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This is Edina Community Lutheran Church, an ELCA Church in Edina, MN. In the video below the congregation is confessing the Sparkle Creed:
The congregation was celebrating Pride Sunday.
During the children's message (starting at 6:00): - the children were given props and dress up clothes to help them celebrate. - the children were told Jesus says "'I love you just the way you are.' And sometimes we like to celebrate that." This is obviously gay pride related and that is confirmed by the children being told they can take their clothes/props and have their picture taken by the rainbow flag after the service.
At the beginning of the service the pastor acknowledged they worship on the traditional, ancestral and contemporary lands of the Dakota nation. And how they were complicit in injustices done to native people.
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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.)
A bisexual Lutheran woman pastor marches topless at a gay pride parade...that is just one example of the false teachings that have invaded the ELCA Lutheran Church, the Episcopal Church, the United Church of Christ, the Disciples of Christ, the United Methodists, the Reformed Church in America and the PCUSA Presbyterians. The below video gives the most recent, tragic examples of how low the mainline churches have sunk. If you know someone who is still in one of these denominations, please pass this on to them. And please pray that many will leave unbiblical denominations and join churches which follow the Bible. In Jesus our Savior, Pastor Tom Brock PS The below program airs on TV this Sunday, March 13 (see pastorsstudy.org for a station in your area) Exposing the ELCA has been reporting on the ELCA for over 11 years. This has been a ministry of care and concern for people under the influence of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. God has used this ministry to help thousands of people and hundreds of congregations be equipped with truth and knowledge that has helped them to discern God's will and direction. Thousands have been reached through connections to articles in The New Yorker, The Jerusalem Post and other reputable news outlets. This work continues to be exceedingly valuable in the pursuit of people knowing the truth. After 11+ years of very limited financial support, and in order to keep this ministry going, it is time to ask those who believe in this ministry to help. The ELCA's minimum salary guidelines for a pastor of 10 years (with congregations of over 300) is $62,600 to $77.800. (See here on page 16). The goal is to raise $75,000 to support the work of Exposing the ELCA . Gifts can be given by credit card, or PayPal at www.paypal.com/paypalme/exposingtheelca. If you'd like to give by check send me a message (here) for more information. I believe a God-honoring ministry, which we no-doubt labor to be, should be supported at or above what people who teach heresy are given. If you believe this work is important, please give generously to help shine light in the darkness. With your help, we can continue to warn others and reveal the abandonment of God's Word happening in the ELCA, and in so doing, advance the Gospel. This is mission work, and I am thankful for your prayer and financial support thus far and your prayer and financial support in the future. In Christ, Dan Skogen Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. - Ephesians 5:11  (The following video and article is from Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) Below is a half hour TV show we did on the most recent false teachings in liberal, mainline denominations. It is hard to believe things have sunk so low, but such is the result of abandoning God’s Word and following the world. 500 years ago Martin Luther wrote this hymn: Lord keep a steadfast in Thy word, Curb those who by deceit or sword, Would wrest the kingdom from Thy Son, And bring to not all He hath done. May the Lord have mercy on His Church, Pastor Tom Brock https://youtu.be/i0muDKFSEiM 
ELCA mission start, Dreams and Visions, last week held their second annual Queer Christmas Pageant. Delaware-Maryland Synod Bishop Bill Gohl was in attendance and posted about it on his Facebook page:
"One of our Delaware-Maryland Synod ELCA mission starts, Dreams and Visions, curated a holy space to welcome a rich diversity of people to incarnate and celebrate the birth of Christ. It was joyful, it was poignant, it was holy. I'm grateful and proud that Pr Emily M. D. Scott is my colleague, humbled by the community she creates, and astounded by how the Word becomes flesh through this ministry." (See here or below) ELCA Pastor Lura N. Groen was also in attendance and wrote: "We were all anointed with frankincense, myrrh, and gold eyeshadow. My Bishop, Bill Gohl came forward and was anointed by a drag queen." (See here or below) This is the state of the ELCA, which many of you are members and are supporting. Do you think God is pleased with the ELCA? Do you think our Lord and Savior wants you to be part of a denomination which leads people into sin? The time is now to leave the ELCA and find a church that preaches in accordance with God's Word. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Rev. Emily Scott is the pastor of Dreams and Visions. (Read more about her here) Read about the ELCA church's first queer Christmas pageant here. 
More pictures of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America service:
Above is a picture of ELCA Bishop Bill Gohl in attendance of the Queer Christmas Pageant. 
(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) Frank Honeycutt, a pastor of the liberal Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has written a number of articles for the ELCA’s national magazine Living Lutheran. In the December issue, he says of Jesus “...he undoubtably...threw a tantrum or two, and grew up into a teenager with occasional rebellious and haughty moments...I’m convinced Jesus didn’t pop out of his mom’s womb preprogrammed to always do and say the right and perfect thing. This last sentence may unnerve some Lutherans...” It certainly does. If Jesus was rebellious and haughty, then He sinned. If Jesus sinned, he would have to pay for his own sins on the cross and could not be the spotless Lamb of God who sacrificed himself in our place for our sins. The Bible teaches that Jesus was indeed both fully God and fully man. But the Bible also makes it clear that Jesus never sinned (Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 2:22, 1 John 3:5, 2 Corinthians 5:21). In John 8:46, Jesus challenged the Jewish leaders “...which one of you convicts me of sin?”. They couldn’t. But apparently the ELCA’s national magazine feels it can convict Jesus of having “rebellious and haughty moments.” This is tragic false teaching. See the entire article in the link below. Just to recap some of the ELCA’s actions: it recently ordained a transgender pastor who called Jesus “an SOB”...this summer it passed an interfaith resolution saying we don’t know what God thinks of non-Christian religions and refused to affirm Jesus as the only way of salvation...the ELCA publicized a TV program that presents a Lutheran transgender 13-year-old as a “hero” and the ELCA healthcare plan paid for the child’s hormone blockers...and the ELCA continues to pay for abortion for any reason whatsoever in its healthcare plan which is funded by offering dollars. If you are still an ELCA Lutheran, I strongly encourage you to make this your New Year’s resolution: to find a more biblical denomination where I can give my offering dollars joyfully knowing they will go toward proclaiming Jesus as the only way of salvation, and will not go toward hormone blockers for children and abortion. Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock (Read the ELCA article here)  A Facebook post by Evangelical Lutheran Church in America pastor Lura Groen refers to Jesus' conversation with the woman at the well as an attempt by Jesus to sexually seduce the woman. ELCA pastor Groen has rewritten the story to better reflect what she believes was really happening.  (Also see Rev. Groen's FB post here) This is heretical and demonic. The fact that Rev. Groen's view of scripture and Christ is allowed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America says all you need to know about the denomination. It is time for you and your loved ones to depart from the ELCA, and please consider sharing this with others who also need to know about the realities of the ELCA. (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) Pastor Jeff Marian is lead pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, Minnesota, a large congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. He denies that Jesus died in our place for our sins. He believes "All people are "saved" from God's perspective". Pastor David Lose, pastor of Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, one of the ELCA's largest congregations, also denies Christ's substitutionary atonement. The problem for these pastors is that the Bible does indeed teach that Christ's blood saves us from the wrath of God (see Romans 5:9). The Apostle Paul puts all people under God's wrath in Romans chapters 1 and 2, and then saves us from that wrath by Christ's atonement in Romans chapter 3 (Romans 3:23-26). The Bible, even the Old Testament, teaches Christ substituted Himself and took our place for our sins (Isaiah 53:5, 2 Corinthians 5:21, I Peter 2:24-25, 3:18). In love, Jesus gave His life as a "ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28, I Timothy 2:6). To deny this is to deny what the Apostle Paul says is of "first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures... (I Corinthians 15:3)". (For a complete list of verses teaching substitution see Leon Morris' book "The Cross in the New Testament). You may read Pastor Marian's entire article below. It is a tragic example of a pastor eloquently denying one of the basics of Christianity. And, no, all people are not "saved from God's perspective". Jesus taught that Hell is real and it is only through faith in Him that one can be saved (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). In Jesus our Savior, Pastor Tom Brock (See Pastor Marian's article here)  Goddess worship is and has been occurring in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Ebenezer Lutheran Church, otherwise known as "Herchurch," in San Francisco, has long been known for goddess worship and is a church in good-standing with the ELCA. (See goddess worshiping articles here) In February 2019, Herchurch held a Sunday worship service that they describe this way (also see below), "we honor and celebrate Sister Wisdom who comes to guide us and Inanna (Ancient Queen of Heaven and Earth). The Liturgy provides a sacred time and space in which the community and individual encounters and responds to the loving, creative, challenging, empowering, prophetic wisdom and word of the divine feminine." At this service they will have an "original Hymn to Inanna" with a "Sacred Dance." Wikipedia tells us "Inanna is an ancient Mesopotamian goddess associated with love, beauty, sex, desire, fertility, war, justice, and political power. She was originally worshipped in Sumer and was later worshipped by the Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians under the name Ishtar. She was known as the 'Queen of Heaven'" (See here) The One True God tells us in His Word: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.” - Exodus 20:2, 3 Why are you part of a denomination that has given its approval to goddess worship?  (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) The latest edition of Living Lutheran, the official magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, deals much with "environmental justice" and the dangers of global warming. One article quotes Ruth Ivory-Moore, ELCA program director for environment and corporate responsibility. Who knew the ELCA had such a position? The number of missionaries being sent out by the ELCA is down, but this environmental position has been created. Also in this issue is an article by Bishop Guy Erwin, the ELCA's gay bishop who has a "husband."
Eaton's article talks about dangers to the environment, mentions Earth Day, and then she gives this disturbing definition of the Gospel:
"Here's the gospel. Human beings are part of the creation. Human beings are connected to everything in the cosmos. Human beings are connected to God. We are not doomed to alienation. That God is more present than we are to ourselves gives us a path to reconnect with God, each other and all of creation. The judgment is that we do not even perceive that the One who created all things is intimately present. The promise is that the One who created all things is intimately present. We--all created things--are family." No, that is not the Gospel. The Apostle Paul defined the Gospel in I Corinthians 15:1-5: Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead. Paul doesn't say the Gospel is that "we are connected to the cosmos." Eaton's "gospel" in this article does not mention Jesus or the cross. This is the strange, new world of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a denomination far removed from Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, but closely allied with liberal politics, the LGBT movement, and "environmental justice". Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock ELCA Bishop Tells 'The New Yorker' Magazine, Nadia Bolz-Weber's Sexual Reformation is Long Overdue2/9/2019
The New Yorker magazine wrote a feature story on Rev. Bolz-Weber this week, titled "The Lutheran Pastor Calling for a Sexual Reformation," which provides a window into the life, thoughts and vile nature of this beloved ELCA pastor, which I will highlight. The most important revelation came from Nadia's bishop, Rev. Jim Gonia, of the Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He begins by comparing Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber to Martin Luther, "He talked about farting and drinking and he was kind of like Nadia.” The feature writer continues, "Gonia summed up Luther’s idea like this: 'Now that we don’t need to worry that we’re good enough for God, how do we direct our attention to our neighbor?'” Then we have the ELCA leadership's public approval of Nadia, who wants to undo Biblical teaching reserving sexual relations to one man and one woman within marriage. Here is the whole paragraph from the article to give you context: "Bolz-Weber argues that this idea should be extended to sex. For millennia, the Church has taught Christians to deny their physical selves, and to consider carnal urges sinful. 'We keep looking for a set of laws that will save us,' Bolz-Weber told me. 'Relying on grace can feel shaky. If it’s free it must be worthless.' As a result, both men and women lead fractured lives, believing that their sexuality is at odds with their spirituality. 'This idea that salvation comes through sexual repression,' Bolz-Weber said, 'that shit comes out sideways.' In “Shameless,” she sets out to build a sexual ethic around human flourishing rather than around rules encoded by men centuries ago. This begins by recognizing that with sex, as with everything else, 'it’s not about being good—it’s about grace.' This, she argues, is actually just the natural extension of classical Lutheranism. 'She’s the most classical Lutheran preacher you’ll ever meet,' Gonia said, adding that the reformation she’s calling for is long overdue. 'We have so intellectualized our faith—there’s a need to bring head, heart, and body into the forefront of our lives, for the future of the Christian tradition.'" People of the ELCA, the leadership approves of what Nadia Bolz-Weber is preaching. This is public confirmation, along with ELCA leadership having her speak to 31,000 ELCA youth this summer as they assembled for the church-wide gathering. They are on board with these harmful sexual ethics she and many others preach that clearly go against God's will for people. Why are you still part of this vile denomination? Here is a run down concerning things from The New Yorker article (in which I am quoted): - Nadia Bolz-Weber and her two children recently went to a sexually explicit exhibition called "Au Natural" that included casts of penises, nudity, and a sculpture that is masturbating. It also presented a sculpture of Jesus made from cigarettes. - "When she was twenty, she joined Vox Femina, a feminist performance-art group whose acts, she told me, weren’t so different from Lucas’s egg massage." (referring to one of the art exhibition performances) - She use to be a call-center psychic. - She had an abortion, saying she could not afford a child. And she does not think abortion is wrong. - She divorced her husband and loves having sex with her boyfriend, which has caused her to feel closer to God. - Her son is gay, and at 16 years old Nadia bought him condoms when she heard he had a new boyfriend. - She calls the belief, that homosexuality is wrong, "bigotry." - Bolz-Weber was once a counselor at a Unitarian summer camp where some campers would sunbathe nude. As you can see below, ELCA pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber is publicizing The New Yorker piece as if she is happy with what it says.
Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber is the face of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). She is a beloved pastor/author in the denomination who speaks at some of the ELCA's largest gatherings, including this summer's National Youth Gathering that brought in over 31,000 high school students. (See the end of this article)
No word yet if Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber and her ELCA brethren will be dancing around the golden object at its unveiling. (Exodus 32:19) What is this about? This is about sex. This is about being sexual. Nadia does not like God's directive for sex to be between one man and one woman, who are married and does not think it should be confined only to marriage. Rev. Bolz-Weber's new book website says her book "offers a full-blown overhaul of our harmful and antiquated ideas about sex, gender, and our bodies." (See here) The Huffington Post article quotes Pastor Bolz-Weber saying, “This thing about women that the church has tried to hide and control and that is a canvas on which other people can write their own righteousness ― it’s actually ours...This part of me is mine and I get to determine what is good for it and if it’s beautiful and how I use it in the world.” (see here) If you think this is a joke, it is not. And Nadia Bolz-Weber is actually making a golden vagina sculpture. 
(See here)
In return for people sending ELCA pastor Bolz-Weber their purity rings, they will be sent an "impurity" ring and a "Certificate of Impurity" as seen below.
Nadia Bolz-Weber has said and done a lot of heretical things in the past (see here and here). For example, in 2017, Nadia Bolz-Weber signed the "Naked and Unashamed" statement that rejects marriage as the only place for sexual intercourse. (See here) And more recently, she spoke of her support for viewing "ethically sourced porn." (See here)
How can this be allowed in a "Christian" denomination? It can not. The ELCA has placed feeling and belief above that of God and His Word. This is what happens when a church rejects, twists and ignores much of Scripture. It will only get worse.
The same principles and theology of ELCA professors who taught Nadia, are and have been teaching most pastors of the ELCA. Warn people about the apostasy of the ELCA. If you are attending an ELCA church, get out and find a Bible-believing and God-honoring denomination. -- As you can see below, not only is Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber the brightest star in the ELCA, she is the face of the ELCA, and the defacto theological leader of the denomination. She is sought out by ELCA leadership. Rev. Bolz-Weber's Facebook page has 196,105 "likes" and 212,283 people follow her. On Twitter, she has over 71,000 followers. Nadia Bolz-Weber's influence is wide and deep.
Here is a picture of Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber sitting with the leader of the ELCA, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.
This picture shows Nadia with former ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson. 
The ELCA chose Rev. Bolz-Weber to speak to the the youth at the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering. And also at the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering. Then there is a video created by an ELCA synod about Rev. Bolz-Weber and her church. 
ELCA bishops want to be around Nadia Bolz-Weber. The picture below shows Nadia with the Bishop of the Gulf Coast Synod, ELCA.
Next, Rev. Bolz-Weber is pictured along with the bishop of the ELCA's Rocky Mountain Synod. Finally, we have Rev. Dr. R. Guy Erwin, bishop of the Southwest California Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America with Rev. Bolz-Weber. 
Finally, here is an ELCA church hosting Rev. Bolz-Weber's book tour.
Last weekend a church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Ebenezer Lutheran Church, (also known as "herchurch") in San Francisco, CA, held their 2018 Goddess Harvest Festival.
At the Goddess Harvest Festival one could take a "Goddess Painting Class." Below is how the ELCA church described the class: "Join Jennifer and Katie for an afternoon encountering the Divine through painting! This fun, no-talent-required class will guide you from start to finish in creating your own sacred icon of the Divine Feminine. This class we will honor the Goddess of Willendorf, the Neolithic Great Mother." (see here) The ELCA church's website gives additional information about their monthly "Goddess Painting" class which is captured below. Every month they paint a different goddess. The list is:
"2018 Goddesses:
January: Cerridwen, Celtic goddess of the cauldron of transformation February: Wakahiru-Me, Japanese goddess of the morning sun March: Butterfly Maiden, Native American Spring goddess April: Hina, Hawaiian Moon goddess May: Hathor, Ancient Egyptian goddess of childbirth and beauty June: Tree Goddess July: Minoan Snake Goddess August: Mami Wata, African ocean goddess September: Arianrhod, Welsh/Celtic goddess of weaving cosmic time October: Hecate, Greek goddess of the crossroads of life and death November: *second Sunday of the month* Willendorf, Neolithic Mother goddess December: Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas" (see here) 
Note, herchurch calls this "encountering the Divine through painting." This is not a Christian activity. In fact, it is in direct opposition to God's First Commandment which says "And God spoke all these words: 'I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.'" - Exodus 20:1-3. It is hard be believe, but herchurch, which has a long disturbing history (see here) is in good standing with the ELCA. The ELCA is complicit in this evil practice. Here are some other activities that took place at the Goddess Harvest Festival: - Spirit Voices Of Light/Totem Animal Allies Mask Making "Join Deborah...to explore connection with totem animal allies through a Shamanic journeying and mask making process. For this workshop, Deborah will lead participants using the combination of Shamanic journeying with the creation of a mask for each person. Participants will leave at the end of the workshop with a mask pulled from their face. Space is limited to 10 participants." - Make your own Goddess Totem "You are invited to make a small goddess figure using polymer clay, which hardens by baking. You will be amazed at how easy it is to create these personal totems to take home! All supplies provided. Take yours home to bake or pick it up Sunday, baked for you." - Liturgy of the Divine Feminine "Honoring and raising up the Divine Feminine in the cosmos, community and ourselves. All are welcome. (ELCA) Pastor Stacy Boorn" - Tai Chi Chih "In this easy, gentle movement class, participants will engage in moving meditation to enliven them with the natural flow of energy known as chi. Tai Chi Chih’s 19 movements and one pose promote health, well-being and longevity." (See here) If you are an ELCA member, you should ask yourself why you part of a denomination that allows this. Rev. Tom Brock shared his thoughts on Facebook about the "Goddess Harvest Festival," which you can read below:  An article by an ELCA seminary professor titled “Bearing witness through community organizing” was printed and hosted on the ELCA’s Living Lutheran magazine and website. The article is another example of heresy being taught, allowed and disseminated by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The author of the article writes:
“Jesus emerged initially in his own Galilean community as a prophet concerned with the renewal of village life…For a variety of reasons we have come to interpret the story of Jesus through an individualistic lens as the saving of souls and deliverance from personal sin. But throughout Scripture salvation refers to rescue from present danger or liberation from oppression, and the language of sin in many instances refers to structural evil. The numerous healings and exorcisms show Jesus restoring bodies and minds suffering the effects of colonization. Although the exorcisms are performed on individuals, they were symptomatic of internalized oppression that was the consequence of the domination and control of social and political space.” (read here) This is a warped and deceitful understanding of Christ and his mission on Earth. God’s Word explains why Jesus came here. “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1 Timothy 1:15, ESV). “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10, ESV). “And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners’” (Mark 2:17, ESV). "’ . . . even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’” (Matthew 20:28, ESV). “’I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness’” (John 12:46, ESV). “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5, ESV). (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) Here is our recent show about heresies in the Church, including info about the upcoming ELCA Lutheran Teen Gathering and its radical speakers If you or someone you know is part of the United Church of Christ, Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church USA, United Methodist Church, Catholic Church, or Disciples of Christ, you may want to watch this. Especially if you know someone who is going to the ELCA Lutheran Teen Assembly coming up on June 27th, have them watch this dealing with the radical speakers they are bringing in to speak to 30,000 Lutheran teens. In Christ, Pastor Tom Brock |
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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