Breaking News - Aderman Is Back in His Parish and Doing a Ten-Article Series in Forward in Christ

If you kiss enough frogs, they sometimes kiss back.
"When was the last time you kissed a frog?...'Lifestyle Evangelism and Follow-up,' a Navigator video seminar for the church, makes a solid case for Christian frog kissing as a way of life."
James A. Aderman, The Evangelism Life Line (WELS), Summer, 1986 p. 2.

News flash

Church Shrinker Jim Aderman, recently "retired" after shrinking Fairview in half, has just announced his "unretirement" (even though the DP had announced publicly before the whole district last month that Aderman had retired). He was able to bring in enough supporters for another congregational meeting which asked him to come back. After "much prayerful deliberation" on his "call" he immediately accepted. And immediately after that Fairvew shrunk by another half dozen or so families, with no doubt more to follow.

So if we thought we were done with Aderman, we were fooled. Not only that. I just opened the August issue of FIC to see that it features the first article of a ten-article series by Aderman on the Ten Commandments. And once again a major Shrinker gets major billing in the FIC.

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Leadership (Past and Present)
Pastor, Trinity Lutheran, Englewood, FL
Member, Board for Parish Services, South Atlantic District
Director of Development, Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee
Chairman, WELS Lutherans for Life-metro-Milwaukee
Pastor, Siloah Lutheran Church, Milwaukee
Member and chairman, Board of Directors, Wisconsin Lutheran High School
Pastor, Fairview Lutheran Church, Milwaukee
Founding member and vice chairman, Board of Directors, Calvary Academy, Milwaukee
Coordinator, WELS Southeastern Wisconsin District, Adult Discipleship Commission
Member and vice chairman, Church and Change
Chairman, Urban Pastors' Conference, Milwaukee
Circuit Pastor, Barnabas Circuit, Milwaukee

Author
Face the Facts, Northwestern Publishing House
Elijah, Northwestern Publishing House
Esther, Northwestern Publishing House
Editor, YouTHINK
Founding editor-in-chief, LivingBold (LivingBold.net)
Contributing editor, Forward in Christ magazine
Author for Partners magazine, WELS Leadership magazine, Forward in Christ magazine

Education
Bachelor of Arts, Northwestern College
Master of Divinity, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
Master of Journalism, Marquette University
Certificate of Website Design, University of Wisconsin-School of Continuing Education
Master of Practical Theology, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (in progress)

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GJ - Dost thou doubt FIC being the Xerox room for Church and Chicanery? I knew it when Latte Lutheran Church (Randy Hunter) was featured in a glowing article.

If I were getting a subscription to the magazine, group or single, I would mail every copy back, addressed to the Synod President, giving reasons why. Canceled subscriptions would be a good message too.

Readers have been paying money to support Chicanery leaders, and the publication gives credence to Chicanery views copied from Fuller, Willow Creek, Granger, Drive, Exponential, and that space cadet Leonard Sweet (Kelm's guy).

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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Breaking News - Aderman Is Back in His Parish and ...":

Once again the pastor is not held accountable for his actions. I wonder what guilt trip was laid on the congregation to take back Jim Aderman as pastor. Almost certainly it was rationalized as a face saving measure for WELS while Fairview members needed to be humbled. The pastor must reign supreme even if useless and remiss in his duties.

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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Do You Really Think Your Recycled Slime Is Dauntin...":

>>If anything good will come out of this though, perhaps now more and more people can see just how wretched and dangerous the Church & Changers are--stopping at nothing to destroy anyone who would dare oppose their demonic teachings.<<

Actually the C&Cers are control freaks who get off on subjugating others.

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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Breaking News - Aderman Is Back in His Parish and ...":

Mark my words. Fairview will lose half of the remaining members due to taking Jim Aderman back as pastor.

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DK, with fervor has left a new comment on your post "Breaking News - Aderman Is Back in His Parish and ...":

What, besides promoting Enthusiasm broadly as possible in the WELS, has Aderman done?, specific to Fairview?

Maybe I'm unaware of where to look, but after having searched Ichabod I was unable to find any information. (besides promoting Enthusiasm broadly as possible throught the WELS.)

Fairview has been a smoldering bed of Enthusiastic coals for 10 years at least. I went there in 1999, a period when I was being led down that path; Fairview was one of the 'hip' places.

So what has happened? Have the members at Fairview had an awakening of their consciences? Has someone been actively fighting Enthusiasm in Fairview? What Catalyst for the shift from pro-Aderman to anti-Aderman?

I for one would appreciate it if an anonymous poster (Fairview member?)would give Ichabodians the scoop.

I hope Pastor Jackson doesn't mind if I speak for all Ichabodians when I say that all conservative Lutherans here on Ichabod would like to extend warm and hearty encouragement to individuals who may be standing up to false teachers and errorists--take heart that though your plans may seem frustrated, God promises persecution to the faithful, and that through persecution you will be purified.

I encourage all Ichabodians to pray for those--at Fairview and many other places--who in spite of risk of being shunned, excommunicated, lynched, and otherwise defamed, continue to fight the good fight, bearing true witness to the truth, purity and Efficacy of the Holy Word of God.

God's Blessings!

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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Breaking News - Aderman Is Back in His Parish and ...":

As a failed kamikaze pastor, Jim Aderman gets another chance to finish off Fairview. WELS leaders must feel like they are wonderfully forgiving.

Denominations Explained

1. The micro-minis loathe the bigger micros and long to be like them and have their money.
   
   
2. The Little Sect on the Prairie loathes the WELS and longs to be like them and have their money.
   
   
3. The Wisconsin Sect loathes the Missouri Synod and longs to be like them and have their money.
   
   
4. The ELCA only loathes the conservative Lutherans, while longing to be like the Church of Rome and have their money.

Kinder Kirche - Another Great Babtist Idea

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GJ - The CORE should try Kafe Kirche in A-town, which enjoys a German heritage. Someone told me CORE is attending another expensive Schwaermer conference - about $380 per.

WELS Kitteh Laments

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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "WELS Kitteh Laments":

"Why didn't my pastor offer a lecture series on the Confessions?"

WELS Tomkitteh: Maybe your pastor was busy getting ready to do Rick Warren's (Saddleback Church's) 40 Days of Purpose like the WELS congregation in Plymouth, MN did a couple of yrs ago. You can go there and feast on their 'blended' service on Sunday, too.

Do You Really Think Your Recycled Slime Is Daunting?

Erin Joy loved her swing. She acknowledged her baptismal grace, her faith in Christ many different ways.

Bethany was born a few months before I was accepted at Notre Dame. She poured out love for everyone.

Our daughters Bethany and Erin died of neurological degeneration. Mrs. Ichabod has something similar, but a lite version. She also has severe heart problems, diabetes, and cartilage loss.

A few ignorant people think recycled slime from their Shrinker friends will daunt me. The opposite is true.

Their source, Paul Kuske, left such a foul odor behind him wherever he went that his fellow pastors voted him out of office. (Ditto - Wayne Mueller) Robert Mueller, another CG thug, quit before being soundly defeated. Gerry Schroer, who also carried water for the Enthusiasts, did not stay in office.

Paul Kuske was suggested for the Shrinker's Spiritual Renewal Project in WELS, but DP Nitz told me about stopping it. Nitz made some phone calls and Kuske was blackballed. (Wait a few seconds for the denials to roll in.)

More importantly, lying and going against the Word of God are both fatal. I realize that the Shrinkers think the Word is dead unless they freshen it up with rock music, marketing, and espresso. However, God's opinion--which I value more--is just the opposite.

Three Shrinker clergy have already marked themselves with eternal death by becoming atheists.

WELS has committed institutional suicide by devoting itself to false doctrine and persecuting sound doctrine. My opinion does not matter. The facts speak for themselves.

I am glad the Chicaneries are using a few ignorant louts to channel their bilge. That allows everyone see that the Shrinkers have not changed in method since they slandered a dead pastor by calling him "brain-damaged" for saying the same things I published. Corky's essay is posted on the left for everyone to read.

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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Do You Really Think Your Recycled Slime Is Dauntin...":

Luke 6:45, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."

Matthew 12, 33-36, "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."

I was disgusted when I read the vile post on the imitation Ichabod 'is' site. The 'letter' was pure propaganda from a black demonic heart which tried to use the dear little children and their sickness and early death as a tool to attack Pastor Jackson. The 'team' of editors who manage that blog are, in my opinion, the authors of that same letter due to it's clear bent, similar terms and grammar and inarticulate wording (ie. "common wisdom"). And even if they are not the authors they posted the letter because it fit their objective and are accountable. They've since removed it as they have with other postings which show what their heart is made of.

It should make those in the WELS stop and consider what and who they are in fellowship with.

That site is spoken of by Christ, John 16:1-4, "These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them."

In Christ,
Brett Meyer

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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Do You Really Think Your Recycled Slime Is Dauntin...":

When I read that trash on the Fake Ichabod site I couldn't believe it. It was absolutely sickening to think that my fellow WELS members (and likely fellow WELS pastors) could stoop to such a horrifying level. To use a man's dear daughters against him in a piece of shameless propaganda is simply evil.

Greg, I'd like to apologize to you on behalf of WELS members and pastors for the terrible thing that was done to you on the other site. I too have lost a child and know how I would have reacted if someone tried to use my child's death against me. You have handled it with far more grace and patience than I would be able to muster.

If anything good will come out of this though, perhaps now more and more people can see just how wretched and dangerous the Church & Changers are--stopping at nothing to destroy anyone who would dare oppose their demonic teachings.

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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Do You Really Think Your Recycled Slime Is Dauntin...":

When I was in college, I came across Pastor Jackson's old website, on which he detailed the secrets of GA at the seminary. I was naturally concerned and talked to a professor at the seminary who told me to ignore everything that Greg wrote because "he went insane after his daughters died".

Well, my first year at the seminary, I soon found out that every single thing that Pastor Jackson said about GA was absolutely true, and that every single thing that the seminary professor told me was an absolute lie.

So, I can assure you, Pastor Jackson is absolutely sane. I'm not sure I can say the same about the seminary professor.

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DK has left a new comment on your post "Do You Really Think Your Recycled Slime Is Dauntin...":

Anon 12:10

Stop being anonymous. Also please publish that professor's name. It would do you and him some good to put his name out there. If you're willing to call a Sem Prof. a liar (and I don't doubt that you're being truthful) then you oughta say it to his face. Opposed to what the C&Cers claim, this is not breaking the eighth commandment. When that man took a 'Divine Call' (Public Ministry) he opened himself up to higher standard and or higher level of criticism.

You'll be helping other laymen disseminate between truth and falsehood of those they supposedly can trust.

thanks

DK

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rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "Do You Really Think Your Recycled Slime Is Dauntin...":

This proves that the C&C/CGM/enthusiast group in the WELS is getting desperate. They cannot defend their actions and could never back them up from the Word. Over at Bailing Water, Rick Johnson took a cheap shot at Dr. Jackson. Needless to say, that opened up the floodgates. After GJ went for the jugular, the other bloggers began tag teaming him. It is unfortunate that we must all be so firm. This is much more than personal. Defending the proper doctrine ultimately prevents others from being led astray.

I recently found my copy of Angel Joy, from its first printing. Having a child that is handicapped, has special needs or is terminally ill can bring much hardship. Because of our Lord's providential and often hidden hand, it is difficult to understand what it is all about. There is great blessing in it. It bestows wisdom and tenacity which cannot be obtained easily by other means. You also develop a sense of courage that rivals that of soldiers in wartime.

In the oddest twist of all, it often exposes the rats and other vermin who would stoop so low as to use blessing against you.

Divorced Clergy in the Pulpit - The Unspoken Shift

Someone asked about the unrecognized shift in keeping divorced clergy in the pulpit. One mainline clergy database had to stop naming the spouse of the minister listed because the name changes came in so fast.

The case is easily made that divorced clergy should leave the ministry and no longer be listed as pastors. That policy was not debated - even in the liberal denominations a few decades ago. The history of that policy goes back to the pastoral epistles - husband of one wife - and the Old Testament: "I hate divorce."

In WELS, when someone is loses his call for one reason or another, he is automatically off the roster and must beg to get on again. I believe Missouri is similar, with CRM status meaning Can't Recall the Minister.

When I was in Columbus, three of the six clergy were divorced, and all three were Shrinkers. Of course, one was a pseudo-pastor and not a WELS member, but no one seemed to notice.

The new thinking on divorced pastors is now just as strong in WELS, the ELS, and Missouri as it is in the Methodist Church and ELCA.

This is doubly corrupting for all concerned. The man who gets divorced and stays in the ministry is the best liar--"Scriptural divorce!"--or best buddies with the District Pope. A convenient escape hatch is to promote the divorced man to headquarters when he paints himself into a corner with his own actions.

Someone argued years ago that political conservatives lost their credibility when they began divorcing their wives and marrying their mistresses. The same is true for conservative Lutherans, laity and clergy alike. When Marvin Schwan left his wife and married the wife of his manager, pastors said, "It was a Scriptural divorce."

I asked, "Is that like a Scriptural murder?"

The simplest solution is to follow the Word of God. Lenski observed from his years of serving as a district president - that men who are unreliable with the Word are unreliable in other ways as well.

I would not make someone denied custody of his own children the leader of WELS youth. I would not put his second wife on a LWMS board. I would not let him parade around as a pastor until he bought himself another job.

"The peacock is an image of heretics and fanatical spirits. For on the order of the peacock they, too, show themselves and strut about in their gifts, which never are outstanding. But if they could see their feet, that is the foundation of their doctrine, they would be stricken with terror, lower their crests, and humble themselves. To be sure, they, too, suffer from jealousy, because they cannot bear honest and true teachers. They want to be the whole show and want to put up with no one next to them. And they are immeasurably envious, as peacocks are. Finally, they have a raucous and unpleasant voice, that is, their doctrine is bitter and sad for afflicted and godly minds; for it casts consciences down more than it lifts them up and strengthens them."
Martin Luther, What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, II, p. 642.

"There is a false, ungodly, carnal zeal that does not come from God and is not produced by the Holy Spirit, but is rooted either in animosity against those who teach a different doctrine or in the selfish thought that a display zeal will bring the minister honor, at least in certain congregations, or in fanaticism. In the days of Christ, what zeal in the discharge of their office do we behold in the high priests, elders, scribes, and Pharisees who opposed Christ!"
C. F. W. Walther, The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel, trans., W. H. T. Dau, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1928, p. 380.

VP-in-Waiting Jim Huebner Thought Stolzenburg Was Being Persecuted

Fuller-trained Jim Huebner came to Columbus at the instigation of Rich Krause--who was earning his union DMin under the supervision of Larry Olson. Huebner, like all the WELS officials, considered Floyd a victim of persecution.

Why did Doctrinal Pussycat Robert Mueller, VP Kuske, and the Michigan District pastors do nothing about Stolzenburg? The Columbus pastors almost had a cow when I suggested showing some friendship to Rev. Steve Archer, who was the legitimate called pastor at Emmanuel before Floyd got hired for a year to replace him. Floyd failed to tell his buddies on the Michigan District praesidium that he only had a provisional job for a year. It is ironic when liars are startled by lies from a brother wolf.

All this happened before the Bill Clinton scandals and the Roman Catholic Church priestly debacle. So, was I surprised about the cover-ups with either one? Not at all.

Step One
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg was forced to resign, for cause, from the LCMS ministerium and from his call at Salem in Florissant, Missouri. 1984.
Source: the District President who forced the resignation and preached for Floyd the next day. Other details were added by: Dr. J. A. O. Preus; Pastor Herman Otten; Floyd's assistant pastor; and a conservative LCMS pastor in Milwaukee.

Separation agreement, July 24, 1986. Floyd Luther Stolzenburg and Jane Dorothy Stolzenburg. Sole care, custody and control of the minor children given to Jane.

Lawsuit filed by Alvin E. Wendt, plaintiff, against Reverend Floyd Stolzenburg, 243 S. Stanwood Road, Bexley, Ohio, 43209; Salem Lutheran Church, 5180 Parker Road, Florissant, Missouri, 63033; The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, Misouri, 63122. FS left Salem Dec 15, 1984 "19. Stolzenburg continues to hold an improper influence over Plaintiff's wife through Stolzenburg's affirmative acts of writing letters, sending gifts, and making phone calls to Vicki Wendt." p. 3.
In the Circuit Court of the County of St. Louis, Missouri.

Step Two

Floyd was promoting the Church Growth Movement at St. Paul, German Village, Columbus.

"IT'S COLOSSAL! IT'S GIGANTIC! IT'S SPECTACULAR! A PERSONAL NOTE FROM
WM. J. BRITTON, RE: CHURCH GROWTH SEMINAR, FEB. 24-25, 1985. Registration is
347! We prayed for response - the Lord gave it to us!...Win Arn says, 'We are
not here to make you work harder, but only to help you work smarter.'"
CG Conference, attended by St. Paul, Columbus, members and pastor.

46 from St. Paul's attended the Win Arn Church Growth seminar, including Floyd Stolzenburg, George Skestos, Vicar Mike Nitz, etc. March and April, 1985.

Stolzenburg Taught Church Growth at St. Paul, German Village.

"WELCOME TO CHURCH GROWTH. Our study is designed to help all of us gain a new perspective of what God has always had in mind for His Church. Church Growth is not new." Floyd L. Stolzenburg, "What the Bible Says about CHURCH GROWTH," Taught at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ohio p. 1.

"We have discovered that the Early Church was an institution that unknowingly saw its world through Church Growth eyes. We have some benefits they did not have in that we can look back today and analyze their successes and failures."
Floyd L. Stolzenburg, "Church Growth - the Acts of the Apostles," Taught at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ohio. [GJ - Doctrinal question: When did the Word of God ever fail? Floyd failed this question at a meeting and WELS kept him as a pseudo-pastor in his pseudo-pastoral position.]

"As you read, pick out the principles of Church Growth in this "FOCUS ON A GREAT CHURCH" (Acts 11:19-30)...11:26 tells us this studies the Word 'in great numbers.' How can we improve our numbers?"
Floyd L. Stolzenburg, "Church Growth - the Acts of the Apostles," Taught at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ohio January, 1986.

Step Three

Stolzenburg started looking for grants, because no church would hire him and no school system would let him work.

"He has served as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Charles, Missouri and Senior Pastor of Salem Lutheran Church in Florissant, Missouri...He is trained in the Bethel Bible Series, Church Growth program and Dialogue Evangelism. As a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Columbus, he now seeks a different form of Christian service, outside the pastoral office."
Floyd L. Stolzenburg, "The Homewood Church Enrichment Program."

"People Person: Have been recognized as a counselor and mediator. Brought harmony to what was once described as 'the most troubled Lutheran church in America. Personal: Born, December 6, 1941, Columbus. Married, three children. Spiritual gifts: Exhortation, teaching, administration and evangelism. Floyd Luther Stolzenburg 2904 Maryland Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43209-1157 614-235-5200.

Lutheran Parish Resources

"In the autumn of 1985 and the winter of 1985-1986, a truly momentous step was taken by the five Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) congregations in the metropolitan area of Columbus, Ohio. The five pastors and lay representatives of those churches organized and incorporated Lutheran Parish Resources, Inc., the first Church Growth institute in the WELS." David G. Peters, "Lutheran Parish Resources: Pilot Program in Church Growth," Mequon: Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, April 27, 1987 p. 1.

"Lutheran Parish Resources, Inc. (LPR) is dedicated to the concepts of the Church Growth movement only insofar as they agree with the Scriptures and as taught by the WELS--that is, Church Growth with Lutheran theology rather than Evangelical, and without the typical Church Growth emphasis on quantitative measurement of growth. Kent R. Hunter's definition of 'Church Growth' justifies the use of this term in describing LPR: 'Church Growth: That science which investigates the nature, function and health of Christian churches as they relate specifically to the effective implementation of God's commission to make disciples of all peoples (Matt. 28:19). Church Growth is simultaneously a theological conviction and an applied science,....' Foundations for Church Growth, p. 187.
David G. Peters, "Lutheran Parish Resources: Pilot Program in Church Growth," Mequon: Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, April 27, 1987 p. 1.

"CHURCH GROWTH. This program was basically the beginning of L.P.R. at St. Paul's. Certainly a church growth consciousness exists in all of the congregations which was not there four years ago. It is also evident that most of the congregations are not really willing to make church growth a major priority of their ministry. Some new people who visit our churches are turned off by the comments of church members. It would seem that many members will 'tolerate' growth if it does not upset the church's traditions."
Floyd Stolzenburg, Consultant's Annual Report, 1-12-89 Lutheran Parish Resources. [GJ - Kuske denied that LPR had anything to do with Church Growth. In Sheepshead, that is called mollering, but in WELS, it is called Muellering.]

"...Your share of Floyd's accommodations..." [Floyd Stolzenburg leading the Buckeye Circuit LWMS retreat]
Buckeye Circuit LWMS December 10, 1989.

"Most pastors and members do not seem willing to pay the price for growth and new life."
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Consultant's Annual Report, 1-12-89 Lutheran Parish Resources

"The area L.W.M.S. annual retreat has been created and led by L.P.R. General successes in this area have been very positive."
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Consultant's Annual Report, 1-12-89 Lutheran Parish Resources.

"There is a strong feeling of strength in tradition. Even non-doctrinal issues bring fear to the membership and an unwillingness on the part of staff to 'buck the system.' In a church that opposes other groups who trust in traditions, are we raising 'We've always done it that way' to the level of Scripture? Is it possible for our faith to be exciting and still be traditional?"
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Consultant's Annual Report, 1-12-89 Lutheran Parish Resources.

"In the doctrinal sense, the word 'fellowship' may have hindered some growth by the fear of new techniques and ministries. There seems to be an openness to new programs but also a fear that such new ideas may destroy some facets of the doctrine of church fellowship. Will that inevitably happen?"
Floyd Stolzenburg, Consultant's Annual Report, 1-12-89 Lutheran Parish Resources.

Pilgrim Community Church

"A major part of LPR involvement currently centers around assistance with Beautiful Savior's establishment of a new experimental mission on the west side. Named 'Pilgrim Community Church' by the committee from Grove City, the new congregation will maintain solid Lutheran doctrine without an up front emphasis on the Lutheran name. All materials identify sponsorship by Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church." [note: in very, very small print] On the same page, artwork for the area Reformation service at St. Paul's: "STANDING WHERE LUTHER STOOD"
LPR UPDATE October, 1989.

"L.P.R. is due to play a major role in the West Side Mission." [Pilgrim Community Church]
Floyd Stolzenburg, Consultant's Annual Report, 1-12-89 Lutheran Parish Resources

"Initial services will be less formal than our traditional worship services. LPR Director Roger Zehms has been requested by Beautiful Savior to serve as pastor of the new mission with Floyd Stolzenburg serving as evangelist and music consultant. Please include this new approach project in your prayers."
LPR UPDATE October, 1989. [GJ - I prayed all the time about Pilgrim, and my prayers were answered when three (3) people showed up for worship there.]

"Mr. Floyd Stolzenburg will serve under Rev Zehms providing such services as are appropriate for a person who is not 'CRM.' As a layperson Mr. Stolzenburg can under appropriate supervision do anything that a layman in your congregation can. -- We also reject any inference that Pastor Zehms will not be able to stand up to pressure from Mr. Stolzenburg, or from the donor who provides the funds for LPR. -- We also question the procedure in which the reason for Mr. Stolzenburg's resignation has been broadcast, even though the issues had been addressed by LPR." [GJ - Not true. People were told Floyd had a Scriptural divorce, that the divorce was the fault of his first wife.]
Pastor Paul Kuske Letter to the Ohio Conference Pilgrim Community Church, sponsored from Grove City by Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church Fall Conference, Gibsonia, 1989

"The administrative committee has applied to Lutheran Parish Resources for the services of Rev Roger Zehms. This application is the equivalent of a (limited) call. The committee has also applied for the services of Mr. Floyd Stolzenburg to act in a supportive role in the mission. Both of these applications have been approved."
Pastor Paul Kuske Letter to the Ohio Conference Pilgrim Community Church, sponsored from Grove City by Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church Fall Conference, Gibsonia, 1989

“I think it was the last letter I wrote you in which I said 'It would be a disaster if you left the ministerium of the synod.' I retract the entire letter. I have owed you great debts in the past. I consider them all discharged by the times I have protected you from the consequences of your own bad decisions. I'm not going to run interference anymore. Suffer your own consequences hereafter. Speaking of consequences, I have never heard, or heard of, one of our brethren getting a public reprimand in writing such as the one Kuske gave. I wonder who Kuske was talking about." [The reference is to Kuske's remarks supporting Floyd Stolzenburg and Pilgrim Community Church.]
Pastor Roger Kovaciny, Letter to Gregory Jackson, October 17, 1989.

"Are pastor's (sic) bound by the 8th Commandment? LPR knew about Floyd's background from the beginning. What right did Pastor Jackson have to assume that we were being duped? What right did Pastor Jackson have to investigate, without even asking people at LPR about their knowledge? What right did Pastor Jackson have spreading this investigative information to the young pastors of the Ohio Conference? What right did he have to spread it to the DMB?"

[GJ - I was not told the truth about Floyd being removed from the LCMS ministerium, neither by Paul Kuske, who led the call meeting at Shepherd of Peace, nor by Wally Oelhafen, who discussed the call with me. The mission counselor and others were told that Floyd had a Scriptural divorce. Pastors are supposed to protect their congregations from wolves, but the truth makes enemies, as Walther has said in Law and Gospel.]
Paul Kuske, Letter to Michigan District Mission Board, April 21, 1990 p. 8.

Kuske and Schumann Helped Floyd Get Himself Another Church

"I would also convey to you that I will continue to commune lodge members as long as I feel assured that they know and believe that their salvation is by faith." "Please feel free to contact Pastors Kuske or Schumann or come and hear for yourself."
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg Letter to Emmanuel, 9-20-91, Lutheran Parish Resources letterhead "Serving the congregations of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod"

"The church has not wavered from its theology: The Bible is the inerrant word of God, and everything in it is to be taken literally. Stolzenburg's theology is uncompromising. 'What is written in the Bible stands.'" [GJ - hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!]
Sylvia Brooks, South Side Lutheran Church Goes Its Own Way, Columbus Dispatch, August, 9, 1998 p. 2C.

"Consultant, Lutheran Parish Resources, Inc., Columbus, Ohio, 1985-1991, as a consultant for this program, I worked with the training of pastors and lay people for effective ministry in leadership skills, Sunday School organization and teaching, youth ministry, outreach, stewardship and care ministry. I continue to work with supervision of some of these programs. Senior Pastor, Salem Lutheran Church and School, Florissant, Missouri, 1976-1985. (nothing said about being removed from the ministry) Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church and School, St. Charles, Missouri, 1968-1976. Floyd Luther Stolzenburg 2904 Maryland Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43209-1157 614-235-5200.

ELS Happy To Be in Fellowship with Stolzenburg

"Pastor Kovaciny, obviously excited about the possibilities, has agreed that the new church would be named Emmanuel Lutheran and would have a picture of the 'mother church' prominently displayed in the new building." Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ohio #899 for August, 1999 1500 South Third Street Columbus, Ohio 43207 $50,000 to be raised

"In the midst of all the positive, exciting things Pastor Kovaciny had to say about the mission work being done in the Ukraine, he constantly mentioned the most pressing problem, a lack of space...As he spoke to us about the many needs, he mentioned the possibility of building achurch of the approximate square footage of our sanctuary (though not nearly as elaborate) for $50,000...Pastor Kovaciny, obviously excited about the possibility, has agreed that the new church would be named Emmanuel Lutheran and would have a picture of the 'mother church' prominently displayed in the new building."
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, "From the Mission Committee, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Kremnetz, Ukraine, Emmanuel Lutheran Church #899, August, 1999 1500 South Third Street, Columbus, Ohio 43207-1000

"About Missions" c. Thoughts of Faith through the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, d. St. Sophia Lutheran Seminary-Ukraine
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Cornerstone Emmanuel Lutheran Church Columbus, Ohio August, 1996

"Pastor Kovaciny, in an effort to respond to our request, sent a copy of the third quarter treasurer's report of the Ukrainian congregation, signed by the treasurer and written in his own hand. We thought you might enjoy seeing it! You should be aware that our budget offering goes to pay for Pastor Kovaciny's salary and expenses through 'Thoughts of Faith,' the radio ministry which has been bringing the Gospel to the Ukraine for many years...." Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Cornerstone, Emmanuel Lutheran Church Columbus, Ohio January, 1995.

"EMMANUEL SAVES BIBLE SCHOOL! A SPECIAL MESSAGE was just received from Pastor Kovaciny to let us know that Emmanuel's Mission offerings have rescued their Bible School this summer!...[Pastor Kovaciny] writes to tell us about it. 'As we looked forward to an even more successful program this coming summer, we were told by our sponsoring organization that our Bible School budget had been cut by $8,000. It seems that some people in charge believe that we have been too successful and they need to put their funds toward programs in other areas which are lagging behind.' (Pastor Kovaciny)"
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Cornerstone Emmanuel Lutheran Church Columbus, Ohio June 1998.

"From the Mission Committee...Good News from the Ukraine Reproduced at the bottom of this page is the masthead from the Ukrainian Lutheran, which has now been published by our mission in Ukraine for two years and grows in circulation with each issue." Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Cornerstone Emmanuel Lutheran Church Columbus, Ohio November 1996

"All designated funds for Thoughts of Faith are spent on the program for which they are designated by the donor. Funds not designated by the donor are used to pay for administrative expenses. Thoughts of Faith would like to thank our congregation for our support towards this important work in spreading the gospel throughout the world." Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Cornerstone, Emmanuel Lutheran Church Columbus, Ohio November, 1995 Recording secretary, Christine E. Scheiderer; treasurer, Charlotte Proctor. Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Cornerstone, Emmanuel Lutheran Church Columbus, Ohio November, 1995.

"...the Ukraine project of Thoughts of Faith (Pastor Kovaciny)" Use of mission funds. Charlotte Proctor, treasurer Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Cornerstone, Emmanuel Lutheran Church Columbus, Ohio November, 1995 "I

"Since the salary of Pastor Kovaciny and their basic expenses are paid through the 'Thoughts of Faith' ministry, we will continue to include the overall work in our regular budget." Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Cornerstone, Emmanuel Lutheran Church Columbus, Ohio October, 1994 Roger Kovaciny's letter about seed distribution Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Cornerstone, Emmanuel Lutheran Church Columbus, Ohio October, 1995

If You Like Church and Change, You Will Love "O Come All Ye Faithful"

We loved it.

I am only posting the link to the music video, for obvious reasons.

The mockery displayed in the video is typical of Shrinkers. For example, when the LCMS pastor posted "Because Christmas is not my birthday," he clearly mocked Holy Communion.

---

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "If You Like Church and Change, You Will Love "O Co...":

The only thing is that by watching this video you are going to lose over 6 minutes of you life that you will never get back. You are much better off reading a couple of Psalms in that time that is otherwise wasted.

However, the ironic thing is that many would find no problem with doing "Oh Come All Ye Faithfull" in that heavy rock style. After all isn't it "becoming all things to all people?" The sobering fact should be clear that Twisted Sister is mocking what is a beautiful Christmas song...and they know it. They (TS) must laugh heartily when many Christians today would actually think they are doing God's will by copying their antics.

Remember the Rock anthem, then Christian rock anthem, then Rock anthem once again, (this time by KISS), called "God Gave Rock and Roll to You?"

God gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you, put it in the soul of everyone.

Same refrain for every band that has done the song.

Baby Blue Eyes Explained

Baby Blue Eyes sees nothing wrong, and if it is wrong, it's harmless.
Baby Blue Eyes will cry if Holy Mother Synod is criticized.

Ichabodians know that the Chicaneries never tell the truth - they even deny belonging to Church and Change. Their hearts and minds are wrapped around Fuller, Willow Creek, Granger, Stetzer, NorthPoint, Exponential, Trinity Deerfield, and Leonard Sweet, but "they are not Changers." Ask Vicar Gurgle, whose dad at Mequon posted a Chicanery diatribe on the Church and Change listserve.

Ask Kudu Don Patterson, who led a Bible study of sorts at a Church and Chicanery conference.

The Baby Blue Eyes are a different breed, easily exploited by the Shrinkers. Holy Mother WELS can do no wrong, so there must be something terribly evil about anyone who suggests otherwise.

All the false teachers are "nice guys." How could a classmate be wrong about anything?

Worse, they are relatives. Blood is thicker than doctrine in all denominations. For instance, I wondered how Pope John the Malefactor (Little Sect on the Prairie) could stay in office. Then I read that someone named Moldstad helped found the ELS. Case closed.

Officially entered into Ichaslang.

Civil War in WELS - On Bailing Water

From: "Donald Patterson" kududon@gmail.com
To: bethanylutheranworship@gmail.com
Subject: don't be a fool

Hey, Greg,

I am not a part of Church and Change Leadership. I went to one conference a few years ago and had my own reservations. Also, Robert Timmerman does not serve as a church council pres at our church. You are lying on your blog.

Don

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Civil War in WELS - On Bailing Water":

Patterson is on the short list for VP - look out.

On Bailing Water

Monday, July 13, 2009
Civil War in the WELS ?

Greetings!

I've been following this blog since its inception, most of the time in general amusement, and often in perplexity. However, I have decided to weigh in on a comment I read recently - actually, a couple. The individual surmised that perhaps the WELS is heading toward a "civil war." Others then made reference to the incorrectly-named conflict among the states of the United States. As the Confederacy was in no way interested in taking over the U.S. Federal government - that conflagration was not a "civil war" per se, i.e. Wars of the Roses. However, what we're looking at in the WELS is a "real" civil war, or more correctly - we have already been at war for at least the last 20 years, with a good many small battles before that. The WELS is hopelessly (and I say that admitting that God can do anything) divided into 3 camps. One camp consists of the C&C folks and their hangers-on. Then there's another camp made up of the "Issues in WELS" men and various allies. But by far the largest camp is right in the middle, most of whom want little or nothing to do with the war at all. The battle is for the hearts and minds of this third group. The camp that convinces them that their way is best will win - pure and simple. I should add that there is a very small group who basically feel - "a pox on all your houses!" This then leads to my last observation concerning the comment about whether or not doctrinal issues will be dealt with at the convention. Most WELS Pastors, and a lot of laymen, know that the "real" actual work of the convention is done in the floor committees. In turn, the Presidium has pretty much carte blanche in deciding who chairs these groups and also their make-up. Thus, if the SP has done his work well - and I believe he has - the issues will be dealt with in those meetings, and the memorials which come out of those committees will tell the tale. Also, the recent Ad Hoc Committee obviously dealt with doctrine and practice and called it like it is. I believe the same will be true in the floor committees. Regarding elections: The C&Cers are on the run and hoping to get a man they can depend on into the 1st VP slot. As to finances, it really won't matter too much what is decided since our nation's leaders will continue horrible policies and the economy will not recover any time soon - with the result that more cuts will be needed anyway, regardless of how the convention goes. So, in short, a nasty little quiet war has been raging in WELS behind the scenes for decades. While LCMS and ELCA often do their fighting out in the open, that is seldom, if ever, the case in WELS. I don't see any reason for this pattern to change. I seriously doubt any group will arise at Saginaw and "walk out" of the synod, and I don't think any group will be "thrown out" either. Thus, it may look to many as though very little was done. But I believe our SP will most likely get 75 to 80% of what he needs done, and we will be on our way to fixing many problems that have accumulated over the past 20 years. From my keyboard to God's ear!

Deo Vindice!

John Bunyan - Pilgrim's Progress

William Blake illustrated the book and was buried next to Bunyan, over a century later.

Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress was once the most read book in the English language, after the King James Bible. Bunyan's most read book, after the Bible, was Luther's Commentary on Galatians. I wonder how many Church Growth gurus have read either one.

Bunyan was famous for cursing before his conversion. He did not belong to the Church of England, so he was imprisoned for about 12 years for teaching as a Dissenter. He was released under a new edict of toleration but arrested again. They gave him a little jail cell, special built, where he wrote most of Pilgrim's Progress. In all he wrote 60 books, some of which perished forever because copies were gradually destroyed from being passed along and studied.

Pilgrim's Progress has been turned into an animation, which makes it a great introduction for children.

My copy of Pilgrim's Progress is from the Limited Edition Club, which means - superb paper, color prints tipped in, large print and margins. The book is a pleasure to read for its beauty, but the content surpasses that.

Allegories are difficult to write and often even more difficult to read. Moby Dick and Lord of the Rings have been called allegories.

Pilgrim's Progress...more later. Sassy needs a walk and it is 5:30 AM already.

Paradise Lost: Columbus, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio was central to the old, old ALC of 1930, not to be confused with The ALC of 1960. Lenski and many other great theologians taught at the seminary, which influenced the Augustana Synod and other Lutherans in Lutheran orthodoxy. Much later, the seminary merged with they trendy Hamma seminary of the LCA and went downhill faster than a WELS congregation with blended worship.

In WELS, Columbus was called "the sewer of the synod" for good reason.

Floyd Luther Stolzenburg was kicked out the LCMS ministerium for cause, forced to resign. His wife divorced him for the same reason.

Floyd followed her back to Columbus and began church shopping. Soon he was at St. Paul, German Village. He never joined WELS because St. Paul was not a member of WELS at that time. Floyd also made it clear that he despised WELS.

District VP Paul Kuske got an organization together, Lutheran Parish Resources, first promoted by Floyd, to introduce the local church to Church Growth. Floyd gathered up a bunch of WELS people and pastors, including future Pastor Nitz, to attend a CG workshop at a---gasp--LCMS church.

Floyd also taught CG at St. Paul, German Village.

The local congregations did not want Floyd, so funds were arranged for Roger Zehms (recently divorced) to work with Floyd. That gave Columbus two divorced Church Growth leaders. Wait, there's more.

Marc Schroeder (not related to the SP Mark Schroeder) was the pastor of Prince of Peace. He was also divorced. And he loved the Church Growth Movement.

Out of six (6) local pastors--since Floyd pretended to be one--half were divorced.

The Columbus ministers met at The Donor's house. No one named the sacred name. He was just "The Donor" at LPR meetings. The Donor was also divorced. I did not attend those meetings, which pretended to be circuit meetings.

One day I discovered that the Columbus circuit involved twice as many congregations as the metro area alone. A future DP advised me that the circuit was required by the constitution to meet. And yet, the District VP and Circuit Pastor had not called a meeting in years. Boy, did they resist having a circuit meeting. They fought it tooth and nail.

Some of the fruits of Church Growth in Columbus, WELS:

1. St. Paul, German Village, got much smaller. Robert Schumann and Nitz, both Growthers, did not get along, so the congregation become totally polarized. Schumann was forced out of the ministry and is reputedly an atheist.
   
2. Marc Schroeder was kicked out of WELS, so he and his congregation--lavishly funded by WELS--joined the LCMS.
   
3. Paul Kuske and Robert Schumann supported Floyd getting a job at an independent Lutheran congregation, though Kuske denied it. Floyd promised to commune Masons at his new job.
   
4. Roger Kovaciny joined the ELS and Thoughts of Faith, but resigned from the ELS.
   Roger raised funds at Floyd's new church for Thoughts of Faith.
   
5. Paul Kuske was voted out of office as District VP.
   
6. Doctrinal Pussycat Robert Mueller chose not to run after betraying his own district over the DMLC/NWC Anschluss. No one would stay in the same room with him, so he wisely chose not to run. WELS made him a fake missionary to Russia, which amounted to some free travel time.

Cell Groups Are the Foundation of Pietism and Reformed Doctrine

No, your eyes deceive you. That is a harmless sheep. Go back to sleep.


The quotations about cell groups, below, prove two things:

1. Pietistic lay-led conventicles are essential to the Church Growth Movement.
   
2. WELS promoted cell groups through its educational programs, funded by the offerings of faithful members.

Did WELS know what was going on? Sure! David Kuske studied cell groups and researched cell group operations in WELS. He published an article in The Pope Speaks (Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly). 1991. I think some people were getting alarmed, so Kuske's article made cell groups safe for WELS.

Notice that a lot of my quotations came from a WELS Campus Ministers training event in Madison, Wisconsin, 1990. Hmmm. Would that be where the campus church joined the Willow Creek Association, under Thomas Trapp? Oh my - I just discovered another Church Growth Principle - Use your own guys to promote false doctrine. At the 1990 event, paid for by WELS, various pastors were trained in cell groupism, with a case of books by Occultist Paul Y. Cho brought to the workshop for the participants.

Have you noticed how quickly WELS, the Little Sect, Missouri, and ELCA have grown since Church Growth promotion started in all their groups? Whoosh, the statistics climb ever sky-ward. No?

In fact, cell groups are a great way to turn a Lutheran congregation into an Evangelical Covenant franchise...or a Pentecostal sect. Any doctrine (except Lutheran) will suit cell groups. Lutheran cell groups quickly begin to rely on prayer as a Means of Grace, which paves the way for praying in tongues. After all, where do they get their training manuals - from Pentecostal cell group authors, like Cho and Ortiz and C. Peter Wagner.

Pietism and Cell Groups - Heavily Promoted by WELS, ELS, LCMS, and ELCA

First VP-in-waiting Jim Huebner has advocated Church Growthism for decades. If you liked Wayne Mueller, you'll love Jim Huebner.



From the WELS Silent Witness Program:

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Pietism and Cell Groups - Heavily Promoted by WELS...":

Oh some on you guys,you cynics, I was a member of a small group for several years and NOT ONCE did the pastor of the church under which the small group operated ever ask how it was going, attend or offer a curriculum to follow............ Oh, I guess that's your point.

Further, it was surprising to some of us (most all WELS schooled from elementary age) what "conclusions" we were starting to come up with in our spontaneous and unmonitored study of God's Word. A few of us thought it well to go and seek out pastoral assistance and get the correct answer to some of the questions we found ourselves facing. That helped. Some wanted to follow a printed Bible study book produced by the synod. One person (born and schooled in WELS and now Evangelical Free Church) fiercely objected to that idea and insisted that we do a free and spontaneous study of God's Word without being "lead to a conclusion through a synod produced guide."

I have also personally heard others' "conclusions" to their small group studies (also unlikely monitor or properly lead) come up with wild things. I remember two people discussing their recent small group and saying, "maybe WELS should encourage women to be pastors since we are having such a shortage and few graduating seminary. If men aren't willing to step up and do it, then maybe God is asking the women of the church to do it" (this was back in about 1999 when there were rumblings of fewer pastors). Then they started to sight (sic) passages in the Old Testament that I think had to do with an unusual situation, and I am sorry I can't refer to it now, but I think it was a passage that more referred to God's judgment on his people. Anyway, these kids were way over their heads and I knew it. I knew at this point that it was more about "look at what everyone is doing at our church, look at the zeal" than it was about true shepherding by a called minister of the Word. I guess you could call it Free Range theology. I lost my patience and left.

I never could understand why the pastor so fervently pushed small groups and showed so little interest in leading them or monitoring them. The fruit is now coming to bear and it ain't pretty.

---

Appendix, Chapter 7, TSW: Cell Group Quotations

At the end of the chapter in Thy Strong Word.

The lay-led cell group or conventicle is at the heart of Pietism, Reformed doctrine, and the Church Growth Movement. Below are quotations from WELS, LCMS, and various non-Lutherans, all saying approximately the same thing in favor of cell groups.



J-788

"Small Group Fellowships are not, as is sometimes supposed, a formal Bible class. Instead, Small Group Fellowships are a 'relationship,' a relationship among members of the group, a relationship with God, a relationship based on and centered in the Word of God. Small Group Fellowships are gatherings of people who study God's Word together and then put the Word into action together by (a) applying it to their lives, (b) by worshiping the Triune God, and (c) by serving others—sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and their very lives."
Campus Ministry Foundation (WELS), Inc., Small Group Fellowships, Madison: Campus Ministry Foundation, 1990, p. 3.



J-789

"The Rationale for Small Groups...5. It Follows Biblical Practice. a. Jesus and the Twelve Apostles (Jesus concentrated on investing Himself in His small group of disciples to teach and model spiritual truth, attitudes and behavior for them and to train them to be spiritual leaders. b. The Early Christians (Acts 2:42-47; 16:40; 20:20-21).
WELS Campus Pastors, Small Group Training Conference, Jan. 7-9, 1991, Madison. p. 3.


J-790

"Small Group Fellowships are lay-led."
Campus Ministry Foundation (WELS), Inc., Small Group Fellowships, Madison: Campus Ministry Foundation, 1990, p. 8.

J-791

[Aderman - Church and Change leader, lost half his membership at Fairview]
"HomeWORD Bound Groups, Fairview (WELS), Milwaukee, WI. The Boards of Elders and Education of Fairview Ev. Lutheran Church Prayerfully Extend A DIVINE CALL to____________________ To Lead a Small Group Bible Study along with ________. Purpose: A Bible study leader in Fairview's HomeWord Bound program shall facilitate lay-led, home Bible studies which assist Fairview in its ministry...."
WELS Campus Pastors, Small Group Training Conference, Jan. 7-9, 1991, Madison.

J-792

"Definition: 'A small group within the church is a voluntary intentional gathering of people, varying in number, regularly meeting together for mutual Christian purposes.' - Serendipity
WELS Campus Pastors, Small Group Training Conference, Jan. 7-9, 1991, Madison. p. 2.

J-793

"Types of Home Groups, by Karen Hurston (Church Growth Assoc.), from material by Bob Fulton."
WELS Campus Pastors, Small Group Training Conference, Jan. 7-9, 1991, Madison. p. 10.

J-794

"A Look at Several WELS Small Group Ministries. 1. Fairview in Milwaukee (Pastor Jim Aderman) 2. Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel in Madison (Mr. Rolf Wegenke) 3. Emanuel in New London (Pastor Steve Witte)"[62]
WELS Campus Pastors, Small Group Training Conference, Jan. 7-9, 1991, Madison. p. 19.

J-795

"A cell group is the basic part of our church. It is not another church program—it is the program of our church."
Dr. Paul Y. Cho (with R. Whitney Manzano), More Than Numbers, Waco: Word Books, 1984, p. 42. [Cho - an occultist - lectured at Fuller, had his books promoted by WELS evangelism leaders.]

J-796

"We have many different types of cell groups. I have found that there is a basic sociological principle which must be maintained in order for them to be successful. The principle is one of homogeneity."[63]
Dr. Paul Y. Cho (with R. Whitney Manzano), More Than Numbers, Waco: Word Books, 1984, p. 44.


J-797

"Students of Church Growth realize that a good structure for the church that really wants to grow is the organization of celebration plus congregation plus cell. When we see the importance of the organization of the church we are looking with 'Church Growth Eyes.' We are looking from an x-ray perspective and understanding the internal organs of the body of Christ—the Church!"
Kent R. Hunter, Launching Growth in the Local Congregation, A Workbook for Focusing Church Growth Eyes, Detroit: Church Growth Analysis and Learning Center, 1980, p. 81.

J-798

"In an article on the small group movement, J. A. Gorman notes that 'both the Church Growth Institute of Fuller Seminary and the American Institute of Church Growth became centers for influencing the use of this means for evangelizing." (Christian Education, Moody Press, 1991, pp. 509, 510)
Prof. David Kuske, "Home Bible Study Groups in the 1990s," Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly, Spring, 1994. p. 126.

J-701.1

"This writer's acquaintance with this current phenomenon is threefold: 1) he has attended one of the workshops held by Lyman Coleman; 2) he has read about a dozen books in the last ten years coming from evangelical sources [i.e. false teachers] that deal with small groups either wholly or in part; 3) he has also inquired about why a number of WELS congregations have begun to conduct small group Bible study and how they have structured these groups."[64]
Prof. David Kuske, "Home Bible Study Groups in the 1990s," Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly, Spring, 1994. p. 127.

J-702.1

"PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY AT CROSSROADS...Conduct seeker services... Provide small group leadership. At Crossroads, as people come to know Jesus they are encouraged to participate in groups of 8 to 10 people who meet weekly for 2 years of fellowship, holding one another accountable, discipleship training, encouragement and support. 1 Thessalonians. 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up."
Pastor Rick Miller, (WELS), Crossroads Community Church, 1 Thessalonians 5:11. [Crossroads is now Evangelical Covenant, and the pastor thanks three WELS ministers for getting the church going - Miller, Mark Freier, and Kelly Voigt - all WELS CG heroes.]

J-703.1

"Every disciple had responsibility over two types of cells, one cell where he formed the lives of the new converts, and another cell where he took the most advanced of those new converts and taught them how to be leaders, knowing that cell would soon be divided and the most advanced disciples put over additional cells. So came the multiplication." Juan Carlos Ortiz, Call to Discipleship, Plainfield: Logos International, 1975, p. 101. "A cell has five elements: 1) devotion; 2) discussion; 3) programming; 4) mobilization; 5) multiplication. It takes all five to form a cell group." Juan
Carlos Ortiz, Call to Discipleship, Plainfield: Logos International, 1975, p. 106.

J-704.1

"The cell groups are used to teach sound doctrine...Sound doctrine is not just belief in the millennium, the rapture, and the tribulation."
Juan Carlos Ortiz, Call to Discipleship, Plainfield: Logos International, 1975, p. 111.

J-705.1

"Another cause for the misplacement of believers is the Sunday school. The early church knew nothing about Sunday schools. They knew the best way for believers to grow and multiply is not through Bible lectures, but through living cells. This means small groups of four or five persons who meet in homes under a leader so their lives may be shaped so they may mobilize and multiply themselves in other cells."
Juan Carlos Ortiz, Call to Discipleship, Plainfield: Logos International, 1975, p. 29.

J-706.1

"Resources mentioned in this 'Bulletin' are available from CHURCH GROWTH, 709 E. Colorado Blvd. #150, Pasadena, CA 91101. Or call 1-800-423-4844."
Pastor Jim Radloff, editor, Mission Counselor Newsletter, Austin, Texas, May, 1988. [Radloff wrote the new memorial to get rid of both prep schools at once.]

J-707.1

"Types of Home Groups, by Karen Hurston (Church Growth Assoc.), from material by Bob Fulton. Copied with the permission of Charles Arn."
Pastor Jim Radloff, editor, WELS Mission Counselors' Newsletter, Oct., '91, 2929 Mayfair Road, Milwaukee, WI 53222 p. 11.

J-708.1

"The dynamics of assimilation into active church membership have very little to do with theological issues. Rather, a new members' class should focus primarily on relational issues of involvement and belonging." (Defining an Assimilated Member, by Charles Arn, copied with permission from EVANGELISM, 12800 North Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, WI, 53092. Annual subscription rate for EVANGELISM is $12...Charles Arn is Vice President of Church Growth, Inc. in Monrovia, Ca.)
Pastor Jim Radloff, editor, WELS Mission Counselors' Newsletter, Oct., '91, 2929 Mayfair Road, Milwaukee, WI 53222 p. 150. [Larry Olson also wrote for EVANGELISM, which was 100% Church Growth.]

J-709.1

"What Are Affinity Groups? by Pastor Wayne Vogt, Fount of Life, Colorado Springs, CO."
Pastor Jim Radloff, editor, WELS Mission Counselors' Newsletter, Oct., '91, 2929 Mayfair Road, Milwaukee, WI 53222 p. 8.

J-710.1

WELS Mission Counselors' NEWSLETTER, April, 1992: authors are - James Woodworth, Disciples of Christ; "Net Results," March, 1991; Roger K. Guy, Disciples of Christ; Arnell P. C. Arn, American Baptist Church; Jane Easter Bahls, Presbyterian; C. Jeff Woods, freelance writer and minister; Lyle Schaller, United Methodist; Pastor Paul Kelm; Pastor Jim Mumm, WELS; Pastor Peter Panitzke, WELS; Pastor Randall Cutter and Mark Freier, WELS; First Congretional Church, Winchester, MA." [65]
Pastor Jim Radloff, editor, WELS Mission Counselors' Newsletter, April, '92, 2929 Mayfair Road Milwaukee, WI 53222

J-711.1

"The church is no longer the community of those who have been called by the Word and the Sacraments, but association of the reborn, of those who 'earnestly desire to be Christians'...The church in the true sense consists of the small circles of pietists, the 'conventicles,' where everyone knows everyone else and where experiences are freely exchanged."
Martin Schmidt, "Pietism," The Encyclopedia of the Lutheran Church, 3 vols., ed. Julius Bodensieck, Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1965, III, p. 1899.

J-712.1

"Some 15 years ago, Peter Wagner's equation read 'Cells + Congregation + Celebration = Church.'"
Ken Sidey, "Church Growth Fine Tunes Its Formulas," Christianity Today, June 24, 1991, p. 46.

J-713.1

"Wouldn't it be terrible to sleep through the Second Reformation? Cell Group Churches. The New Lifestyle For New Wineskins. Cell Group Churches Are Really Different! A 'Cell Group' Church is built on the fact that all Christians are ministers, and that there is no 'professional clergy' hired to do the work of ministry. According to Ephesians 4, God has provided 'Gifted Men' to equip 'Believers Who Are Gifted' to do the work of ministry...The life of the church is in its Cells, not in a building. While it has weekly worship events, the focus of the church is in the home Cells."
Touch Outreach Ministries, P.O. Box 19888 Houston, TX 77079 1-800-735-5865.

J-714.1

"Cell Groups For Reaching The Unchurched Are Called...SHARE GROUPS. Touch Outreach Ministries has spent many years experimenting with the best way to train Cell Group members to form 'Sub-Groups' called SHARE GROUPS which specifically target evangelizing the unchurched. SHARE GROUPS are 'pre-Bible study' Cells, which bond relationships between three Christians and six unbelievers. A series of three small books are used over a 27-week period of training. The first book, called 'BUILDING BRIDGES, OPENING HEARTS,' guides the SHARE GROUP Team through the first part of the strategy."
Touch Outreach Ministries, P.O. Box 19888 Houston, TX 77079 1-800-735-5865 p. 7.

J-715.1

"The cell groups have probably become the universal trademark of Full Gospel Central Church...A cell group is a cluster of church members who meet weekly in a home, factory, office, or other place for the purpose of evangelism and Christian fellowship through singing, prayer, Bible study, offering giving, announcements, sharing of needs, and praises and ministry to one another."
John N. Vaughan, The World's Twenty Largest Churches, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1984, p. 44.

J-716.1

"Cell. Sometimes called a kinship circle; a small group of 8-12 believers; an important part of the church's structure which has the primary functions of spiritual accountability and intimacy and secondary functions of Bible, prayer, and healing."
C. Peter Wagner, ed., with Win Arn and Elmer Towns, Church Growth: The State of the Art, Wheaton: Tyndale House, 1986, p. 283.

J-717.1

"Cell groups of Christians fellowshipping together date back to the first century, for it was largely through the activities of little groups or cells of believers that the message of Jesus Christ spread throughout the Roman Empire."
Waldo J. Werning, The Radical Nature of Christianity, Church Growth Eyes Look at the Supernatural Mission of the Christian and the Church, South Pasadena: William Carey Library, 1975, p. 93.

J-718.1

"Bible studies from Serendipity. Serendipity makes available Bibles (with outlines and discussion questions) and topical study booklets for adults and teen-agers. See appendix D for sample study courses. Order a SERENDIPITY SMALL GROUP RESOURCES CATALOG from Serendipity, P.O. Box 1012, Littleton, CO, 80160 or call 1-800-525-9583 (In CO call 1-303-798-1313)."
Notebook, WELS School of Outreach IV, p. 225.

J-719.1

"Introduction to Small Group Ministry outline. Evangelism Office. Buy the book Good Things Come in Small Groups, Intervarsity Press. Small Group Bible Study Materials, Serendipity, Littleton, CO (1-800-525-9563)."
WELS Evangelism Workshop IV, LOCATING THE LOST, Five Year Plan For Outreach, p. 177. [Here is the Kelm circle again - advocating Dreck from false teachers.]

Chicanery Outreach Means Reaching Out, Into Your Pockets

When Calvinists Were Still Crypto

Crypto-Calvinists, Then and Now

Read the chapter for free here.

Before Luther's death, most of the doctrinal battles were against the Medieval errors of Roman Catholicism. After his death in 1546, the errors of John Calvin began to undermine Lutheran doctrine. Calvin's errors, in this controversy, concerned the two natures of Christ as well as the Lord's Supper. What someone believes about Christ will inevitably be reflected in what he believes about Holy Communion. Calvin could not believe that the resurrected Christ could pass through solid walls (John 20:19).



J-737

“They [the Lutherans] object that Christ went forth from the closed sepulcher [Matthew 28:6] and went to His disciples through closed doors [John 20:19]. This gives no more support to their error. For just as the water, like a solid pavement, provided Christ with a path as He walked upon the lake [Matthew 14:25], so it is no wonder if the hardness of the stone yielded at His approach. Yet it is more probable that the stone was removed at His command, and immediately after He passed through, returned to its place. And to enter through closed doors means not just penetrating through solid matter but opening an entrance for Himself by divine power, so that He suddenly stood among His disciples clearly, in a wonderful way, although the doors were locked.”

John Calvin, ed. John T. McNeill, Institutes of the Christian Religion, 2 vols., Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1960, II, p. 1400. Book IV, XVII, #29.



Similarly, Calvin could not accept the Real Presence of Christ with the elements of the Lord's Supper.[25] In addition, he separated the work of the Holy Spirit from the Word, so the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism were symbolic and not effective in Calvin's thought. Once again, Melanchthon's unionism, timidity, and lack of honesty played a tragic part in launching the evil Crypto-Calvinist party. His desire for union with Calvin's Geneva and with Rome caused Melanchthon to change his views and try to strike a compromising position somewhere between the truth, Rome, and Geneva.

As early as 1535, Melanchthon harbored anti-Lutheran views, but hid them from Luther. By 1540 Melanchthon had changed the Augsburg Confession to conform with Calvin's views! Many people are still astonished today that Luther's co-worker could alter a confession of the Lutheran Church on his own. That is why Lutheran denominations adhere to the "Unaltered Augsburg Confession" or UAC, as found on church cornerstones. Melanchthon urged his followers to dissimulate, to cleverly deceive, rather than reveal their positions to the pure Lutherans. Modern Crypto-Calvinists, in the Church Growth Movement, also refuse to state their doctrinal beliefs.



J-738

"To all practical purposes the University of Wittenberg was already Calvinized. Calvinistic books appeared and were popular. Even the work of a Jesuit against the book of Jacob Andreae on the Majesty of the Person of Christ was published at Wittenberg. The same was done with a treatise of Beza, although, in order to deceive the public, the title-page gave Geneva as the place of publication. Hans Lufft, the Wittenberg printer, later declared that during this time he did not know how to dispose of the books of Luther which he still had in stock, but that, if he had printed twenty or thirty times as many Calvinistic books, he would have sold all of them very rapidly."

F. Bente, Concordia Triglotta, Historical Introductions to the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 189.





Joachim Westphal was the one of the first to warn Lutherans of the influence of Calvinism. John Calvin caused confusion by his early agreement with the Lutheran position. Melanchthon secretly converted to Calvin’s position on the Lord’s Supper. Westphal's polemics brought out Calvin's polemics, which clarified the differences between the two confessions. During this period of time, a group of Philipp Melanchthon's followers in Wittenberg conspired to surrender Luther's Reformation to the Calvinists. They convinced the Elector August that they were faithful Lutherans. These secret Calvinists (Crypto-Calvinists) also encouraged the Elector to drive out the genuine Lutherans, accusing the faithful men of being heretics! Luther predicted this would happen.

The Crypto-Calvinists gathered Melanchthon’s writings into a Corpus Philippicum with the approval of Melanchthon. The group of writings included Melanchthon's false doctrine and excluded Luther's writings. Those who did not subscribe to the document were deposed and driven out of their church positions. Early success made the Crypto-Calvinists bolder. They surrounded Elector August and convinced him to persecute sincere Lutherans as zealots and trouble-makers. Calvinist books were promoted to such a degree in Wittenberg that Luther's books remained unsold. The theologians craftily published a book, Exegesis Perspicua, which advocated union with the Calvinists, surrendering all doctrinal points to Calvin. Their triumph opened the eyes of the naive Elector, but one more stroke destroyed them in their cleverness.




The Crypto-Calvinists Self-Destruct



After Luther's death in 1546, Melanchthon's followers, with his help, conspired to replace Luther's doctrine with Calvin's at Wittenberg, Leipzig, and across Germany. Their stealth book, Exegesis Perspicua, revealed their dishonesty and allegiance to Calvin. Elector August, a faithful Lutheran who had been deceived by the Crypto-Calvinists, was angered and humiliated. The Crypto-Calvinists added to their fame as liars in 1574, when a Calvinist devotional book was delivered to the wrong person.



J-739

"By mistake the letter was delivered to the wife of the court-preacher Lysthenius....After opening the letter and finding it to be written in Latin, she gave it to her husband, who, in turn, delivered it to the Elector. In it Peucer requested Schuetze dexterously to slip into the hands of Anna, the wife of the Elector, a Calvinistic prayer-book which he had sent with the letter. Peucer added: 'If first we have Mother Anna on our side, there will be no difficulty in winning His Lordship [her husband] too.' Additional implicating material was discovered when Augustus now confiscated the correspondence of Peucer, Schuetze, Stoessel, and Cracow. The letters found revealed the consummate perfidy, dishonesty, cunning, and treachery of the men who had been the trusted advisers of the Elector, who had enjoyed his implicit confidence, and who by their falsehoods had caused him to persecuted hundreds of innocent and faithful Lutheran ministers. The fact was clearly established that these Philippists had been systematically plotting to Calvinize Saxony. The very arguments with which Luther's doctrine of the Lord's Supper and the Person of Christ might best be refuted were enumerated in these letters. However, when asked by the Elector whether they were Calvinists, these self-convicted deceivers are said to have answered that 'they would not see the face of God in eternity if in any point they were addicted to the doctrines of the Sacramentarians or deviated in the least from Dr. Luther's teaching.' (Walther, 56.)"

F. Bente, Concordia Triglotta, Historical Introductions to the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 190



The sly letter enclosed with the book from Melanchthon's son-in-law, suggested that Elector August be converted through his wife Anna. August ordered an investigation, which revealed even more intrigue. The Crypto-Calvinists were thrown into prison. August took on a leadership role in restoring genuine Lutheran doctrine. Martin Chemnitz, Jacob Andreae, and Nicholas Selnecker were made trusted advisors to August.[26]

As horrible as the Crypto-Calvinist reign appeared at the time, their excesses and sudden collapse provided a God-given way to unite Lutherans in a common confession. At the Colloquy of Worms in 1557, the Lutherans were divided, thanks to Melanchthon, and the Romanists refused to negotiate with them. Many unity efforts failed, until Jacob Andreae published his Six Christian Sermons in 1573. Andreae's sermons, the collapse of the Crypto-Calvinists, and Martin Chemnitz' leadership all combined to generate movement toward the Formula of Concord.



J-740

"What really gave Andreae a break and promoted his unity endeavors was the exposure of the Crypto-Calvinists in Wittenberg in 1574. Thus all three groups of true Lutherans were for the first time in many years to sit down at the table and devote their efforts to their internal problems. Just about this time Andreae providentially published his Six Christian Sermons. At this point and on these sermons Chemnitz was willing to talk."

J. A. O. Preus, The Second Martin, The Life and Theology of Martin Chemnitz, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1994, p. 183.









J-741

"The Exegesis perspicua [1573] marked the end of the hidden and underhanded efforts of those within Saxony who had espoused Calvinism. Everything was out in the open. These men repudiated the sacramental union, the oral eating of the body of Christ, and the eating of the body by the wicked. They held that Christ's body is enclosed in heaven and Christ is present in the Supper only in His power. There is no union of the body of Christ with the bread. The ubiquity doctrine of Brenz is repudiated as Eutychianism, and ancient heresy that asserted that after the union of the divine and human natures in Christ only one nature remained. Believers who participated in the Supper, the Wittenbergers asserted, become members of Christ who is present and efficacious through the symbols of bread and wine. They lavished praise on the Reformed and urged immediate union with them in opposition to the papacy."

J. A. O. Preus, The Second Martin, The Life and Theology of Martin Chemnitz, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1994, p. 175f.



The Formula of Concord required the cooperation of Andreae, Chemnitz, Selnecker, David Chytraeus, Musculus, and Cornerus.[27] Most people could not abide Andreae, because of his tactless, overbearing, and self-willed nature, but he was crucial in getting the work started and completed. Chemnitz was the dominant theologian, but the others all contributed significant insights to the Formula, which was signed in 1577. The Book of Concord, which includes the Ecumenical Creeds, the Augsburg Confession, the Apology to the Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald Articles, the Small Catechism, the Large Catechism, and the Formula of Concord, was completed in 1580.



J-742

"Such was the manner in which the Elector allowed himself to be duped by the Philippists who surrounded him, —men who gradually developed the art of dissimulation to premeditated deceit, falsehood, and perjury. Even the Reformed theologian Simon Stenius, a student at Wittenberg during the Crypto-Calvinistic period, charges the Wittenbergers with dishonesty and systematic dissimulation."

F. Bente, Concordia Triglotta, Historical Introductions to the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 188.


Crypto-Calvinism Now



J-743

"In other words, Zwingli and his numerous adherents declare that the means God has ordained are unnecessary and hinder true piety."

Francis Pieper, Christian Dogmatics, 3 vols., trans., Walter W. F. Albrecht, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1953, III, p. 104.





J-744

"Calvinism rejects the means of grace as unnecessary; it holds that the Holy Spirit requires no escort or vehicle by which to enter human hearts."

John T. Mueller, "Grace, Means of," Lutheran Cyclopedia, Erwin L. Lueker, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1975, p. 344.



J-745

"The Christian doctrine of the means of grace is abolished by all 'enthusiasts,' all who assume a revealing and effective operation of the Holy Spirit without and alongside the divinely ordained means of grace."

Francis Pieper, Christian Dogmatics, 3 vols., trans., Walter W. F. Albrecht, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1953, III, p. 127.



J-746

"Our opponents hold that saving faith must be founded on Christ Himself, not on the means of grace. This reasoning, common to the Reformed, the 'enthusiasts' of all shades, and modern 'experience' theologians, assumes that faith can and should be based on Christ to the exclusion of the means of grace."

Francis Pieper, Christian Dogmatics, 3 vols., trans., Walter W. F. Albrecht, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1953, III, p. 152.



J-747

"The specific Reformed cultus, due to the Reformed denial of the efficacy and objective nature of the Means of Grace, represents a quest after the grace of God revolving around human agency and subjective experience. The Lutheran cultus places the grace of God nigh unto the sinner in the Means of Grace."

Th. Engelder, W. Arndt, Th. Graebner, F. E. Mayer, Popular Symbolics, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1934, p. 21.



J-748

"The Reformed are simply deluding themselves in claiming Scripture support for their teaching regarding the means of grace. Their teaching is not derived from the Bible."

Francis Pieper, Christian Dogmatics, 3 vols., trans., Walter W. F. Albrecht, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1953, III, p. 150.





J-749

"The doctrine of salvation through the Means of Grace is distinctive of Lutheranism. The Catholic churches have no use for means of grace, for a Gospel and for Sacraments which offer salvation as a free gift. And the Reformed churches, while they hold, in general, that salvation is by grace, repudiate the Gospel and the Sacraments as the means of grace. It is clear that matters of fundamental importance are involved. The chief article of the Christian religion, justification by faith, stands and falls with the article of the Means of Grace. Justification by faith means absolutely nothing without the Means of Grace, whereby the righteousness gained by Christ is bestowed and faith, which appropriates the gift, is created."

The. Engelder, W. Arndt, Th. Graebner, F. E. Mayer, Popular Symbolics, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1934, p. 4f.



J-750

"This downplaying of the importance of the means of grace on the part of many in the Church Growth Movement would seem to stem from several factors."[28]

David J. Valleskey, "The Church Growth Movement: An Evaluation," Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly, Spring, 1991 88, p. 105. Holidaysburg, 10-15-90.[29] [emphasis added]



J-751

"Observe, then, the depreciative, contemptuous, and scorning ring in the words of the Reformed when they speak of the sacred Means of Grace, the Word and the Sacraments, and the grand majestic ring in the words of the Lord and the apostles when they speak of these matters...The true reason for the Reformed view is this: They do not know how a person is to come into possession of the divine grace, the forgiveness of sin, righteousness in the sight of God, and eternal salvation. Spurning the way which God has appointed, they are pointing another way, in accordance with new devices which they have invented."

C. F. W. Walther, The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel, trans., W. H. T. Dau, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1928, p. 152f.