"I thought that you might have some fun with it, as I see that you did with the post. Glende is not listed as either a keynote or breakout speaker. Jim Huebner and Al Sorum each have breakout speaker presentations. It looks like they are being downgraded as they pass the baton to a new generation of so called leaders.
As I read the descriptions of the various keynote presentations, I could only stifle my gag reflex. I also noticed a rather underhanded little trick that some of the keynote speakers used in the description of their respective topics. After the introductory paragraph, there would be either a paragraph or a series of bulleted statements that were posed as questions. I am convinced that this method is used to instill doubt in the attendees and is the path to a new approach.
Translation: "Forget all that you were taught in the bad old days about the Means of Grace. Today, we have new challenges and a changing culture. Those old ways caused us to lose many members."
With a slight change of language, these descriptions are no different than a business leadership training seminar.
The WELS leadership will never admit that embracing of the CGM led to some of the member exodus. Now, they are self-loathing Lutherans who imply that liturgical worship and the Means of Grace are an impediment to obtaining new members. The leadership seminars dance around this with topics like male/female leadership, pop culture examples, equipping members, using our gifts, and the semantics of those with a call being referred to as called workers and lay leaders being called leaders. Synod leaders claim that members cannot see clearly (as in Church Growth eyes), yet the leaders are the ones who have muddied the waters.
Attendees of this conference will report back to their congregations what a wonderful experience that it all was and that they have been given a lot of good ideas for "our" ministry. The use of the plural possessive form implies that we are all in this thing together.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
In Christ,"
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| "WELS just borrowed another Church Growth Principle. No, they are still shrinking!" |
