WELS Convention Wrap - From the SP

From the office of President Mark Schroeder

Nearly 400 delegates met last week in Saginaw, Mich., for the synod's 60th biennial convention. With "Christ's Love, Our Calling" as the theme and with the cross of Christ as the focus, the delegates spent the week prayerfully determining how the synod can best carry out its dual mission of preserving and proclaiming the gospel.

Beginning with an inspiring worship service at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, and continuing with the president's report, two doctrinal essays, and daily devotions, the delegates received guidance and strength from the words and promises of God. Presentations by missionaries highlighted both the blessings and the opportunities in our mission fields. Reports from all areas of synodical work painted a clear picture of the many ways in which we are walking together to serve people with the gospel.

The budget
As expected, the budgetary challenges facing the synod occupied a major segment of the delegates' attention. An open hearing on Monday evening gave delegates the opportunity to discuss the two budget options presented by the Synodical Council. The prevailing sentiment was that neither option was desirable, since either choice would result in additional reductions in ministries that were considered core ministries of the synod. The floor committee dealing with the budget listened to the delegates' input and concluded that a third option should be considered. It recommended a budget that requires no further manpower cuts in Missions or Ministerial Education and instead reduces funding for Technology by $150,000; Financial Services by $100,000; Communications by $50,000; Parish Services by $200,000; mission counselors by $100,000; and travel and meeting costs by $400,000 across all areas of ministry.

This proposal by the floor committee was overwhelmingly adopted by a margin of 80 percent to 20 percent.

The convention also expressed consensus agreement that Congregation Mission Offerings (CMO) are the primary and foundational support of the synod's work. In view of that, all congregations are encouraged to emphasize CMO in their planning and budgeting.

Ad Hoc Commission
For the last two years, a special Ad Hoc Commission worked to identify possible improvements in the way that the synod carries out its mission and ministry. The commission's wide-ranging report and recommendations were addressed by six separate floor committees. In the end, 63 of its 65 recommendations were approved. In a few cases, recommendations were amended slightly but still reflected the original intent of the commission. The convention did not approve the recommendation to study the creation of three new districts and did not approve a recommendation to alter the voting membership of the Synodical Council. All 30 of the commission's endorsements of action already taken were favorably received.

The convention favorably received the preamble to the Ad Hoc Commission report. The preamble contained a summary of the mission and purpose of the synod and encouraged that the section be distributed throughout the synod and that pastors be encouraged to share and study this summary with their congregations.

Parish services reconfigured
In the section of its report addressing the need to strengthen congregations and their members, the Ad Hoc Commission recommended a redeployment of Parish Services. The change involved placing the ministries of Parish Services under the direct responsibility of the Conference of Presidents. It also involved removing the Parish Services board and eliminating the position of administrator. The convention approved this recommendation but made provisions for a Parish Services Council, which will coordinate the work. Policy-setting and calling responsibility for the newly configured Parish Services will rest with the Conference of Presidents. Budget reductions for the ministries of Parish Services will also mean a reduction in administrative and staff positions.

Other significant decisions of the convention

• The convention encouraged Home and World Missions to redirect manpower and funding in order to continue to enter new fields when appropriate and advisable.
• A gift policy will be developed that will decrease the number of special funds, limit the creation of new funds, and better utilize dollars in existing funds.
• The Conference of Presidents will address the issue of congregations that provide little or no support for the synod's work through their Congregation Mission Offerings.
• Areas of Ministry were directed to continually monitor staffing levels and to provide justification for all positions.
• The bylaws were amended to reduce the size of circuits to "normally not more than eight" congregations.
• Ministerial Education schools were encouraged to reduce costs, control tuition, and increase merit-based scholarships, if possible.
• The convention called for the development of a flexible program of continuing education for called workers.
• The Conference of Presidents was directed to initiate a synodwide review of key doctrines and practical issues. This review would also provide materials and guidance for studies at conferences and in congregations. Topics to be studied are the efficacy of the means of grace, Christian vocation and church and ministry, care of souls (evangelical Christian discipline), and the sacramental life.
• The full-time position of vice president for mission and ministry was changed to a part-time first vice president. Pastor James Huebner was elected to this position; Pastor Joel Voss was elected to serve a partial term as the second vice president.
• The convention strongly encouraged congregations to direct the savings from the planned VEBA premium holiday to the WELS operating fund.

God blessed our synod convention last week with a group of delegates who were truly about their Father's business. While not everyone agreed with every decision, the sense of unity in belief and in purpose was clear. We pray that, just as God blessed the work of the convention, he will now bless the work that we continue to do together in his name.

Detailed information about the convention is posted on the convention Web site: www.wels.net/convention

Serving in Christ,
Mark Schroeder

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GJ - Everyone who keeps his Book of Concord close at hand was impressed with SP Schroeder's leadership of the convention.

The agenda was changed from
Grow the Administration/Shrink the Schools to
Keep the Schools/Shrink the Shrinkers.

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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "WELS Convention Wrap - From the SP":

Anon@5:39

Any actual anecdotal or substantive proof behind what you said. Over a brief skim of the BoRaM, it was pretty decisive that the churches not give CMO are

1) Churches that fall into the "contemporary" category
2) Churches in districts rife with CGM ministers
3) Recent missions.

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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "WELS Convention Wrap - From the SP":

Hard to say, but I think the Appleton / Green Bay area may be at the top of the list (Northern Wisconsin District I think). It's a really sorry situation in the Fox Valley. You have:

CORE (the Queen Mother of CG "congregations")

St. Mark DePere(Parlow / Kelm)

St. Matthew Appleton (contempo worship / dying congregation / Pastor is close to Ski)

Eternal Love Appleton (contempo worship / children's sermons, etc)

Bethany Appleton (contempo worship, cell groups, projectors, etc)

St. Peter Appleton / Freedom (the church that called Ski and is the "sponsor" of CORE)

Mt. Olive Appleton (may be starting contempo worship)

There may be more, but these are the congregations that I know have, to one extent or another, polluted themselves with CG elements.

Safe (or safer) churches up there would include St. Paul (one block from CORE), Riverview (Appleton), and Immanuel (Oshkosh).

Is Wayne Mueller's Replacement as First Veep a Shrinker?

On Bailing Water:

Anonymous said...

Freddy,

As one who has worshipped now and then at the church served by the first VP, I'm astonished that you'd call him a known CGM advocate.

Your July 26 post on your own blog identifies Ev-Luth congregations. The things you say you're tired of enduring are not found at his church.

August 5, 2009 9:10 AM

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"'Church growth.' I've seen people cringe when they hear those words. I think I know why. They react negatively because they feel 'church growth' implies an obsessive fixation with numbers and statistics."
Pastor James Huebner, Spiritual Renewal Consultant, Notebook, School of Outreach IV, Seventeen Ways to Keep Your Church from Growing, p. 178.

"We can't do a thing to make his Word more effective. But surely we can detract from its effectiveness by careless errors and poor judgment. It just makes good sense to utilize all of our God-given talents, to scour the field for appropriate ideas, concepts, and material (sic), to implement programs, methods, and techniques so that we do not detract from the effectiveness of the gospel we proclaim. Church growth articles, books, seminars, and conferences can offer such ideas and programs."
Pastor James Huebner, Spiritual Renewal Consultant, Notebook, School of Outreach IV, Seventeen Ways to Keep Your Church from Growing, p 178.

***

GJ - Huebner was trained at Fuller Seminary to be a Church Growth consultant, as he admitted to me. Paul Calvin Kelm ran this so-called Spiritual Renewal Program after getting himself into constant trouble running Evangelism. Kelm was also an early editor of TELL, which the synod began to promote the Church Growth Movement (starting in 1977 with Ron Roth). Kelm and Larry Olson (DMin, Fuller Seminary) ran around WELS retooling the WELS pastors in a massive CG promotion. The same three men were used to brainwash new Sausage Factory grads one year after being ordained (in case the Enthusiasm wore off).

Apart from the activities of the CG trio, there are the actual quotations above, which have not been retracted and repudiated by Huebner.

The CGM trio above has served as the launching pad for Ski, Doebler, Hunter, Stolzenburg, and many others. The rotten apple CORE does not fall far from the tree.

Pietism, UOJ, and Halle University

A little church history lesson - Knapp promoted double justification in his Halle University lectures. His translator used the terms objective justification and subjective justification before the Missouri Synod began.

SceleratissimusLutheranus has left a new comment on your post "Pietism, UOJ, and Halle University":

You can find a picture of Knapp here: http://www.google.com/books?id=cZkRAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&lr=#v=onepage&q=&f=false.

I can find no picture of Knapp, so this is the book from which Google took its scans. Note that the Universalist Historical Society donated the book. Universalsim teaches that everyone is saved. ELCA's Gospel reductionism and UOJ are flavors of Universalism.

The first union theologian, Spener, encouraged and worked with Francke, who became the central figure of Halle University, which was founded to promote Pietism. Francke's son-in-law, Freylinghausen, edited the Pietist hymnal, and served as director of the Francke charities. Knapp became a supervisor of the Francke charitable institutions when Freylinghausen died in 1785.

From the English translation of Knapp's Christian Theology, which was widely read in German and English, in America and Europe, before the Missouri Synod began and throughout the 19th century -

§ 113. UNIVERSALITY OP JUSTIFICATION. 817

It is universal as the atonement itself; vid. § 111, II. If the atonement extends to the whole human race, justification must also be universal; i. e. all must be able to obtain the actual forgiveness of their sins and blessedness, on account of the atonement of Christ. But in order to obviate mistakes, some points may require explanation. Justification, then, is universal,

(1) In respect to the persons to be pardoned.

All men, according to the Bible, may partake of this benefit. It was designed for all; vid. especially Rom. 3: 23. 5: 15 (§ 111),

318 ART. X. § 113. UNIVERSALITY OP JUSTIFICATION

in opposition to Jewish exclusiveness. It is bestowed however conditionally ; certain conditions are prescribed which are indispensable. Those who do not comply with these conditions, are excluded from the enjoyment of the benefit. Justification and forgiveness are not, therefore, universal in effect (actu); and this solely through the fault of men.*

Another conclusion from the universality of justification is, that every one may be sure of his forgiveness. This certainty, however, must not be founded upon inward/ee/ing-s, which are frequently deceptive ; but upon an actual compliance with the conditions on which God will forgive sins. If any one finds in himself the signs of true faith, of sincere love to God and Christ, of a renewed heart, and of a virtuous Christian disposition, he is justified. Rom. 8: 16, " The holy, Christian temper wrought in us by God, gives us the clearest and surest proof, that we are the children of God." 1 John 3: 7. 2 Pet. 1: 9, 10. This certainty is in the highest degree necessary to our tranquility and happiness. 1 Tim. 1: 16. ICor. 6: 11. 1 John 5: 18—20.

(2) In respect to sins and the punishment of sin.

(a) As to sins; the position that all sins, without exception, are forgiven for Christ's sake, is proved partly from the power and efficacy of the atonement of Christ, which is extended to all sins (vid. § 111, and the texts there cited) ; and partly from the texts which promise forgiveness of all sins, even the greatest and blackest, to those who comply with the prescribed conditions of pardon. Ezek. 18: 21, 22. Ps. 103: 3. 1 Cor. 6: 11. Ephes. 2: 5. 1 Tim. I: 15. The sin against the Holy Ghost cannot be regarded as an exception ; vid. § 84.

(6) As to the punishment of sin ; the answer to the question whether the pardoned are exempt from all the punishments of sin, whether therefore justification is plena et perfecta, may be learned from § 111, II. The natural and physical evils which result from past sins, indeed, remain ; but they are mitigated and rendered more tolerable, and are divested of the terror of punishment, by the ces-

* [Translator - This is very conveniently expressed by the terms objective and subjective justification. Objective justification is the act of God, by which he proffers pardon to all through Christ; subjective, is the act of man, by which he accepts the pardon freely offered in the Gospel. The former is universal, the latter not.]



Wikipedia on Knapp - What WELSians should know:

Georg Christian Knapp (September 17, 1753 - October 14, 1825) was a German Protestant theologian who was born in Glaucha, located near Halle. He was father-in-law to theologian Johann Karl Thilo (1794-1853).

He studied theology at the Universities of Halle and Göttingen. In 1777 he was an associate professor at Halle, where in 1782 he became a full professor of theology. In 1785 he was appointed kondirektor of the Franckesche Stiftungen (Francke Foundations), an educational and cultural institution that was founded in 1698 by August Hermann Francke [GJ - Pietist].

Knapp was a prominent member of the Pietist movement, and a representative of Biblical Supranaturalism. He was the author of Die Psalmen Übersetzt und mit Anmerkungen (The Psalms, Translation with Annotations) (1777), and Vorlesungen über die christliche Glaubenslehre, which was later translated into English as "Lectures on Christian Theology".

Schleiermacher, the father of modern Protestantism, remains a favorite of apostates. He influenced Karl Barth, who is Fuller Seminary's favorite theologian, according to a WELS pastor who studied there.
F. D. E. Schleiermacher, 1768 - 1834:

Early life and formation
Schleiermacher was born in Breslau in Silesia, the son of a Prussian army chaplain in the Reformed church. He was educated in a Moravian school at Niesky in Upper Lusatia, and at Barby near Halle. However, pietistic Moravian theology failed to satisfy his increasing doubts, and his father reluctantly gave him permission to enter the University of Halle, which had already abandoned pietism and adopted the rationalist spirit of Friedrich August Wolf and Johann Salomo Semler. As a theology student Schleiermacher pursued an independent course of reading and neglected the study of the Old Testament and Oriental languages. However, he did attend the lectures of Semler, where he became acquainted with the techniques of historical criticism of the New Testament, and of Johann Augustus Eberhard, from whom he acquired a love of the philosophy of Plato and Aristotle. At the same time he studied the writings of Immanuel Kant and Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi, and began to apply ideas from the Greek philosophers to a reconstruction of Kant's system.

Tholuck was considered the last of the Pietists at Halle, and he was influenced by rationalism. He called himself a Universalist. The Wisconsin Synod's Hoenecke studied at Halle University under Tholuck but also continued his studies in the Confessions.

Friedrich Tholuck, 1799 - 1877:

His lifelong battle was on behalf of personal religious experience, in opposition to the externality of rationalism, orthodoxy or sacramentarianism. Karl Schwarz happily remarks that, as the English apologists of the 18th century were themselves infected with the poison of the deists whom they endeavoured to refute, so Tholuck absorbed some of the heresies of the rationalists whom he tried to overthrow. He was also one of the prominent members of the Evangelical Alliance, and few men were more widely known or more beloved throughout the Protestant churches of Europe and America than him. He died at Halle. As a preacher, Tholuck ranked among the foremost of his time. As a teacher, he showed remarkable sympathy and won great success. As a thinker he can hardly be said to have been endowed with great creative power.

***

GJ - Knapp is the missing link, explaining how Calvinistic concepts invaded the Lutheran Church through Pietism. So far, my only sources for UOJ are Burk, the son-in-law of Bengel - the leader of the Württemberg Pietists, and Knapp - one of the last Halle Pietists. Someone else found the Knapp connection, so more will come out about that in the next year.

Knapp is the missing link in confusing Atonement with Justification, yet he was far more careful in his language than the Synodical Conference UOJ Stormtroopers (J. P. Meyer, the early Robert Preus, the Brief Statement, F. Pieper, Franzmann, S. Becker, Pope John the Malefactor, Rolph Preus on UOJ days when he is not a JBF pastor).

The essence of Lutheran UOJ is God declaring the entire world forgiven, apart from faith, apart from the Means of Grace. Strangely, John Brenner began his convention essay on the Means of Grace with UOJ statements which repudiate the Means of Grace. Separating the work of the Holy Spirit from the Word is Enthusiam.

Observer Predicts Chicanery Conference Will Lay an Egg: Homegrown Heretics Have No Crowd Appeal

One observer--so deep undercover that I cannot use his nickname--thinks the November Chicanery conference will bomb. Who wants to listen to the WELS Homegrown Heretics?

Being on the speakers' list for the November conference is like having a POSH suite on the Titanic. (POSH stands for Port Out, Starboard Home, the best cabins.)

The Chicanery listserve is so leaky that no one posts anything worthy copying to Ichabod. Who monitors that listserve? Oh yes - Jim Aderman, frequent FIC author, contributing FIC editor, and flounder of Church and Chicanery. As Diablo said, "The guy with all the frog kisses on his face." Aderman must have kissed a lot of amphibians, because he was fired for not doing his job, retired, and hired back by the remnant. The Aderman school closed. One thing I will praise the Chicaneries for - they know how to close schools. If they are good at anything, besides copy and paste, it is school closing.

I am awaiting additional details on the Damage Control Meeting for Church and Change. Of course they have their prayer meeting at The Sausage Factory in August, but that is too open.

So far security about the alleged meeting is tighter than the last OPEC cartel meeting. Not that they have anything to hide.

Will the Patterson Shrinker Network Regroup at His Place?

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Best One-Liner about the WELS Convention":

I have heard that the Shrinkers are pulling together their forces and meeting at Patterson and Gurgel's church down south.

Nothing like some Rock and Roll and the hopes of a safari to boast the morale.

***

GJ - If this is true, it makes sense. Apostates are 100% political. If they get their way at a convention, they say, "This is the highest level of synodical authority. We must follow what the convention says." Thus they maneuvered the Church Shrinkage Mission Vision Statement into a vote and built a bureaucracy (Perish Services, Mission Counselors, Staff Ministry) around it, while denying the Church Growth Movement existed in WELS.

But the Shrinkers were well and truly clobbered by the entire convention, so they have to meet to see how they can overturn the vote in some underhanded way. They spent the last two years opposing the elected Synod President, so why would they bow to the convention this time? There is a lot to sweep under the rug...and grants to be had.

WELS AnswerMan Addresses Enthusiam at Mequon and The CORE

How many mistakes are in this photo? These are the false teachers being promoted openly and shamelessly by Church and Change, The Sausage Factory, and the late, great Perish Services
at The Love Shack.

WELS AnswerMan

Q:
Please provide your view of the organization known as Lifechurchtv. It appears that the church does research on movies and then draws Christian conclusions. Maybe this is a platform to reach out to many unchurched, but I would like to know what you think.

A:
We also rejoice whenever and wherever God's Word is faithfully and accurately proclaimed, and we believe God will use that Word to serve souls as he promised. Not having any personal exposure to or experience with lifechurchtv we must appraise their convictions and ministry based on what they publicly confess on their website.

Their statement of beliefs is limited to what they call "essential" beliefs, which are for the most part solidly Christian. The statements are weak on the nature of sinful mankind (they say we are all "marred" but fail to speak of us as spiritually dead and incapable of doing anything God-pleasing on our own). The statements are also weak on clarifying how a sinner obtains saving faith in Christ. Their language smacks of synergism, but whether this is their theological stance or whether they simply use culturally popular terminology on this is not so clear.

They are affiliated with the Evangelical Covenant Church. And in their own words, "What makes the Covenant unique from other denominations is the fact that while it strongly affirms the clear teaching of the Word of God, it allows believers the personal freedom to have varying interpretations on theological issues that are not clearly presented in Scripture." While this approach to Scripture as stated is a fully acceptable one, it appears that they classify many Bible teachings as "not clearly presented in the Bible" when, in fact, they are clearly presented but contested by false teachers. I sense that Bible teaching regarding conversion (monergism vs. synergism or semi-pelagianism), the sacraments (baptism and the Lord's Supper), and End Time theology (amillennialism vs. millennialism and dispensationalism) would be among subjects that are declared off limits regarding a definitive stance.

Solidly Christian in many respects and sadly compromising in other respects is my initial appraisal based on their website information. But they appear to be in tune with culture, ultra-contemporary in methodology, not hesitant to toot their own horn regarding growth and perceived success, and lavish in their use of praiseworthy adjectives to describe themselves -- so they will likely do just fine as an external organization. And that takes us back to where we started. We trust the Lord to use their preaching of his Word and limit the negative impact of their failure to preach that Word fully.

***

GJ - Somebody has been reading Ichabod - or the Book of Concord. WELS AnswerMan has progressed from bad spelling and worse theology to sensible, Lutheran answers.



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The Core

So, our mention of The Core church in Appleton made me want to find out more about just what the core is, so I went to their WEBSITE and found out some interesting things. The mission of the Core is to "transform lives for Christ through faith that is real, relevant, and relational." However, it does not come across as the upbeat, modern, contemporary church that I thought it would be. True, they do claim to have modern music, and their website's design resembles that of a rock band or TV show (such as Supernatural), but what was said regarding the church did not really address any other modern features such as cupholders, popcorn, or layout. Instead, they focused on somewhat traditional aspects, such as spreading the word and focusing in on Jesus' importance. While I am not saying that there is anything wrong with that, I was just surprised that there was not more of a new-agey vibe. I think perhaps it would be interesting to learn more about how this particular community that seems so focused on past events (aka Jesus) actually views and deals with the very modern aspects of their church. I have actually sent them an e-mail, asking something to the effect of how do they address this modernism and I hope to get a response soon! But in the meantime I can speculate and then compare my speculations to whatever response I get (if I receive one).
Perhaps, this church is not 'bringing the modern into their religion' (seeing a cupholder and somehow fitting it into their way of thinking), but it appears to be fitting their religion to the modern, by finding contemporary songs that express their religion and attempting to appeal to the younger generation by using modern website techniques to express themselves.This modernization would probably benefit them in the long run, as religions need to change and adapt with the times, but I am not sure how they are doing it. I look forward to learning more later, and will have a more clear idea of just what The Core is then.

Best One-Liner about the WELS Convention

"The Shrinkers have been shrunk."

Diablo

Some Cool Cats Have a Case of Rabies Now

Look up the passage - Matthew 25:12.

Some comments on the Photoshops (contributed by various people)

1. Keep them coming.
2. I like the tomkitteh chasing the C and C chicken.
3. They were highlights of the WELS convention.

WELS Mod Worship Gurus Network

http://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/tag/john-kehl/

"There is a new BLOG by a fellow WELS guitarist and on-line friend of mine named John Kehl. John plays in a band known as “Joyful Noise” at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Appleton, WI and has been a dedicated reader, subscriber and commenter at my BLOG. If you like the content of this BLOG, you will also enjoy what John is doing at “Blended Worship Resource.” You can find his BLOG at this link:

http://blendedworshipresource.wordpress.com

God’s blessings on your website John!"

The Eighth Sunday after Trinity

Figs, by Norma Boeckler

The Eighth Sunday after Trinity

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship

Bethany Lutheran Worship, 8 AM Phoenix Time


The Hymn #528:1-7 If God Himself Be for Me 4.49
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 Romans 8:12-17
The Gospel Matthew 7:15-21
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #528:8-15 If God Himself Be for Me 4.49

Good Fruit from Sound Doctrine

The Hymn #378 The Saints on Earth 4.8
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 #659 Feed Thy Children 4.23

The flowers are in memory of Bethany Joan Marie Jackson, who would have been 35 today.

KJV Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

KJV Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Eighth Sunday After Trinity
Lord God, heavenly Father, we most heartily thank Thee that Thou hast caused us to come to the knowledge of Thy word. We pray Thee: graciously keep us steadfast in this knowledge unto death, that we may obtain eternal life; send us now and ever pious pastors, who faithfully preach Thy word, without offense or false doctrine, and grant them long life. Defend us from all false teachings, and frustrate Thou the counsels of all such as pervert Thy word, who come to us in sheep's clothing, but are inwardly ravening wolves, that Thy true Church may evermore be established among us, and be defended and preserved from such false teachers, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

Good Fruit from Sound Doctrine

Matthew 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

This Gospel lesson reminds us that Christ spoke harsh words against false teachers. In fact, the harshest words in the New Testament are spoken by Jesus.

So why have Christians absorbed the idea that their religion does not allow for anything critical to be said about another confession? Lutherans got this idea from Pietism, because Spener copied his ideas from the Reformed and also agreed to a certain extent with their doctrine. To work together for charity, the Lutherans dropped their opposition to Reformed doctrine, although the Reformed never dropped their key difference with Lutherans – chiefly the efficacy of the Word in the Means of Grace. That is not a minor difference but the foundation of all Christian doctrine.

Wolves in sheep’s clothing – that image is not exactly gentle, but it is meant to convey the proper warning. Even today people hear – he is a nice guy. Jesus did not warn about sheep in wolves’ clothing but wolves in sheep’s clothing. Identifying the key attribute of false teachers (he is a nice guy, everyone likes him) is not a defense against the charge of opposing God’s Word. No one has ever opposed God’s Word while appearing evil, starting with Satan in the Garden of Eden. He spoke softly, appeared fair, and seemed logical in his discourse. He looked for openings and exploited them – Did God really say – do not touch the fruit? What a great way to move from touching the fruit (no rules there) to eating it (and be like God Himself).

Ravening (ferocious or ravenous) wolves tear up the flock. They come from within the flock and outside of the flock, as Paul warned in his farewell speech to the Ephesians.

KJV Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Sometimes the Scriptures emphasize doctrine and other times works. In this passage, Jesus said we should measure false teachers by their works, which is just the opposite of man’s inclination. People excuse the horrible histories of false teachers and make excuses for them. But Jesus taught and still teaches:

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Nothing good can come from teaching contrary to God’s Word, and nothing bad can come from teaching in harmony with God’s Word.

Thanks to the Church Growth Movement from Fuller Seminary, I have heard conservative Lutheran ministers say, “Yes they are false teachers, but we can learn a lot from them. We cannot forego their great insights just because they belong to another denomination.”

I have called the Growthers “Shrinkers” because of their fruit. They have done nothing for the Christian faith in America, and their great leader, C. Peter Wagner, has admitted as much.

Another aspect of false doctrine is its ability to bewitch people. The more they get involved with it, the more immune they are to any suggestion it is wrong. I see that with people hypnotized by Roman Catholicism, which is a clever imitation of the Christian faith, but a complete repudiation of God’s Word. And I see the same enchantment with the version of Church Growth called The Emergent Church, where new extremes are the norm.

The agricultural comparisons in this lesson should make sense to anyone with a slight acquaintance with gardening. You will know them by their fruits.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

The Shrinkers say they are “spoiling the Egyptians,” stealing the great treasures of Fuller Seminary (which repudiated inerrancy a long time ago, but—no surprise—ferociously supports women’s ordination). Using the language of Jesus, they are gathering grapes from thornbushes. I once had to cut down 9 foot thorn bushes. I found no grapes there, but I did come in with a lot of thorns all over me.

The Comfort of This Lesson

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

This lesson does not simply teach against false teachers, making it clear that a bad tree (false doctrine) only produces bad fruit.

Jesus also teaches us that a good tree only produces good fruit. The “sound” in sound doctrine can be read as “healthy” doctrine. This is in perfect harmony with the natural law concept of the Scriptures. God commands what is good for us.
The pure Word of God is healthy and brings forth only good fruit.

I used to grow a lot of roses. Before I needed more sun. Now I need less sun and more soil. But I learned a lot from growing dozens of roses in Columbus and New Ulm.

There are plenty of bargain roses and mishandled roses. They grow most of the time but they never produce beautiful flowers because their stock does not allow for that. My all-time favorite remains Double Delight, for its color and perfume. It bloomed generously and everyone loved the flowers. For that reason it was also rare. If I did not order it months in advance, the suppliers were sold out.

Likewise, to grow giant sunflowers, I bought the more expensive Russian sunflower seeds. We had contests (based on Mark 4) to see which child could grow the biggest sunflower heads. The sunflower family is quite large, so many varieties are rather small and inconspicuous in their blooms. It was always impressive to see a small child with a sunflower disk bigger than a dinner plate, with hundreds of striped seeds in beautiful spirals (which reveal the Fibonacci numbers).

Because we carry the Old Adam with us, we do not like the cross that accompanies the teaching of the pure Word of God. But Jesus teaches that only good can come from the pure Word of God. How can suffering and rebuke be the good fruit of the healthy plant.

First of all, unchallenged doctrine makes us lazy and apathetic about the Scriptures. Whenever people praise themselves for being in a perfect church, they are starting to neglect the Word of God. Just recently, a Missouri pastor said he was in the best church because it was least influenced by Pietism. I thought, “Now there is a Pietistic claim.” First of all, Walther began as a Pietist, although he tried to break away from it. Secondly, the primary errors of the Synodical Conference (UOJ and consecration) come from the Reformed view of the Word, denying its efficacy. And those false views entered through Pietism, that is, through Walther the primary political and doctrinal leader. Instead of dealing with the error as it grew, the saint-worshipers encircled their statue of Walther and made his voluminous writings the norm for all doctrine, preferring him to the Book of Concord and Luther.

Secondly, God may want us somewhere else. Like Jonah, we can set our own plans, but that express whale to Ninevah is going to pick us up anyway, whether we like it or not. The only way to evade the trip is to adopt false doctrine and make peace with the Synagogue of Satan. Many religious leaders have chosen that route, which may be why the New Testament uses the term – making shipwrecks of their faith.

KJV 1 Timothy 1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

Third, God may want us where we are, even though we cast longing eyes on another place. Luther and Gerhardt both emphasized that carrying out our duties properly is God-pleasing. We should ask for no more. Some people destroy their lives by aiming for glamour and excitement when the best of life is a series of little events, with family and friends, or seeing what God can do over time in a congregation.

I can tell who reads Luther, the Book of Concord, and the Scriptures. They will allow that they may not see any results at all, but they trust God will accomplish His will through faithfulness to His Word. Like WWII heroes I know, they avoid calling attention to themselves.

Luther himself (Paul Gerhardt, even more) was a failure when looking at his imaginary resume. Luther’s Reformation went backwards during his own lifetime. His associates did more harm to sound doctrine than the pope and Turk put together. People fell away from the Reformation as soon as the going got tough. When Luther died, the Roman Catholic emperor died and did his best to destroy the remainder of the Reformation. However, it was just that crisis that created the Book of Concord, which we should see as our best one-volume sermon helper, Bible commentary, and devotional guide.

The hymn writer Paul Gerhardt had a lifetime of horrible experiences (loss of spouse and most of his children, defenestration for going against Reformed doctrine, living on charity, etc), but he turned them into poetry that created Christian hymnody – some say even more influential than Luther.

In both cases, sound doctrine produce good fruit – to the glory of God.

Trinity Eight Quotations
Matthew 7:15-23

"Just as true doctrine is the greatest gift we can enjoy, so false doctrine is the most baneful evil that can beset us. False doctrine is sin, it is the invention of Satan, and it imperils and destroys salvation. False doctrine is every teaching contrary to the Word of God. Scripture enjoins upon us to proclaim only the truth."
W. A. Baepler, "Doctrine, True and False," The Abiding Word, ed., Theodore Laetsch, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1946, II, p. 501.

"No false dogma has ever been spread in the church which was not put forth with some plausible show, for sheep's clothing is the show of false religion (says Chrysostom). Indeed, the weaker and more ruinous the cause is, the more arguments it needs, sought everywhere and in every way possible, as though to cover it over with paint or to swathe it with medicine. For Pindar [famous Greek lyric poet, 518-438 B.C.] says, 'For a just cause three words are sufficient.' Therefore the papalists have gathered very many and varied arguments in order to establish purgatory."
Martin Chemnitz, Examination of the Council of Trent, trans., Fred Kramer, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1986, III, p. 325.

"Paul calls all false spirits bold and proud. Yes, in their filth with their protectors they are proud and impudent, otherwise they are the most cowardly villains that can be found. When they are to appear and answer for their conduct, they cannot produce a single answer. Among themselves they are bold, and venture to catch God in His own Word; but when it comes to the test, they simply despair."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 1983, V, p. 204.

"For every sect has always had one or more particular hobbies and articles which are manifestly wrong and can easily be discerned to be of the devil, who publicly teach, urge and defend them as right certain and necessary to believe or to keep For the spirit of lies cannot so conceal himself, but that he must at last put forth his claws, by which you can discern and observe the ravenous wolf."
Sermons of Martin Luther, IV, p. 282f.

"For this reason one should not be too credulous when a preacher comes softly like an angel of God, recommends himself very highly, and swears that his sole aim is to save souls, and says: 'Pax vobis!' For those are the very fellows the devil employs to honey people's mouths. Through them he gains an entrance to preach and to teach, in order that he may afterward inflict his injuries, and that though he accomplish nothing more for the present, he may, at least, confound the people's consciences and finally lead them into misery and despair."
Sermons of Martin Luther, II, p. 322.

"It is not enough that we preach correctly, which the hireling can also do; but we must watch over the sheep, that the wolves, false teachers, may not break in, and we must contend for the sheep against the wolves, with the Word of God, even to the sacrifice of our lives. Such are good shepherds, of whom few are found."
Sermons of Martin Luthe,r III, p. 34.

"There are other wolves, however, who come to us in sheep's clothing. They are the false prophets, who under the form of pious and religious instruction feed pure poison to the sheep of Christ. Against these Christ warns us, that we may be constantly on our guard, lest with sugar-coated words and flattering religious expressions they mislead us, deceive us, by their cunning, and draw us to themselves, as He says in Matthew 7:15: 'Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.'"
Sermons of Martin Luther, III, p. 35.

"The world desires such wolf preaching, and is not worthy of anything better since it will not hear nor respect Christ. Hence it is that there are so few true Christians and faithful preachers, always outnumbered by the members of the false church."
Sermons of Martin Luther, III, p. 385.
"For nothing can feed or give life to the soul, which is not the doctrine of Christ. Although the hireling does not himself slay and destroy he does not restrain the wolf. Therefore, because you neither point out nor teach this shepherd, you shall not and ought not to be heard, but you shall be shunned as a wolf."
Sermons of Martin Luther, III, p. 58f.

"Thus too, if our confidence is to begin, and we become strengthened and comforted, we must well learn the voice of our Shepherd, and let all other voices go, who only lead us astray, and chase and drive us hither and thither. We must hear and grasp only that article which presents Christ to us in the most friendly and comforting manner possible. So that we can say with all confidence: My Lord Jesus Christ is truly the only Shepherd, and I, alas, the lost sheep, which has strayed into the wilderness, and I am anxious and fearful, and would gladly be good, and have a gracious God and peace of conscience, but here I am told that He is as anxious for me as I am for Him."
Sermons of Martin Luther, IV, p. 86.

"No work is so evil that it can damn a man, and no work is so good that it can save a man; but faith alone saves us, and unbelief damns us. The fact that someone falls into adultery does not damn him. Rather the adultery indicates that he has fallen from faith. This damns him; otherwise adultery would be impossible for him. So, then, nothing makes a good tree except faith."
What Luther Says, An Anthology, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 475. Matthew 7:15-23.

"They [the false teachers] fared like a man who looks through a colored glass. Put before such a man whatever color you please, he sees no other color than that of the glass. The fault is not that the right color is not put before him but that his glass is colored differently, as the word of Is. 6:9 puts it: You will see, he says, and yet you will not see it."
Martin Luther, What Luther Says, 1959, II, p. 644.

"You cannot of a truth be for true doctrine without being unalterably opposed to false doctrine. There can be no 'positive theology' where the God-given negatives have been eliminated from the Decalog."
Norman A. Madson, Preaching to Preachers, Mankato: Lutheran Synod Book Company, 1952 Preface.

"Every departure from God's Word, every error, is dangerous to the soul. There is a fearful, diabolical power in error; for every error is the devil's work, and through fellowship with error a person puts himself under the influence of the devil. Here human reason is helpless."
Francis Pieper, The Difference between Orthodox and Heterodox Churches, and Supplement, Coos Bay, Oregon: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1981, p. 42.

"Even the history of the world shows how great is the power of the devil's kingdom. The world is full of blasphemies against God and of wicked opinions, and the devil keeps entangled in these bands those who are wise and righteous [many hypocrites who appear holy] in the sight of the world. In other persons grosser vices manifest themselves. But since Christ was given to us to remove both these sins and these punishments, and to destroy the kingdom of the devil, sin and death,it will not be possible to recognize the benefits of Christ unless we understand our evils. For this reason our preachers have diligently taught concerning these subjects, and have delivered nothing that is new, but have set forth Holy Scriptures and the judgments of the holy Fathers."
Apology Augsburg Confession, Article II: Of Original Sin, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 119. Tappert, p.

Spoiling the Egyptians, Part XVIII

Highly trained (in Enthusiasm) WELS Pastor Ski has no trouble with aping Mark Driscoll. Ski and Bishop Katie have spent $250,000 trying to channel the heretic from Seattle. They even took highly trained (in Enthusiasm) WELS Pastor Tim Glende with them to the Seattle conference. And the four of them worshiped with the Babtists at Andy Stanley's Northpoint conference - along with a bunch of other, unnamed WELS pastors.

Mark Driscoll sermons - download or CD.

Finkelsteinery Sumary of the WELS Convention

Here is the link.

Below is my copy of his post:

Friday, July 31, 2009

Thoughts and Highlights from the 2009

WELS Convention

The 60th Biennial Convention of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), convened Monday, July 27, adjourned today, Friday, July 31. It was held at Michigan Lutheran Seminary (MLS) in Saginaw, MI. I figured that I would offer some thoughts regarding what I think are highlights of the week:

* Full Funding of Ministerial Education and Missions
It was reported on Wednesday that the Floor Committee on Finance had developed a Budget Option C, retaining full funding of both Missions and all four Ministerial Schools, and would be presenting that to the Convention, Thursday. I quote from an observer:

I am more than happy that the floor committee on finance kept the full funding of the four ministerial education schools and the full funding of world and home missions, both with some minor exceptions in both. The delegate of the finance committee with whom I was in contact agreed well in advance of the convention that the complete ministerial education and mission budget had to be retained to the exclusion of all else. Now I just hope it passes on Thursday.

Indeed, on Thursday morning, after hours of debate, the resolution to accept Option C, which sought, instead of Options A and B, to target cuts in administration, travel, and in areas that could be most easily replaced once funding became available, passed. One commenter in the budget debate stated it well (and I paraphrase): "If we lose MLS, have no illusions, we will never get it back again. The cost is too great." A prep-school is not easily replaced. The message sent by the Convention was clear: Let's have no more talk of closing schools.

* Synod-wide Theological Study
Given evidence of declining theological acumen among the laity, and an apparent growth in disunity in doctrine and practice as a result, the Ad Hoc Commission recommended a Synod-wide study of Theology, to address both Doctrine and Practice. The Ad Hoc floor committee presented a resolution to accept this recommendation, and it was passed by the Convention. This study will come directly from the Seminary to the congregations. Suggested studies over the next four years includes:

1. Efficacy of the Means of Grace (not methods)
2. Vocation, Church, and Ministry (i.e., everyone is not a minister in the context of the congregation, but are ministers in the context of Vocation)
3. Care of Souls (Church Discipline, dealing with error in the congregation)
4. The Sacramental Life (not just the Gospel in the Word, but the Gospel in the Sacraments)

As background, this resolution seems to follow from the January meeting of the CoP, to charge the Ad Hoc commission to study these issues, as follows:

5.D.03 Establishment of "non-traditional" ("new style") congregations. We feel that the underpinnings of this "non-traditional" type of worship cannot be ignored. We also feel that the issue is extremely complex and will take great care to be careful to walk the "narrow Lutheran road" between legalism and ignoring and failing to admonish where practices are contrary to or a danger to the principles of gospel proclamation and the efficacy of the means of grace. We move that an ad hoc committee be convened that can study and address this issue and produce a study document that can be shared with circuits and also congregations for study and careful evaluation of practices in worship, sacraments, outreach, organization, music selection, etc. Motion carried.

* Board for Parish Services "restructuring"
Also on Thursday, the Board for Parish Services was reduced from Board status to Council status, now reporting to the Council of Presidents (CoP). It is no longer an official area of ministry in WELS.

This is a good thing. The BPS had been a real and growing concern among Confessionals in WELS, as it had been staffed over the years principally by known Church Growth advocates, had designated itself as the Board having "primary responsibility for carrying out the goals of the Synod's Mission-Objectives-Vision Statement" (according to Manthey's Fifteen Years under the MOV), and in the execution of this responsibility, had, since the early 1990's, been associated with the dissemination of CGM materials directly to WELS congregations and had directly advised WELS congregations according to CGM principles. In addition, there is currently a strong connection between the former BPS Administrators and the controversial group "Church & Change".

Constitutionally and organizationally speaking, this resolution brought the functions of the former BPS under the jurisdiction of the District Presidents, who are responsible for Doctrine and Practice in their own districts, making the new Council of Parish Services accountable to the District Presidents for the materials and advice they disseminate to the congregations. In addition (as I understand it), this resolution strips authority from the CPS to issue Divine Calls to Administrators (consultants) who serve it, placing that responsibility where it belongs, with the CoP.

As one elated commenter on Ichabod put it:

Perish Services has been totally decimated. Rather than a Board with an Administrator and a Chairman and decision making power, with many sub-boards and sub-administrators, Perish Services now consists of only 3 sub-administrators who report to the Conference of Presidents and are called by the CoP.

President Schroeder slapped them down for trying to go around his authority and destroyed them and their support of the CG movement. Now there's not much left of Perish Services, and what is left can't do a thing without the CoP knowing about it.

Indeed, the BPS advocates complained bitterly during deliberation, especially regarding the loss of power they would suffer by being made a Council, and changes were made to accommodate their reasonable and pragmatic appeals. But in the end, the intent of the Ad Hoc committee, which recommended elimination of BPS, was honored by the Convention.

* President Schroeder Wallops the Church Growth Movement
On Monday morning, setting the tone of the Convention, Synod President Mark Schroeder issued his report. The first 42 minutes, or so, were directed specifically at the Church Growth Movement (CGM) in our midst, along with Contemporary Worship (without naming these things or naming individuals), emphasizing Scripture and the Confessions, and of maintaining a unified Lutheran Identity under them. He delivers a blister-boiling spanking to advocates of CGM. IMHO, his report (at least the first 42 minutes) is well worth a congregational study. Rick, another WELS layman who maintains a blog called Light from Light, offers an excellent summary of SP Schroeder's address. So rather than duplicate his work, I'll send you to his blog (above), while providing the embedded video, below:

The text of President Schroeder's report can be downloaded, here.


* Professor Brenner Continues the Walloping...
If you enjoyed SP Schroeder's Report on Monday, you'll certainly enjoy Professor Brenner's Convention Essay, Christ's Love: The efficacy and power of the Means of Grace, that was given Tuesday morning (click this link to view his presentation). It was the first of two Convention Essays covering the Synod theme, Christ's Love, Our Calling. The undercurrent of this entire Convention, from the standpoint of its execution, very strongly seems to address the errors of CGM, which have been creeping in over the past three decades. Following Schroeder's rather direct walloping of CGM positions on Monday, Brenner continues this walloping in his Essay. Here are some brief summary notes:

The text of Professor Brenner's essay can be downloaded, here.

o The Holy Spirit does not work immediately, but mediately, that is, through Means.
o No one will be saved apart from the use of the external Word -- the Word spoken or read.
o The preaching of the Gospel and administration of the Sacraments are the only Means through which one can come to faith and remain in faith.
o The Means are always and exclusively efficacious, even though the Holy Spirit may be resisted, whether we see evidence of their working or not. This is how God works, mediately. When God works immediately (i.e., Creation of the World), He cannot be resisted.
o Sometimes the proclamation of God's Word leads to visible decline in numbers. Examples: Elijah's flight (he thought he was the only one left) and Jesus' abandonment by all but the Twelve as a result of his hard teaching. Sometimes the proclamation of the Word brings about dramatic increase. Example: Pentecost, and the Baptism of 3000 in one day. Faithfulness to the Word of God, and maintaining the centrality of the Means of Grace, not an increase in number, is the measure of success for Lutherans.

This gets us about halfway through the Essay. Thesis 8 of Brenner's Essay begins at about 44 min:

o The Means of Grace cannot be made to be more effective by anything that we do (including outreach programs, contemporary worship, blah blah, etc.)
o In a culture of American pragmatism, where Advertising, Marketing, and Business Models are seen to be the means to success, Christians are tempted to think that the Gospel is a product to sell, rather than a powerful message to be proclaimed. Sectarians confuse these methods with means.
o "Does it work?" is not the question a Lutheran asks regarding methods.
o The Means of Grace work supernaturally, but not magically. The Word must be correctly handled, the Sacraments rightly administered. This requires training.

Finally, after the Essay, from the Q&A section, at about 88min, listen particularly to the final two questions:

o What do you say about selling a specific culture of the congregation in order get visitors, in order that they may hear the Word and benefit from the Means of Grace? Answer: Advertising to inform the community where you're located is one thing, other than that, we are not selling anything!
o Likewise, the last question/statement by Rev. John Bucholz: When faithful Word and Sacrament congregations struggle to grow in the face of sectarian neighbors whose numbers seem to skyrocket, we are tempted to ask, "What are they doing?" Don't. The Means, and only the Means, are central.



* Rev. Jonathan Schroeder raises even more Blisters...
Finally, on Wednesday morning, Rev. Jonathan Schroeder, a known and vocal advocate of Confessional Worship in the WELS, presented his Essay: Our Calling: Christian Vocation and the Ministry of the Gospel. This was a fabulous essay, and I supply my copius notes, from the video presentation, below:

The text of Rev. Jonathan Schroeder's essay can be downloaded, here (for part one) and here (for part two).


Our Calling before God (to be His Child):
o Calling is not about what we do, but about what God gives us.
o Our Calling comes through Means
o Lutherans rely on the Means of Grace in our Outreach and "Inreach" because the Word and Sacraments are the only tools that the Holy Spirit has given His Church to open the heart of man.
o No program or method or personality can work faith in sinful man's heart. Only the Holy Spirit through the Gospel can do this.
o The Call is Universal and Efficacious
o Only the Call, which is issued only through His Means, induces a response [not methods].

Our Calling before the World (to be His Mask) -- the "Doctrine of Vocation":
(Summary)
The false teaching of works-righteousness in the Roman Church taught that those who devote their lives to Good Works in the name of the Church are by definition closer to God. And those who do Good Works beyond those expected of every Christian must be even better. Sacred life was better life, in God's eyes, that Secular life. At the time of the Reformation, only Monks, Nuns, and Priests had "Vocation" or "Calling." The Roman Church taught falsely that their lives were more Godly and therefore more valuable.

[Note: We see this teaching at work today in the false ideas used to coerce "programs," or to compare individuals and congregations by "Outreach" or relative involvement: i.e., certainly, folks who give themselves to such service are more Godly...]

But this is not Lutheran. In returning the biblical Doctrine of Justification to the Church, the question of how man becomes righteous before God also changed the meaning of Vocation. Only the righteousness of Christ makes us righteous before God. Thus, being saved by Grace Alone, man's Vocation is a Calling to a life of Sanctification within his Divinely assigned sphere of life. There is no need to be dedicated to a life of Sacred Service before God in the Church (i.e., in modern Evangelical terms, no need to quit your job and start a Ministry in order to serve God better). As St. Paul says, "stay in the Calling in which you were called." All Vocations are equal in God's eyes. All are Priests. All have a Calling. All have been Called. All are Called to Good Works before the World in the context of Vocation, not to get to heaven, but because that is where they are going.

o Questions regarding purpose and dignity (i.e., referring to "Purpose Driven" drivel) exist because of a lack of Calling (i.e., Vocation is not being taught, so the false teachings of "purpose-driven-ism" take its place). Life without God has no purpose (meaning that the man without God must go find purpose, and that those who are compelled to go find it, are not fully resting in His objective promises...). But with God, all of Life has purpose -- the same purpose.

Our Calling for the World (to be His Church):
o The Church is a Chosen People, a body of Priests and Kings. The calling or purpose of the Church is to declare the praises of Him Who called them out of darkness into His wonderful light; that is, to Herald or to "publish abroad" the excellence of His achievements. God's intent is that through the Church His manifold wisdom should be made known unto the world.
o The Church is the mouth of God (in distinction to individual Christians, who are the mask of God in their Vocation).
o Through the Church and the Office of the Holy Ministry, God deigned to let humanity participate in His plan of Salvation.
o Our Calling (or "purpose") as a Synod is no different than that of the Church:
To Keep the Word (pure) for the World
To Share the Word with the World-or-
to extend and conserve the True doctrine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
o We cannot do one at the expense of the other; we cannot do one and leave the other undone. We keep the Word that we might share it, we share the Word that others may join us in preserving it. They feed each other.

This gets us to about minute 56, where direct application to WELS really begins with the Muelhauser story:

o Muelhauser had serious outreach credibility, having preached his way across Europe, suffered persecution, was imprisoned, and yet continued preaching, and was eventually sent to the New World in the name of the Gospel.
o Such is, indeed, our heritage and part of our culture in WELS.
o But this is not our priority: a motto of Outreach over everything misses the dual directives in the Church's Calling.
o While Muelhauser certainly thought of himself as a Lutheran, he did not think of his Confession as binding on him or his Church (Lutheran CGM advocates seem to think the same thing). His fault is not that he prioritized that sharing of the Word, but that he did so at the expense of Doctrine. [Muelhauser was a Pietist, and a willing Unionist, who "saw the Confessions as nothing but paper fences"]. Bading and Hoenecke corrected this, subsequently leading the WELS into Confessionalism.
o Early on, because of Muelhauser's unionism and heterodoxy, Bading approached the Missouri Synod regarding membership with them instead, but was encourage by them to stay in the WELS, to raise the standard of Doctrine and Practice in our Synod. This is exactly what happened, as our dedication to Confessionalism, under the eventual leadership of Bading and Hoenecke, rose to that of Missions. Under Bading, Koehler, and Rheim, the Northwestern Conference of our Synod was responsible for the establishment and growth of Confessionalism in our Synod [hence, the names "Northwestern College" and "Northwestern Lutheran." How interesting it is that these names were abandoned under the recent leadership of CGM advocates, in favor of names reflecting a "Muelhauserian Outreachiness"...].
o Most significantly, this turn to Confessional Lutheranism meant that the Synod would cease unionistic practrices with the Reformed [while "Muelhauserian Outreachiness" would have us worship with Andy Stanley and join groups like the Willow Creek Association (Search page for Lutheran) or the PurposeDrivenChurch (choose WELS as Denomination)].
o The reason we are a Confessional Lutheran Church Body is because our Calling as the Church of God is "to go and make disciples of all nations, by baptizing and teaching them to obey everything he has commanded us." Mission zeal for going does not give license to fail to teach.
o The early Synod sought to establish Schools because they realized that as Confessional Lutherans they needed more than just workers for the harvest field, they needed Confessional Lutheran workers. A new commitment to being a Confessional Lutheran church led them to eventually abandon the German Mission Societies that provided workers, Gratis, for a system that would cost the Synod a great deal of money, but would provide the right kind for workers for the mission field.
o The outside attacks calling attention to the motley character of the Synod's clergy in their practice gave emphasis to the project of establishing a ministerial education program. The Synod's growing commitment to the Confessions engendered a commitment to Ministerial Education. Confessional commitment means commitment to training Confessional Lutheran workers because our calling to both share the Word and keep the Word. They needed to be approved to rightly handle the Word of Truth.
o The experience of "Going and Growing" (a recent CGM slogan in the WELS) taught our fathers the importance of a Ministerial Education system, that it was the best way to train those workers to fulfill both directives of the Church's Calling.
o The Church that goes to the entire World but does not teach everything God has commanded us, fails Jesus' litmus test for discipleship, "If you hold to my teachings you are really my disciples." Mission zeal without sound doctrine is mission work that is slowly loosing hold of the one tool that opens hearts. No methods, no programs, no people skills can convert sinful man, only the Word of God. Mission zeal without doctrine is destined to falter.

Listen to comments from Rev. John Bucholz from Tempe, Arizona @~80:30: "I really appreciated your thought ...how does God deal with us by His Holy Spirit through the Gospel? He slays us ...One way or the other He's either going to kill me eternally in Hell, or He is going to kill me in Baptism and raise me a new creature... [addressing a misunderstanding or misapplication of Vocation, Bucholz continues] When I say to somebody in my congregation, 'I'd like you to serve the Lord by serving on Church Council,' or 'I would like you to serve the Lord by mowing the lawn at Church,' or 'getting involved in the ministry of setting up chairs,' what I have really expressed is a flawed understanding of Christian Vocation. And I think that we need to be very careful that we don't fall into the trap of thinking that doing something 'churchy' or doing something at the congregation is serving the Lord, or that doing evangelism is serving the Lord, when in fact the mother changing a child's diaper or putting food on the table, or a man who goes to work, and works nine-to-five [Ja! If only!] to bring home the bacon for his family -- all of those things are an expression of the Vocation that we have been given. I think that we need to strengthen and reinforce that."

Blended Worship Goes with Bended Doctrine

Here is a websty from WELS people to promote blended worship.

"If you have favorite or best CCM songs for a WELS Blended Worship service, please email me the song title, author/artist, and lyrics so that I might add it to the songlist. Or you can add your Best CCM songs as a comment to this post."

Missouri "discovered" this years ago. The ELS apes it too - thus the monkey.

Yes, I played around with the word bended. I needed a sight rhyme.

Bishop Katie Returns from Echo #9

Leavin Dallas headed home. #echo09 has been great. Thanks to all who made it happen!about 15 hours ago from Tweetie

Great few days at #echo09 looking forward to taking it home & processing. Cant wait 4 next year.

Echo Conference.

Keynote speakers

Breakout speakers include Carlos Whittaker from Andy Stanley's Babtist Church - Northpoint.

[ GJ - My favorite apostate:]


Dave Harris
How to Build an Effective Brand

Most churches these days have adopted the “series” method of teaching which is a great way to communicate God’s word, however, it can be tough to essentially create a new brand every 4-6 weeks. We are going to discuss how to brand your church, teaching series, and events, or anything else that needs a brand in order to consistently communicate to your church and community. We will go through developing a teaching series from start to finish and also how to get your non visual pastor on board as well. Branding is a huge part of how we communicate as a church, so let’s learn from each other how to take on the responsibility of communicating God’s message to our communities.
About Dave Harris

Dave is the Creative Media Director of Student Ministries at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. He is also the founder and creator of Stuff I Can Use and co creator of Church Tech Talk. In addition to his day job, he has produced media for Igniter Media and Simply Youth Ministry. Dave has been married for 11 years to his beautiful wife Synthia and has a little girl, Madison.

Robert Barnes, English Martyr, Luther's Student

Robert Barnes studied under Luther, greatly influenced English theology, and died a martyr.

From Norman Teigen's Blog:

Robert Barnes was executed in 1540 in London during the rule of King Henry VIII. Poor Barnes, he didn't have a chance. Today's Treasury of Daily Prayer contains appropriate information and prayer for the occasion.

There is an abundance of good reading on the subject of Henry VIII and the Reformation in England. Henry is a giant of history.

I thought that readers of Norman's Demesne might be interested in reading about one of the statutes enacted by Henry, this one from 1539 and titled 'Statute of the Six Articles.' This was "an act abolishing diversity in opinions." The goal of the statute was for "the conservation of the Church in a true, sincere, and uniform doctrine of Christ's religion."

1. "that in the most blessed sacrament of the altar, by the strength and efficacy of Christ's mighty word, it being spoken by the priest, a present really, under the form of bread and wine, the natural body and blood of our Saviour Jesu Christ, conceived of the Virgin Mary, and that after the consecration there remaineth no substance of bread and wine, nor any other substance but the substance of Christ, God and man."

2. "Secondly, that communion in both kinds is not necessary ad salutem by the law of God to all persons. and that it is to be believed and not doubted of but that in the flesh under form of bread is the very blood, and with the blood under form of wine is the very flesh, as well as paart as though they were both together."

3. "Thirdly, that priests, after the order of priesthood received as afore, may not marry by the law of God."

4. "Fourthly, that vows of chastity or widowhood by man or woman made to God advisedly ought to be observed by the law of God, and that it exempteth them from other liberties of Christian people which without that they might enjoy."

5. Fifthly, that it is meet and necessary that private masses be continued and admitted in this the king's English Church and Congregation, as whereby good Christian people ordering themselves accordingly do receive both good and goodly consolations and benefits, and it is agreeable also to God's law."

6. "Sixthly, that auricular confession is expedient and necessary to be retained and continued, used, and frequented in the Church of God."

And what were the consequences for anyone who couldn't go along with this stuff?

"And be it further enacted . . . that if any person or persons . . . contemn or contemptuously refuse, deny, or abstain to be confessed at the time commonly accustomed within this realm and Church of England, or contemn or contemptuously refuse, deny, or abstain to receive the holy and blessed sacrament abovesaid at the time commonly used and accustomed for the same, that then every such offender . . . shall suffer such imprisonment and make such fine and ransom to the king our sovereign lord and his heirs as by his highness or by his or their council shall be ordered and adjudged in that behalf; and if any such offender . . . do eftsoons [i.e. again] . . . refyse . . . to be confessed or to be communicate . . . that then every such offence shall be deemed and adjudged felony, and the offender . . . shall suffer pains of death, and lose and forfeit all his . . . goods,lands, and tenements, as in cases of felony . . . ."

(source: 31 Henry VIII, c, 14; in Stephenson and Marcham, Sources of English Constitutional History, A Selection of Documents From A.D. 600 To the Present, Harpers, New York and London, 1937, p. 320)

WELS Convention Wrap

Office and Travel Expenses - Reduced

From WELS -

Some of the decisions made included:

1. passing a balanced budget for 2009-11;
   
2. changing the first vice president position to part-time;
   
3. electing Rev. James Huebner as first vice president, Rev. Joel Voss as second vice president, and Rev. Robert Pasbrig as secretary;
   
4. restructuring the Board for Parish Services and placing it under the Conference of Presidents; and encouraging continuing education for WELS called workers.
   
   
5. Delegates passed the $30 million budget—a budget cut from $38 million or 20 percent—after more than two hours of debate. The budget approved by the convention differs from two budget options brought to the convention by the Synodical Council (SC). The SC's options—and the convention-approved budget—all reflected $8 million in needed cuts across all areas of ministry. The SC was giving the convention the option of deciding whether $1 million of the cuts should come from missions or ministerial education. In the proposal approved by the convention, that $1 million comes from technology, financial services, communications, Parish Services, mission counselors, and travel.
   
   
6. Schroeder finds blessings even though cuts needed to be made. "We have confidence that God is going to get us through this," he says. "Whatever he has in store he is going to use it to bless his church."
   
   
7. This was Schroeder's first convention as WELS president. "The synod convention doesn't sound very exciting. It sounds just like a lot of reports and votes and motions and paper shuffling, but I would really wish that everyone in the synod could have been a part of this convention," he says. "It refocused our attention on both the reason for our joy and on the mission that we are privileged to carry out."

***

GJ - Let us not forget that Church and Chicanery will have two rallies in the next couple of months:

1. WELS Prayer Pietism Institute, August, at the seminary, with Bruce Becker leading the recovery effort.
2. Church and Change convention in November, with Bruce Becker (ex-head, Perish Services) leading the recovery effort. No, I am not repeating myself. The Chicaneries are repeating themselves. His topic in November is "Regaining Momentum." Stroh, from Perish Services, is speaking on the same topic.

I don't want you to get the idea from the speakers that Perish Services is run by Church and Change - or that Church and Change is run by Perish Services. That is simply a coincidence. Ha ha.

The Chicaneries have been dealt a body blow, but they will fight on. As I predicted, they closed ranks to get one of their own (Huebner) elected as First Veep, replacing Wayne Mueller, who quit in a huff. Mueller got into doctrinal trouble at Mequon, so his buddies invented a full-time job as the Administrator of Perish Services. Afterwards, Mueller was promoted to First Veep, but he considered himself SP until Mark Schroeder was elected. Thanks to the insights of Church Growth, which Mueller promoted covertly, WELS lost members faster than it lost money - while enjoying a deluge of loot from Thrivent and St. Marvin of Schwan.

SP Schroeder has proven himself a doctrinal leader in the midst of chaos. Fortunately, the second Great Depression is making it necessary to cut the fat from synodical overhead. Since that fat consisted of CG efforts like Airport (!), the surgery is welcome. As one member noted, his congregation puts out all communications by PDF, with only a few copies printed and distributed at church. Everyone's great-granny has email now, so why spend lavishly on printing?

Palpable disgust for Church Growth is another blessing in disguise for SP Schroeder. The sour looks about Church Growth--which VP Huebner noted with dismay so many years ago--are based upon the crafts and assaults of the movement. When I raised the issue with my first article about in in Christian News, around 1988, I was bombarded with letters from WELS pastors and laity thanking me.

Some of the more obvious reasons for Lutherans turning against Church Growthism:

1. Constant deceit. The Shrinkers never tell the truth, about themselves or anyone else. They pretend to have the purest motives while feathering their nests with synodical subsidies, Thrivent grants, and foundation loot.
   
2. Blended doctrine. The Shrinkers are Reformed, but they use their Yes, But rhetoric to start with Lutheran principles so they can insert Reformed conclusions into everything. Some examples are: VP Huebner, Waldo Werning Professor of Church Growth Larry Olson, Paul Calvin Kelm, Bruce Becker, Valleskey, Bivens, and Al Sorum.
   
3. Blended worship. The Shrinkers promote non-liturgical worship wherever possible, substituting blended worship as a half-way step toward Babtist-Pentecostal Sneaker Services.
   
4. Women's ordination. After assaulting clear Biblical principles about women teaching men and women usurping authority, the Shrinkers have moved on to promote women's ordination in various insidious ways. Note how many Shrinker experiments feature full-time women staff members.
   
5. Disappearing money. They are poor stewards of the big things (doctrine) and even worse stewards of the little things (money). The CORE leased a movie theater in the midst of WELS congregations, to promote Groeschel sermons and make $250,000 disappear in a few months. Rock N Roll asked the Antioch Foundation for $200,000 for a worship leader when they had two full-time staffers and attendance of 30. Parlow and Jeske never stop scrounging for grants while talking about how successful they are. Gunn began job-hunting as soon as outside money dried up.
   
6. Ashamed of the word Lutheran. Shrinkers eliminate the word Lutheran from everything they do, but they want Lutherans to support them unhesitatingly.