Category: Advocacy

Arrest By ICE Has ELCA Leaders Up In Arms

5/16/2019

Betty Rendon is an ELCA Synodically Authorized Lay Minister at an ELCA church and received her Masters of Divinity from the ELCA's Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC). A few days ago, she and some family members were arrested by ICE, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

So far we do not have many details about the incident, except what ELCA entities are saying. It all started with a one-sided account from Betty Rendon's church. You can read it here.

Then the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's presiding bishop began tweeting about the situation.

Pr Betty Rendon, Emaus Lutheran Racine along with daughter, husband, cousin arrested at gun point by ICE. Five yr old granddaughter was present. Pr Rendon beginning PhD at LSTC. Rally tomorrow night (5/15) in Racine. She fled Columbia when her school was attacked by guerrillas.
— Bishop Eaton (@ELCABishopEaton) May 14, 2019

More details. Betty Lendin has an MDiv from LSTC was accepted into the DMin program. She is a Synodically Authorized Lay Minister preaching at Emaus.
— Bishop Eaton (@ELCABishopEaton) May 15, 2019

A letter about the situation was posted by the ELCA's Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) from President James Nieman, Dean of Student Services Scott Chalmers and Pastor to the Community Erik Christensen.

In the letter they call the United States' immigration policy "racist." Here is the quote (see below also), "This incident brings into painful focus the ongoing need to reform this country’s racist, violent, and inhumane immigration system."

Of course, ELCA Advocacy had something to say. Below is part of an email they sent (see the full email here):

ELCA partner, the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service commented:

"This is absolutely heartbreaking and shameful behavior on behalf of ICE officers. LIRS will pray for and advocate for the just treatment of Pastor Rendón and all those who find themselves in her position."

Some of the readers of the LIRS Facebook post commented saying, "We are becoming like a Hitler state..." "I am ashamed of our country..." "ICE equals deliberate cruelty." "ICE has no humanity....this is like the Nazi era." "We are very close to becoming a communist nation, Trumps SS is ICE. The time is near for all Americans to March on Washington!" "Abolish ICE." "Our government is looking more and more like murderous criminals." "ICE is disgraceful."

A newspaper article titled ICE allegedly arrests Racine student pastor; Vigil planned for Wednesday can be seen here.

A seminary classmate of Betty Rendon added his 2 cents:

Benjamin Stewart, a Professor & Director of Advanced Studies at LSTC tweeted that the "family was terrorized & separated":

An asylum-seeking @elca minister & her family terrorized & separated - my former @LSTChicago student Betty Rendon. Read the horrific account from her congregation https://t.co/2yTj8hZTsg
(corrected LSTC tag) pic.twitter.com/CQiZQceKuf
— Benjamin Stewart (@bstewLSTC) May 15, 2019

ELCA pastor Chad McKenna writes "#AbolishICE":

According to this article, ICE arrested her daughters first. Her children. ICE arrested a DACA recipient and a U.S. Citizen at one location before pointing their guns at three unarmed adults who have long been in the process of seeking asylum. #AbolishICE https://t.co/CJJG8POKnB
— Chad McKenna (@cmckennaiv) May 15, 2019

From ELCA Pastor Paul Eldred:

Betty Rendón, pastor of an @ELCA church in Wisconsin, was arrested at gunpoint by ICE along with her family. She fled Colombia and sought refuge in the US.
Another shameful act by this administration.
Please pray for her, her family, and her congregation. And then demand change! https://t.co/jt0s37b983
— Paul Eldred (@pmceldred) May 15, 2019

The DE-MD Synod tweeted:

Grateful for @ELCABishopEaton and her witness on behalf of Betty Rendon. https://t.co/fvXAiVSrL2
— DE-MD Synod ELCA (@ELCAdemdsynod) May 15, 2019

Matthew Short, the Assistant to the Bishop for Evangelical Mission at Greater Milwaukee Synod, was part of a gathering outside Betty Rendon's detention center. Below is his Facebook post about it:

More from the ELCA's Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago:

And from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

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ELCA Video Tells People to 'Talk About Climate Change'

5/5/2019

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America produced a new video that tells people to "Talk about climate change with your families, friends, colleagues and local congregations."

And, states,

"Studies have shown that congregations where pastors talk about climate change have people who are more likely to engage in taking care of creation and to advocate for climate solutions." See the video below.

It is good to care about the Earth, but there is a great deal of debate about climate change and if it is caused by humans. The ELCA has decided it is.

But beyond that, why isn't the ELCA encouraging people to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins? You don't hear that message, and it is of utmost importance. Life on Earth is certainly important, but this is how we have true life now and eternal life in heaven.

Here is an environment page on ELCA.org where the video can also be found.

The @ELCA has announced a collaboration with @ecoAmerica's Blessed Tomorrow program, which helps faith-based organizations elevate their leadership on the moral, religious and justice issues surrounding #climatechange. #creationcare https://t.co/UaFr6bX6yD
— Living Lutheran (@LivingLutheran) February 4, 2019

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The Golan Heights, Jerusalem Holy Sites and the Gaza March of Return: The ELCA Stands Against Israel Again

4/7/2019

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), along with a number of mainline denominations, released a statement last week "rejecting President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights." (see here and an article by the PC(USA) titled "Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and other denominations oppose Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights" here)

Israel won the Golan Heights, along with additional land, in 1967, against countries that wanted to destroy the Jewish state. But true to form, the ELCA has sided with many Jew-hating countries and individuals who use the Golan Heights acquisition as an instrument to attack Israel.

The ELCA has a long list of examples, as well as history, of taking positions in opposition to Israel. (see here)

Last month the ELCA made another of the endless calls for action against Israel, this time wanting people to pressure Congress to urge Israel to allow access to the city holy sites. Because of violence, Israel temporarily denied access to the sites, but the ELCA doesn't say that. They pressure Israel, use bias words, and in the below statement, inflate sentiment to their own viewpoints benefit. For instance, saying "the international community's insistence that East Jerusalem is an occupied area." Many in the international community to do not agree with that. And then the ELCA saying "U.S. churches have consistently supported a shared Jerusalem as capital for Israel and as a capital for a Palestinian state..." I'm pretty sure more U.S. churches do not support dividing Jerusalem making East Jerusalem a Palestinian capital. But most ELCA leaders do.

(See here)

Finally, the post below shows the ELCA advocating for people to attend the anniversary events of "Gaza's March of Return." The idea is that people whose relatives once lived in Israel have a right to return to live in Israel. The "march" has been happening for over a year, with Palestinians gathering on Israel's border, rioting, rushing the boarder fence, and perpetrating violent acts. I believe this link shows the "congressional briefing" the ELCA is wanting U.S. senators and congressional representatives to attend. Of course, the anniversary events are supportive of "Gaza's March of Return."

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ELCA Seminarian Motivated By 'intersectional feminism, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, interfaith dialogue, (and) sex positivity'

3/5/2019

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Madeline Burbank is a Master of Divinity student at the ELCA's Luther Seminary. Below is an announcement she made on her Facebook page about her education choice and the motivation behind it. Madeline Burbank does not mention telling people about Jesus and His free gift of salvation. It is about "Effective relief efforts, lifelong service, environmental stewardship, anti-racism, immigrant and refugee support, intersectional feminism, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, interfaith dialogue, sex positivity, and improving education..."

Everyone should be frightened about the pastors the ELCA is and has ordained.

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Recent Transgender Ruling Prompts ELCA Social Media Post

1/22/2019

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Today, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America posted the following message about transgender persons. It is another instance of the ELCA siding with the world and against God and His creation, while encouraging harmful lifestyles. Included in the ELCA Facebook post is an article from the ELCA's Living Lutheran (2017) that focused on transgender persons and included this statement, "The call of Christ’s people today is to celebrate the diversity of God’s creative work..."

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ELCA Synod Advocating For Refugees, Immigration and an End to Border Militarization

12/9/2018

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The Southwest California Synod of the ELCA sent out an email today titled, "Two ways to support migrants and refugees." In the email is a picture of a young boy peering through a wire fence. The ELCA synod is promoting a "Sunday Of Solidarity with Refugee Families!" event.

Later in the email the Southwest California Synod tells of another event where "100 faith leaders from all over the country will take part in a nonviolent direct action the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego, California. The event will kick off a week of actions in communities across the U.S., demanding an end to border militarization and calling for humane immigration policies that respect the rights and dignity of all people."

While churches who love Jesus and His Word seek to bring people to Christ, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is at work, funded by members' offering dollars, trying to implement their liberal extreme views on society.

If you disagree with that which the ELCA advocates, why are you funding them? Find a church that uses your money to do things that God actually tells us to do.

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Socialist ELCA Leader's Radical Beliefs Including the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel and the ELCA's Support of BDS

11/23/2018

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Pay attention to the people lifted up by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, those on whom they shine a spot light -- like the vile-speaking and sin-preaching people the ELCA placed in front of 31,000 youth this summer. (see here, here, here,
here, here, here and here) or the people living out sinful lifestyles whom the ELCA advocacy featured this summer. (see here) Please note who is writing articles for the ELCA's magazine and the people they feature in ELCA publications.

They are not orthodox, conservative, or Bible-believing Lutherans.

This week Pastor El-Yateem was featured in the ELCA's official magazine Living Lutheran (see here and below).

ELCA Pastor Khader El-Yateem is the president of the ELCA Association of Lutherans of Arab and Middle Eastern Heritage. He is also the director for evangelical mission and assistant to the bishop in the ELCA's Florida-Bahamas Synod.

Let me tell you about Rev. Khader El-Yateem. He is radical liberal and not a friend of Israel.

- He is quoted in a New York newspaper saying, “I support BDS. And I will say this publicly, I say it to everyone.” (See here) BDS is a Palestinian origination movement aimed at encouraging Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel.

In a moment of truth-telling, El-Yateem announced, "My church the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and I support the BDS."

(Radical Linda Sarsour, who is a friend of Rev. El-Yateem as you will see in pictures below, commented on Rev. El-Yateem's post saying BDS is "a non violent means of protest protected by the US constitution." See here and read about Linda Sarsour here)

The BDS movement is anti-Semitism in action. This movement has no place in the Christian church, yet we have the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America supporting this movement (see here for further confirmation). Add to that Rev. Khader El-Yateem, also a high-ranking ELCA leader, is an outspoken advocate of BDS.

- Last year, Rev. El-Yateem offered housing to Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) staff when the United States spoke of closing the PLO mission in the nation's capital. (see here) If you are not aware, the PLO has a long history of terrorism against Israelis. (See here)

Here are some of other anti-Israel social media posts by Rev. El-Yateem. Two years ago, the ELCA pastor shared this post, a radical message to and about both Israel and the United States.

Below is what Pastor El-Yateem believes and thinks. History says otherwise.

In the following Facebook post, ELCA leader Khader El-Yateem says, "the Israeli soldiers have no respect for human life or law." Notice the rocks being thrown at the soldiers in the video he shared.

Below, the ELCA pastor expresses delight with President Obama's betrayal of Israel.

Next Khader El-Yateem shows his displeasure with a new Israeli law allowing BDS advocates to be banned from Israel. He could and should be one of those banned from ever going to the Jewish state.

Did you know Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Rev. Khader El-Yateem is a socialist?

- While running for a political office a few years ago, ELCA pastor El-Yateem said, "I want to be Trump’s worst nightmare.” That is recorded in an article about Rev. El-Yateem titled (see here) Meet the Socialist Who Hopes to Become New York’s First Arab-American Elected Official. The article goes on to say,

"It was these progressive credentials that inspired the New York chapter of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) to endorse El-Yateem and marshal its fervent base to volunteer on his behalf week after week, day after day. As of early September, the DSA reported that 'nearly 300' of its volunteers have participated in the El-Yateem campaign, including knocking on over 15,000 doors. And, while El-Yateem admits that some Democrats are unsure about the term 'socialism,' he is proud of the endorsement and unabashed about his socialism. 'Jesus was a socialist!' he laughs, referencing his vocation as a pastor."

How a Socialist Palestinian Reverend Became a Frontrunner in the NYC Council race- go vote for @KhaderElyateem ! https://t.co/D6mMtLiR9V
— NYCKidsPAC (@NYCKidsPAC) September 12, 2017

Democratic Socialists vow ground war to help elect @KhaderElyateem https://t.co/gbKzH7B4Xk pic.twitter.com/dqHQ3aFmZw
— Brooklyn Daily Eagle (@BklynEagle) June 8, 2017

ELCA Rev. Khader El-Yateem radicalism runs deep in many other areas too. Below are some of his social media posts.

- Rev. El-Yateem retweeted a post saying "Abolish profit. Abolish prisons. Abolish cash bail. Abolish borders. #AbolishICE."

- And here the ELCA pastor takes a knee with Linda Sarsour to #StandWithKap.

At our #SoulfulSundays meeting today, we all decided to #TakeTheKnee. We #StandWithKap and are committed to fighting for racial justice. pic.twitter.com/NsicI7XdUb
— Rev.Khader El-Yateem (@KhaderElyateem) September 25, 2017

- ELCA pastor El-Yateem must be pretty close with Sarsour, here he says "#IMarchWithLinda."

- So moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem is against Jesus, but Palestinians claiming the Jewish capital as their own is not?

- ELCA leader El-Yateem is honored to have an abortion advocating organization's endorsement. And he adds "Women's health is non-negotiable."

Very honored to have the endorsement of the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund! Women's health is non-negotiable. pic.twitter.com/BfJVeFsn8U
— Rev.Khader El-Yateem (@KhaderElyateem) August 22, 2017

- This ELCA leaders stands with LGBTQ community and displays some fine name-calling skills.

Disgusted by @POTUS transphobia. I stand with the #LGBTQ community against this unabashed bigotry and hatred. You deserve so much better.
— Rev.Khader El-Yateem (@KhaderElyateem) July 26, 2017

- And again, happy pride and #LoveIsLove posted by the ELCA leader.

Happy #Pride2017! The Pride parade demonstrates what can be accomplished by fighting for what's right together. #LoveIsLove
— Rev.Khader El-Yateem (@KhaderElyateem) June 25, 2017

This is the leader being lifted up by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

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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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ELCA Wants the United States to Pay Palestinian Bills to the Lutheran World Federation (LWF)

10/4/2018

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Yesterday the ELCA Conference of Bishops issued a statement (see here) that coincides with the statement last month, by ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, asking for the United States to pay $25 million in expenditures to 6 hospitals that treat Palestinians. One of those hospitals, the Augusta Victoria Hospital, is run by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), of which the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a member.

The “U.S. government has provided over many years tens of millions of dollars in aid” to these hospitals. But that has stopped as the United States leadership has decided that the Palestinian government is acting in bad faith (over many decades), so aid to them is being cut. The Palestinian government incites violence, pays terrorists for their vile acts, directs large segments of money to terrorist activities and has no interest in making peace with the State of Israel.

The ELCA and LWF are very sympathetic to the Palestinian cause and antagonistic to Israel. And they want U.S. taxpayer money to compensate them, because the Palestinian people and their government are not paying the bills that they accumulate at the hospital.

The terrorist Palestinian state is manipulating the system, and the ELCA and LWF are willing participants who, up until this year, were passing the bill on to the United States.

The ELCA and LWF need to pay their own bills or demand the Palestinian government pay for their services received.

The United States has helped this terrorist, Jew-hating entity enough. The United States has given over $700 million alone to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in 2016 and 2017. (see here) It is time to stop paying their and the ELCA/LWF’s expenses. Doing so enables evil behavior.

Read more about the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s evil actions against the Israel here.

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ELCA Advocacy: Making Jesus a liberal democrat "revolutionary"

9/4/2018

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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.)

If you go to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Advocacy blog (blogs.elca.org) you will get posting after posting of politics from the left of center. Here is how the ELCA's Rev. Dustin G. Wright of Messiah Lutheran Church in Schenectady, New York describes Jesus:

"Jesus was a refugee, a day laborer, after all, lynched in the manner of a political revolutionary by one of the most powerful empires the world has ever known specifically because he sought to challenge and change that system. While he talked about getting into heaven, for sure, this world, not the next, was the focus of his ministry....Jesus was a poor man. How then could followers of the Way of this poor revolutionary become identified with policing folks’ bedrooms but not saying much of anything about the systemic sins of poverty, racism, militarism and ecological devastation? The “moral narrative” of this country, influenced in part by a false, ahistoric and heretical brand of Christian Nationalism that has almost nothing to do with the teachings of Jesus, has quite simply become distorted."

Wow, who is doing the distorting here? Jesus mainly focused on this world and "sought to challenge and change" Rome? Jesus told Pilate “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world" (John 18:36). And I can't recall Jesus saying anything about "militarism and ecological devastation".

The ELCA claims to be a church based on diversity and inclusivity, a "big tent" where people of all views are welcome. But go to blogs.elca.org and take a look at the ELCA advocacy blog, see if you find any evidence that, say, unborn children should not be aborted or that Christians should promote traditional marriage. No, you won't find that in the ELCA (the ELCA pays for abortion for any reason in its healthcare plan and the ELCA now allows for homosexual "weddings"). Instead of diversity from ELCA headquarters, you will overwhelmingly get one point of view: liberal politics.

In Jesus our Savior,

Pastor Tom Brock

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ELCA Wants More Refugees

8/29/2018

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A letter written to the President of the United States, as reported in the article "More than 750 Faith Leaders and Faith Organizations Decry Low Refugee Arrivals" included the supporting signature of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

The ELCA and the other signators want the United States to resettle “at least 75,000 refugees in Fiscal Year 2019” (see here). This is a great cost to the United States and its citizens, which is something the ELCA should realize when one reads the following article, by Ann Corcoran, who reports that the ELCA's Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) is "95% funded by you—the taxpayers of America!" She reports that in 2014, LIRS received $55,341,275 in federal grants. (See here)

This seems self-serving. Wanting more refugees, one would think, means more tax money would be coming to Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. That is just one of the problems I see with this.

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ELCA Lutheran Obsession with Advocating for the LGBT Movement....Five Articles in One Month Promoting Transgenderism and Homosexuality

8/2/2018

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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.)

If you go to the Advocacy Facebook page of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America you will see how obsessed the ELCA has become with the LGBTQIA+ movement. Within one month five different LGBT Lutheran leaders have been highlighted in articles like the below of a transgender clergy candidate. Of course, not one article features someone who upholds the traditional, Biblical viewpoint on these issues. In 2009 when the ELCA voted to ordain practicing homosexuals it was agreed that all views on homosexuality would be respected in the ELCA, but they are not. No view but the liberal one is mentioned anymore. One by One Ministry, a conservative group which helps people out of homosexuality and of which I am a part, inquired about buying an ad in Living Lutheran but was refused.

The rest of the ELCA Advocacy Facebook page is devoted to article after article on liberal politics. Sadly, preaching Christ for the salvation of the lost is conspicuously absent.

Sincerely in Christ,

Pastor Tom Brock

https://www.facebook.com/elcaadvocacy/photos/a.10150091631749513.272721.132358089512/10156416380554513/?type=3

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Time For A Mass Exodus From the ELCA

7/22/2018

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What will cause the naive, the scared, the delusional or those in denial to finally leave the ELCA and stand up for God and His Word, which the ELCA has been demonically trying to destroy? What is the final straw that will break the camel's back?

I believe, for many, it will be the ELCA's words and decisions at the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering that will cause Bible-believing ELCA members, churches and pastors to finally leave. (Please read about the speakers and what happened at the youth gathering here, here, here, here, here, here and here)

Content ranged from foul-hearted keynote speakers placed in front of the teenagers, to extremely liberal messages delivered, to transgenderism lifted up, to far-left social causes presented, and pro-LGBT mantras being communicated.

The Director and President of Lutheran CORE, Pr. Dennis D. Nelson, wrote this following the ELCA Youth Gathering, "The ELCA is guilty of a massive breach of trust. The ELCA cannot be trusted. We realize that those are very strong statements, but they are confirmed by the presentation given by one of the keynote speakers at the recent ELCA Youth Gathering." (see page one of his article here)

Generations Radio presented a program called "The ELCA Lutheran Church Dies" that was centered on the actions of the ELCA at the 2018 Youth Gathering. (listen here)

And Ken Ham, founder of Answers in Genesis, the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter, shared an article from Exposing the ELCA about the ELCA Youth Gathering with his hundreds of thousands of followers on Facebook:

I have heard of people leaving their ELCA churches because of what happened at the ELCA Youth Gathering. So will this be a wake-up call for a great exodus of churches and members from the ELCA? Will the evil and false teachings displayed and given to the most vulnerable ELCA membership, the youth, be enough for places such as Lutheran Church of Hope and its satellite ELCA locations in the Des Moines, Iowa area, Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and similar churches throughout the United States to finally stand up for God's Word, for Truth, and break ties to this faith-destroying denomination?

I pray so. But shame on them if they remain.

Here are some additional examples of what was said and the happenings at the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering, to go along with the many articles Exposing the ELCA has already written. These come from the ELCA, ELCA pastors and those attending (again, please read the linked articles above to see the craziness of it all):

Tonight’s brave affirmation of transgender and queer people was made possible by God’s liberating grace—and the Lutheran LGBTQ+ leaders over the last 40+ years. Thanks be to God, @ReconcilingWrks & @ExtraLuthMin #ELCAYG2018
— Michael Wilker (@RevWilker) July 1, 2018

Grace means I’ll be seated at the heavenly banquet between Harvey Weinstein and some racist cop. #elcayg2018
— ELCA Youth Gathering (@elcagathering) June 30, 2018

Tonight, 30,000 Christians that have been worshipping together, gave standing ovations for an 11yo transgender girl and a bisexual woman who has dedicated her life to fighting food insecurity. If that isn’t a great way to end Pride Month then I don’t know what is! □ #ELCAYG2018
— Bails (@BaileyCarroll16) July 1, 2018

The ELCA magazine, Living Lutheran reports, “Last week at the ELCA Youth Gathering, many leaders spoke boldly about family separation and detention. In the AMMPARO/Lutheran Disaster Response space at the Gathering’s interactive center, youth were invited to sign advocacy cards, which will be sent to their representatives.” (See here)

Below are some more notable Youth Gathering social media posts. Notice, the gay affirming rainbow colors were prevalent at the ELCA youth event.

You can be part of the Women of the ELCA exhibit at the ELCA Youth Gathering June 27-July 1. Give now. Find out how at https://t.co/Cybxf989JZ. pic.twitter.com/zS36P9cs11
— Women of the ELCA (@WomenoftheELCA) May 30, 2018

And here is an example of the type of pastors the ELCA is ordaining. Rev. Chesnut is talking about ELCA Pastor Tuhina Verma Rasche, his co-author of a vile "devotional," who was a keynote speaker at the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering.

And she didn’t say #FuckThisShit on the stage like all those cowards who railed to others about her assumed she would.

No shit, dumbasses — it’s called context. And knowing it.
— Jason Chesnut-no-t-in-the-middle (@crazypastor) June 28, 2018

And here the ELCA Youth Gathering is lifting up Ramadan, a celebration of the "first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad." This, of course, is not an event that Christians should be celebration or lifting-up.

Ramadan Mubarak to our Muslim siblings. #Ramadan2018 #RamadanMubarak
— ELCA Youth Gathering (@elcagathering) May 15, 2018

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11-Year-Old Transgender “Girl” Speaks to 31,000 ELCA Lutheran Youth

7/9/2018

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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.)

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America last week had 31,000 teenagers gather for its teen assembly. One of the speakers was an ELCA pastor’s wife who told the teens that her child, who is biologically a boy, “deeply knows herself to be a girl”. The mother said “she wasn’t a boy, we just didn’t know that yet.” Her congregation held a renaming ceremony at her son’s tenth anniversary of baptism, and they renamed him “Rebekah”. This “girl” is now an “out and proud” transgender person and an activist for transgender and non-binary people…all at age 11.

Then Rebekah came out on the stage to speak to the teens:

“Transgender is being who God made me to be…God does not make mistakes…Its difficult to be in a world that is trying to make you… be someone else. My mission is to make things better for transgender kids, to speak hope. I may only be 11 years old, but I talk to legislators to make better laws for kids like me…Transgender kids are just like other kids…By being who God has called me to be, hearts and minds are changed, I can change the world…I hope that the Church is a place where everyone can bravely be themselves in all their uniqueness…Paint a giant rainbow flag out front (of your church)."

This is tragic beyond belief. No, ELCA, God does not create little boys to be little girls. Studies show that if one leaves children with gender dysphoria alone, most of them grow out of it. But instead of that, the ELCA and this pastor’s wife are affirming this child in the wrong sex, and are publicly celebrating and advocating for it. What if in a few years the child changes his mind and wants to identify with his biological sex? It happens often, but I doubt it will in this case since his parents and denomination are praising him for being an “activist.” One can only think of Jesus’ words in Mark 9:42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” I believe the ELCA has a millstone around its neck.

Not only were the speeches tragic, but it was tragic how often the speeches were interrupted by loud cheering by the teenagers. It appears the ELCA has succeeded in getting teenagers to applaud the LGBT agenda. You can watch it all in the video below.

May God have mercy.

In Jesus our Savior,

Pastor Tom Brock

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ELCA Calls for Policy that Would Destroy Israel

5/11/2018

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The ELCA is wrong on many things, and their continued badgering and condemnation of Israel is one of them. The ELCA has chosen to side with people who have a vile hatred for Jews.

A few weeks ago the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America signed a statement condemning Israel for some imagined violation against the “Palestinians.” It is almost always a fabricated, biased, or deceptive claim. The ELCA holds Israel to standards that they hold no other nation. One must question their motivations. The ELCA has a history of disgusting anti-Semitism that dates back to Martin Luther.

In this latest statement of demands and condemnation of Israel, the ELCA has even taken up the cause called the “Right of return” saying, “Palestinian refugees have the right to return to their homes, and to compensation for loss of property, as laid out in UN General Assembly resolution 194.” (see here) So the ELCA is calling for anyone claiming to have been in Israel, just before 1948, and all of their offspring, to be able to go and dwell in Israel.

This is an outrageous demand that would destroy Israel. Advocating this position shows that the ELCA leadership does not know history and again, is an example of how the ELCA holds Israel to different standards than they do the rest of the world. For instance, the ELCA is not making these same demands for all displaced persons of war who have been allies with losing aggressors, such as the Palestinians, demanding that they be able to return to that land and be compensated. In the case of Israel, the land was won in battle 70 years ago.

In 1948, Israel, a brand new nation who just wanted to live in peace, was attacked by their Arab neighbors. Around that time, “the Jews of Palestine urged Arab inhabitants to remain in the area and become part of the nascent state. Despite these pleas, however, the majority of Arabs fled, many heeding their own leaders' promises that they could return after the Jews were driven into the sea.” (see here) The 150,000 that did stay became Israeli citizens after Israel defeated the coalition of Arab countries. But now the ELCA and many others are demanding that Israel import around 5 million “Palestinian refugees,” most who hate Jews, insisting they be given land, money and housing. It would destroy Israel, a land that has a current population of just over 8 million people.

Learn more about the current situation happening in Israel that inspired this latest, bias, hateful ELCA statement - March of Return nothing more than terrorists’ plaything

And,

Below is a Facebook post by the ELCA's, Metropolitan Chicago Synod containing a link to the recent ELCA statement.

See the documentation of the ELCA's evil anti-Israel crusade here and here)

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<<Previous

Arrest By ICE Has ELCA Leaders Up In Arms

ELCA Video Tells People to 'Talk About Climate Change'

The Golan Heights, Jerusalem Holy Sites and the Gaza March of Return: The ELCA Stands Against Israel Again

ELCA Seminarian Motivated By 'intersectional feminism, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, interfaith dialogue, (and) sex positivity'

Recent Transgender Ruling Prompts ELCA Social Media Post

ELCA Synod Advocating For Refugees, Immigration and an End to Border Militarization

Socialist ELCA Leader's Radical Beliefs Including the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel and the ELCA's Support of BDS

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

ELCA Wants the United States to Pay Palestinian Bills to the Lutheran World Federation (LWF)

ELCA Advocacy: Making Jesus a liberal democrat "revolutionary"

ELCA Wants More Refugees

ELCA Lutheran Obsession with Advocating for the LGBT Movement....Five Articles in One Month Promoting Transgenderism and Homosexuality

Time For A Mass Exodus From the ELCA

11-Year-Old Transgender “Girl” Speaks to 31,000 ELCA Lutheran Youth

ELCA Calls for Policy that Would Destroy Israel

Dan Skogen

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