Monday, November 21, 2011

WELS Answer Man - Since the Director of Communications Is Out on Bail



Dear WELS Answer Man,

I want to know the levels of discipline in our beloved synod.


Dear Lamb,

I can understand your confusion. You never went to seminary and did not study Greek. I did both, so I will try to clarify the situation for you. Here are some sample levels of discipline.
  • Asking questions about justification and excessive fund-raising fees - excommunication, followed by a slander campaign.
  • Questioning an innovative and transforming ministry, even if it is copied verbatim from a Methodist - excommunication.
  • Pastoral adultery - promotion to mission counselor status. You would understand if you know how difficult the work was, but you didn't go to seminary.
  • Embezzling synod funds - another person is fired, just to scare the guilty ones. This is followed by a paid trip to Asia for the boss. We call it mission work in a real hell hole, to save face.
  • Downloading, viewing, and sharing homosexual pedophile photos/videos (too vile to describe) - we extend love, counseling, and forgiveness. "Mr. Hochmuth has been receiving pastoral care. As a Christian brother who has sinned, he has expressed repentance and has shown heartfelt remorse. He has been directed to the cross of Christ, where we pray that our gracious God will restore him with the assurance of full and free forgiveness for Jesus’ sake." SP Mark Schroeder.
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LutherRocks has left a new comment on your post "WELS Answer Man - Since the Director of Communicat...":

DIYGirl...yes, if there is remorse and repentance. Otherwise no forgiveness.
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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "WELS Answer Man - Since the Director of Communicat...":

Joe is correct. (W)ELS is wrong.

Luke 17:3-4, "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him."

Lutheran laity are suffering from Synod worship which is a nasty and progressive form of idolatry leading to the loss of all Christian discernment and in the end complete apostasy.
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GJ - SP Schroeder is anxious to restore the ex-Director of Communications. When other laity were excommunicated by Pastors Glende, Ski, Gurgel, and Patterson, there was no such assurance of forgiveness. It was more like, "There is nothing I can do."

The public already knows that somebody counseled Joel Hochmuth and his wife, but failed to notify law enforcement officials - a federal crime. The date is not known. I heard it was the WELS agency but I am not sure of that.

WELS pronounces grace without the Means of Grace, so it is not exactly shocking to find the sect condemning as unforgiven anyone who asks questions.

False prophets say "Peace, peace" where there is no peace.

Joel Hochmuth's interview of SP Schroeder is still on the WELS.net website.


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2009 WELS Conference - Walk This Way
National Campus Ministry Rally


Walking the Fine Line
Practical ideas on how to enjoy dating, and Scriptural supports the will to wait for marriage. Presented by Steven Cambrice
Walking and Talking
Christians strive to do at least two things at once. Come and grow in your personal witness. Presented by Joel Hochmuth