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The 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly elected William Chris Boerger the new secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Rev. Boerger is the former bishop of the Northwest Washington Synod, a position he held for 12 years. He made a name for himself, over those twelve years, showing himself to be a vocal gay rights, liberal activist. So let me tell you more about the man the ELCA has voted to hold the second most powerful position in the denomination.
The Homosexual Rights Activist: Here is a statement made by Bishop Boerger to the Washington state Senate Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections Committee: "Mr. Chairman, I am Chris Boerger, the bishop of the Northwest Washington Synod of the Evangelical Church in America . . . In 2009, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted to commit itself to find ways to allow congregations who choose to do so, to support and hold publicly accountable lifelong monogamous same gender relationships . . .One of the people who had questions about our doing this said, "Bishop, isn't that marriage?" And my response is, "Well, in everything but name." The reality is, the Lutheran church has always held that it is the state that defines what marriage is; it's the church that then blesses people who enter into that relationship. We have now stated our desire to bless those who are publicly accountable in lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships. We can't call it marriage, you can . . . we ask for that freedom." (see here, beginning at the 1:12:20 mark) The Lutheran LGBT rights organization ReconcilingWorks celebrated the election of Rev. Boerger to his new office and Executive Director, Emily Eastwood said, “Pr. Chris Boerger has been an ally for full participation for many years. His prophetic witness in favor of civil marriage equality for same-gender couples before the Washington State legislature was remarkable in its clarity. Chris ordained our own regional director, Pr. Kari Lipke, and has been an avid supporter of clergy in same-gender relationships as their bishop...We applaud his election and look forward to the ways in which we may partner with him in the years ahead.” (read here) ReconcilingWorks also reports that in 2012 “Bishop Chris Boerger said in his remarks closing the synod assembly that he pledged to continue speaking in favor of civil marriage equality until it became the law of the land in Washington State.” (read here) At a retirement party/roast for Bishop Boerger “Jan Nesse said that in this unique time to be the church she and the Bishop had more talks about sex than in all the years she taught sex education.” (read here) The Anti-Israel Activist: Bishop Boerger and Presiding Bishop-elect Elizabeth E. Eaton were two of 58 ELCA bishops who signed a letter to President Obama in 2009 concerning Israel and Palestinians. In the letter it was written, “We express profound concern at the stalemate that persists and at the fading hopes for a two-state solution due to the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.” And “We urge the U.S. to insist upon an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land...” and “ The ELCA has long called for a halt to settlements, and we reiterate that call now with a deep sense of urgency.” (read here) The Environmental Activist: “ELCA Bishop Chris Boerger (NW WA) stated that it 'is “blatant sin” for human beings to fail to protect creation' (ELCA News Release 11/23/2010). Boerger represented ELCA bishops as leaders from 56 denominations and faith-based organizations called on the US Senate to leave intact the power of the US Environmental Protection Agency to regulate pollutants.” (read here) Also, “Chris Boerger, who serves as bishop for the Northwest Washington Synod, came to Washington, D.C., as part of a delegation of senior religious leaders to speak to members of Congress and to Obama administration officials about a proposed gold and copper mine, which threatens the world’s largest wild salmon fishery in Bristol Bay, Alaska.” (read here)
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ELCA magazine, The Lutheran had an article about the 2012 ELCA National Youth Gathering in their September 2012 issue. They report that “Philip Ciulla, an adult chaperone from Saddle Creek, N.J., said he and his congregation's youth were pleased that the gathering addressed concerns such as the environment. ‘I think it's becoming more progressive,’ he said. ‘Our kids ... are pretty much on board with this stuff.’
Other young people highlighted the ELCA's stance on acceptance of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community as a positive change.” (read here) The article also points out that yoga was offered as an activity for the youth at the gathering. Yoga is controversial. Many believe this is not an activity Christians should participate in because of its eastern religion origins and because it is a pagan religious practice that taps into the spiritual realm. (Read here and here) How often do we have to see and hear the ways the ELCA is indoctrinating the youth before more parents will protect their kids and get them out of the denomination? And it’s not just the youth. Almost every issue of The Lutheran contains articles and reports that are meant to sway the reader’s viewpoint to a progressive, non-Biblical worldview. Want some more evidence? The Lutheran printed an article by Rev. Andrena Ingram (see here), which lifts her up as a leader in the ELCA on the issue of AIDS/HIV. What the article does not tell you is that Rev. Ingram passed out condoms during a HIV Testing Event/“community meal” held at her church, or that Rev. Ingram wrote, “This is my body, given for you. … this is a condom, given for you. Use it!” (see here) Rev. Ingram was also a keynote speaker at the 2012 ELCA National Youth Gathering. I don't know about you but "progressive" may be one of the nicest ways to describe the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. There is an interesting teaching series that the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, an ELCA seminary, is promoting on their seminary run Web of Creation website. The resource is called “The Earth Bible.”
Here is a description of this resource: “The Earth Bible has been developed by a team of scholars from Adelaide, South Australia. In this significant new series, writers from around the world read the Bible from the perspective of justice for Earth. Ecojustice principles are used as guidelines as they ask questions of the text: Does a given text value or de-value Earth? Is the voice of Earth heard or suppressed? Are humans portrayed as 'rulers' over Earth or kin with Earth? Does Earth suffer unjustly?” (read here) I think most would agree that it is good to treat God’s creation well, but this is taking things a few steps too far. Christ is the focus of Scripture not “the Earth.” Here we have an ELCA seminary, running a website with financial support from the ELCA (see here), promoting the reading of God’s Word with ecojustice as its main focus. Check out this blog about the coming ELCA statement on genetics and the infiltration of the ELCA by the environmental and animal rights movement.
When Faith and Farming Collide: Part 3 (read here) The ELCA has become a gathering place of social and environmental activists which cloak their extreme views with the use of select and sometimes manipulated verses in Scripture. The intent is to make the Christians, who are still in the ELCA, think that the denomination is doing all these activities for God. Strangely enough, this “Christian” denomination conveniently ignores our main mission, the Great Commission. Have you ever wondered why there are so few ELCA missionaries, there are only 100 or so of them, (see here) or why these missionaries do not tell people about salvation in Christ? And yet, notice how the ELCA’s leadership and some members (hundreds of thousands of them) are so boisterous about their pet causes? Another thing to ponder: The ELCA leadership has been pushing the issues related to homosexuality for years, until it was finally passed. In doing so, the ELCA puts their view above God and the majority of ELCA Lutheran’s wishes. This forces Bible-believing Lutherans to accept it or leave. Now the ELCA is going to go after another huge section of ELCA members, rural people/farmers. Do they not realize that a large portion of their membership comes from Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, etc., all hugely agricultural states. The ELCA leaders do realize this but they don’t care what you think, although they will pretend they do. The ELCA’s viewpoint and agenda appear to come before all else. They will give token lip service to God, and they hope you never realize what is really going on. When the patients are running the asylum, it’s time to leave the asylum! The Confession has a real anti-American feel, among other things. Signed by 30 ELCA pastors.
The Colorado Confession For all you pastors wondering what you should talk about during Lent, the ELCA has the answer for you. Not Jesus. Not God. Not the resurrection. Not forgiveness of sins and victory over death. Let's talk about ENVIRONMENTALISM!
That's what the ELCA was suggesting last year. Now I believe that most christians want to be good stewards of that which God has given us, but is this the time and place for it? Evidently the ELCA thinks so. The ELCA is promoting it. ELCA Link. Peruse this "Environmental Lenten and Holy Week Worship Resource" and you will find a lot of helpful ways to put the main focus this Easter on the Earth, rather than the Creator of Earth. Be sure to check out this wonderful resource, "A Tenebrae for the Earth" Worship Service. (pdf file) If you like over-the-top liturgy that makes a mockery of who Jesus is (as a friend of mine said), this resource is for you. Seriously, this is the ELCA. If you agree with this and the host of other issues Exposing the ELCA raises, stay with them. If you disagree, organize and inform your church friends as to what your denomination is doing. Then seek a new affiliation as a church or join a Bible believing church yourselves. |
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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Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. - Ephesians 5:11
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