MLS Graduate Makes a Suggestion

Buckle your seatbelts.
It's going to be a bumpy ride.


twissted_sisster has left a new comment on your post "More on Frey's Resignation - From WELS Laity, Curr...":

I am a huge fan of Pres. Schroeder. I was estatic when he was elected to lead our synod. I had high hopes to see real progress on putting an end to the sanctioned apostasy. I've written him emails of support and he's expressed a bit of frustration. I don't know where or how we can help. Maybe a good start would be a several page article in the next issue of FIC, written by Pres. Schroeder himself, laying out what is actually going on in the synod and his efforts to put an end to it. He should name names so that everything is an open book. Let the chips fall where they may. You could respect the guy for doing something like that. The average joe sitting in the pew may not even know and may be shocked to learn what has been going on. It may wake up alot of folks.

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Last month's leading articles:

Bible Babes Jul 31, 2010, 3 comments 451 Pageviews

WELS and Mormonism Nov 30, 2007, 5 comments 212 Pageviews

MLS President Resigned Suddenly - Story Correction... Sep 17, 2010, 10 comments 208 Pageviews

WELS and Other Lutherans:The Differences Explained... Jun 3, 2010, 8 comments 171 Pageviews

Paul McCain's Time Out on ALPB Forum Sep 14, 2010, 2 comments 149 Pageviews

Remember What It Takes To Be Removed from the WELS Pastoral List

This has been used to get rid of WELS pastors:

• Criticizing reliance on AAL.
• Questioning the use of the NIV.
• Opposing the doctrine of the Church Growth Movement. 
• Disagreeing with an article written by a Daddy Warbucks.
• Tagging a public sidewalk, even though restitution was made immediately.
• Writing a letter about the error of "making disciples."

The following events or reasons did not keep someone from receiving another call, being promoted, or being put on the CRM list.

1. Murdering or helping to murder his wife.
2. Molesting girls in the congregation while serving as DP for two decades.
3. Teaching the Joy of Sex to minors in prep school.
4. Embezzlement from the congregation, school, or synod.
5. False doctrine.
6. Adultery.
7. Abandoning his wife and five children to run off - punished with an ELS call.
8. Attending Fuller Seminary and lying about it.
9. Obstruction of justice in a felony investigation.
10. DUI conviction.
11. Plagiarizing false doctrine. 
12. Copying Groeschel's sermons and graphics, deceiving people about the source, even though Groeschel himself advises against such dishonesty.

ELCA Practices Fellowship

Gnesio “It is the nature of all hypocrites and false prophets to create a conscience where there is none, and to cause conscience to disappear where it does exist.” - Martin Luther

Faithful follower Stan Olson promoted communion with the Reformed and recognition of the Lavender Mafia.
One thing cannot be tolerated, as the post below reveals:


ALPB Forum:

I recently shared a post about actions I heard that was being made in our synod's.  I apologize that I was emotionally responding to something I heard.  To those I misrepresented I apologize to the bishop and the dean.  I pray that before we post on these web sites we take time to clarify what we heard and keep our emotions in check.  I am sorry to those I offended.  Hence, I removed the original post.  I contacted the dean to ask for clarity on what actually was said.  He graciously sent me an email of his report.  I would like to share what was actually written.

"Concerning the relationship to clergy who have left the ELCA -  Such conversations have already been taking place in conferences.    It was agreed that deaneries and clusters are for ELCA rostered leaders and synodically authorized ministers only.  In other settings, like local ministerial associations or lectionary study groups, relationships may be similar to those of other denominations, which are part of that group.  We trust that those who have left the ELCA will find collegiality with partners in their church body.

Concerning clergy (Retired, On Leave from Call, Specialized Ministry) who may be asked to provide  Sunday supply for a congregation which has left the ELCA -  Please remember that such congregations have decided to join a new Lutheran church body and should find such persons in that body for Sunday supply.  It is not appropriate for ELCA clergy to serve in such circumstances.  If there are specific instances you feel require conversation, please contact the bishop.
 
Concerning persons who interfere in the life of a neighboring congregation -  It is inappropriate at an ELCA event (congregational or conference) to distribute information from other church bodies (e.g., LCMC/NALC/etc.) and encourage members to pursue leaving the ELCA.  This has happened mostly by laypersons who have attended a Bible study, fellowship event, etc., and who have brought written information to share.  The local pastor is encouraged to speak privately with such person/s to prevent such interference and invite such person/s to leave the event if the interference continues.

Again here is what actually was shared.  Thank you for reading this post.

***

GJ - Does anyone else see the hilarity of this information? ELCA is in fellowship with Rome (joint parish), all the Reformed sects, the liberal Baptists, and in a de facto merger with the Episcopal Church USA. Someone in the far out all religions lead to God UCC sect can also have a call in ELCA and vice versa. BUT - they are not in fellowship with anyone who has left ELCA. Those dreadful people have no business being anywhere near an ELCA gather of any type. Nor should they expect mercy for they deserve none.

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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "ELCA Practices Fellowship":

Pastor Jackson, I believe you are pointing out the hypocrisy in the fellowship actions of the ELCA and are not implying that fellowship should continue where confession of doctrine has divided them.

Correct me if I'm making the wrong assumption.

Doctrine has divided them and that division needs to be maintained fully while their confession of doctrine is opposed. Scripture isn't man's doctrine but God's. Certainly for ELCA it is merely removing the fly legs from the soup and leaving the rotting carcass basting. Nonetheless it's something to be considered by every member of the Lutheran [sic] denominations.

So far there hasn't been any WELS spittle the ELS wouldn't lick or imitate.

Just sayin'...

***

GJ - Yes, ELCA is hypocritical, but they do have standards. ELCA works with Missouri, WELS, and the ELS, too, but only on ELCA's terms. ELCA's problem is with those who have left, which proves that they really do care that so many are leaving, so much money is disappearing, and the come-outters are urging their ELCA brethren to join them.

I have read hints that a number of ELCA seminaries are in deep financial stress.

They Trust in Foundations, Daddy Warbucks, and Thrivent, Not in the Word of God

I expect nothing to happen among the Syn Conference partners. The leaders are committed to keeping the status quo, which means not offending the Daddy Warbucks while kissing up to the foundations and Thrivent.

Long-time readers will recall that the solution for Rock N Roll Lutheran Church in Round Rock, Texas (WELS), was a $200,000 grant to hire a worship leader. At one point, Rock N Roll had 30 people attending and two full-time staffers. Most people think the pastor is the worship leader, but Doebler probably had his hands full planning growth and listening to Kudu Don's hunting tales.

The Daddy Warbucks are consistent Enthusiasts. They always back Shrinker programs, in spite of the obvious false doctrine, laziness, and stupidity involved. Businessmen are experts in their own business but nothing more. However, the woebegone milkman in Fiddler on the Roof had it figured out in "If I Were a Rich Man."

The most important men in town would come to fawn on me!
They would ask me to advise them,
Like a Solomon the Wise.
"If you please, Reb Tevye..."
"Pardon me, Reb Tevye..."
Posing problems that would cross a rabbi's eyes!


And it won't make one bit of difference if I answer right or wrong.
When you're rich, they think you really know!

That is why the synods drift off into the pseudo-business lingo of the Shrinkers.

The synods do not trust that God will work through the Word. Therefore, anyone who rocks the boat is the enemy.

The ELS was furious, long ago, when I sent an article about Marvin Schwan to Christian News. In that article, Daddy IcecreamBucks bragged that he got rid of his first wife for $1 million and a Cadillac.

As I recall, Otten told me about how upset the ELS was about that article. I said, "It was not a secret. It was already in Forbes." He said something like this, "They say no one in the ELS reads Forbes."

The ELS did not want a harpoon in their whale, even if it came from Schwan in the first place. St. Marvin married the wife of one of his managers. Mrs. Schwan.2 became a Lutheran, but returned to Romanism when Marvin suddenly reached room temperature. That cluster of events probably sealed the ELS conviction that money is efficacious. Money converted Mrs. Schwan.2 to Lutheranism and unconverted her when the bulk of the fortune was left to his foundation.

Was the ELS furious that Floyd Stolzenburg was their new sugar-daddy, working with Thoughts of Faith to build a Ukraine parish building? Not at all. Someone got involved and won a matching grant from Schwan, to leverage the gift from Floyd's Masonic CG church. Sure, the female treasurer working for Floyd went to jail for embezzling, but that probably had nothing to do with the wonderful work they were doing with John Shep, Roger Kovaciny, and Jay Webber. To make an omelet, a few eggs must be broken.

The synods are so much in awe of their foundations, Daddy Warbucks, and Thrivent that they will throw everything away while the foundation of the Church--the Word--is abandoned.

Two Synods, One Organization - WELS

twissted_sisster has left a new comment on your post "More on Frey's Resignation - From WELS Laity, Curr...":

I am WELS and also a MLS grad. Scott, like you, I believe a split in the WELS is inevitable. I say the sooner the better. There are two different churches playing out and the time is coming when we will all have to make a choice. Even those people who don't know, don't care, or just have their heads in the sand will have to soon stand up and make that choice. The silence coming from Milwaukee makes me wonder where is our SP on these vital matters? I'm sure he's in the minority being a confessional Lutheran in the synod headquarters but he would surely gain alot of respect from the rank and file if he'd start cleaning house. Most people would back him for routing out those who would 'set at naught all He hath done.'

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erickel (http://erickel.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Sesame Street Goes Soft Core, In Spite of Katy Pe...":

Even Sesame Street practices higher moral standards than The CORE!

***

GJ - A clue about what is happening - all the DPs were re-elected. In WELS, a DP has to be convicted and sent to state prison, like DP Ed Werner, before he leaves office.

AnnMarie, the visiting theologian at Mary Lou College, thinks Islam is tolerant. No sect is more tolerant than WELS.

ELCA Today, Your Synod Tomorrow

Lutherans Love: God Does Not Hate!

WELCOME to LUTHERANS CONCERNED / LOS ANGELES:  A Christian Ministry for all sexual orientations and gender identities. Screening of "8: The Mormon Proposition" see below GOD DOES NOT HATE! This is the message the LGBT community wants to hear--the real message of the Gospel!  The Christian faith is a gift of love not hatred, joy not dread, hope not defeat. God is love! God hates no one, since God made us as we are! "Lutherans Love!"  If you are not familiar with Lutheran Christians, this one thing is most important to know:  we are not part of the "religious right."   We are people with deep faith in God's abiding love for all!  And we believe it is our mission to proclaim God's grace for all people including lesbian/ gay/ bisexual/transgender/ queer/ questioning people (and everyone else)!

How can I find a gracious God?  Where can I find a welcoming church?
We've been working with local Lutheran congregations for 25 years to identify places where LGBTQ people can feel safe and experience love without judgment or condemnation.  About 400 Lutheran churches nation-wide have joined the Reconciling in Christ program, which encourages and enables local churches to affirm their welcome publicly.
See:  Welcoming Congregations for complete listing of Reconciling congregations in the Los Angeles area.

What's new in Lutherans Concerned?
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2010 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Join us for the Annual Meeting of the LC/Los Angeles Chapter, at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, North Hollywood, beginning at 5:30 pm.  St. Matthew's is at 11031 Camarillo Street at the intersection with Vineland and Lankershim.  Light refreshments will be served.
Following the 90 minute meeting, the recent documentary film "8: The Mormon Proposition" will be screened.

If you have not yet seen this fascinating documentary hosted by Dustin Lance Black you MUST join us! And even if you have seen it you will want to see it again. The documentary exposes how the Mormon leadership deceitfully manipulated the voters of California into taking away marriage rights from same-sex couples. You will be shocked, you will be angered, and you will hopefully be compelled to fight the tyranny of this dangerous cult.

SYNOPSIS: Director Reed Cowan initially planned on making a documentary about gay teen homelessness and suicide in Utah but soon realized that the homophobia that prompts otherwise loving parents to kick teenagers out of their homes is deep-seated in current Mormon ideology. Cowan, with his fellow filmmakers, experienced first-hand what it was like to grow up gay in Utah in the Mormon faith, then turned their attention to the historic campaign by the Mormon Church to pass Proposition 8 in California believing that it was the cornerstone of an ideology that has worked for decades “to damage gay people and their causes.” The film is their emotional outcry to what they found. See the trailer at www.mormonproposition.com

On the NEWS pages, find these recent stories:

Pastor Anita Hill approved for admission to ELCA Clergy Roster
September 20 Annual Meeting
Also see: LC/LA at Outfest 2009

 Demonstrations against Proposition 8

Did you see us? Christopher Street West PRIDE Festival, June 13-14, 2009 in West Hollywood!

In recent years we have featured "My BIG FAT Gay Church Wedding" booth at the CSW Festival.  Hundreds of couples were photogeraphed in wedding outfits.

MONTHLY CHAPTER EVENT!! Lutherans Concerned/Los Angeles gathers every 3rd Sunday, 5:30 pm at Hollywood Lutheran Church, 1733 N. New Hampshire Avenue, Los Angeles, for worship, potluck and food for thought!  For map/directions, see: www.hollywoodlutheran.org/contact.html.  For more information, join our e-mail list! Lutherans Concerned/Los Angeles     Mail: 7336 Santa Monica Blvd. Box 749, Los Angeles, CA 90046-6616 Lutherans Concerned/Los Angeles is a Chapter of Lutherans Concerned/North America  - Since 1974.

All Time Favorite Posts - Since New Stats Began - Appleton Sweeps

Appleton owns the most-read post list since June.
Congratulations, Fox Valley, and Deputy Doug Englebrecht.
You worked hard for this achievement.
Take your bows and salute your Father Below.

WELS and Other Lutherans:The Differences Explained... Jun 3, 2010, 8 comments 941 Pageviews WELS - The CORE - Features Movies for Advent Dec 17, 2009, 24 comments 727 Pageviews Bible Babes Jul 31, 2010, 3 comments 478 Pageviews Craig Groeschel Fact Page Aug 2, 2010 405 Pageviews Introducing Chuck Swindoll Aug 10, 2010 389 Pageviews

Sweet Promoted by a Graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Better Known as The Sausage Factory

The Man of the Hour, Leonard Sweet, Methodist New Ager,
aging hippy slob.

Luther

From the latest newsletter from DP Wille: http://swd.lcms.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=izPfN4jS0XA%3d&tabid=3144

Wee Wille

Professional growth day teachers' conference Oct. 29, 2010 • 8 a.m-2 p.m. Lake Country Lutheran High • Hartland For teachers and administrators in the SWD and English District. Dr. Leonard Sweet will focus on education and learning in his and our Google world or better yet a "TGIF" world — Twitter, Google, iPhone, Facebook — as he defines our world today and in the future. The $35 registration cost includes lunch and break. Register online at swd.lcms.org/registration before Oct. 15.  Flyer (PDF)

More on Frey's Resignation - From WELS Laity, Current and Ex

How many pastors did Seifert remove from the ministry for criticizing Church Growth?
But suborning promiscuity makes a pastor CRM.



Diablo:

That Katie Perry is not even a good looking tramp. Sorry I do not see the thing about her. I guess Fox Valley does however.

I think there is something rotten in Denmark as they say about this whole Frey resignation. I think you are right in that MLS will close soon. I think Frey knew or knows and does not want to be the guy doing the dirty job of closing this school. I think the closing is very close and once announced enrollment will as you say drop like a lead balloon. WELS is out of money. I do not think folks are going to give anymore than they are, not only because of the economy, but what is going on in this synod.

WELS leaders think everybody is dumb as to what is going on. Well, as with what is going on in this country, folks have just about had it with the way WELS does things. So folks may not speak up but they will close the wallet and if all else fails hit the door. The SP needs to get tough and go after these C&C jerks or else resign himself. I do not care. Time to stand up or stand down.
The above comments you can most certainly print on Ichabod.

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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Fake-O-Bod Dodges the Islamic Question at Martin L...":

"What were the circumstances? That’s the thing, my friends. I can only serve the school by this resignation if I am able to take the reasons with me."

What a pathetic display of mental hand wringing meant to portray sincere angst while deceiving most people by kicking up as much silt as possible to muddy the water.

At this point, regardless of the reason he's leaving, it's quite clear he never should have been there in the first place since he cannot be honest. He clearly lacks the bone structure to speak clearly and truthfully much less stand erect.

Just another wonderful example of the deceptive characters the laity in the (W)ELS have entrusted, without question, with the care of their souls.

They love to talk about the Bereans and how iron sharpens iron but there is very little of either in the (W)ELS and of what there is they seem to be intent on salvaging the very institution that has committed itself to their destruction.

Can someone please post the last public statement Pres. Schroeder published which condemns the false teaching and practices that's running rampant through the Appleton district? I can't seem to find it.

(no wonder the Intrepids won't post my comments)

***

GJ - Mr. Frey has unfriended me. Sigh. DP Seifert and Frey agree that he is eligible for a call, which reminds me of the Tabor and Just cases. Pastor Tabor aided in murdering his wife but moved to a new call in Escanaba, where he served for a period of time. Al Just murdered his wife, but WELS defended him with a busload of supporters at his trial and VP Huebner's father testifying about Al's sterling character.

Given the record of Church and Change false teachers promoted and funded, but never canned, anyone would agree that Frey is eminently and immanently callable. All he did was express the WELS philosophy, honed--or rather dulled--by years of UOJ hyperbole. Fred Adrian's married vicar had an affair with a minor girl in Fred's earlier congregation, resulting in a very expensive lawsuit. Nevertheless, Adrian was pronounced callable by no less a personage the DP Seifert. More could be said on that score, but the deeds of Michigan get tedious, even if they would make a scandalous prime time reality show.

Question in doctrine class, led by MLS ex-president Frey: "How far can a minor go sexually, since many of us are as young as 14?" I used my own wording, since Frey is not providing a verbatim account.

President Frey: "As far as your conscience allows."

Encouraging children to add themselves to the sex  offenders list is not a good idea, from a litigation perspective - which is the only thing that matters to WELS. If it costs them money, they are not pleased. However, they are willing to forget in a few years. Al Just is innocent, although he was convicted and also confessed. Tabor was never convicted, so he must be innocent. Only his mistress was guilty.

Criminal behavior, even among clergy, is expensive. After enough time has elapsed, the innocent may still help pay the bills. Many more simply flee the evildoers. Why bother to argue with people so bent on self-destruction? They will not listen to law enforcement. They resent the insurance people clamping down on their forgiven-in-advance style of excuses. The corrupt leadership says, "Sit down with them" and "Write letters to them." Once that is done, the same leaders get even. Sitting down with them or writing a letter is the equivalent of a signed confession of sin. Such people must be expelled to keep Holy Mother Synod running smoothly.

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More from Aaron Frey's blog, suggesting his ex-employers would like him to zip it, immediately:

Aaron Frey (11:26:15) :

Actually, college-aged WELS-ian, I can and I must. God called me to serve a lot of people at MLS, and there are many whom I served by respecting their privacy and keeping information that only I needed to know about them safe. I will continue to serve them in that way.

I think you’ll feel better if you re-read the Large Catechism, especially Dr. Luther’s comments on the Eighth Commandment. I have committed no great, public sin that has to be covered up. There are just the unnecessary conjectures and false accusations that have been made since my resignation.

And I’m afraid I don’t understand the reference to Scott Jungen. Did he mention something of importance I should be aware of on a website or something?

Reply

23092010

Joel (13:57:21) :

I hope that your online experience will help to wake up some people in our circles who slobber after a certain para-Lutheran blogger. They hang on his every word because he supports certain opinions they have about the synod. His behavior here shows that he has no love of the gospel. He only wants to spread as many negative rumors about the “higher ups” in the synod that he can. I hope that his treatment of you will get them to see his true nature as a vengeful rumormonger.

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grumpy has left a new comment on your post "More on Frey's Resignation - From WELS Laity, Curr...":

Off the record,
On the QT,
And VERY Hush-Hush...

So, Doc Jackson, what is it....resignation because you don't want to be the Captain of the Titanic, or resignation because you don't want to be forced out because of contributing to the delinquency of minors?

Gentle readers, I think NEITHER is the solution to THIS mystery. Doesn't make sense...

If a sinking ship, what has changed so dramatically for MLS in less than 10 months?

MLS has such a strong backing in WELS that it will, in all likelihood, outlast most of the readers and writers of this blog.

If granting young ones' libidos free reign, why no mass postings on Facebook, Myspace, various blogs, etc.

Watergate could not be covered up by a somewhat competent government (competent compared to today anyway...)...can we believe silence would rule in this case? Surely the class that heard this, as well as the rest of the student body, would twitter, tweet and squawk all over the WEB by now.

Hep cats and cool kitties, I think we are being played by both those story lines.

Off the record,
On the QT,
And VERY Hush-Hush...

***
GJ - Frey has managed to make things even worse with his public no-comment comments and his labored explanations and self-absolution, called by Nixonians a modified limited hang-out.

I verified what happened. The anonymous thug at Fake-O-Bod demands to know my sources. So he can picture them and name them eating cat excrement from a toilet bowl? That is the Church and Change method of honoring the Eighth Commandment, also translated as - WHO TOLD YOU?

Then genius of WELS lying - there are always two or more stories to digest: one is true, one is false, and others are variations and blends. Getting to the true story is a sin against Holy Mother Synod, aka, the Holy Spirit. Unforgivable.

Sesame Street Goes Soft Core, In Spite of Katy Perry's Special Relationship with The CORE

Our masks are slipping.

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Katy Perry: Way too 'adult' for 'Sesame Street'?
September 23, 2010 | 10:18 am

Perry

All the toddlers who brought out their best daisy dukes for Katy Perry's "Sesame Street" premiere are gonna be so cranky.

Thursday morning, the PBS children's show announced that a scheduled appearance by Perry, queen of the most inappropriate whipped-cream bra ever, had been canceled. On Monday, a clip of Perry wearing a sweetheart-cut dress, singing a G-rated version of her hit "Hot N Cold" and begging to "play" with Elmo, was leaked on the Web. Parents, outraged by Perry's C-cup-accentuating dress, immediately protested. "You're going to have to rename [Sesame Street] Cleavage Avenue," wrote one commenter, while another simply joked, "My kid wants milk now."

What Changed?

Contributed by _______ and not by me.

bruce-church (http://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "What Changed?":

Yes, but those are the professors who around 1961 said there is no special office of the ministry, but just ministry, period. So the ushers are involved in the ministry. What that can lead to is an anything goes mentality, such as in the Methodist Church they have "893 fresh expressions of church," like "Messy Church":

New figures reveal changing shape of Methodist Church

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/new.figures.reveal.changing.shape.of.methodist.church/26773.htm

excerpt: The report identified 893 fresh expressions of church, with café churches, Messy Church and cell groups being among the most popular.

Resist the Beginnings, Part 37

The ordination of an ELCA lesbian pastor was recently legitimized by ELCA after years of fake discipline.

Ah yes, for years the LCA had their clown services and jazz worship scenarios, balloons on the altar, the whole gamut--from A to B--of despising the Means of Grace.

This photo illustrates the truth of Lenski's statement - "Resist the beginnings." In the background is an older pastor who thought he knew was he was supporting by vesting and marching with the whole disco-loving crowd. Click on the photo for a close-up of his shocked face. Compare his shock to the grinning of the nearby pastor.

At graduations, various schools, the counseling students always show up with glitter and sprinkle it around the stage while receiving their diplomas. "They're all insane," I whisper helpfully to nearby faculty.

Notice also the children's wand being waved. Officiants should not purchase their liturgical supplies in the children's department of Ben Franklin.

Tim Glende, the clown prince of Appleton, stages a hissy fit on his blog every time I point out the obvious about the rotting, stinking zone of WELS called Fox Valley. Glende is comfortable with it, since he grew up with Floyd Luther Stolzenburg running Columbus WELS under a cover of lies. The ELS is also at peace with the apostasy. They were nodding off 20+ years ago, even when furnished with evidence, and they are still comatose today.

The fake outrage is something used to bully people into accepting the deplorable. I have seen it used in many venues.

I do not hear directly from the Groeschel salesmen. Using OpenID and the map stopped it, especially when I identified a comment coming from Appleton, from a Mac computer, the type used by The SORE.

I do hear from outraged WELS members and pastors. They appreciate a forum where they can express their views without being attacked. If you want a taste of the bullying thuggery used by Church and Change, visit Glende's blog and examine his anger, bitterness, and doctrinal ignorance.

Some will think that the magic fairy sprinkles and wand will never appear at a WELS service where a lesbian is ordained.

No one imagined it in the LCA, a few years ago.

Fake-O-Bod Dodges the Islamic Question at Martin Luther College

Do the various synod leaders wonder why people are fleeing the abuse?
Do WELS or ELS pastors ever admit doctrinal error?
They can go "as far as their conscience allows," as Rev. Frey advises,
which is no problem for DP Seifert.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010

Former Fired MLS Pres. Aaron Frey Writes on Facebook about Greg Jackson

Aaron Fry wrote the following on Facebook Sept. 21, 2010. It is obvious he is writing about Dr. Gregory Jackson and his Ichabod, the Glory Has Departed blog--
Like a fool still holding out hope for a man I used to respect long ago, I did check a very inflammatory anti-WELS blog just before sharing this. I know the issue of which he speaks, we've already addressed it in class and leaving for that ...reason would not be for the good of MLS. It would be lying. I only comment on it for the sake of the students who might be hurt by his unhelpful and injurious blogging habits. If he was (sic) correct, I would have had to resign for cause of heresy. It's hard to believe even now that he is so quick to believe a rumor just so that he can have a more sensational accusation, but now that he has attacked me directly without any knowledge and without a word to me, I don't know how else to take it.

***

GJ - Aaron Frey and Tim Glende - you attack me all the time without a word.

I am reporting news and offering my seasoned opinion. I feel sorry for the school and for Aaron's family, but I know the Good Ol' Boys network will take care of Aaron.

I asked six people about what happened at MLS. The story did not match the facts associated with the story. I could name the pastors who did not answer me at all. One was active on Facebook at the time. I sent him an IM. No response. Others were in a position to know. No response. Two responded with the facts.

Aaron knows Tim Glende from MLS. Frey is hardly alone in knowing who writes the fake blog.

Here is one flimsy excuse on Frey's blog. He has the qualities of a future DP. The words quoted above on Fake-O-Bod are not on Facebook. Perhaps Aaron listened to sage advice from the synod's lawyer and erased them. Glende erases his blog posts every so often and runs away, only to appear again.

I will post Aaron's slippery comments, which will impress no one and clarify nothing. Apparently they decided to jettison the burnout excuse, which is not a good start for a new job search.

The latest excuses are:

Marge, I made the decision to resign from MLS for the good of the ministry. I didn't do anything to disqualify myself (you know, no tragic, public sin or heresy and such--that would be "for cause") and it wasn't for personal reasons (health, couldn't handle it, wife or family couldn't handle it). The circumstances were unique and unforeseeable, and letting the Lord find someone else to continue in my office clearly became the most beneficial thing for the ministry at MLS and for the largest number of people. I was happy to serve the Lord and MLS by taking the office and, although it was much harder than taking the office in the first place, I was happy to serve the Lord and MLS by resigning, too. The joy of the once-in-a-lifetime chance of serving in the office will, nonetheless, be a loss that I will mourn greatly, and for this we request your prayers. (Facebook)


From his blog:

Reasons I Didn’t Resign

21092010

Brothers and sisters in Christ, especially my family at Michigan Lutheran Seminary-

I can’t say it’s been a surprise, but it’s certainly been an experience listening to friends and families share their conjectures with me. Sometimes it’s what they’ve heard from others and sometimes what they’ve personally thought. I wanted to put up this post to try to ease some tensions and to try not to lose the value of my resigning for the good of the ministry.

We have a few terms in our circles for describing different kinds of resignations. A resignation for cause is the one that I think people fear the most. Resignation for cause means that a called worker has done something sinful that disqualifies them from serving. A clear-cut example would be teaching heresy. Other more complicated issues would be getting caught in some big, public sin like adultery or embezzlement. The distinguishing mark of resignation for cause is the repentance that everyone will be hoping for. The forgiveness the resigned called worker receives is the same forgiveness we all receive—complete and unconditionally paid for by the blood of Christ. However, the called worker still must leave their post because leaders in the church are held to a higher standard than those who serve as members. “Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap” (1 Timothy 3:2-4,7). There is the possibility that the called worker might return under some circumstances, but the reputation requirements do make it difficult.

A called worker may also resign for personal reasons. Due to circumstances in his life, he cannot do the work. Perhaps his health is failing. Perhaps his family can’t handle the pressures of the ministry at this point in their lives. Perhaps it is an issue in which his wife needs extra attention so that he does not feel he is able to offer due attention to his work. These things could certainly be addressed in a way that allowed a return to the ministry if the the worker desired it.

There are some circumstances that are much more difficult to parse. There is no great, public sin. Inability to serve is not the issue. As a leader the called worker has a decision to make in a difficult situation and reaches the conclusion that the best thing for the ministry of the gospel in general and the ministry of the calling body in particular is that he simply step away, confident that the Lord of the church will provide another worker to take his place.

That’s where I am. I came here to offer myself in whatever service the school needed most. I can’t say that I thought this was the service my alma mater would need most from me, but I’m confident that is the very best service I could offer under these very unexpected circumstances.

What were the circumstances? That’s the thing, my friends. I can only serve the school by this resignation if I am able to take the reasons with me. I can only tell you why I didn’t resign. Did my marriage need intensive counseling? I’m happy to take the free counseling that the synod offers to help us deal with the upcoming transition, but I could have gotten that without resigning through the Member Assistance Program that operates right out of the school, too. Plus, that would be a resignation for personal reasons. Does it have to do with my hospitalization last spring? That’s an interesting coincidence, but that issue has been corrected (and, again, that would be personal reasons). Did I do something wrong? I do plenty, but nothing to disqualify me from serving in the ministry. Last but not least, is there something going on in the synod that a poor, naive parish pastor couldn’t handle looking at and so he had to walk away? Brothers and sisters, walking away from that wouldn’t be for the good of the ministry, would it? Of course not. There’s plenty I’d still like to work on in the ministerial education system and in the synod, too, and, quite frankly, I wanted to keep working on those issues as the president of MLS and as a delegate to the 2011 convention (I was up next for the first time in my ministry). Those things were hard to give up.

It was very hard to decide that it was better for the ministry to leave than to stay. I would not have imagined a situation happening where my service was better in resigning rather than in staying and working on the issues I had been most concerned about. Nonetheless, the situation occurred. If you can come up with it by guessing at what happened, then you’re smarter than I am—a possibility I certainly concede. However, this post is as much as I can ever say in terms of confirming or denying whether or not you actually came up with the right situation. Otherwise my service in resignation becomes useless and the school is not served by it. Seeing as I’ve already seen the positive effects of my resignation in action, I’m definitely not going to say more than I have. It’s the hardest service I’ve ever performed, but it’s still a service to the Lord, and I can still honestly say that there is joy in it.

So thank you for your concerns and prayers. I still have my CRM status, which means that I am still eligible to preach and receive a call. But I will be looking for a job while my family heals from this. We will be mourning the joy of serving at MLS. Will I go back to the ministry? I’d like to, but I want to be sure of my family’s feelings first. Resignations like this are rare but still possible, no matter where you serve. I can tell them how unlikely a similar situation would be, but first I want to make sure that it won’t sound to them something like talking about the rarity of a plane crash to someone who has just survived one.

[end of blog smokescreen]

Thanks again for your support and prayers, and God bless you all with the peace that comes from knowing that the omnipotent Father in heaven was more willing to let his perfectly faithful Son die innocently for our sins rather than see us die in them—and especially with the peace of his victory over our death.

Your brother in Christ,

Aaron

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GJ - We all know Glende is hysterical about anyone going to Notre Dame, but he is silent about AnnMarie, the female theologian from Notre Dame, the Muslim apologist speaking at Mary Lou College.

Mrs. Ichabod just said, "He is only opposed to you going to Notre Dame." Ah, that is it.

Frey and Glende try to wrap themselves in the mantle of WELS sentiment, trying to claim Ichabod is an anti-WELS blog. (That is bad, automatical in WELS, like being anti-American.) Their reading comprehension is as limited as their grammar.

This blog was planned as a discussion about apostasy. If I see it in any given denomination, I discuss it, with extensive research and links provided. That has always inflamed the WELSians Pietists. They do not want their false doctrine to be quoted.

MLS is the red-headed kid no one wants to acknowledge. Frey has done the synod a favor by moving the school faster toward closing. Frey's resignation after a few month's work proves something was wrong, just like Glende's assistant asking for a new call after only a few weeks in the Promised Land of Church and Change, Driscoll and Groeschel.

Since WELS leaders are so bad at lying, they should start telling the truth and apologizing for the harm they have done.

Watch MLS enrollment plummet.

British Church Mouse and Islam.Driscoll, A WELS Favorite

Church Mouse knows about Eurabia.


churchmousec (http://churchmousec.wordpress.com/) has left a new comment on your post "WELS' Yankee Stadium Moment: The Wrong Message abo...":

Thank you so much, Dr Jackson, for this succinct yet informative post on Islam.

To anyone reading this post, please circulate, discuss the facts therein with your family, ensuring that your children are aware of them. Also, please read some reliable books (pre-1970s) about the Crusades. The subject has been generally absent from history books in schools and, where it is present, has been a revisionist study for many years.

All best wishes from the UK
Churchmouse

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churchmousec (http://churchmousec.wordpress.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Willowcreek's Little Chapel - Turning Your Ministe...":

Two words for what's going on here: 'itching ears'!

Every time I see Mark Driscoll's name, I get queasy. This is someone who has had no qualms about speculating on Jesus's metabolic functions in front of an audience. He makes light of them ... very bad, indeed:

http://thechristianworldview.com/tcwblog/archives/1640

'Mark had fun with the question whether or not Jesus went “potty.” ... What was the congregation’s response? They laughed.'

What more can one say? There is a LOT more at the link.

Churchmouse

Guess who studied under Driscoll in Seattle? Ski, Glende, and Bishop Katie.