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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.) Below is a picture from the current issue of Living Lutheran, the national magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Pictured is Guy Erwin leading a worship service at the National Assembly. Erwin is the ELCA’s first homosexual bishop with a “husband“ and he is now the president of an ELCA seminary. The article mentions that the Native American practice of smudging occurred during the assembly, along with the Native American “Prayer to the Four Directions of the Earth.” Smudging is a Native American practice of burning sage in order to get rid of evil spirits and energy. In a previous post here was my comment on incorporating pagan practices into a Christian worship service: “Years ago when I was still a pastor in the ELCA, I went to one of our conventions where we turned to the north, south, east, and west in order to pattern our prayers after Native American spirituality. I got to the microphone and said "I am German, my ancestors worshiped Thor and Odin. Are we going to incorporate Thor worship at our next convention?" When I returned home, I told that story to my congregation and a Native American woman with tears in her eyes said "They're trying to take us back to what Jesus saved me from." This is called syncretism, when people mix various gods and religions together. It is what got the ancient Jews in trouble when they tried to mix Baal worship with the worship of Jehovah.” It is interesting that the ELCA’s national magazine put all of this on display for everyone to read. I hope many ELCA Lutherans will become upset over what happened, but I’m afraid the “frog in the kettle“ syndrome has dulled the senses of many in the ELCA. But I must say to the ELCA: No, ELCA, smudging and sage do not drive out evil spirits, but only the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, Pastor Tom Brock 
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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.) Pope Benedict passed away recently and the head bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Elizabeth Eaton, has written the below letter of condolence.
I got to thinking. Pope Benedict believed abortion is a sin. Bishop Eaton works for abortion rights. Pope Benedict believed homosexual behavior is a sin. Bishop Eaton has produced gay pride videos. Pope Benedict believed in Hell. Bishop Eaton has said that, if Hell exists, she believes it is empty. Martin Luther believed in Hell and in the sinfulness of abortion and homosexuality. It is ironic that we live in a day when a Catholic Pope is more Lutheran than a Lutheran head bishop. Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock --- ELCA presiding bishop issues message on death of Pope Benedict XVI Dear church, Yesterday we awoke to the news of the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. As part of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), we mourn his death and celebrate his life eternal in Christ Jesus. In the LWF statement, which I commend to all of you, General Secretary Anne Burghardt reminds us of Pope Benedict's enduring commitment to the unity of Christ's church and, in particular, "his appreciation of the 'Joint Declaration of the Doctrine of Justification' that has enabled many advances in Lutheran-Roman Catholic relations." His brilliance as a theologian and his ecumenical spirit will continue to challenge us to build bridges of mutual understanding and visible unity through dialogue, cooperation and common witness. We also pray for Pope Francis, who will continue to lead the Roman Catholic Church in this historic time – the likes of which haven't occurred since nearly a century before the Reformation. We extend our condolences and unceasing accompaniment to all our Catholic neighbors, including the bishops, priests, deacons, scholars and laypeople with whom we are in dialogue and partnership. Pope Benedict lived in the surety that "whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's" (Romans 14:8). Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace: your word has been fulfilled. Amen. In Christ, Elizabeth A. Eaton Presiding Bishop, ELCA (view here) (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) It is popular in liberal religious circles to call God not only “he” but now also “she” and “they“. “She” is a nod to feminism, and I believe “they” is a nod to transgenderism. God is whatever we want him/her/it/they to be. If you watch the below sermon at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, you will notice the guest preacher changes the reading of Luke chapter 18 to call God “her” and “they” (at minute 1:10). But Lutherans have always taught that we are not to change Scripture to suit ourselves. We are to change ourselves to suit Scripture. That is what the authority of the Bible is all about. That is what Martin Luther’s “sola Scriptura” was all about. For years the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago has been one of the most radical of the ELCA seminaries. Now because of failing finances LSTC has had to sell its buildings to the University of Chicago. It reminds me of what Jesus said in Revelation 2:5 “Repent, if you do not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand…” Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock
(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)
If I had to pick the very worst moment of the year 2022, I might pick one that I did not list below, namely, when head bishop Elizabeth Eaton of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America went to the White House to advocate for abortion rights. Or, it might be when she produced yet another gay pride video promoting the LGBTQAI+ agenda.
Below are 12 of the worst moments of the year for ELCA Lutherans: January: ELCA’s first transgender bishop reads storybook she wrote to help children accept transgenderism February: The national church council of the ELCA affirms “gender-non-binary, gender-fluid, women, men and other genders” March: Canadian Lutheran pastor: Jesus did not die for our sins and God the Father needs to step down for sexually assaulting Mary April: “Openly queer” preacher at ELCA’s Luther Seminary embraces his bisexuality, and thus experiences “resurrection” May: Radically liberal Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago is forced to sell off its buildings June: Roe v. Wade is overturned and head ELCA bishop urges Lutherans to advocate for abortion rights July: ELCA’s Living Lutheran magazine says to use LGBT pronouns or people may kill themselves August: ELCA’s national assembly practices Native American smudging and praying to the four winds September: ELCA’s United Theological Seminary hosts “out and proud” transgender advocate, saying “she is a father…” October: ELCA Lutheran lesbian bishop sings “Homosexual is not in the Bible” November: “Brazenly queer” male professor at Pacific Lutheran University says “I will wear skirts and blouses when I preach in chapel” December: More attacks on God the Father from Living Lutheran magazine article: God language needs to be inclusive “of all genders and no gender” The above heresies abound not just in the ELCA, but also in the United Church of Christ, the Episcopal Church in America, the Presbyterian Church USA, the United Methodists, the Disciples of Christ, and the Reformed Church in America. In spite of all this darkness, this week let us praise God that He sent His Son into the world to save us from the craziness and destructiveness of sin. Jesus is the only light of the world and He offers forgiveness of sins and eternity in heaven for all who will put their trust in him. May you have a wonderful Christmas celebrating our new-born King, Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Merry Christmas! Pastor Tom Brock PS. For more details on all the above items, page through my articles on this Facebook page
(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)
In the video below, the bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America makes a plea that Lutherans should become allies of the transgender movement. Lately the ELCA teaching seems to be that men who identify as women don’t need to repent, we who believe something is wrong with that do. The ELCA used to be liberal, now it is radically so. If you are still a member, it is way past time to leave for a more biblical denomination. In Christ, Pastor Tom Brock Woke ELCA Lutheran leaders affirm "gender-nonbinary, gender-fluid, women, men or other genders"12/13/2022
(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)
The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the highest leadership board of the liberal denomination, at it's most recent meeting passed a resolution stating "...the percentage of laypeople not allocated to women or men may be allocated to persons who identify as gender non-binary, gender-fluid, women, men or other genders." "Other genders"? Jesus said "He who made them at the beginning made them male and female" (Matthew 19:4). There are no "other genders", Jesus said there are two. It is tragic that the ELCA continues to side with our confused culture rather than with Christ. In Jesus our Savior, Pastor Tom Brock
(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)
Dr. Peter Carlson teaches at California Lutheran University, which is affiliated with the liberal Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Professor Carlson‘s pronouns are They/Them He/Him and Carlson has a man as his “spouse”. Carlson teaches Gender and Religion and Queer Theology and CLU’s Facebook page quotes Carlson “I am going to be so brazenly queer that people will be forced to deal with queerness…. I will wear skirts and blouses when I preach in chapel. I will talk about my queer home life as much as other faculty talk about their straight home life. I will include gender and sexuality in every course I teach."
Below is a picture of Carlson wearing a skirt and heels on his way to preach at chapel. As he says, “Preachin’ in chapel gettin QUEER AF TODAY”. If you want your child to receive a Christian education, the ELCA’s California Lutheran University is about the last place you want to send them. Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock
Days after multiple ELCA Facebook posts about "Trans Day of Remembrance" the denomination is at it again, this time demonizing Thanksgiving as they observe something called "National Day of Mourning" instead.
One of the ELCA's post about the so-called "National Day of Mourning" said: "Today, as family and friends gather across the nation, it is important for us to remember that for many people this is a day of mourning. As you give thanks for the blessings in your life, take some time to better understand the truths about this holiday and the Wampanoag people, learn about the Indigenous people on whose land you are gathered, and practice a land acknowledgement." (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) The USA Today headline reads “LGBTQ bars are ‘community centers’ and hallowed spaces…”. The articles quotes Nicole Garcia, a transgender pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This is a man who presents himself as a woman. The article says that Nicole felt safe at a drag bar where he was taught how to do his nails, style his hair, and apply makeup (although the article used female pronouns for Nicole which I cannot in full conscience do).
. The below 20 second video says it all. This is the moral compass the ELCA is offering to the world, Tragic. If you are still part of the ELCA, time to flee from this denomination. In Christ, Pastor Brock https://youtube.com/shorts/HUW4rUMkQgQ?feature=share
The ELCA views transgenderism as something to be celebrated. See below for Facebook statements made this week by the ELCA on the official ELCA account.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is hurting those that struggle with understanding and accepting their given sex/gender. 
(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)
My alma mater, Luther Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church America, is very pro-LGBT. Luther chapel services have featured transgender and homosexual preachers and has also observed National Coming Out Day for homosexuals and the Transgender Day of Remembrance. So my old seminary is very pro-LGBT.
Look at the letter below signed by many (but not all) Luther faculty agonizing that the seminary must become more pro-gay. They are complaining because the seminary has not become an official “Reconciled in Christ” seminary, which means they have not joined a program being pushed by Reconcilingworks, an LGBT group that promotes such things. Students are now protesting during chapel worship services and, sadly, these faculty are pressuring as well. When will it end? For the pro-gay movement, you can never be pro-gay enough. Pray that Luther Seminary does not cave on this one thing it is doing right. Martin Luther believed homosexual behavior to be sinful. He would be spinning like a lathe if he could see what has become of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America which bears his name. In Christ, Pastor Tom Brock PS. Last week I took a nostalgic walk through Luther Seminary (pictures below). My former dorm room has been turned into an office bearing the pro-LGBT rainbow logo. The dorm room next door has also become an office bearing the gay rainbow sign and a picture of a woman in a yoga pose. Not a picture on the doors of Jesus or of a cross, but gay rainbows and yoga. How times have changed. I would never send anyone to an ELCA college or seminary. To read faculty letter tap here: https://theconcord.squarespace.com/articles/open-letters-from-faculty-and-staff-show-support-for-student-council-lgbtqia2s-students-and-bipoc-students
"Christian Nationalism" is a made up term that is used by secular haters of Christianity and woke, liberal, progressives, who claim a form of Christianity while denying Jesus' words and truth of Scripture. The term is used to label, attack and misrepresent Christians that trust God's Word and believe in Jesus.
See below for a statement from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and their head bishop Elizabeth Eaton. (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) Who knew that there is an international day celebrating people who don’t identify as male or female? And who knew that some congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America would celebrate it? Well, I guess I did. The ELCA supports abortion rights, homosexuality, and transgenderism, so why not this? Especially deceiving is that it states “power can come from knowing who you are”. But, tragically, non-binary people don’t know who they are, so they identify as neither male nor female. Jesus, on the other hand, said that God made us “male and female” (Matthew 19:4). In Christ, Pastor Tom Brock (see here) 
Rev. Stacie R. Fidlar is the new bishop of the ELCA's Northern Illinois Synod. Here is some of what she posts on social media:
Read about the event speaker Bishop Fidlar is publicizing here.
(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) Below is a picture of a lesbian pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and her "wife". She has posted memes stating "I chose abortion", "This pastor is pro-choice", "Trans is beautiful" and a rainbow meme "This pastor will marry you and support you as you access reproductive healthcare. Full stop. No exceptions." The ELCA's official abortion statement is muddled. One page sounds pro-choice, another sounds pro-life. But the bottom line is this: the ELCA pays for abortion for any reason whatsoever in its healthcare plan which is funded by offering dollars. The bottom line is also this: Recently the head bishop of the ELCA went to the White House to stand in favor of abortion rights and Roe v. Wade. The ELCA has also become much bolder in recent years in its promotion of all things LGBT. The ELCA's national magazine, Living Lutheran, has published many pro-LGBT articles, but has not printed one article representing the traditional, biblical viewpoint on homosexuality. I know, because we asked about paying for an advertisement for a group which helps people out of homosexuality, but Living Lutheran turned us down stating that such a view no longer represents more recent teaching of the ELCA. But in 2009, when the ELCA voted to ordain practicing homosexuals, conservatives were assured that their viewpoint would also be allowed and respected. Not anymore. Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=547335566727274&set=pb.100043525052350.-2207520000..&type=3  |
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Dan Skogen
Former ELCA seminary student and former ELCA member who is fed up with the ELCA's consistent mockery of God's Word. If you have been helped and blessed by Exposing the ELCA's ministry, please help us continue to proclaim the truth of God's Word to ELCA members who need to hear it.
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