ELCA News Briefs 01/06/2012
 
_This is being promoted in the Saint Paul Area Synod newsletter -

“. . .Lutherans Concerned/Twin Cities (LC/TC) holds its seventh annual Reconciling in Christ (RIC) festival worship as part of the national celebration of welcoming churches, recognizing faith communities that bear a public witness to God’s love for persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities.”
(see here)

I wonder if the ELCA posts Lutheran CORE gatherings in their publications.

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From this month’s The Lutheran:

“Heard a report from ELCA Secretary David Swartling that included the ELCA's current number of congregations (9,995) and baptized membership (4.2 million).” (see here)

The total given for baptized membership is, in all likelihood, high because many churches do not update their membership rolls very often.

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For those wondering how much money the ELCA spent on the sexuality studies, a statement from 2002 says the ELCA “approved $1.15 million to fund the six-year project.”  (see here)

From what I have read, it seems that the $1.15 million does not include the salary for ELCA staff who worked on the project.

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The ELCA official website claims this about their “Peace Not Walls” blog:

“The Peace Not Walls blog is meant to show the breadth of views and opinions surrounding the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.” (see here)

That's Hogwash!  I have not seen a blog from this website that represents the prevailing Israeli viewpoint.  What this blog does do is promote the ELCA leadership’s anti-Israel world view.  Just look at the above statement calling the land “occupied.”  It is an anti-Israeli narrative and very bias.  Do not be fooled by the ELCA claims. 
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The ELCA website posted a blog titled, “Palestinian Freedom Riders Violently Arrested on Israeli Settler Bus.”  The blog shows incredible bias which is highlighted in the following sentence alone, which states, “(t)his is one aspect of Israel’s regime of occupation, colonialism and apartheid against the Palestinian people.” (see here)  The ELCA blog is filled with talk of boycotting Israel and international businesses that work with Israel.  It seems to be written straight from the Muslim anti-Israeli talking points.  At its core, this blog is based on blatant sensationalism and fabrication that is rooted in anti-Semitism. All brought to you by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

To see the anti-Israeli bias of the ELCA blog more clearly, check out this news report, regarding the same incident.  The headline states, “Palestinian Bus-Riding Gimmick to Prove Israeli ‘Apartheid’ Ends up Showing…No Apartheid” (read here)  This is another good article detailing the incident. (read here)

The fact that the ELCA prolifically and continually chooses to blast Israel with a vengeance is telling.  The ELCA is deceived.  They are partaking in a centuries old hatred.  A satanic hatred that today is growing, flourishing and sweeping the nations.  Hatred for the Jews.   

I want no part of it and will stand against it wherever I see it.  It’s the right thing to do.  I hope you will join me. 
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ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson continually calls on Israel to divide its land.  He wants Israel to give the “Palestinians” large amounts of Israeli territory and half of Jerusalem, the capital of Israel.  One of the reasons Bishop Hanson gives for constantly belaboring this position is the ELCA’s “commitment to our companions in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land." (read here)   Bishop Hanson must feel that the Lutherans living in the “Holy Land” would be better off if that land was controlled by followers of Islam rather than a democratic Jewish society. 

Now I’m sure Bishop Hanson cares about Lutheran Christians in Israel and Jordan, but Hanson’s demands are not in the best interest of any Christian living in Israel.  Does the bishop not know that Israel is the only Middle Eastern country where the Christian population has grown in the last half-century?  Doesn’t he know how Christians are treated under Muslim law? If he knew this, why would he want these Lutheran Christians to leave the safety of Israel and become part of a new “Palestinian” country which will be controlled by followers of Islam? 

When you look at the ideology and theology of the Arabs, who are in leadership of Gaza and the West Bank, it is inconceivable to think that the leader of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America would push this plan, a plan that would put Christians in grave danger.  But that is what he is doing. 

Look at what has happened to the Christian population living in the Palestinian Authority (PA) controlled city of Bethlehem.  “According to a report by the Jerusalem Institute for Global Jewish Affairs, the Muslim Fatah-controlled PA is encouraging a ‘sharp demographic shift’ in Bethlehem, where the Christian population went from a 60 percent majority in 1990 to a 40 percent minority in 2000, to about 15 percent of the city's total population in 2008.  (read here  - the article also talks about the persecution Christians have experienced in this city)

Presiding Bishop Hanson certainly knows it is dangerous for Christians to live in Islamic countries, and he knows that Christians are leaving these Middle Eastern countries in droves.  So why in the world would this be the position of Bishop Hanson?  What is the real reason?

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On November 8, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's presiding bishop went to The White House to discuss his opinions on the state of Israel.

Bishop Hanson and his likeminded faith leader friends blamed Israel's construction of homes, many of them in the capital of Israel, for the lack of discussions on peace between the Jewish state and "Palestinians."

A statement released by the faith leaders said, "‘The position of the Palestinian Christian community is precarious . . . There are constant problems of obtaining visas for clergy who must travel outside Jerusalem and the West Bank. Restriction on movement between Bethlehem and Jerusalem is a problem that undermines Christian life. Church leaders are humiliated at check points.’"(read here)

Issues at check points?  Seriously?  This is a reason they want Christians to reside in a newly created, Muslim-dominated “Palestine”? 

There would be no need for check points if people in the Middle East would treat the Jewish people as children of God and if the "Palestinians" would stop blowing themselves up next to innocent Jewish men, women and children.  Oh, but the poor church leaders don’t like security check points.  It all makes sense to me now, Bishop Hanson.

I wish Bishop Hanson took the Great Commission seriously and put half the effort into leading people to Christ as he does trying to lead people against the Jewish nation.
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America leadership is at it again.  Pushing and pressuring our government to spend money we don’t have on the ELCA’s leftist, radical agenda.  This time, the ELCA is asking its members to help pressure our government to give the Palestinians $340 million dollars.  (read here) The ELCA leadership knows that the Palestinians ruling party in Gaza is a U.S. government-recognized terrorist organization (Hamas), which the Palestinians voted into power, and that the Palestinian rulers in the West Bank are not much better. 

So as the ELCA pushes for tax payers’ money to go to terrorist organizations, we find out what the Palestinian leadership spends their money on in this next story. 

“Fresh off reports that Hamas lavished cash and free luxury hotel rooms on terrorists released last month from Israeli prison, it appears the Palestinian Authority (PA) headed by President Mahmoud Abbas is offering them even more financial perks.

Hamas gave a $2,000 golden parachute to the freed prisoners in Gaza. Now, President Abbas is more than doubling that amount – to a $5,000 grant. The U.S. gives annual aid to the Palestinian Authority – about $600 million just last year – raising the question: are American tax dollars funding handouts to convicted terrorists?”

“A Palestinian Media Watch study found that the Palestinian Authority spends more than $5 million per month in salaries for 5,500 convicted terrorists and other Palestinians serving time in Israeli prisons.”  (read here)

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ELCA News Briefs 10/13/2011
 
  • Bishop Dave Brauer-Rieke, Oregon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, was a featured speaker at the National Coming Out Day Prayer Breakfast in Portland, OR.  (see here)           During the event a letter entitled, "Faith Leader's Declaration of Support of the Freedom to Marry," was scheduled to be released (Oct. 10, 2011).  It is not yet know whether Bishop Brauer-Rieke has signed the letter in support.
  • ELCA Church Run LGBT Youth Camp Featured in Homosexual Magazine. (see here) Exposing the ELCA reported on this camp and others like it - here. 
  • The ELCA e-Advocacy Network recently sent an email asking people to “(t)ell the President that as a Christian who cares about a just peace for all, you want the U.S. to support the Palestinians' quest for self-determination. Tell him you believe this is a legitimate way to pursue a just and lasting peace for the benefit of Palestinians and Israelis.”
  • Taking an idea from the “Occupy Wall Street” protests, a blog on the ELCA website written by Kate Sprutta Elliott, editor of the ELCA magazine Lutheran Woman Today, suggests the idea that the government force creditors to cancel individuals debts, including their home mortgage debt. (read here)
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Two ELCA synods, the Western Iowa Synod and the Southeastern Iowa Synod, have decided to co-sponsor, what has all the indications of, an anti-Israeli conference October 14-15, 2011. (see here)

Interestingly enough, the conference that the ELCA “Christian” synods are co-sponsoring includes a Muslim prayer service.  (read here)

The conference is called “US Policy in Palestine-Israel: Engaging Faith Communities in Pursuit of a Just Peace.”

When I look at the program for the conference, maybe it is just me, but I don’t think this gathering is all that interested in making sure Israel gets a “just peace.”

Notice some of the topics they will cover:
- Challenging US Military Aid to Israel
- Divesting from Israeli Occupation
- Palestinian Christians & the Kairos document (read about the Kairos document here)
- Debunking Myths About Islam
- Muslim Contributions to Knowledge
- Peace by Piece
- Organizing Within the Churches
- Fair Trade – Canaan
- Ethical Travel to Palestine
- Inside Gaza Today
- Christian Zionism
- Organizing on Campuses
- Youth travels in Palestine

One of the scheduled workshops is titled “BDS - MN Break the Bonds.” (see here)  I looked up “BDS” and found a description on the organization's website outlining who they are and what they are about.  It said, “(t)he global movement for a campaign of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian rights was initiated by Palestinian civil society in 2005, and is coordinated by the Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC), established in 2007.” (see here)

A few other things I noted about this conference: 
- Phyllis Bennis, a keynote speaker, was a founder and remains on the steering committee of the U.S. Campaign to End Israeli Occupation.
- The speakers seem to be Americans and Muslims who have the same political/Middle East view point. 
- It is worth taking a look at who the other conference co-sponsors are. (see here)
- The conference information pages use bias language and Palestinian talking points which are decidedly intended to put the Palestinian cause and positions in the best possible light while at the same time vilifying the Israelis. (see here)

If these people want to hold a conference, they certainly have every right to do so, but why are these two Evangelical Lutheran Church in America synods supporting a Muslim prayer service and an Israeli-bashing symposium?  Do you as ELCA members want your denomination to be associated with this kind of thing?

So in an effort to set the record straight on the quest for peace in the Middle East, please watch this six minute video.
Israel Palestinian Conflict: The Truth About the Peace Process
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The 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly is now over.  No doubt reports will be coming out about the happenings.  Here is the ELCA’s summery of what took place (click here)

A few items which I find interesting:
- An Islamic leader spoke to the assembly and received three standing ovations.
- The assembly passed a resolution which calls for congregations to protest against immigration laws like those in Arizona and Alabama.  (read here)
- Veiled comments were spoken and a memorial was approved which is founded in anti-Semitism.
- The genetics social statement was adopted.
- My understanding is that the assembly did vote in regards to proposed changes for congregations who want to leave the ELCA, it may have been brought forward in conjunction with other motions which I have not yet uncovered.
- Many words were spoken which professed overwhelming pride for and the greatness of the ELCA.
 
So in honor of the self-promoting and self-love which was so evident at the 2011 Churchwide Assembly, I give to you a video made at an ELCA National Youth Gathering:
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Lutheran Woman Today, a publication of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, published an article in their June 2011 magazine called “Holden Together.”  In the article we are told about a retreat and Bible study where ELCA pastor, Matt Larson, taught on Genesis 1, 2 and 3.  The pastor did not teach the traditional historical understanding that Moses wrote these chapters, instead it was “Yahwists” and priests.  The take-away message of this Bible study on creation and Adam and Eve was, “(j)ust because it’s not real doesn’t mean it’s not true.” (link to the article)

The article earlier stated, “(w)hen asked to describe the creation story, members of our group offered similar words: allegory, symbolic, myth, parable.”

Here is an ELCA affiliated magazine promoting the denial of the words of the Bible and make no mistake, it is also teaching their readers that they can not trust that what the Bible says is true.

In the same article about the retreat, a Methodist preacher spoke to the group, the author tells us “he excoriated America for ‘raining down fire’ on the Middle East and called for forgiveness and reconciliation in our foreign relations.”

This is so typical, many leaders in the ELCA and the mainline denominations that it is full communion with, blame America, hate on Jews and deny Scripture.

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“I believe the World Council of Churches has distinguished itself as one of the greatest tools used by Satan to water down, confuse and dilute the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ to a dying world.” -  Hal Lindsey

Please check out this video about the World Council of Churches (which the ELCA is a member of), Christians against Israel and interpretation of scripture.
See video
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If you haven’t seen this, Bishop Hanson released a statement saying that he "appreciated" President Obama's controversial Israel - Palestinian speech.  Read this blog for more.

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If you have information, articles or blogs you would like Exposing the ELCA to consider posting, you can send them by using our new “Submit Information” page.  (see here) 

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Did you know that the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (ELCA) has a Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice (CCME)?  The Center’s mission statement is “A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice (CCME) at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) fosters and deepens relations between Christians and Muslims as a significant part of its larger purpose of building bridges of mutual understanding, respect and cooperation among people of all faiths.”  (see here) 

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The April issue of The Lutheran magazine (ELCA) recommends utilizing the teachings of  noted pastor, Rob Bell. (see here)

Bell was recently featured in Time Magazine regarding his highly controversial new book, Love Wins, promoting the idea of universalism, that everyone will go to heaven. (see here)

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Below is a television report on St. James Lutheran Church in Greenfield, IN, which recently voted to leave the ELCA and join the NALC.  Also included is a link to a radio interview with St. James’ pastor, Larry Gember.

Fox Network News in Indianapolis (watch here)

Radio WIBC in Indianapolis (listen here)
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