Please keep all scrotums and sweaty oozey Jesus' away please.
---
ICHABOD, THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED - The antidote trusts the efficacious Word in the Means of Grace. John 16:8. Isaiah 55:8ff. Romans 10.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Thanksgiving Eve Service - Wednesday, 4 PM Central
The Thanksgiving Eve service will be broadcast on Wednesday at 4 PM Central Standard Time.
Almost any time would create conflicts, so this way it can be viewed later, whenever it works out for individuals.
WELS Style - And You Thought the Gay Video Was Bad
***
GJ - This reminds me of DP Jon Buchholz, WELS, referred to the Reformer as "Uncle Marty" and grinning - at a council or congregational meeting called to discuss justification by faith.
Leads to this:
http://www.exposingtheelca.com/1/post/2013/11/what-comes-out-of-an-elca-leaders-mouth.html
| Exposing the ELCA |
|
God tells us, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29). He also tells us, “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person” (Matthew 15:11).
With that in mind, listen to the disturbing and defiling things ELCA leaders are saying. Note: I have edited the foul language with asterisks (*). The ELCA leaders did not edit their words. “Job took his precious handful of seeds to God and God – there’s no delicate way to say this – God s**ts on him,”spoken by Rev. Wil Gafney during her sermon given at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia's chapel service (ELCA) where she teaches. The seminary website and Rev. Gafney's website later posted the sermon. (seehere and here) Rev. Gafney's sermon also included this crude remark in reference to Job, “Then when he loses every thing he has including the skin he is in, it is because God gambles with his life and the lives of his children, consigning them to death to prove a point and win a bet with a character who is a satan but not the devil, (yet). And Job has the – I have to say it because the text calls for it – Job has the balls to sue God over what he knows was an injustice done to him . . . ” ELCA Pastor Ericc Clapp writes in his blog - “If you are constantly negative or acting like an a*s, you will be banned.” (see here) And, “We need to call bulls**t...” (see here) And, “I won’t lie, the only words that ran through my head when I put this book down after finishing it were, 'Holy s**t.'” (seehere) ELCA New England Synod bishop Jim Hazelwood recommended in his blog that people should “Form a WTHIGOAU group. This stands for What the H*ll is Going On Around Us.”(see here) The queen of foul language, the popular ELCA pastor, Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber, has so many examples to choose from, here are just a few - Breaking the second commandment, Bolz-Weber says, “Oh my god, are you people whiny.” (see here) Here are some snippets from Rev. Bolz-Weber's new book. “'S**t,' I thought to myself,” and “It's a f**king fairy tale,” and “What the h*ll am I'm doing?” and “Jesus gathered with some real f**k-ups, held up bread and said take and eat . . .” (see Bolz-Weber's book Pastrix, in the section “Fall 2005”here) These are ELCA leaders proudly, with intent, saying these things. This kind of talk is not Christ-like. Granted, these people serve in a denomination with a track record which shows little regard for what the Bible says. Scripture is arbitrary to them. But one would think this kind of talk would be something of which these “Christian” leaders would be embarrassed and try to refrain. That is not the case; these ELCA leaders are proud of the foul words they use. ELCA pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber defends her foul language, “I swear like a truck driver . . . I refuse to pretend I’m somebody I’m not . . . I speak like other people.” And “I have not said the ‘F-word’ in a sermon. When I swear it’s really for emphasis or humor, not to be mean or to be foul toward someone. Just colorful and funny speech that is effective.” (read here) Additionally she comments, “Some people think pastors shouldn't swear. I think pastors shouldn't pretend to be people they're not.” (see here) ELCA leadership, this is what God tells us in Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” In James 3:10, God says, "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be." I see prideful church leaders who have no interest in conforming their speech to be more like Christ. It is no surprise. It is clear that it is not only speech that is affected by stubborn unwillingness to conform to God's ways, leadership and teaching. This translates to encouragement toward other blatantly sinful choices and ways of living. Leaders lead . . . one question is, to where are they leading those who will follow? |
Monday, November 25, 2013
This Just In - From Dr. Lito Cruz
 |
| "Bless you, Lito." |
I went to a Facebook forum called Filipino Pastor's Forum.
This forum has several denominations in it and may be 30 % come from Reformed background.
The
debate on election, regeneration has been going on in this forum for
quite a number of weeks now, with the Calvinist camp stressing
sovereignty of God and election.
The forum administrator asked therefore this question as a thread...
WHEN
DOES SALVATION TAKE PLACE BEFORE YOU WERE BORN OR UPON FAITH IN CHRIST
AND ACCORDING TO THIS VERSE ARE WE SAVED ALREADY BEFORE THE FOUNDATION
OF THE WORLD WITHOUT HEARING THE GOSPEL, CHRIST DYING AND OUR FAITH IN
HIM? 2Tim 1:8
I hope it is evident how Calvinism is so the same as UOJ. Walther and the others borrowed so many diabolical claims.
Like I said, Calvinism's idea of faith is an after
thought, notice the question and how this question jives with the thesis
of UOJ - that everybody has been justified/saved before they were born
and before they can have faith.
The same is true for Calvinism the only difference
is that the elect was already saved before they were born or before
Jesus could die for them.
In Calvinism faith is not an instrument of Justification but God's solemn decree.
Man is Justified through solemn decree, not through faith.
LPC
***
GJ - Some basic data that goes so well with Lito's post -
The double-justification formula--OJ and SJ--came from the Calvinist Leonard Woods, although he was not necessarily the first to use those words.
Woods' formula in English, explaining the Halle theologian Knapp, traveled to Germany and was accepted there. Walther approved of that formula and it began to be used in the LCMS. Pieper, whose election was rigged by Walther, used OJ/SJ.
The Easter absolution language was prevalent in Halle (see Rambach) and was used by Walther.
The so-called Evangelical Church in German territories was a union church, with Reformed doctrine dominant and Lutherans told to hush up.
Walther's training was only at the university level, a bachelor's degree in rationalism. He was never trained in Lutheran doctrine. Certainly he studied Luther and hid behind Luther, but like Zwinli and Calvin, only when it suited him.
Walther's style came from Bishop Martin Stephan, the poorly trained Pietist cell group and female groupie leader. Walther copied the dictatorial style of Stephan after serving as his enforcer for years.
Walther did not know about Stephan's adultery, when Stephan left his dying wife and sick children behind, taking his main mistress and his groupies?
No one knew Stephan went to spas with his mistress and sent his wife walking home?
No one knew Stephan's painful rashes came from syphilis?
---
More from Dr. Cruz:
Again from the Filipino Pastor's Forum found in FaceBook.
Watch
the similarities with UOJ, man is justified already/saved already
without hearing the Gospel or before they heard it. Note how in
Calvinism, man is not saved by faith or through faith. In UOJ you
believe you are already saved so faith does nothing.
This is from the list owner...Larry Dela Cruz
===============
Larry Dela Cruz created the doc: "Most Damnable Heresy"
I have read Primitive Baptists book by Tom Hagler.
It is disturbing. I literally threw the book.
The elect are saved before the world began.
1. Therefore no need of the gospel to be saved.
2. Through faith in Christ we are not saved.
3. We are not regenerated through the gospel.
4. The elect are regenerated without faith faith in Christ and the gospel.
5. The elect since already saved from the world began can reject Christ, the gospel and sin they are still saved eternally.
6. The elect from all religions are saved even without the gospel and Christ.
It is disturbing. I literally threw the book.
The elect are saved before the world began.
1. Therefore no need of the gospel to be saved.
2. Through faith in Christ we are not saved.
3. We are not regenerated through the gospel.
4. The elect are regenerated without faith faith in Christ and the gospel.
5. The elect since already saved from the world began can reject Christ, the gospel and sin they are still saved eternally.
6. The elect from all religions are saved even without the gospel and Christ.
Page Views Are Quite High on Intrepid Lutherans Too
 |
| Remember how you voted for him to stop the madness, and re-elected him? He sure fooled you. He is behind the deal that keeps Ski on paid double secret probation. |
http://www.intrepidlutherans.com/2013/11/changes-on-horizon.html
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2013
Changes on the Horizon
Since "nobody reads Ichabod," it may come as a surprise for some of our readers to hear that there are some changes in the works for Intrepid Lutherans. Then again, it may not. Likewise, if everyone reads Ichabod, it may come as a surprise for some to learn that the changes being considered are not nearly so dramatic as is rumoured. Then again, it may not.
The past year or so has seen some significant changes for us, personally, professionally and as a group. It is no secret that Rev. Rydecki, after making independent study of the Doctrine of Justification and having publicly raised some simple questions of exegesis from the floor of a Pastors (sic) conference in his District, was eventually labeled by his Brothers a heretic and cast out from among them without the honest review of his concerns for which he pleaded at length. No longer WELS, he has since colloquized into the ELDoNA, which was concerned and objective enough to give him an honest hearing, and to carefully consider and deliberate his arguments before receiving him. But this is not the extent of the personal changes many of us at IL have faced. I, for one, have been in the midst of some fairly significant business changes over the past several months, that have altered my availability to write with the frequency to which many may have become accustomed. And I know that shifting responsibilities and personal circumstances have impacted the others, as well.
But there have been other changes – changes in attitude toward our initial "objectives." In our recent, and very popular post, What on Earth could the CoP possibly have meant by THIS?, we identified two "primary precipitating situations behind [the] formation" of Intrepid Lutherans in 2010:
Regarding the first situation, it concluded most unsatisfactorily, while related issues either pre-existing or descending directly from it seem to continue unabated. Regarding the second situation... that liberalizing juggernaut continues – with an endless supply of independent funding and a multitude of voices both within Synod, especially among its leadership, and among the laity as well.
The result is no small level of disenfranchisement among a majority of Intrepid Lutheran editors, and a resulting shift in personal interest and priority. Of all the friends they thought they had, very few have stood with them publicly. With no significant public voice to oppose the abuses that brought us all together in 2010, such abuses are now normative in WELS. There is no stopping it, there is no changing it, indeed, there is no referring to it as somehow "wrong" anymore. That is because WELS has changed. If, three and a half years ago, we very naïvely thought such things could have been stopped, curtailed or at least turned toward reformation (and some of us did think such could happen), that naiveté has been sucked from us as the hot desert sun draws moisture from a naked body; publicly deserted by those who privately supported us, we, along with our remaining stalwart public supporters, have baked alone in the sun.
For these and a variety of other reasons, the majority of Intrepid Lutheran editors have found that their enthusiasm with respect to our purpose regarding these precipitating situations has left them, that current circumstances have driven them to focus on other priorities.
The only two who are willing to continue are myself and Rev. Rydecki – although going forward neither of us will have the time to publish as frequently as we have in the past, with Rev. Rydecki's involvement reducing to moderator and occasional blog posts.
This leaves us with a dilemma of sorts. Currently, Intrepid Lutherans is incorporated as a non-profit religious and educational institution, so that we can collect revenue in the form of donations and use it to host conferences. Believe it or not, we were in the midst of planning such a conference for next Spring, a conference that would have included not only the results of a systematic study of Church Growth trends in the WELS, but an in depth examination of translation ideology – of Dynamic Equivalence versus Formal Equivalence – of the "Critical Text" Greek apparatus that stands behind DE, and the "Historical Critical Method" that props it up. In addition, this conference would have provided an academic defense for the adoption of the "New King James Translation" of the Bible. There were other topics on the docket for exploration as well. If Intrepid Lutherans were to continue with such endeavors, it would need to remain incorporated. But it would also need qualified Board Members. Though Rev. Rydecki is willing to continue as an author, he simply does not have the time to devote to the duties of a corporate officer. And corporations require at least two officers.
Likewise, even if Intrepid Lutherans were to continue as just a Blog, we simply need more qualified writers. Between Rev. Rydecki and myself, maybe two or three entries a month are all that could be expected, which is not nearly enough to maintain a dedicated readership.
If we were to continue in either case, the purpose of Intrepid Lutherans would necessarily change. First and foremost, we would entirely cease to be a "WELS blog", or an organization that defines its existence or purpose with reference to ANY Lutheran synod or church body. We have very definitely entered a post-Synodical Era, and it will do the scattered remnant of genuine Lutherans little good for Intrepid Lutherans, or for any Lutheran group, to conduct itself with an imbalanced and unrealistic devotion to earthly organizations. In order to provide a balance of Lutheran perspectives, the hope would be to attract regular contributors and/or leadership candidates from additional sources in American Lutheranism.
Second, since it would not be defining itself relative to any Lutheran synod or church body, Intrepid Lutherans would end that aspect of its mission which continually addressed itself to the political issues of WELS, or those of any Lutheran synod or church body. That isn't to say that such issues won't be pointedly discussed from time to time, particularly as Intrepid Lutherans continues to warn of growing corruption in, and encroaching worldliness upon broad segments of American Lutheranism – a warning that is relevant to all Lutheran church bodies in America, even if they (think they) have separated themselves from the rest of Christianity, or even if they (think they) have sequestered themselves from the rest of the World. Third, rather than addressing ourselves to Lutheran clergy and laity, we would be focusing on primarily equipping and engaging Lutheran laity. We would do this not by insulting them with condescending "bubble-gum," but by providing what seems be disappearing from the main Lutheran publishing houses, the highest quality writing we can muster, sufficiently sourced so that the layman can continue to investigate as interest would lead him. The equipping we would hope to offer Lutheran laity would be a preparation, not to stand as confessional Lutherans before confessing brothers and family members who don't really want to live up to a label they apply to themselves, but to stand as confessing Christians in a Western Society that has swiftly grown shockingly and openly hostile to Christianity.
Fourth, there would be a more deliberate effort to cover Lutheran teaching and practice from a more broadly and historically orthodox perspective, rather than elevate peculiarities of recent American innovation that have supplanted those perspectives. To this end, and in the interest of equipping the laity, there would also be a more deliberate effort to cover Lutheran teaching and practice not only as current issues in American Christianity give rise to questions regarding, or a need to defend, historic and orthodox Christianity, but from the standpoint of balance from the four categories of preparation in the Christian religion: Exegetical & Historical Theology (the so-called "historic" disciplines), and Systematic & Practical Theology (the so-called "constructive" disciplines) – where we would also recognize that Systematic Theology is more than just dogmatics, but also includes apologetics and ethics. In other words, our goals would be set so that there could be no mistaking – on our part or anyone else's – that rather than set out to "achieve" any particular result (impossible, since these goals include no arrival point), we are merely proceeding in a direction that we are convinced it is proper to go, trusting that the Lord will make fitting use of our "going."
What would not be changing? Our "What we Believe" statement would not be changed. We would continue to be a forum in which friendly and productive discussion on the article of Justification may be engaged by genuinely interested and concerned Lutherans. We will continue to herald confessional Lutheran practice – historic, liturgical and catholic practice, that is – as the proper form of worship for confessing Lutherans, and we will continue to vigorously oppose all forms of sectarian worship which boasts of its separation from the Church catholic and heralds its union with worldliness, and which disparages the Holy Spirit who works exclusively through the Means of Grace and arrogantly augments or even supplants His work with the efforts of man. We will continue to oppose the encroachments of Truth-killing post-Modern thought upon our pre-Modern system of theology, we will continue to oppose post-Modernism as a foundation for contemporary translations of the Bible, and we will continue to reject the NIV as a viable translation for the serious Christian. All posts would remain as they are – without editing or removal. The efforts of editors and Board members would continue to be rendered gratis.
We have given ourselves until the end of the year. It's up to our readers, now. If there are those who would be interested in becoming a regular essayist, or in having more substantial involvement with IL, please make yourselves known to us (privately, if you desire). If we don't know you, we may ask you to submit a CV and provide references. If, by the end of the year, we have not made any progress toward increasing our number of active authors, or in acquiring additional qualified leadership candidates, we will de-incorporate and mothball the blog. In this event, all blog posts will remain as they are and continue to be available for public access into the foreseeable future, for as long as we are able to maintain our domain name.
The past year or so has seen some significant changes for us, personally, professionally and as a group. It is no secret that Rev. Rydecki, after making independent study of the Doctrine of Justification and having publicly raised some simple questions of exegesis from the floor of a Pastors (sic) conference in his District, was eventually labeled by his Brothers a heretic and cast out from among them without the honest review of his concerns for which he pleaded at length. No longer WELS, he has since colloquized into the ELDoNA, which was concerned and objective enough to give him an honest hearing, and to carefully consider and deliberate his arguments before receiving him. But this is not the extent of the personal changes many of us at IL have faced. I, for one, have been in the midst of some fairly significant business changes over the past several months, that have altered my availability to write with the frequency to which many may have become accustomed. And I know that shifting responsibilities and personal circumstances have impacted the others, as well.
But there have been other changes – changes in attitude toward our initial "objectives." In our recent, and very popular post, What on Earth could the CoP possibly have meant by THIS?, we identified two "primary precipitating situations behind [the] formation" of Intrepid Lutherans in 2010:
- (1) the appalling treatment of the layman, Mr. Rick Techlin, by his pastor and congregation, and the incomprehensible support publicly granted them by the praesidium of the Northern Wisconsin District; and
(2) the continuing existence of "Time of Grace Ministry" as a manifestly non-denominational and unionistic evangelism Ministry conducted by WELS and other Lutherans, and the continuing support of the praesidium of the Southeastern Wisconsin District enjoyed by "Time of Grace Ministry."
The result is no small level of disenfranchisement among a majority of Intrepid Lutheran editors, and a resulting shift in personal interest and priority. Of all the friends they thought they had, very few have stood with them publicly. With no significant public voice to oppose the abuses that brought us all together in 2010, such abuses are now normative in WELS. There is no stopping it, there is no changing it, indeed, there is no referring to it as somehow "wrong" anymore. That is because WELS has changed. If, three and a half years ago, we very naïvely thought such things could have been stopped, curtailed or at least turned toward reformation (and some of us did think such could happen), that naiveté has been sucked from us as the hot desert sun draws moisture from a naked body; publicly deserted by those who privately supported us, we, along with our remaining stalwart public supporters, have baked alone in the sun.
For these and a variety of other reasons, the majority of Intrepid Lutheran editors have found that their enthusiasm with respect to our purpose regarding these precipitating situations has left them, that current circumstances have driven them to focus on other priorities.
The only two who are willing to continue are myself and Rev. Rydecki – although going forward neither of us will have the time to publish as frequently as we have in the past, with Rev. Rydecki's involvement reducing to moderator and occasional blog posts.
This leaves us with a dilemma of sorts. Currently, Intrepid Lutherans is incorporated as a non-profit religious and educational institution, so that we can collect revenue in the form of donations and use it to host conferences. Believe it or not, we were in the midst of planning such a conference for next Spring, a conference that would have included not only the results of a systematic study of Church Growth trends in the WELS, but an in depth examination of translation ideology – of Dynamic Equivalence versus Formal Equivalence – of the "Critical Text" Greek apparatus that stands behind DE, and the "Historical Critical Method" that props it up. In addition, this conference would have provided an academic defense for the adoption of the "New King James Translation" of the Bible. There were other topics on the docket for exploration as well. If Intrepid Lutherans were to continue with such endeavors, it would need to remain incorporated. But it would also need qualified Board Members. Though Rev. Rydecki is willing to continue as an author, he simply does not have the time to devote to the duties of a corporate officer. And corporations require at least two officers.
Likewise, even if Intrepid Lutherans were to continue as just a Blog, we simply need more qualified writers. Between Rev. Rydecki and myself, maybe two or three entries a month are all that could be expected, which is not nearly enough to maintain a dedicated readership.
If we were to continue in either case, the purpose of Intrepid Lutherans would necessarily change. First and foremost, we would entirely cease to be a "WELS blog", or an organization that defines its existence or purpose with reference to ANY Lutheran synod or church body. We have very definitely entered a post-Synodical Era, and it will do the scattered remnant of genuine Lutherans little good for Intrepid Lutherans, or for any Lutheran group, to conduct itself with an imbalanced and unrealistic devotion to earthly organizations. In order to provide a balance of Lutheran perspectives, the hope would be to attract regular contributors and/or leadership candidates from additional sources in American Lutheranism.
Second, since it would not be defining itself relative to any Lutheran synod or church body, Intrepid Lutherans would end that aspect of its mission which continually addressed itself to the political issues of WELS, or those of any Lutheran synod or church body. That isn't to say that such issues won't be pointedly discussed from time to time, particularly as Intrepid Lutherans continues to warn of growing corruption in, and encroaching worldliness upon broad segments of American Lutheranism – a warning that is relevant to all Lutheran church bodies in America, even if they (think they) have separated themselves from the rest of Christianity, or even if they (think they) have sequestered themselves from the rest of the World. Third, rather than addressing ourselves to Lutheran clergy and laity, we would be focusing on primarily equipping and engaging Lutheran laity. We would do this not by insulting them with condescending "bubble-gum," but by providing what seems be disappearing from the main Lutheran publishing houses, the highest quality writing we can muster, sufficiently sourced so that the layman can continue to investigate as interest would lead him. The equipping we would hope to offer Lutheran laity would be a preparation, not to stand as confessional Lutherans before confessing brothers and family members who don't really want to live up to a label they apply to themselves, but to stand as confessing Christians in a Western Society that has swiftly grown shockingly and openly hostile to Christianity.
Fourth, there would be a more deliberate effort to cover Lutheran teaching and practice from a more broadly and historically orthodox perspective, rather than elevate peculiarities of recent American innovation that have supplanted those perspectives. To this end, and in the interest of equipping the laity, there would also be a more deliberate effort to cover Lutheran teaching and practice not only as current issues in American Christianity give rise to questions regarding, or a need to defend, historic and orthodox Christianity, but from the standpoint of balance from the four categories of preparation in the Christian religion: Exegetical & Historical Theology (the so-called "historic" disciplines), and Systematic & Practical Theology (the so-called "constructive" disciplines) – where we would also recognize that Systematic Theology is more than just dogmatics, but also includes apologetics and ethics. In other words, our goals would be set so that there could be no mistaking – on our part or anyone else's – that rather than set out to "achieve" any particular result (impossible, since these goals include no arrival point), we are merely proceeding in a direction that we are convinced it is proper to go, trusting that the Lord will make fitting use of our "going."
What would not be changing? Our "What we Believe" statement would not be changed. We would continue to be a forum in which friendly and productive discussion on the article of Justification may be engaged by genuinely interested and concerned Lutherans. We will continue to herald confessional Lutheran practice – historic, liturgical and catholic practice, that is – as the proper form of worship for confessing Lutherans, and we will continue to vigorously oppose all forms of sectarian worship which boasts of its separation from the Church catholic and heralds its union with worldliness, and which disparages the Holy Spirit who works exclusively through the Means of Grace and arrogantly augments or even supplants His work with the efforts of man. We will continue to oppose the encroachments of Truth-killing post-Modern thought upon our pre-Modern system of theology, we will continue to oppose post-Modernism as a foundation for contemporary translations of the Bible, and we will continue to reject the NIV as a viable translation for the serious Christian. All posts would remain as they are – without editing or removal. The efforts of editors and Board members would continue to be rendered gratis.
We have given ourselves until the end of the year. It's up to our readers, now. If there are those who would be interested in becoming a regular essayist, or in having more substantial involvement with IL, please make yourselves known to us (privately, if you desire). If we don't know you, we may ask you to submit a CV and provide references. If, by the end of the year, we have not made any progress toward increasing our number of active authors, or in acquiring additional qualified leadership candidates, we will de-incorporate and mothball the blog. In this event, all blog posts will remain as they are and continue to be available for public access into the foreseeable future, for as long as we are able to maintain our domain name.
|
| The WELS Coven of Predators worships money. |
***
GJ - I am not arguing with Mr. Lindee. I know how WELS works - the Jeske gang will bust a gut getting all the posts erased. Save them now.
Oh No!
FICL and White-Washing Walther Must Also Be in Trouble
 |
| The synodical mags promote a third-rate insurance company's monopoly, to subsidize cover-ups and propaganda from the overpaid execs. News? Ha! |
http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=11692
GJ - I leave the links out in the open now, because UOJ clergy are not very bright.
Editor:
More
Magazines face unclear future
Being relevant, sustainable key
These are challenging times for denominational magazines, as some fold and others face reorientation. That prompted an "Affirmation of Religious Journalism" statement by the organization that represents many church publications.
The Lutheran is a member of the Associated Church Press, the oldest interdenominational Christian press association in North America. In September the group's board approved a statement sought by members that it eventually sent to denominational leaders of member publications (www.theacp.org/acp-affirmation-of-religious-journalism).
"In recent years reorganization and strategic repositioning in many denominations in North America have led to the demise of a host of venerable denominational magazines, newspapers and news services," the statement said. Denominations affected included the United Methodist Church, Episcopal Church, United Church of Christ, and Reformed Church in America.
The Lutheran is a member of the Associated Church Press, the oldest interdenominational Christian press association in North America. In September the group's board approved a statement sought by members that it eventually sent to denominational leaders of member publications (www.theacp.org/acp-affirmation-of-religious-journalism).
"In recent years reorganization and strategic repositioning in many denominations in North America have led to the demise of a host of venerable denominational magazines, newspapers and news services," the statement said. Denominations affected included the United Methodist Church, Episcopal Church, United Church of Christ, and Reformed Church in America.
 |
Further, "many other churches' print and electronic news sources have experienced severe financial and staffing cutbacks and/or pressure to redefine their missions in greater alignment with corporate communication models and development priorities in their denominations." It asked leadership to "stop this serious erosion of religious journalism" and discuss the issues withACP members and other journalists and communicators in their denominations.
The Lutheran did not attend the meeting. However, the magazine's prospects and the reasons why are clear and common to all church publications.
When The Lutheran opened with the ELCA in 1988, it was the only game in town. The Internet changed everything. Many sites and resources deliver the increasingly specific, unique information folks want — usually for free.
Denominational magazines are businesses. The Lutheran exists on subscription sales and advertising. It is economically viable for the near future. It serves as a mirror to ELCA members, congregations, synods, agencies and the churchwide organization about our life together as Lutherans, and does so with editorial independence (content decisions rest with the editor).
But we can't ignore what is happening to our society, church and members. Individualism, congregationalism and secularism all undercut denominations and their magazines, the goals of which are to promote commonality and collegiality in the work of sharing the good news and helping "the other."
That's why The Lutheran is engaged with others at the churchwide office in a professional review of our communications efforts: what we do well, where we overlap, what is being missed, and how we might better serve the church separately and together.
To paraphrase a line from a movie, the last buggy whip manufacturer was probably the best. It still went out of business. The challenge is to change and adapt — with integrity — or risk passing into history.
The Lutheran did not attend the meeting. However, the magazine's prospects and the reasons why are clear and common to all church publications.
When The Lutheran opened with the ELCA in 1988, it was the only game in town. The Internet changed everything. Many sites and resources deliver the increasingly specific, unique information folks want — usually for free.
Denominational magazines are businesses. The Lutheran exists on subscription sales and advertising. It is economically viable for the near future. It serves as a mirror to ELCA members, congregations, synods, agencies and the churchwide organization about our life together as Lutherans, and does so with editorial independence (content decisions rest with the editor).
But we can't ignore what is happening to our society, church and members. Individualism, congregationalism and secularism all undercut denominations and their magazines, the goals of which are to promote commonality and collegiality in the work of sharing the good news and helping "the other."
That's why The Lutheran is engaged with others at the churchwide office in a professional review of our communications efforts: what we do well, where we overlap, what is being missed, and how we might better serve the church separately and together.
To paraphrase a line from a movie, the last buggy whip manufacturer was probably the best. It still went out of business. The challenge is to change and adapt — with integrity — or risk passing into history.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Trinity, 2013
The Twenty-Sixth Sunday after
Trinity, 2013
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
Bethany Lutheran Church, 10 AM
Central Time
The Hymn # 8 Father Who the Light 2:20
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual
The
Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn # 240 Father Most Holy 2:56
Parable of Judgment
The Communion Hymn #306 Lord Jesus Christ 2:50
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn # 227 Come Holy Ghost 2:72
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn # 227 Come Holy Ghost 2:72
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