Monday, October 30, 2017

Retired DP Benke (Earlier Ex-DP Benke) On ELDONA and Other Sects

 Someone designed this graphic as "Benke's vita" or resume. Haha.
He prayed with all these world religions but not "in the Name of Christ."
Benke is one of those LCMS smart-aleck bullies who always has a putdown that avoids the real issue.
To re-elect the apostate, his supporters had hats that
said "It's OK to pray." Hard to find those photos on Google now.


Ex-DP Dave Benke:
Don't let the door hit you in the butt on your way out. My question was from the other angle - why do you want to stay if you honestly believe those in your denomination are so far off track? I don't have my ACELC membership roster in front of me, but the big bubble of membership is in Western Missouri and Nebraska, from my recollection, with scattered folks in Texas (The Keller Resolution People) and then here and there. ELDoNA is one of those offshoot denominations of the Missouri Synod with about 20-25 congregations, and they seem happy. Why not the same direction for the congregations in the ACELC? 

I'm not thinking about "blessed subtraction" from the Missouri point of view, but about Fresh New Starts for those folks. Jack Cascione's (former?) church simply became independent, but hooks up with others for mission. 

While I was district president, we picked up a congregation that had been in a very small micro-group, possibly acronymned (sic) FALC (Federation of Authentic Lutheran Churches?), and let's say five decades down the line from their affiliation with FALC we figured out a way for them and their pastor to become part of the Missouri Synod. That group had run its course. But the folks who remained through the whole era had not been unhappy in the micro synod, and did not join the Missouri Synod because it was bigger - they studied the doctrine and practice in our very own Atlantic District and made the choice to join. So it's OK to leave, and it's OK to join. Dave Benke 
https://alpb.org/Forum/index.php?topic=6857.msg431895;topicseen#msg431895

 For snazzy threads and $400 walking sticks,
join the ELDONUTs.
  Like  the LCMS and WELS, they
studiously avoid publishing Luther during the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation.


***

GJ - Apparently, the ACELC is living rent-free in Benke's head, where there is plenty of room. He is graciously snide, like so many church politicians I have known.

The departures from the LCMS suggest that large groups of people despise the direction of the sect. Lutherans resist packing up and leaving, so the existence of ex-LCMS congregations should send a message to the most ELCA of LCMS DPs.

 They won Rolf Preus back, so Benke should
brag about that accomplishment.