Category: Abortion

ELCA: Quick to Promote Transgenderism, Silent About Late-Term Abortion and Infanticide

2/3/2019

(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)

If you go to the website of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, you will find the ELCA frequently taking liberal positions on all kinds of social and political issues. Recently the ELCA quickly responded against a Supreme Court decision because it may keep transgendered people out of the military. Since then, the State of New York has passed a radical law allowing abortions up to the due date. And the governor of Virginia made a statement in favor of infanticide, saying that a newborn child with severe deformities may be allowed to die.

What is the ELCA's response? Silence. Even though the ELCA's official abortion statement is against late-term abortion, ELCA leadership is silent. Why? My guess is that when they are passionate about a social cause, they speak, and when they are not passionate about even their own official position, they choose to remain silent.

The ELCA abortion statement is a problem. In one paragraph it sounds pro-life and in another it sounds pro-choice. The tragedy is that for years now the ELCA abortion statement has been interpreted to allow the ELCA to pay for abortion for any reason in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. The ELCA healthcare plan for pastors and their families is paid for with offering dollars. That's right, the ELCA pays for abortions with offering dollars. I remember years ago when I was still in the ELCA I received a letter, I think from a pastor's wife, who was so glad the ELCA "was there" to pay for her 16-year-old daughter's abortion.

Years ago the congregation that I served and I left the ELCA over this and other issues. I pray that if you are still in the ELCA, you will take your money, time and talents, and join a denomination that does not destroy unborn children with offering dollars.

In Jesus our Savior,

Pastor Tom Brock

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ELCA Top Bishop Says 'Human Sexuality and Gender Identity is a Beautiful Mystery'

10/24/2018

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Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) made a statement today that is very indicative of where the ELCA is now, how they have swallowed the lies of the world and departed from the Word of God. Presiding Bishop Eaton declared,

"No human institution decides who is human, who is visible, who is valued. Human sexuality and gender identity is a beautiful mystery. Trans people, like all people, are beloved by God."

Here is Bishop Eaton's Twitter post -

No human institution decides who is human, who is visible, who is valued. Human sexuality and gender identity is a beautiful mystery. Trans people, like all people, are beloved by God.
— Bishop Eaton (@ELCABishopEaton) October 24, 2018

Presiding Bishop Eaton's statement is one of support for transgender persons. It was apparently made in response to a recent statement made by President Trump "that his administration is 'seriously' considering changing the way it treats transgender people under the law, confirming what administration officials describe as a debate about whether to define a person’s sex as a biological fact determined at birth." (see here)

There was at least one request for a statement by Bishop Eaton about this:

It's time @ELCABishopEaton @ELCA to make a statement affirming trans people, God's love, and a commitment that trans loves #WontBeErased. The Church and God are waiting for you to proclaim the gospel.
— Kevin Beebe (@kevbeebe) October 23, 2018

God does love all people. But that does not mean He loves everything we do, everything we say, everything we "are" or all of our actions. Bishop Eaton, by her statement, is affirming homosexuality, bisexuality, transgenderism and all the claimed gender identities as "beautiful," that they are good, that they are not sin.

This is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Harming people by encouraging sin. Standing against our holy and loving God. Why would anyone be part of this denomination, this evil work of the devil that emerges in proclamations and statements such as this?

Also, notice how the Presiding Bishop says "No human institution decides who is human, who is visible, who is valued." Yet, the ELCA supports the killing of unborn humans and actually pays for employee abortions in their health care insurance. Many who are pro-abortion love to claim that the unborn children are not humans to justify their position. You can't have it both ways, Bishop Eaton.

Below you will find tweets of praise which Bishop Eaton received for making this statement. (Her statement has been shared on Facebook almost 2700 times and over 400 times on Twitter.)

Thank you, bishop!
— Rev Kevin Strickland (@PrKevinELCA) October 24, 2018

Wanna know why I love my church? Right here. □□
Bishop Eaton leads Lutherans worldwide through a mess of social injustices. #ELCA #love #vote https://t.co/plrlcInW1i
— Phil Quinn (@philquinn1) October 24, 2018

proud to be a member of an ELCA church https://t.co/npot6ZAFHN
— Julie S (@JulieSturza) October 24, 2018

wow i love the ELCA https://t.co/wcIdFZbiGp
— Kaila Lynn (@LiveLoveKaila) October 24, 2018

The @ELCA is committed to "attend to the need for equal
protection, equal opportunities, and equal responsibilities under the law, and
just treatment for those with varied sexual orientation and gender
identity." Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust p. 33 https://t.co/eJT8InVm3Z https://t.co/AHqMCClXJu
— Amy Reumann (@AmyELCAadvo) October 24, 2018

When bishops get it right. Proud of the @ELCA and @ELCABishopEaton. #WontBeErased https://t.co/zctEOyJUMh
— Emily E. Ewing (@rev_ewing) October 24, 2018

Thank you, @ELCABishopEaton! ❤️□□□□□ #elca #cordmn #TransRightsAreHumanRights https://t.co/yKtlI7RBAL
— Concordia Safe Space (@CordSafeSpace) October 24, 2018

Thank you, Bishop, for your proclamation.
— John Sipf (@Pr_JT_Sipf) October 24, 2018

Thank you for your support!
— Nicole M. Garcia (@nicoleg152) October 24, 2018

Beautiful! I was proud to retweet this personally and on my church page. Thank you.
— Laura Hall-Schordje (@PastorLauraHS) October 24, 2018

Thank you, Bishop!
— Rev Mrs Emmy Kegler (@emmykegler) October 24, 2018

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"Pissed Off" Former Bishop Speaks At the ELCA Youth Gathering

7/16/2018

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(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)

ELCA former bishop to teens: “I’m pissed off” about school shootings, “I grieve” unclean water, “I am furious” about separation of children at the border, but says nothing about separation of children in the womb

Former bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Reverend Stephen Bouman, told 31,000 Lutheran teenagers at the ELCA’s youth assembly last week that he is angry about school shootings, the unclean environment, blaming Muslims, and separating children at the border. But in his speech he said nothing about the tragedy of separating children in the womb. Why? The ELCA is so radically pro-choice that it pays for abortion for any reason in the ELCA healthcare plan, which is funded by offering dollars. That’s right, your ELCA offering dollars at work, killing unborn children. I believe people who are pro-choice should sit out the discussion about separating children from their mothers.

If you have any doubt that the ELCA wants its teenagers to be liberal democrats, endorse things like “Black Lives Matter”, etc., watch the below video. The ELCA claims to be a “big tent” which welcomes everyone, including conservatives. No sign of that in this message.

Sincerely in Christ,

Pastor Tom Brock

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ELCA Pastor/A Former Leader In Lutheran CORE Shares Her Support of Abortion and Gay Marriage

6/4/2018

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A few weeks ago, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s NPR news station posted an article entitled, “The Politics And Ethics Of Pennsylvania's Proposed Down Syndrome Abortion Ban.”

The article’s reporters spoke to several people about the abortion ban. One of those interviewed was Evangelical Lutheran Church in America pastor Natalie (Gessert) Hall:

“Hall said she doesn’t know if she would be capable of raising a child with Down syndrome, which she said is why she might have considered terminating such a pregnancy.

‘I’m not convinced that I would have the care and support I would need to embark on caring for a child with Down syndrome,’ she said. ‘Or a child with any other significant developmental or physical difficulties.’

...Hall said she’s counseled women who have struggled over whether to have abortions. Ultimately, she said it’s a personal choice that’s made more difficult by a society that’s not very accepting or supportive of people with disabilities.” (see here)

And thus we have another public statement by an ELCA clergy person who is supportive of a woman aborting the baby who is growing and developing in her womb. This is a common position for ELCA leadership and is reason alone for pro-life people to leave the denomination.

But there is more to this blog than Pastor Hall's public statement about abortion. See, I am familiar with her. She “follows” me on Facebook. Rev. Natalie Hall, formally Natalie Gessert, was a part of Lutheran CORE for a time (I am assuming that is no longer the case). In fact, she held a leadership position with Lutheran CORE. Lutheran CORE is a "Network for confessing Lutherans...(and an) advocate for Biblical authority and confessional fidelity among churches of the Lutheran community..." (see here)

A Lutheran CORE publication said:

“Pr. Chavez recognized and
thanked the Lutheran CORE staff, all
but two of whom are part-time…Facebook Moderator Natalie Gessert." (Page 2 of
http://www.lutherancore.org/archive/pdf/Connection-Aug-Sep-11.pdf)

She was also involved in this project:

“The 2010 Sola/ReClaim Edition* is a faithful word-for-word translation from Luther’s German Catechism.” “By the cooperative effort of Sola Publishing and ReClaim Resources this edition of the Small Catechism was produced in 2010 translators/authors representing Lutheran Core, WordAlone, LCMC, and NALC. The primary translator of the 2010 edition is Rev. Scott Grorud, with Rev. Thomas Jacobson, Rev. Natalie Gessert, and Dr. Gracia Grindal as translational consultants.” (see here)

So what happened to Pastor Natalie (Gessert) Hall? Why is this former leader in Lutheran CORE speaking out for abortion rights. Why is she posting on Facebook her support for homosexual marriage and rights? (see screenshots from her page posted on this blog). I do not know the answer, but I do know it is dangerous to place yourself in toxic cultures and environments. That is what you are doing by staying in the ELCA. It is dangerous and can bring about the compromising of your faith and Scripture. Sometimes when you are around someone long enough you succumb to their beliefs.

This is one reason I encourage people to leave the ELCA, pastors and members alike.

Below are additional interesting Facebook posts by Rev. Hall.

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Two ELCA Pastors' Warped View of God and Abortion

5/25/2018

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A recent article titled, “Can I Get An Abortion If I'm Religious?” features a number of religious figures in the United States who share their thoughts with the author, and two are pastors in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

ELCA Pastor Paul Eldred, who is "married" to a man, answered,

"In my reading, the Gospel of Luke tells us that Mary consented to becoming the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:38)…If God Gave Mary that option, why wouldn't we think that all women should have the choice to become a mother or not?"

Following that mind-blowingly ludicrous response

from the ELCA pastor, the author of the article continued, “For Eldred, the creation story in Genesis 1 reveals another biblical argument for access to comprehensive reproductive health care, abortion included. ‘We are told that God created humanity in God's own image,’ he says. ‘We believe this makes every human body holy and that every body bears divine image — this certainly includes the full expression of women's bodies, including trans, non-binary, etc. No one should be able to make choices about someone else's holy and divine body without their consent. God wants our bodies to be healthy, and that means that our choices on healthcare should be our own and are between us, our doctor, and our God.’"

Does everyone see the absurdity of that statement? What about the unborn baby’s body, Rev. Eldred? It is okay to destroy their “holy” body? I thought you said “No one should be able to make choices about someone else's holy and divine body…”

The second ELCA leader interviewed was Pastor Anna Ernst from Elmhurst, Illinois. She is quoted saying,

"I am concerned for the rights of all women. We cannot go back to clothes hangers and knitting needles. That is not life-giving, and I believe that is not what God wants," (see article here).

God does not want babies to be killed. This article gives us an example of the depravity of ELCA leadership and how far the denomination has gone since its founding.

To learn more about the ELCA and its leadership's position on abortion see here and here (scroll down).

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The ELCA Health Plan Covers Abortions

1/19/2018

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I, and many others, have been saying for years that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America pays for abortions of those who are covered by the ELCA health insurance plan (ELCA employees and their families).

It is truly horrific that a church, claiming to be followers of Christ, would willingly participate in the killing of an unborn child. It is unfathomable that a pro-life person would be part of that church.

In order to shed more light on the vile policy and support of abortion happening in the ELCA, I wrote Portico Benefit Services, an ELCA ministry who administers the ELCA's health insurance, asking them about their coverage of abortions. Below is their response:

As you can see "the ELCA health plan does cover a range of procedures that includes those for abortion, up to 20 weeks gestation." Portico also states they cover abortions that fall after 20 weeks of pregnancy, "when the life of the mother is threatened; or...when the fetus has lethal abnormalities indicating death is imminent."

It has been said that the ELCA health plan will pay for abortions no matter the reason. If you look at the email you will see that "Portico Benefit Services does not collect data related to abortion claims." That seems to confirm the belief that all abortions, including sex-selection abortion and those because of Down syndrome, would be covered.

You can also find much of this same information stated in their 2013 ELCA Health Benefits Plan ELCA-Primary Coverage document. (see here, page 14)

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The ELCA is Just an Extreme Social Policy and Political Organization that Cloaks Itself in Religion

12/19/2017

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God's Word in Matthew 4:17 tells us that Jesus preached the message, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

You will not hear ELCA leadership preach repentance of sin (unless it has to do with "Global Warming" or lack of being inclusive). They must believe Jesus was naive to think that people needed to repent or that hell awaited those that reject Christ as their Savior. Instead ELCA leaders succumbed to Satan's directives and are preaching their liberal social and political policies. Here are some examples:

- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America stands against the Congressional tax cut being voted on this month. They are spewing leftist propaganda saying it is a bill that "benefits corporations and the wealthy over lower and middle-income families." (See here and below.)

- Today the ELCA's Metropolitan New York Synod shared a post from a pro-LGBT organization about the case of the Christian baker from Colorado who was sued by two gay men because the baker would not use his artistic talents to make them a wedding cake. The article features an ELCA pastor condemning the Christian baker's claim of religious freedom (see here and below). In the case of gay men vs. a Bible-believing Christian, it is not a surprise with whom the ELCA synod is siding.

- Next is an article co-written by ELCA bishop William Gohl Jr. of the Delaware-Maryland Synod, ELCA. It condemns "current immigration policies" of the United States and says the "repeal of DACA would be morally reprehensible." He even says, "If we are to truly live out our faith, then we must...advocate that those who (are in the United States)...through DACA be allowed to stay." (See here)

- Gun regulations and laws are a favorite topic of many ELCA leaders. Here is some of what ELCA bishop Steven L. Ullestad of the Northeastern Iowa Synod is using to fill up his Facebook page:

(See here)

- News from the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has them adopting the Israel-inspired (anti-Israel) investment screen that was passed at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in 2016. (read the summer blog here)

They also “declined the request for the ELCA to declare itself a sanctuary denomination, yet supported the spirit of the sanctuary movement by encouraging congregations to serve and support the protection of migrants in their communities.” (see here)

- Finally, I will end this with what is truly one of the most morally reprehensible positions held in the ELCA, the support of abortion. After someone posted this abortion-supporting article on an ELCA Clergy Facebook page, some challenged the thought. Then ELCA pastor Russell L. Meyer wrote the comment below:

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ELCA Prays for Wolverines and Manatees, Never the Unborn or the Lost

12/9/2017

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(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org a number of months ago. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)

Tonight I visited a Lutheran church which, I'm pretty sure, was using the "Sundays and Seasons" prayers put out by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. These ELCA prayers regularly ask God to protect the environment and waterways. In the past, a prayer asked God to protect the manatees, today it was for "the wolverine and all endangered species." Nothing is wrong with these prayers, I suppose, except for the fact that in recent years I don't recall one prayer asking God to protect unborn human beings. Nor do I recall one prayer asking that He would bring lost people to saving faith in Christ. I'm am afraid there is a reason for this. The ELCA pays for abortion (for any reason) in its healthcare plan for pastors and their families, and this is funded by offering dollars. It is hard to pray for the unborn if church offerings can be used to kill them. And why no prayers that lost people will come to Christ? My guess is because the heresy of universalism (the teaching that all people are saved) has made much headway in the ELCA. In fact the New England Synod of the ELCA recently passed a resolution asking the ELCA to drop the language of "bringing people to Christ" from the ELCA constitution. This was in order to be sensitive to Muslims and Jews and also because we are not sure that people of other religions are indeed lost. So, if everyone is saved, lets pray for manatees and wolverines.

The Missouri Synod branch of Lutheranism is much more Biblical and conservative than the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, but the church that used these prayers today was a Missouri Synod congregation. I attend a different Missouri Synod church which gratefully finally dropped these ELCA prayers. I had complained about the ELCA prayers and finally, after an ELCA prayer was made to God as "Mother", the prayers were dropped for good.

So if you go to a church that regularly prays for the environment but never mentions the lost or the unborn, you might want to have a talk with your pastor.

Sincerely in Christ,

Pastor Tom Brock
pastorsstudy.org

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Is Gustavus Adolphus College the Right College For You?

5/9/2017

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This is the time of year when many seniors in high school are finalizing their decisions on where they will go to college. It is an important decision that will shape and influence the rest of their lives in many ways. Most importantly, it will influence students' Christian faith.
Parents need to ask and investigate how the prospective college will influence their child's Christian faith and belief.

To help parents and students in their investigation I have written the following about Gustavus Adolphus College.

Gustavus Adolphus College is a school of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) located in Saint Peter, Minnesota. One would think this Lutheran college would be an excellent place to grow in your Christian faith, to encourage you in your faith and to deepen your understanding of Scripture and God’s will for you. It is not. I repeat, it is not. As you will read below, Gustavus Adolphus College is openly encouraging thoughts and behaviors that go against the will of God, thereby leading students away from Christ Jesus and the Truth of God’s Word.

Sexuality

--- The Gustavus Adolphus Department of Theatre/Dance performed the play “In the Next Room, or The Vibrator Play.” On the Gustavus Adolphus website, announcing this production, is the warning, “If you are offended by beautiful naked people and/or consenting adults having frank conversations about physical pleasure please, do not come to see this play.” (see here)

--- Gustavus Adolphus’ made news when freshman orientation activities were filmed and posted online in 2010. The article linked below describes the school's orientation gathering as a “series of sexually suggestive skits explaining to incoming students such things as where to get free condoms on campus, how to signal to your roommate that you are busy having sex (so he waits until later to come in), and how to tell your roommate you're gay (as well as the appropriate response you ought (to) take when receiving such information).” (see report here)

Here is a video of the Gustavus Adolphus College freshman orientation activity.

The second Gustavus Adolphus College freshmen orientation video post below is equally disturbing.

--- Last month, a Safer Sex Carnival was held at Gustavus Adolphus. The college’s website reports “The Carnival will include resources and information about having safer sex and overall healthier, more satisfying relationships.” The Safer Sex Carnival is sponsored by Title IX, the Dean of Students Office, and the Sexual Education and Decision Committee. (see here)

--- On the Gustavus Adolphus website you can find a section from a book called “Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children from Sex.” One line from the excerpt says “Child or teen sex can be moral or immoral.” (see here)

--- The college paper, Gustavus Weekly, tells us, “Gustavus library finalizes plans for gender-neutral bathrooms.” (see below)

--- The College newspaper published another piece called “Legalize Sex Work” where the author encourages the legalization of prostitution. (see here)

--- Gustavus Adolphus’ Women’s Awareness Center held an event to talk about “orgasms, safe sex decisions and the importance of respecting our bodies.” (see here)

Other religions

--- The Gustavus Day of Fasting-A Ramadan Celebration in honor of the Islamic holiday of Ramadan was sponsored by the Chaplains’ Office. (see here)

--- Last year the Chaplains’ Office and Diversity Center sponsored a webinar called Campus Responses to Islamophobia (see here)

--- Office of the Chaplains’, Siri Erickson, Brian Konkol and Ailya Vajid released a statement saying “we are deeply grieved by the rise of Islamophobia in our nation…we stand against hate, ignorance, and bigotry wherever they occur and together work to promote dignity, inclusion, and equity.” (see here)

--- The ELCA Lutheran school has a multifaith center. “The Center is the new home for a number of student organizations, including Gustavus’ Muslim Student Association, Gustavus Meditation, Gustavus Interfaith Lodge, and the Multifaith Leadership Council.” (see here and the screenshot below)

--- “Diwali Festival of Lights, a traditional Hindu celebration, will be observed at Gustavus Adolphus College at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28 in Alumni Hall, in O.J. Johnson Student Union.” (see here)

--- What about Buddhism at Gustavus Adolphus? Yep. “Gustavus community will have the opportunity to participate in a cultural event not normally seen in this part of the world. Students and faculty are invited to join in the celebration of the annual Buddhist festival of Vesak…” (see here)

--- The Chaplins’ Office section on the college website has a list of small groups and programs one can attend. Among them is Feminist Bible Study, Muslim Student Association and Gustavus Meditation. On the Chaplins’ Office webpage we are told that Gustavus’ “Meditation is lead (sic) by a local Buddhist monk, Prof. John Cha, and Cody Kirk and is followed by discussion. The purpose of this organization is to provide a weekly meditation classes for the entire Gustavus campus.” (see here)

--- Department of Theatre/Dance at Gustavus presented a performance of The Ragamala Dance’s 1,001 Buddhas: Journey of the Gods. This performance was “inspired by twenty-eight Hindu deities that guard the 1,001 Buddhist statues of the Sanjusangendo temple in Kyoto, Japan.” And illustrated “the myriad histories and energies of these gods and goddesses and to bring to the modern stage a vision that traverses the scope of spiritual experience, from the intimate to the infinite.” (see here)

More LGBT

--- Yes, Gustavus Adolphus College observes “Coming Out” week. It is run by the group “Queers & Allies.” There is an article about it in the school paper, The Gustavian Weekly, titled “Importance of Coming Out Week…” (see here)

--- On the Gustavus Adolphus College website it has a Latina/o resource page on ‘coming out,” LGBT issues, “Transgender Resources and Immigration Law and Policy” (one resource shared is information on the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) (see here)

--- The college website also has a LGBTQ resources page. (see here)

--- Another Department of Theatre/Dance performance was “Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes,” a play about a 1980’s gay community. (see here)

Speakers/performers

--- A gay comedian/actress was on campus pushing her causes. The school paper writes, “Orange is the New Black’s Lea DeLaria speaks in Christ Chapel May 13, 2016 – Star of the popular Netflix series, Orange is the New Black, actress Lea DeLaria visited Gustavus on May 10. DeLaria is also known for being the first openly gay comic to take the stage on many late-night talkshows. She is also a prominent figure in the LGBT community. DeLaria entertained the audience through humor and song, while discussing important topics on gender identity and equity.” (see here and see the Exposing the ELCA blog about DeLaria’s performance here)

--- Historian and professor Kevin Mumford came to Gustavus Adolphus College and gave a lecture on black gay history. (see here)

--- The Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus performed at Gustavus Adolphus. (see here)

--- And when a Christian musician who “used to identify himself as a homosexual but now identifies himself as heterosexual” performed on the Gustavus Adolphus campus with his band, they were protested because the “band spoke about the possibility that homosexuals could be ‘cured…’” (see here)

--- Like so many ELCA colleges, Gustavus Adolphus holds a drag show (see here and here)

Planned Parenthood

--- The Gustavus Adolphus website has an article blasting abstinence-only sex education and the article is produced by Planned Parenthood. (see here)

--- The Gustavus Adolphus College website has a webpage called “Sex & Relationships.” The page provides a link to Planned Parenthood (see here)

--- The Gustavian Weekly posted a one-sided, pro-Planned Parenthood article. (see here) Another article that discusses the same event tells how students "all over campus sported pink attire to support Planned Parenthood. (read here)

Professors

--- Professor John Cha, Associate Professor in Religion and Japanese Studies at Gustavus Adolphus, is a Buddhist monk and a meditation teacher/guide for the group Gustavus Meditation. Those who attend Gustavus Meditation “experience Buddhist mettā bhāvanā (loving-kindness meditation) and ānāpānasati (breathing meditation).”(see here) Professor Cha’s “teaching and research interests include Buddhist philosophy, Indian intellectual history, comparative philosophy, and inter-religious dialogue (primarily Buddhist/Christian dialogue).” (see here)

--- Fuad S. Naeem is an assistant professor who teaches Islam and World Religions at Gustavus Adolphus College: “His interests include Islamic intellectual traditions in South Asia, Muslim encounters with religious others, Islam and modernity, the Qur'an and its exegesis, and Islamic philosophy, theology, and esoteric traditions.” (see here)

--- “Professors at Gustavus Adolphus College make on average $108,181 per year. This is $44,715 more than the average liberal arts college professor's annual salary ($63,466).” (see here)

Race

--- Just this spring (2017), the “Diversity Leadership Council” did something that had many media outlets talking. They posted racially offensive posters (FAKE racist posters) around Gustavus Adolphus’ campus (see here)

--- The Gustavus Adolphus student newspaper published a piece called “Mein Trump,” mimicking the name of a book written by Adolph Hitler. A Gustavus Adolphus writer expressed the following, “Trump is quickly and not so quietly building a coalition of white supremacists and closet racists alike.” (see here)

Politics

--- The Gustavus College Republicans decided to leave the The Diversity Leadership Council “implying that their opinions have been disregarded.” (see here)

--- A Gustavus Adolphus College woman wearing a “make America great again” hat was allegedly assaulted on campus. (see here)

--- Lutheran Pastor Tom Brock recounts what he saw and experienced while visiting Gustavus Adolphus College writing, “I visited the campus today and walked past the chaplains' offices and the offices of the religion professors, wondering what I would see on their doors. A picture of Jesus or a Bible verse? None of that. Instead I saw signs saying 'Gay safe zone' and 'Hate free zone'. One religion prof showed a rainbow sticker and a sign 'My Karma ran over your dogma'. One door had a posting for feminist theology, another door or two displayed images from Eastern religions. As I was perusing the doors, an Asian religion professor was talking to a student about the different kinds of meditation. Nothing of Jesus." (see here)

Students who grew up believing God’s Word, believing in biblical marriage (one man, one woman) and that you shall have no other gods before Him, are having their beliefs trampled on at Gustavus Adolphus. Gustavus Adolphus College is not a faithful, Bible-believing college.

This is a series of investigations into the colleges of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Below are links to the first two installments.

--- What to Expect if You Attend Luther College (see here)

--- Beware of the ELCA’s Grand View University (see here)

The work required to run this website is extensive. Please prayerfully consider supporting the ministry of Exposing the ELCA. Click here to find out how.

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The 20th Anniversary of the ELCA'S Worst Decision

1/27/2017

1 Comment

(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and twitter - here.)

(Pastor Brock has updated this article with corrections.)

No, I'm not talking about the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's decision to ordain practicing homosexuals and to allow homosexual "weddings". That took place in 2009 and caused the largest church split in American history. I am thinking of the ELCA's decision in 1997 to continue to pay for abortion for any reason--and no reason--in its healthcare plan for pastors and their families. This plan is funded by offering dollars.

Here is what happened. About 1995 I discovered the ELCA had been paying for abortion-on-demand, no questions asked, for a number of years. I knew the ELCA was liberal, but I was still surprised by how radical their abortion policy was in its healthcare plan. I sent 11,000 letters to every ELCA church in the country explaining the situation since few were aware of the policy. I received many letters, some pastors were grieved and others supportive of the abortion payments. It looked for a while that a change was coming. The ELCA's Board of Pensions which administered the health program was about to offer amendments to only pay for abortion for rape, incest, life of the mother, and fetal anomaly incompatible with life. This was too broad for my liking, but at least it was better than abortion-on-demand. But this Board of Pensions' move was not encouraged by the ELCA's Conference of Bishops which from my understanding wanted to keep the status quo. The only concession was that abortion payments would be restricted after the 20th week of pregnancy. Again, I was somewhat surprised, I thought perhaps the bishops would be on the side of life. The Presiding Bishop at the time was Herbert Chilstrom who has since become public in his affirmation of abortion rights and homosexual "marriage".

So I sent out a second letter to 11,000 churches urging people to take the issue to the national assembly. The only way to overrule the liberal abortion policy was to pass a resolution through the national assembly, which was to take place in Philadelphia in 1997. I attended that assembly. God bless the pro-life people who got to the microphones urging the ELCA to stop paying for abortion with the offerings of the people of God. Others urged that this is a private matter between a woman and her doctor and self-righteous men need to be quiet. I thought to myself "If this is a private matter (which it isn't) then don't make the Church pay for it." But when the vote was taken, the ELCA decided by a 3 to 1 margin to continue to pay for abortion for any reason.

I literally shook the dust off my feet as I left that assembly and a few years later my congregation left the ELCA.

Many people today are still unaware that when they give their offering to the ELCA it can go to pay for abortion. Your ELCA offering dollars at work: killing unborn children. As one pastor said back then "Real churches don't kill babies."

In Jesus our Savior,

Pastor Tom Brock
pastorsstudy.org

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More About the Women's March and the ELCA's Participation

1/23/2017

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“On Saturday, thousands of women dressed up in vagina costumes and descended upon DC to demand, among other things, free birth control and abortion. They called this the "Women's March," but I think that name is a terrible insult to women. The women closest to me in my life would rather die than put on a vagina hat and march through Washington in support of the mass slaughter of children.” – Matt Walsh (read here)

And that's not all. Check out this article about one of the organizers of the gathering, Women’s March Organizer is a vicious Jew-hater with ties to Islamic Terror
(see here)

The ELCA had a strong presence at the Women's March.

What kind of "Christian" denomination or person would take part in this kind of event? It was a pro-abortion demonstration that also embraced such things as LGBTQ rights, BlackLivesMatter, illegal immigration rights, Palestine and Muslims. And the glue that held it all together was anger against President Trump.

As I reported last week Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, was in Washington, D.C. last weekend and was scheduled to take part in some Women's March activity (see here). And of course there were many social media posts by ELCA pastors and members voicing and displaying their support for the march. Here are a few of them.

Most of you know the ELCA's favorite pastor and best-selling author Nadia Bolz-Weber. These two posts by Bolz-Weber show you the state of the ELCA.

pic.twitter.com/xgI42nH2oy
— Nadia Bolz-Weber (@Sarcasticluther) January 21, 2017

From ELCA Rev. Bethany C Hull Somers:

Proud to represent the love of Jesus! #elca #womensmarch https://t.co/JlgZAst6Rc
— Bethany Hull Somers (@blc_pastor) January 21, 2017

This is a picture of a sign at Luther Place, an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America church:

I ♡ my church home. Stop by @LutherPlace for post-march live music, food, & bathrooms!#WomensMarch #AllAreWelcome #YesWeCan @ELCA pic.twitter.com/hCX5ykfB0b
— Chelsey Christensen (@chelseydc) January 21, 2017

Here is what this ELCA seminarian shared:

Women's March in Trenton! #ltsphilly #elca #lutheran #seminary… https://t.co/DeFwtMQcDv
— Bridget Gautieri (@priestessbg) January 21, 2017

ELCA Pastor Nancy Kraft marched:

Showing my ELCA colors at Women's March, Washington, DC. pic.twitter.com/9dyqyYZQgI
— Nancy Kraft (@RevNK) January 22, 2017

ELCA pastor Priscilla Austin posted the next two social media posts:

And,

Proud to be marching in Seattle with this group from @ImmanuelSeattle pic.twitter.com/nl9INe7Pdz
— Priscilla Austin (@pastormami) January 21, 2017

A number of ELCA congregation members from this church marched:

Pastor Yancey and Bethel members gathered at yesterday's #WomensMarch in Washington D.C.

"We’ll gather not as a... https://t.co/NxnnwCIfSB
— Bethel Church ELCA (@BethelSTL_Org) January 22, 2017

ELCA Rev. Carmine A. Pernini, Zion Lutheran Church, Rahway NJ marched in the march:

ELCA Pastor Kathryn Irwin of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Nutley, New Jersey writes on her Facebook page, "Today I marched and rallied in Trenton, alongside a staggering number of New Jerseyans, and in concert with folks around the country and the world." (see here)

Pastor Irwin also shared some pictures of the signs they made for the Women's March:

For many of you, this is your denomination gladly partaking in this vile, hateful and evil demonstration.

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ELCA Presiding Bishop to Participate in the Pro-Abortion Women’s March on Washington Activity

1/19/2017

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The controversial Women’s March on Washington will take place this weekend, January 21, 2017, one day after the Inauguration of Donald Trump as President of the United States. As with so many far-left activities, you can find the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s heavy involvement. The ELCA’s Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod publicized a schedule for the week which included a number of Women’s March events along with an announcement saying, “Don’t be surprised if you see the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, ELCA presiding bishop, downtown. She is expected to take part in an inauguration prayer service and Women’s March-related activity.” (see here)

So what is this Women’s March on Washington about?

Let’s look at a few of the groups stated principles:

“REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

We believe in Reproductive Freedom. We do not accept any federal, state or local rollbacks, cuts or restrictions on our ability to access quality reproductive healthcare services, birth control, HIV/AIDS care and prevention, or medically accurate sexuality education. This means open access to safe, legal, affordable abortion and birth control for all people, regardless of income, location or education.

LGBTQIA RIGHTS

We firmly declare that LGBTQIA Rights are Human Rights and that it is our obligation to uplift, expand and protect the rights of our gay, lesbian, bi, queer, trans or gender non-conforming brothers, sisters and siblings. We must have the power to control our bodies and be free from gender norms, expectations and stereotypes.

IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

Rooted in the promise of America’s call for huddled masses yearning to breathe free, we believe in immigrant and refugee rights regardless of status or country of origin. We believe migration is a human right and that no human being is illegal.” (see here)

Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America are the only two "Premier partners" of the Women’s March on Washington.

Linda Sarsour, the national co-chair of the Women's March on Washington explains that a theme of the Women’s March is “Hands off Planned Parenthood and our reproductive rights.” (see here)

So check this out. The ELCA presiding bishop, an ELCA synod, at least two ELCA churches and many ELCA members are participating in Women’s March activities where one of its main themes is abortion rights. How wicked!! The highest ELCA leader is participating! And this is from a denomination that is never present at the March for Life, an annual pro-life march in Washington, D.C.

Joelle Colville-Hanson, the Director of Evangelical Mission at the ELCA’s Northeastern Iowa Synod is going to the Women’s March. She tweets,

Any #ELCA folk planning to march on Sat we are planning to meet up at Reformation Lutheran before. #WomensMarch
— JoelleColvilleHanson (@PastorJoelle) January 16, 2017

And here Pastor Colville-Hanson retweets a tweet by the President of Planned Parenthood.

Earlier this week it was reported that a pro-life feminist group was kicked out of the Women’s March. A statement from the Women’s March said, “The Women’s March platform is pro-choice and that has been our stance from day one.” “We want to assure all of our partners, as well as participants, that we are pro-choice as clearly stated in our Unity Principles. We look forward to marching on behalf of individuals who share the view that women deserve the right to make their own reproductive decisions.” (read here)

Cecile Richards, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America president said her organization became involved with the Women's March because the march will “send a strong message to the incoming administration that millions of people across this country are prepared to fight attacks on reproductive healthcare, abortion services and access to Planned Parenthood.” (see here)

As I mentioned above, Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America are premier partners of the event. Other partners include: #VOTEPROCHOICE, FREE THE NIPPLE, GLAAD, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), American Atheists, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Southern Poverty Law Center, Students for Choice, Catholics for Choice, The Center For Reproductive Rights, URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, CODEPINK, Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), National Center for Lesbian Rights and National Organization for Women (NOW). (see here)

Popular Christian blogger Matt Walsh writes, “The march will be explicitly pro-abortion, anti-family, anti-Christian, etc. To march along side them is to implicitly endorse the ideas that the march was organized to promote. And those ideas are almost entirely vile and reprehensible.” (see here)

And there you have the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Standing up for the killing of unborn children. How any pro-life pastor can stay in the ELCA is beyond me.

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ELCA Love for Planned Parenthood

11/17/2016

7 Comments

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's strong pro-abortion position can be seen in their policies, actions, non-actions and by what their leadership says. I'd like to share with you what ELCA leaders are saying on their social media pages about Planned Parenthood and abortion:

ELCA Campus Pastor Casey Kloehn wrote a blog called "Abortion, actually." In it she writes:

"I am already tired of fighting against those who have spent my entire life (as well as the decade before my birth) trying to undo the protections that decision provides."

"I'm tired of feigning apology for where I stand."

"I'm tired of men who have systematically threatened, oppressed, and injured women (for decades, centuries, millennia) through legislation, regulation, and theology."

"...women who have had abortions do not need your forgiveness."

"I stand with Planned Parenthood."

"Women should have safe access to abortion on demand."

"Even if Planned Parenthood was first and foremost an abortion provider, I would stand with them.

I stand with every woman who is considering, has considered, will consider, is choosing, has chosen, or will choose abortion.

Not in spite of my education, not in spite of my Christianity but--straight up--because of those privileges and commitments, I stand with women. I stand with Planned Parenthood."

ELCA Pastor Scott Alan Johnson, Story City, IA wrote this in his blog:

"I'd like to see picket lines at clinics which provide abortion procedures made illegal, defined as an act of terrorism and as such no longer defensible under the right to free speech as set out in the 1st Amendment."

"Let's face it: Roe v. Wade is not going to be reversed. Frankly, it shouldn't be". (see here)

Recently Pastor Johnson tweeted his joy at people donating to abortion provider Planned Parenthood in the name of the strong pro-life Vice-President elect Mike Pence. See below.

ELCA Pastor Joelle Colville-Hanson is the Director for Evangelical Mission at the Northeastern Iowa Synod and she tweeted this last week:

ELCA pastor Robert Franek, from Illinois retweeted the following from NARAL Pro-Choice America:

Rozella Haydée White is the former Director for Young Adult Ministry for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Days ago she tweeted this:

Early this year Pastor Tom Brock wrote a blog titled "An ELCA leader supports Planned Parenthood" (see here) where he writes:

"Inez Torres Davis is the Director of Justice for Women of the ELCA (WELCA). On her Facebook page she has a photo that says 'I stand with Planned Parenthood.' These are difficult days to stand with the nation's largest abortion provider, given the grisley facts that came out in the news about what they do with aborted baby parts. But sadly, this ELCA leader stands with them, and the ELCA continues to pay for abortion."

The ELCA has long been a supporter of abortion. (see here and scroll down the page here) And as Pastor Brock mentioned, the ELCA even pays for abortion, for any reason, in their employee health care insurance. Today I've shown you vocal pro-abortion, pro-Planned Parenthood ELCA leaders shouting their support for Planned Parenthood. Is there any wonder Pew Research found that 65% of Mainline Lutherans (ELCA) say abortion should be legal in all/most cases. ELCA leaders have a profound influence on your thoughts and beliefs. That is a big danger in sitting under their teaching.

(see Pew Research study here)

7 Comments

A Sad Pro-Abortion, Pro-Homosexual Memory From 1997

6/27/2016

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(The following article was written a number of months ago by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and twitter - here.)

Today I walked inside the Philadelphia Convention Center where back in 1997 I watched the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America convention vote to pay for abortion, for any reason, with offering dollars in its healthcare plan for pastors and their families. Some of us tried to change this abhorrent practice and we lost the vote by a two-thirds majority. This ELCA policy remains the same today, your offering dollars can go to kill unborn babies.

At the same convention the ELCA voted to interchange clergy with the very liberal United Church of Christ. Before the vote a delegate publicly asked the UCC President "Why does the UCC ordain practicing homosexuals?" The UCC President replied that "the Holy Spirit" led them to do this. I went up to him afterward and wondered if he had perhaps blasphemed the Holy Spirit. I believe a spirit led the UCC to do what they did, but it wasn't the Holy Spirit. He said he would have to think about that. Today in 2015, the ELCA, the Presbyterian Church USA, the Episcopal Church in America, and the Disciples of Christ and have decided to follow the UCC in its decision to ordain practicing homosexuals. They follow the world, not the Word.

Sincerely in Christ,

Pastor Tom Brock
pastorsstudy.org

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ELCA Temper Tantrums Toward Pro-Life Persons

5/20/2016

4 Comments

The following personal account and exchange comes from the comment section of this article about abortion and the church and took place in 2009.

One persons writes:

“I am the wife side of Lutheran Lurker, or should I say ex Lutheran Lurker. My husband walked away from 22 years of parish ministry, into the darkness of a recession, over life issues. We were ELCA in a very liberal congregation. It was clear to us that any, and I mean any however subtle, hint of pro-life leanings was met with temper tantrums and aggressive action. I felt that my head was going to explode. I have bitten my tongue so often it is almost off. A few years ago, I purchased a Feminists for Life bumper sticker for my truck. I was afraid to put them on, knowing the consequences. That sticker sat in the drawer for two full years haunting, or perhaps better stated, convicting me. Eventually, it went on and Hell did break out. Anyone who tells you these mainline churches are tolerant is fooling themselves. They are militantly pro-choice with a handful of pro-life people afraid to come out of the closet on the issue because most of the other church choices involve the word Catholic or evangelical.

He is still job hunting, any leads would be appreciated. We crossed the Tiber where the air is cleaner and the grass is greener. As a wise mother of a young man with developmental disabilities in our special service said, “no regrets, except for the timing.””

Someone replies:

“Lutheran Lurker, my heart goes out to you and your husband for making this difficult and courageous stand. In the 80s, I was a member of an LCA church that then became an ELCA church. When I asked my pastor for a reference because I was applying to become a volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center, he got very angry and told me off. He then went into a long tirade about the importance of allowing abortion in all kinds of situations, giving half a dozen or more examples from his years counseling parishioners who chose abortion with his blessing. He initially refused to give the reference, saying crisis pregnancy centers were very harmful organizations who hurt women badly. He then reluctantly gave it. Learning his response, I didn’t have the courage to bring up the abortion issue with anyone else in the congregation. And it wasn’t long before I moved on to another church. Your experience is so very sad. I hope your husband is able to find a job soon.

This reminds me of the story of Richard John Neuhaus, the Lutheran pastor who was a liberal civil rights activist changed forever by Roe v. Wade, and who left the Lutherans to become a Catholic. Most likely you know way more about him than I do.”

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<<Previous

ELCA: Quick to Promote Transgenderism, Silent About Late-Term Abortion and Infanticide

ELCA Top Bishop Says 'Human Sexuality and Gender Identity is a Beautiful Mystery'

"Pissed Off" Former Bishop Speaks At the ELCA Youth Gathering

ELCA Pastor/A Former Leader In Lutheran CORE Shares Her Support of Abortion and Gay Marriage

Two ELCA Pastors' Warped View of God and Abortion

The ELCA Health Plan Covers Abortions

The ELCA is Just an Extreme Social Policy and Political Organization that Cloaks Itself in Religion

ELCA Prays for Wolverines and Manatees, Never the Unborn or the Lost

Is Gustavus Adolphus College the Right College For You?

The 20th Anniversary of the ELCA'S Worst Decision

More About the Women's March and the ELCA's Participation

ELCA Presiding Bishop to Participate in the Pro-Abortion Women’s March on Washington Activity

ELCA Love for Planned Parenthood

A Sad Pro-Abortion, Pro-Homosexual Memory From 1997

ELCA Temper Tantrums Toward Pro-Life Persons

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