon, Mich., on June 13 and won’t be leaving until Sept. 9. The couple has helped on 32 church projects around the country.

Martin Leyrer has seen struggling congregations holding Sunday school in boiler rooms and hallways, and church services in high school gymnasiums and storefronts.

“We love our Lord,” Martin Leyrer said. “It’s such a grand opportunity to serve him in this way.”

Leyrer was a civil engineer and public works director and retired seven years ago.

“I’m confident that if I would have sat around in a rocking chair after I retired, I wouldn’t be here today,” Leyrer said. “You need mental and physical activity. Serving the Lord doesn’t hurt, either.”

Lunch is their pay. Leyrer found Tuesday’s wages of lasagna with sliced potatoes especially tasty. He and his fellow volunteers measure each project by how much weight they gain. They estimate Arcadia will be a 15-pounder.

His wife reminds him to take it easy, but he shows no signs of stopping, although he has sworn off ladders.

“After two concussions, three cracked ribs and a shoulder dislocation,” Lehrer said, “I think I’ll stay on the ground.”

Kori Knutson is a reporter at the Winona Daily News.

---

The person that is always named in connection with this Antioch Foundation in Lacrosse, Wisconsin is Donald P Zietlow. He is the President and CEO of Kwik Trip. Kwik Trip is all over Wisconsin and Minnesota, perhaps elsewhere too). They are gas stations/convenience stores/car washes and are thriving. It just so happens that Matt Doebler served in Wisconsin Rapids prior to going to his rock 'n roll mission in Texas. The Antioch Foundation is in the WELS Western Wisconsin District (where Matt was) and gave grants in that area. So Matt would be familiar with that name.

The tax form filed with the State of Wisconsin for tax year 2002:

First Evangelical Lutheran Church - $1000.00

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod - $167,000.00

Luther High School Foundation - $5000.00

Luther High School - $20,000.00

Total - $193,000

---

2003 grants:

Number of grants: 10
Total amount: $ 550,659
Average grant: $ 55,066
Recipient geography:

Grant recipient (recipient location) - grant amount
Wi Evangelcial Lutheran Synod () - $ 228,000
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church () - $ 75,000
Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church () - $ 70,000
Martin Luther College () - $ 50,000
Lutheran Home Association () - $ 50,000
Mr. Calvary-grace Lutheran School () - $ 25,000
Luther High School () - $ 22,659
Resurrection Lutheran School () - $ 10,000
Christ Our Rock Evangelical Lutheran Church () - $ 10,000
Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church () - $ 10,000

---

Name: Skestos Family Foundation
Contact: GEORGE ARTHUR SKESTOS
Address: 750 NORTHLAWN DR
COLUMBUS, OH 43214-1948
Web site: no data
Type: Private non-operating foundation

Grants distributed by this organization for year 2003
Number of grants: 18
Total amount: $ 432,000
Average grant: $ 24,000
Recipient geography: North Carolina, Ohio, Wisconsin

Grant recipient (recipient location) - grant amount
Ohio State University Medical (Cols, Ohio) - $ 100,000
Wels Kingdom Workers (Wauwatosa, Wisconsin) - $ 75,000
Thoughts Faith Latvia (Oregon, Wisconsin) - $ 75,000
Confessional Lutheran (Oregon, Wisconsin) - $ 25,000
Samaritan's Purse (Boone, North Carolina) - $ 25,000
Heartbeat International (Cols, Ohio) - $ 25,000
St. Paul Lutheran (Columbus, Ohio) - $ 15,750
Zion Lutheran Church (Columbus, Ohio) - $ 12,500
Columbus Symphony Orchestra (Columbus, Ohio) - $ 10,000
Christian Life (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) - $ 10,000
Ohio University Foundation (Athens, Ohio) - $ 10,000
Women's Missionary League (Enon, Ohio) - $ 10,000
Emmanuel Lutheran (Columbus, Ohio) - $ 10,000 [Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, CGM]Alpha Counseling (Columbus, Ohio) - $ 7,500 [Note the odd juxtaposition with FLS]Up On The Roof (Columbus, Ohio) - $ 6,250
James Cancer Hospital (Columbus, Ohio) - $ 5,000
Franklin Conservatory (Columbus, Ohio) - $ 5,000
Pregnancy Decision Health Centers () - $ 5,000

Episcopalians Document What the "Conservative" Lutherans Do



The Episcopal Church: A Rule For Thee, But Not For Me?
By Bradley Hutt
Special to Virtueonline
www.virtueonline.org
January 21, 2015

"By virtue of Baptism, all Members of the Church are called to holiness of life and accountability to one another. The Church and each Diocese shall support their members in their life in Christ and seek to resolve conflicts by promoting healing, repentance, forgiveness, restitution, justice, amendment of life and reconciliation among all involved or affected." TEC Canon IV.1
The very first Canon of the Title IV Disciplinary Canons of the Episcopal Church is crystal clear in its call to support its members and resolution of conflicts where they exist, but many have observed it is in reality "a rule for thee, but not for me" for The Episcopal Church and its Presiding Bishop have not practiced what they dictate, or abide by their own canons in the handling of its biggest church fight in history.
The Episcopal Church has been involved in more than 90 lawsuits against its own members, parishes and five dioceses; Removing or suspending more than 700 Clergy without a required trial or hearing, and spending an estimated $40 million by the end of 2015 in the ongoing, seemingly never ending, litigation related items.
Equally disturbing is that most Episcopal Church goers are totally unaware of what is going on at the Church's N.Y. National Headquarters. This information has been kept from them by their parish clergy with the standard response they have been using for the past 50 years, "It doesn't affect our parish, so we do not need to talk about it."
Refusal to talk about the conflict at the parish level generated hundreds of letters to the Episcopal Church but the letters went unanswered. A Petition signed by 5,000 Christians requesting clarity and information of the dispute was also totally ignored.
The American Anglican Fellowship (AAF), a group of long-time current and former members of the Episcopal Church, believing Laity had to act through some sort of a formal complaint to get a response, filed a Complaint against Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori on December 29, 2013.
The AAF complaint was generated from numerous public reports of violations of the church constitution and canons. Whether they are or are not violations, the AAF's stated primary interest was and still is, that they saw the entire process as an opportunity for a pastoral resolution of the issues that divide Episcopalians.
AAF provided information not to persecute or defame anyone but to initiate a possible resolution of conflicts that have forever changed thousands of lives, and destroyed relationships in the church. There are so many persons, clerical and laity who have been damaged by these actions it is impossible to determine the actual harm that has come to them.
So the question must be asked "If the Episcopal Church and its Presiding Bishop write the rules, why do they not play by the rules?"
The Presiding Bishop intervened and abruptly ended negotiations of settlement between parishes and dioceses. Where is the "healing, repentance, forgiveness, restitution, justice, amendment of life and reconciliation among all involved or affected " in that sort of action?
The seemingly endless litigation and unprecedented removal of an estimated 700 Episcopal clergy are a discredit to all members of the Church as they contradict Christ's teaching to be charitable and loving towards fellow Christians (Mt. 5:43-48).
Further, Policies of past Presiding Bishops of the Episcopal Church, and practices of Presbyterian and Lutheran denominations allowed parish departures with property. Why in the world cannot the Presiding Bishop and its Executive Council do the same?
There is a solution, for it is never too late for conciliation. AAF called for action in their complaint to end the madness of Christians suing Christians. To begin a process to reach an accord agreeable to all parties, determined at the diocesan level, for peaceful settlement of the conflict in recognition and support of the departing as an Anglican Church.
It is the right thing to do.
American Anglican Fellowship Chairman and former Senior Warden Christ Church Clinton and The Church of the Holy Communion, Diocese of Washington D.C.



WELS Teacher Arrested - Why Not Issue a Call to Don Patterson's District?
That Worked Great for Ski

Traeder, Taylor D Schofield, WI St Matthew Lutheran School Grades 6-8, Athletic Director,
Principal Apprentice

OSHKOSH - An Iron Ridge principal appeared in court Thursday after allegedly sexting an Oshkosh police detective who was posing as a 15-year-old girl. Taylor D. Traeder, 25, appeared in Winnebago Circuit Court for his initial appearance, but the case was adjourned until Friday so Traeder could obtain an attorney. Traeder is charged with four counts of causing a child over the age of 13 to view or listen to sexual activity. If found guilty, he could face up to 24 years in prison and fines totaling $40,000. Oshkosh police arrested. 

Principal charged with child sex crime

OSHKOSH | An Iron Ridge principal appeared in court Thursday after allegedly sexting an Oshkosh police detective who was posing as a 15-year-old girl.
Taylor D. Traeder, 25, appeared in Winnebago Circuit Court for his initial appearance, but the case was adjourned until Friday so Traeder could obtain an attorney.
Traeder is charged with four counts of causing a child over the age of 13 to view or listen to sexual activity. If found guilty, he could face up to 24 years in prison and fines totaling $40,000.
Oshkosh police arrested Traeder Wednesday night.
According to the criminal complaint, an Oshkosh detective found an ad on Craigslist where a man was was looking for a female to chat with and possibly meet.
“Discretion is a must, as I am married and with my position as a teacher,” the ad stated.
The detective responded to the ad and identified himself as a 15-year-old girl from Oshkosh. The detective received a response asking why the 15-year-old read the ad and said, “I’m open to just chatting too, but just thought I would ask.”
The detective e-mailed back and forth with the poster of the ad from Dec. 9 to 10. During those conversations, the poster told the detective that he taught sixth- to seventh-grade students at a really small school and he was also the principal of that school.
According to the criminal complaint, the detective did a Google search of the phone number that was provided and found that it came back belonging to an individual who was the principal at St. Matthews Lutheran Church and School in Iron Ridge. Through the investigation, police identified the principal as Taylor D. Traeder.
According to the criminal complaint, the text messages started turning to a sexual nature on Dec. 11. At one point, the detective received a text saying, “You’re a naughty girl and I’m a naughty teacher.”
The sexually suggestive texts continued, and Traeder sent sexual pictures via text to the detective posing as the teen on Dec. 15. Oshkosh police had sent Traeder a picture of a 14-year-old girl who volunteered a photo for the investigation.
On Dec. 30, Traeder engaged in another text session where he suggested the teen he thought he was texting should visit him. The texts continued until Jan. 8
Traeder was arrested with the assistance of the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation and the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department in Iron Ridge and transported to Winnebago County Jail Wednesday.
---
http://fox11online.com/2015/01/16/man-charged-for-sending-inappropriate-photos-in-oshkosh/

OSHKOSH – Oshkosh police have released the name of the 25-year-old man arrested Wednesday for allegedly sending inappropriate photos in text messages to a child.
Taylor D. Traeder from Iron Ridge, WI, was charged with four counts of causing a child to view sexual activity.
Traeder was arrested after a month long investigation by Oshkosh police. Two search warrants were conducted at his home and place of employment in Iron Ridge, WI. Traeder was taken into custody and transported to the Winnebago County Jail Jan. 14, 2015.
Investigators say Traeder had posted an ad on Craigslist looking for a woman to chat with and possibly meet. On Dec. 9, 2014, an Oshkosh Police Detective found the ad in Craigslist and responded that he was a 15-year-old girl from Oshkosh looking to chat as well.
Traeder began sending inappropriate text messages to the detective posing as the 15-year-old girl on Dec. 11. The inappropriate messages continued until Jan. 8.

Traeder, Taylor D Schofield, WI St Matthew Lutheran School Grades 6-8, Athletic Director,
Principal Apprentice
---

Man charged with sexting Oshkosh police detective, who was posing as 15-year-old girl



The 25-year-old Iron Ridge man, whom Oshkosh police arrested Wednesday on suspicion of sexting a child, sent inappropriate text messages to a person he thought was a 15-year-old girl, authorities said Friday.
Taylor D. Traeder appeared Friday without an attorney in Winnebago County Circuit Court, where he faces four felony counts of causing a child to view sexual activity. He remains in jail on a $50,000 cash bond.
Oshkosh police, along with the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation and the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant at Traeder’s home and work, after a month-long investigation, according to a police department news release.
On Dec. 9, an Oshkosh police detective found an ad Traeder posted on Craigslist, in which Traeder sought a female to chat with and possibly meet, according to the news release. The detective responded to Traeder’s ad, posing as a 15-year-old girl from Oshkosh, and Traeder began sending inappropriate text messages that started on Dec. 11 and continued until Jan. 8.
Authorities are using the incident as an example to remind parents to monitor their children’s Internet and cellphone usage, according to the news release. Anyone with questions about Internet safety may contact the Oshkosh Police Department at (920) 236-5700 or their local law enforcement agency.
Traeder’s next appearance is scheduled for Jan. 29 in Winnebago County Circuit Court.
---

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 OSHKOSH POLICE DEPARTMENT
 ________________________________________
(920) 236-5742
Subject: 25 Year-Old Arrested for Four Counts of Causing Child to View Sexual Activity
MEDIA RELEASE
The Oshkosh Police Department is releasing the name of the 25 year-old male from Iron Ridge, WI on who was arrested on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 for four counts of causing child to view sexual activity.
Taylor D. Traeder, a 25 year-old male from Iron Ridge, WI, was arrested after a month long investigation by Oshkosh Police. Two search warrants were conducted at his residence and place of employment and these were conducted with the assistance of the WI Department of Criminal Investigation and the Dodge
County Sheriff’s Office in Iron Ridge, WI. Traeder was taken into custody and transported to the Winnebago County Jail on January 14, 2015.
Traeder had posted an ad on Craigslist looking for a female to chat with and possibly meet. On December
9, 2014, an Oshkosh Police Detective found the ad in Craigslist and responded that he was a 15 year-old female from Oshkosh looking to chat as well. Traeder began sending inappropriate text messages to the
Oshkosh Detective posing as the 15 year-old female on December 11, 2014. The inappropriate messages continued until January 8, 2015.
The Oshkosh Police Department strongly encourages parents/guardians to monitor their child’s usage of the internet and cellular phones. There are sexual predators that are looking to take advantage of our youth. Your active participation in monitoring children’s online activities and phone usage protects them from these predators. If you have questions about internet safety, please contact the Oshkosh Police
Department at (920) 236-5700 or your local police department. 
---



http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2015/01/wels-legacy-of-nastiness-will-bury-sect.html

Jane's Story: WELS Sexual Harassment

Written by "Jane"

When I accepted the Executive Assistant position at a contemporary WELS church, there were many things I expected, but sexual harassment was not one of them. In addition to the harassment, I witnessed my supervisor and "spiritual leader" demean other women (including members of the church), drink on the job, plagiarize sermons and act in the very manner you would not expect from a "called servant of The Lord".

I almost immediately observed the pastor's casualness, lack of boundaries, and what I perceived as downright laziness at times. His standards and expectations for my position as the assistant seemed to exceed his own standards as the pastor. 


Shortly after starting my position, I received a text message sometime after midnight from my supervisor telling me I should have sex with my husband. We never requested counseling or advice in this realm so his inappropriateness was rather strange at best to us. We strived to take words and actions in the best possible way. I was subjected to many routine "lapses in judgement" by my spiritual leader. Including an incident of him showing me a video that depicted nude male genitals while alone in his office.Is there ever a correct context for a supervisor to show anything like this to his married employee? (I will discuss this more at another time).

As he pushed the boundaries and inappropriateness, my conscience began to nag at me. Through even the darkest days, I allowed myself to believe that these behaviors were normal. Yet I began to feel torn between my loyalty to the church and the moral issues at hand.

I spent many nights awake and hovered over my bible in tears. There was something very wrong about what was going on at that church. I've seen it all first hand and, yet, felt obligated to keep it all a secret. It was the kind of secret that absolutely tormented me, but I thought I was doing the right thing at the time (just another lie we are led to believe as victims).

After months of utter frustration the hostile work environment began to take a toll on me and my husband. I prayerfully considered if perhaps this was an unhealthy situation for me to be in. So I gave my notice and was told to tell members of the congregation that I "wasn't a good fit" when I left my position. It was unbearable to work with a man that continued to ignore, scream, belittle, degrade and humiliate me. I left this job feeling worthless and far less confident than when I started (which was previously at a Fortune 100 company).

I suffered in silence while working at that church. I fell into a deep darkness from all that I experienced and witnessed there and its leadership. Shortly after I left the position my depression began to spiral. We maintained membership at this "relevant" church because of the relationships that we had formed with other Christians and did not want to neglect our spiritual life. The final straw was when an assault rifle was used as a sermon prop.

We decided it was best to seek the counsel of a trusted pastor since the leadership at this church either outright condoned or failed to supervise its employees and their behavior. We were convicted to resolve all this in a Christ centered way. Our hope was to see positive changes and healing for all. 



How many times does a synod president attend a
congregational meeting to cut a deal with the district president?
Mark Schroeder did, and Ski got another call.


My husband and I have continued to fight an endless battle for justice in the synod and to see that this doesn't happen to someone else. We've patiently been in contact with top synod leaders. We've encountered roadblocks, never ending circles and have witnessed inconsistencies throughout the disciplinary processes within the synod. By the Grace of God, we've encountered wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ to share in our burden. Unfortunately, we've also encountered timid leaders and those hesitant to publicly speak for the truth. People seem to selectively choose which commandments and passages to throw at you while ignoring others.

The journey has been incredibly lonely and frustrating since we were asked to remain silent and be patient. We are exhausted and completely astonished that after everything was brought into the light this man continues to be a pastor and counsel members. We will continue to persevere with others until positive changes are made in this synod so that all victims of abuse are protected rather than the perpetrators.

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, (‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬ ESV)

Jeff Schone went from being an awful pastor
to being an awful administrative bully at Martin Luther College:
zero tolerance for confessional students, who are driven out.

Landscape Lighting, Follies, Peas and Sunflowers

I liked the concept of lighting the trees at night,
but I did not want so much light, the electrical bills,
and running the conduits - not that I would do that anyway.

Gradually I have added solar lighting around the exterior of the house and among the trees, even in the crepe myrtle bush. For Christmas we added solar lights to the front yard maple tree and to the porch.

These particular solar lights glow all night and brighten when someone approaches. We come home to a lit exterior that brightens when we approach the house and the front door. Three solar lights illuminate the angels in the rose garden in front.

The backdoor lights up for Sassy's jaunts outside and her return. An isolated light stays dark unless someone tries to open the backdoor of the garage. If that is not daunting, the interior security light will go off with any motion inside the garage.

The backyard trees are all lit with a soft glow. If Sassy is near one, it brightens up. Sometimes a critter wants to visit at night. The bright glow makes it clear where it has been or Sassy has walked. Overall, solar lighting is quite attractive and unobtrusive.



Rain is coming so I was thinking about those Oregon Sugar pod peas, waiting to be planted.  Our helped showed up and I handed him the rake. I hated to take work away from him, and he felt great after recovering from a cold.

Peas like shallow planting, so he pulled Jackson Mulch away from the fence and I scattered the peas along the way. He topped off the peas with mushroom compost and loose mulch. I turned on the aerial soaker hose to give them a start and push down the soil and mulch a bit.

That went so fast that we did the same along the back fence, taking a gamble that the black oil sunflowers would survice bird and squirrel predation, plus cold nights during February. The cost in seed was perhaps $1. Buying large bags of sunflower seeds for birds is much more economical than little colored packets of sunflowers with silly names like Autumn Sunset and Smiley Face.

Two soaker hoses were chewed off at the end making them useless. A third one was chewed in the middle, typical of Sassy. She may have  chewed all of them. Hanging them in the dead tree may have enticed a squirrel into a life of crime.

Soaker hoses are a bargain, but normally a one-season tool. They save a lot of time and money. Many plants (like certain roses) will mildew more easily when sprayed from a hose. A soaker hose will normally water at the base and lost little water to run-off and evaporation.

Norma Boeckler

Sunflower Seeds
We put the sunflower seeds in an ideal medium, soft moist soil, covered with soil, mulch, and leaves.

Birds will have a good time searching for seeds, and so will the squirrels. The cold nights may stop many of them, but I planted hundreds. Some will germinate and grow early. The large ones for screening will be planted in March, when they have a better chance.

Matthew 13

13 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.

2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.



If I had listened to my doubts and the pessimistic weather forecast of our helper, I would have saved the seeds for birdseed. But I concluded that a few surviving sunflowers would more than make up for all the losses, just like the Parable of the Sower.

The Word multiplies so it should be broadcast. The media people know this, in their own way. They borrowed a farming term for what they do . They broadcast their signal, hoping some will listen and watch.

We did not plant peas and sunflowers. We broadcast them and tucked them in with some mushroom compost and mulch. The power of the harvest will not come from our efforts but from the living seed that was waiting to germinate and grow, to flower and set seed.


At the Bookstore - Too Many Books on Growing Marijuana

Norma Boeckler delights in God's Creation.


Backward societal trends often start in small ways.

From time to time I look at the books in the gardening section at Barnes and Noble. They have four different titles on how to grow marijuana. LI and I are not hip. We heard someone singing about "smoking indie and drinking homemade wine" at an event. The singer grinned - inside joke in more ways in one. I went home and looked it up in the Urban Dictionary, my weapon against saying the wrong thing in a college classroom.

Indie is short for indoor marijuana, apparently grown by a number of people, even in Squaresville.

Heather Cook--the Episcopal bishop who ran down the father of two small children--had a pot pipe in her car and a blood alcohol level equal to 12 drinks or more, when she was caught in 2010. She was driving in the ditch on a shredded tire, incoherent. But marijuana is harmless and healthy. Everyone covered up for her, so she ran down Tom Palermo and ran away four years later.

An ELCA bishop did the same thing, running down a woman exercising, escaping until other drivers surrounded him at a gas station.

Recently a woman left her dog in the car to freeze to death, because she was stealing goods from a store to feed her marijuana habit.

I continue to wonder how we went from the horrors of smoking Camels to the medical marvels of smoking marijuana. One inspires ignominy and shunning, the other praise and knowing smiles.

A program about addiction explained the problem this way. Two areas light up in the brain when something delights us. Morphine and other drugs make that area light up, but they take away the delight in the normal things in life - gardening, smelling roses, grandchildren, a breeze blowing across a field of clover (that bubblegum fragrance).

Soon the only thing to make that area light up in the scan is a drug.

Norma Boeckler's Creation art.


Gardening and grandchildren are the best combination. Kids love to help out gardening, and I enjoy getting sharing the work. Participating in the success of the venture is the best part. Our helper brings his children over. They were chasing newspaper sheets around the yard, because one section of Jackson Mulch dried out, the leaves blew off, and the newspapers dried and took to the air in our recent slight rain.

We were working and talking about future yields - peas, spinach, corn, various greens, roses, etc.

I will normally have extra seeds to share, so they will be starting their own garden.


Tuesday, January 20, 2015

The Synodicals Treat People Like Dirt and Tell Them -
"It Is Your Fault We Are Not Growing!"


I have plenty of contacts from all three divisions of the Stephan-Walther sect, the Saxon sex cult that followed their syphilitic bishop to Perryville, Missouri, joined the Loehe group, and excommunicated Loehe - as their show of gratitude. They stole their bishop's land, books, gold, and jeweled chalice - after overlooking his serial adultery for years.

The common thread is this - Missouri leaders, ELS leaders, and WELS leaders treat people like Dreck. That is the ultimate test:

  • How do they deal with the victims of clergy sex abuse?
  • What do they do about clergy who abuse their own children?
  • If a DP is a drunk or child molester, what do they do?
  • How do they respond to laity who beg them to grow a Lutheran spine?
  • Where is the money? as people still wonder about Stephan and Walther.
  • Are they honest about the crimes committed around them?
  • Do they have a child-like faith or an MBA in controlling people?
  • How often do they destroy evidence of a serious crime?
  • Did they feel any compassion for the first Mrs. Schwan? Or did a billion dollars erase their guilt and his?
I know a lot of the victims. They have contacted me, sent me various kinds of evidence, and told me about how the Lutheran church leaders have stymied, blamed, and crushed them.

Clergy have described their treatment for being faithful in their calling. Almost all of them ask that I not even hint about significant details. They have already had several rounds of vindictive treatment. The final round includes having all family friends and relatives turn against them for "hurting the synod" and "getting people upset." Since each group has a cult-like closeness, that is too much to bear. 

The apostate clergy lead their pals in getting even with the children and spouse of those who disturb their service to their Father Below. Nothing is too low. No slander is too vile for them. They re-injure the wounded and blame their victims for hurting. Their only area of evangelism is increasing the tribe of Pharisees. They love, love, love their fellow Pharisees.




Church and Change Basics from 2013

District VP Don Patterson denied he was Church and Change,
but he went to this conference and gave a presentation at another.
When Changer John Lawrenz wrote on the C and C list-serve,
Patterson cooed, "Pure gold."
Here is the PDF for the 2009 conference. Don't worry. If they remove it, I saved it and can reproduce it as a Word document, PNGs, or both. It is safe to say that most of the speakers are Church and Change Fellow Travelers. A few may be useful idiots. You will hear people deny their connections. If so, why have they worked so hard with these heretics?

Notice the URL for the brochure -

http://www.churchandchange.org/home/2384/2384/file/C&C%20program_color.pdf

As of today, the website is still active and working, but the links are hidden from view. But WELS innocents have been told there is no Church and Change. The appearance is - everything is gone. The reality is just the opposite.

Lookee here - the 2007 Church and Change conference is also preserved. Here is the URL:

http://www.churchandchange.org/home/2384/2384/files/CanCprogram.Web.pdf

I saved that one too.

Ski and Glende excommunicated a member for asking questions about all this. Here he is again.

Leonard Sweet is a New Age Methodist,
but WELS and Missouri devour his Dreck.

Oh! Oh! Here is a question about Leonard Sweet speaking in 2005. I have copied this far down on the page, because someone may de-rez this on the Net.




WELS Church and Change, Purpose

Church and Change is a growing group of WELS Christians who desire to think and work like the Apostle Paul who said, "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some."  The Church and Change group is interested in practicing and promoting innovation in ministry methods throughout the WELS especially at the "grass roots" level.

Some in WELS live and breathe music.  Some history.  Some church libraries, or mission festivals, or prison ministry, or limiting abortion.  Good! God uses all effort by his people to his glory.  Church and Change is group of committed WELS Christians who live and breathe innovation in ministry across all spectrums.  Church and Change folk are committed to Lutheran Theology as explained in the Lutheran Confessions.  However, they are thinking about, working with, and pioneering different ways to reach more people, more often, with the gospel so the Holy Spirit can do His thing.  [GJ - Just one question. What moron wrote this paragraph?]

Innovation in methodology is yesterday's news in the WELS.  Pastors, teachers, synod administrators, worker training leaders, home and world missionaries, worship leaders, computer buffs, and countless local laymen and laywomen, have been tweaking (and/or radically changing) ministry methods for years.  In every WELS generation God has raised up men and women, for reasons known only to Him, who are interested in pushing the envelope of "gospel delivery systems."  And this, long before concepts like "English" or "radio ministry" or "Parish Assistance," or "paradigm" or "long distance learning" entered WELS thinking or culture.

The goal of Church and Change is to provide a gathering point, a "home room" for WELS innovators.  Perhaps this is the same need felt by the WELS Church Librarians which led them to gather for support, encouragement, and well -- good old fashioned fellowship - one of the greatest assets in the WELS.  Do WELS administrators and WELS laypeople know about each other's efforts at innovation? The purpose of Church and Change includes inviting WELS innovators to communicate with one another, and work together where possible to avoid duplication of effort which wastes God's resources.

The world is changing rapidly.  Who are the innovators of today who will help us "make the leap from German to English" in this generation?  Hopefully, Church and Change can encourage the process of helping WELS ministries keep pace with our rapidly changing culture in America, and around the shrinking globe.

If you are currently serving as an innovator in your WELS ministry, please join us.  Encourage us.  Pray for us.  Let us know what you are learning these days.  We will happily do the same for you.




The Secret History of Church and Change: No Names Given


In 1995, a group of about 10-12 men [GJ - who?] gathered at Wisconsin Lutheran College to discuss current methods of sharing Jesus which were commonly being used in the WELS at that time.  Many at the first meeting felt that those methods of sharing Jesus were not “keeping up with” the rate of change in society.  The message of the Bible was not, therefore, penetrating society very well. [GJ - Cuz the Word cannot do it without Schwaermer help.]

John Parlow, Willow Creek Ministerium member,
attended Drive 08's Babtist Worship conference,
with Ski, Glende, Jim Buske - 8 WELS workers in all.
"Dr?" Steve Witte - Gordon Conwell quickie degree, so
he could be president of the Asian porta-seminary.

 
In 1998 two men [GJ - who?] who had attended the first meeting planned a Church and Change conference in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  The next year there was a second conference in Green Bay.  About 20 people attended each year. [GJ - Witte and Parlow, doubtless, the rotten apples in Appleton]



In May 2001, WELS Parish Services applied for and received a Forward in Christ grant to conduct a three-year pilot program to address the issues surfaced by the previous two Church and Change conferences.  The three-year pilot program was designed to be a grassroots gathering of individuals who were pioneering new innovative methods of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with a changing culture. [GJ - You suckers paid to get Church and Change going, so they could network for synod, Thrivent, and foundation grants.]

Three annual conferences were planned and held beginning in 2001.  At the first conference, approximately 50 WELS members attended.  The attendance grew to 150 in the second year and 180 in the third year.  By the third year, the attendees included more than just individuals who were actively pioneering new and innovative methods for sharing Jesus.  Many in attendance wanted to learn about how to better share the gospel with the changing culture in which they served.  In addition to the three annual conferences a variety of other workshops and gatherings were held dealing with specific ministry issues such as leadership, worship, and women’s ministry.

At the final conference of the three-year pilot, held in November 2003, the conference participants enthusiastically encouraged the organizers to continue Church and Change.  A steering committee was subsequently formed from among the participants to address the future direction of Church and Change.

From November 2003 until the present the steering committee has met and drafted a proposal that addresses the future of Church and Change. 


---
Ron Ash, Katy Perry, and Tim Glende
are transforming the world with their new methods.

Church and Change Board of Directors - Ski bailed out officially, but was on the board earlier. Bruce Becker was on the board but left officially when this blog uncovered his dual role as head of WELS Parish Services/Church and Change board member. Chairman Ron Ash just happened to be followed at St. Peter's Freedom by Changers Glende and Ski.

Pastor Ron Ash Chairman
Jeff Davis Vice Chairman
Barry Spencer Treasurer
Sarah Owens Secretary
Pastor John Huebner
Brian Arthur Lampe
 
Jeff Davis will help talk your congregation into a ruinous building program,
which he will help fund with law-motivated guilt giving.
Asking about his huge fees will getcha excommunicated at Holy Word, Austin Texas.


GJ - Note how Jeske-centric this board is, with three staff members from St. Marcus - 1. Ski (formerly, taking Bishop Katie, also at St. Marcus, up to Appleton with him), 2. Barry Spencer, and 3. Brian Arthur Lampe, who is a self-appointed pastor with his own ministry business.

The board is also Appleton-based, with Ron Ash (formerly at St. Peter, Freedom) as chairman, Witte and Parlow as founders.

Tracing members and moolah is a good way to see where the power and influence are. At Willowcreek's Liberal College, three members of the board are from a non-WELS congregation - CrossWalk, Luveen, Arizona (Jeff Gunn, Church and Changer). When I published that fact, WLC changed it list of board members to hide parish affiliation. I never heard of a college having three members from the same church running the place.

DP Buchholz will someday discipline Jeff Gunn and kick CrossWalk out of WELS before it actually joins WELS. It part of a 30-year plan. Right now they are on double secret probation.

---



Bailing Water has plenty of information about what has been going on.

---

Paul Calvin Kelm refused to answer his own fellow clergy
when they objected to the Leonard Sweet conference.
Likewise, Ski and Glende block email from anyone who fails to genuflect to them.
"Write a letter," SP Schroeder says.
Ski and Glende worked for.....?
Mark Jeske.


WELS Q and A

CSCWELS Topical Q&AThe Church and Its MinistryMusic/Worship: Church and Change conference
Most Recently Posted Ask a Question
Q:I recently was sent this copy and I am wondering if this is a WELS sponsered event. I found it a little strange to say the least, especially in some of the noted items such as "Insightful interviews with former WELS members" and the keynote speaker being Leonard Sweet. I know I received a brochure for the WELS Worhip Conference in MN this summer, so I'm wondering what this is, and what is the "Church and Change Steering Committee?" Is there a link on the synod website for the listserv this brochure speaks of?Here is the copy:
2005 Church and Change Conference
November 9-11
Madison, Wisconsin
The 2005 Church and Change Conference will challenge, inspire, and encourage
you as a Christian and as a leader of Christians. But then, when several
hundred creative WELS pacesetters gather around God's Word and share their
ideas, that's what we expect would happen.
We are excited to announce that world-class Christian researcher and
communicator Dr. Leonard Sweet will be the keynote speaker for this year's
conference. He will address the general session all day on Thursday,
November 10. More information about Dr. Sweet can be found at
http://www.leonardsweet.com/biocv.html

In addition to Dr. Sweet, we are putting together 15-18 workshops that will
cover subjects such as:
* New approaches to children's and youth ministry.
* Starting a contemporary worship service.
* New and effective approaches to apologetics (defending what we believe).
* Insightful interviews with former WELS members.
* Women's ministries.
* Small groups.
* Preaching in today's world.
* And much more...
The conference steering committee is interested in hearing about workshop
topics you feel are beneficial for this year's conference. Please share
your suggestions with Barry Spencer at spebar@tds.net.
New to this year's conference will be a Church and Change Exhibit Hall.
This room will feature the latest in ministry resources!
This conference is for innovative Christian leaders like yourself. Please
keep it in your prayers! Mark your calendar now! Invite your friends. And
stay tuned to our Church and Change listserv for information updates in the
coming weeks and months.

A:The Church and Change conference is put on by leaders of a number of WELS congregations, but it is not sponsored by WELS. Church and Change people have, however, reported to our Conference of Presidents in regard to their activities and WELS does send one of its administrators to attend the conference. The Conference of Presidents has in the past urged discretion on the part of all WELS affiliated organizations who use speakers from outside our doctrinal fellowship. We do not have a web link to connect you to information on the speaker.

---

Bailing Water discussion on Church and Change, plagiarism.

Waves of Nausea

In the right synod, it is transformational,
and good for the resume.