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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is poisoning the minds of its people. They continually demean God and His Word in their words and actions. This poison is distributed to listeners in the many entities and persons who operate under the ELCA banner.
Case in point, last week the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America published a story in their official magazine, Living Lutheran, praising a transgender boy who, by way of his ELCA pastor father and his mother, has become a spokesperson for transgender rights. Publishing and promoting LGBTQ+ propaganda is common with the ELCA, they even had this same transgender boy, who lives as a girl, speak at the ELCA National Youth Gathering in 2018. In the Living Lutheran article readers are told: “Seeing the damage that the faith community does to LGBTQ+ people gave me something to learn about and inspired me to help others understand that God made you who you are, and God does not make mistakes.” (read here) 
How can anyone who loves God and believe His Word stay in this bondage celebrating, Bible and faith destroying denomination? They are harming people who struggle with sinful desires and turning other people away from the Truth God handed down in Scripture.
Jesus said to go make disciples "teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:20a). This challenge is to help people experience abundant life in Jesus, found in the context of a relationship with Him. The ELCA is teaching people the opposite of what Jesus commanded, telling people to not do as He has said which hinders their relationship with Him. Remaining in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America helps them perpetuate alienation from God and wickedness. And that wickedness grows worse each day.
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A Facebook post by the ELCA's Metro DC Synod begins by indicating the hashtags, "#dailybible" and "#loveislove" and is followed by a LGBTQ+ flag. Then the synod shares the Bible verse "The voice said to him again, a second time, 'what god has made clean, you must not call profane" - Acts 10:15.
This pro-LGBTQ+ post, combined with the Bible verse, is deeply disturbing. It claims that God is supportive of sexual relationships that fall outside of those that are heterosexual, between one man and one woman. This post indicates that those relationships are "clean," permissible and good. This is a proof-texted use of a Bible verse about Peter's vision, as God called him to go to the Gentiles with the Gospel. God revealed to Peter a new understanding of the law as it relates to what was clean and unclean. Context matters. This is a manipulative use of Scripture to deliver an agenda and cause people to blindly follow a new thought that supports that agenda. 
Here is another post by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America synod that also uses the LGBTQ+ mantra, "love is love." It seems that the background image of the picture also supports that message.
(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 is inviting all of its pastors to a gathering in Phoenix this July. Many “caucuses” and workshops will be offered by the ELCA to its pastors, and much of it reads like a wish list of liberal theology. One workshop will be led by Jamie Bruesehoff, an LGBTQ+ advocate and pastor’s wife and the mother of a boy who identifies as a girl. Two summers ago, when the boy was 12 years old, he spoke to 31,000 ELCA teenagers at the ELCA Teen Gathering to promote transgenderism. Here is another workshop at the upcoming ELCA pastors gathering: “LGBTQIA+ Identities in Ministry Caucus ...Rostered ministers who identify as LGBTQIA+ are invited to a caucus and share a time of celebration, sharing, and solidarity. We will take time for...a ritual of celebration of queerness. This caucus is for those who identify as a gender and sexual minority and not allies”. Even the secular pro-gay group GLAAD will show up with the below workshop which seeks to teach pastors how to leverage the media in hopes of getting the “moveable middle” to become pro-gay: “Calling for Justice in our Modern Media Landscape Deacon Ross Murray, Senior Director, GLAAD Media Institute...Participants will learn how to leverage the media and articulate a message of God's justice. Equipped with research and best practices gleaned from 30 years of LGBTQ advocacy, the GLAAD Media Institute will work with participants to communicate their message with the movable middle while combating the often-polarizing narrative surrounding faith and social justice.” Mary Streufert, Director for ELCA Justice for Women, will offer a workshop on expanding God language, which usually means moving beyond God the Father language and using feminine language for God. Such are among the offerings at the upcoming ELCA pastors gathering. And such is the reason liberal, mainline denominations like the ELCA, the United Church of Christ, the Episcopal Church in America, the Disciples of Christ, and the PCUSA Presbyterians continue to shrink and shrink. In Jesus our Savior, Pastor Tom Brock (See ELCA workshops here)  (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) The current edition of Living Lutheran, the official magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, highlights the ministry of ELCA Pastor Joseph Castaneda. He is a homosexual with a "husband" whose ministry is authorized by the ELCA's Southwest California Synod. His ministry produces "Queer Faith", a Youtube series for LGBTQ+ people. The ELCA bishop for the Southwest California Synod is Guy Erwin, also a homosexual man who is "married" to a man. In recent years, Living Lutheran has printed glowing articles about the ministries of practicing homosexuals and transgendered persons. Living Lutheran has refused to run an advertisement for OnebyOne, a ministry which holds to the traditional, Biblical view that homosexual behavior is contrary to God's will. This in spite of the fact that the ELCA's 2009 decision to ordain practicing homosexuals assured conservatives that their voice would also be honored. But that voice is never allowed in the ELCA's national magazine. 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.) This month a memorial service was held for Herbert Chilstrom, first head bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America when it was newly formed in 1988. Bishop Chilstrom stood for abortion rights and for the ordination of practicing homosexuals. Chilstrom chose former ELCA head Bishop Mark Hanson to deliver his funeral sermon. It was during Hanson’s tenure as bishop in 2009 that the ELCA voted to ordain practicing homosexuals, causing the largest church split in American history. Bishop Hanson said this in his sermon regarding Chilstrom’s vision for the Church: “Sometimes we will need to engage in public acts of repentance for that past, for the perpetuation of white, heterosexual, patriarchal systems of power and privilege that continue to enslave both church and society today”. Hanson said Chilstrom had a vision for the church “in which those who identify as LGBTQAI+ are not just welcomed, but whether single or partnered, lay or ordained, you are leading congregations  and synods and church-wide ministries...”. Hanson’s sermon was reminiscent of his 2013 sermon when Hanson installed the ELCA’s first practicing homosexual bishop Guy Erwin. In that sermon Hanson “repented” of the churches prior teaching that practicing homosexuals should not be ordained with these words: “There is weeping for joy this day, because for too long many of you have wept tears of bitterness from the experience of being rebuked. Rebuked for believing that God could call you to the ministry of word and sacrament and to the vocation of marriage with your beloved Rob (my note: Rob is Erwin’s “husband”). Rev. Erwin, in your call to serve the gospel in the office of bishop, we as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are saying again and saying publicly and forthrightly, such rebuking shall not be what we as a church will be saying quite openly any longer. But let our public resounding 'no' to such shaming and bullying and rebuking also become our public repentance...” At Chilstrom’s funeral, Mark Hanson also preached that Chilstrom’s vision “was of a nation not with fortified borders and barriers, not separating out families and keeping out immigrants and refugees and asylum seekers but the vision of a nation welcoming the stranger.” Holy Communion was served at Chilstrom’s funeral, but with a more liberal understanding of communion. Communion used to be reserved for those who repented of their sins and who had faith in Christ. But at this service these words were said:. “Wherever you are in your journey you are welcome to take communion”. Through the leadership of Bishop Herbert Chilstrom and Bishop Mark Hanson, the ELCA has become the extreme, heretical denomination that it is today, a denomination which pays for abortion for any reason with offering dollars and which ordains not only practicing homosexuals, but now also ordains transgendered people. The ELCA even promoted the acceptance of homosexuality and transgenderism to 31,000 teenagers at its 2018 Teen Gathering. But God is not mocked and he will have the last word. The ELCA continues to shrink in membership and donations. Two ELCA seminaries had to merge and another had to sell off some of its buildings. In Jesus our Savior, Pastor Tom Brock 
The leadership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has chosen a gay man, John Weit, to be the next Assistant to the Presiding Bishop, Executive for Worship. He replaces Rev. Kevin Strickland, also a gay man, in this position.
In a church bio of John Weit we are told, "John lives in the Hyde Park neighborhood with his spouse, Matt James, and their cat, Buddy." (See here)
John Weit is a member of Proclaim. Proclaim is a "professional community for Lutheran ministers and candidates, who publicly identify as LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual, plus)" (Quote from here).
Upon hearing this news, Rev. Tom Brock addressed the situation saying, "Before the ELCA’s 2009 decision to ordain practicing homosexuals, a pastor would have been disciplined for engaging in homosexual behavior. Today practicing homosexuals are placed in the highest positions of the denomination." (See here) 
(The following article was written last year by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) Bishop Herbert Chilstrom was my bishop for years before he became the first presiding bishop of the newly formed Evangelical Lutheran Church in America back in 1988. My heart sank back then when he became head bishop because I knew of his liberal views. He later became a champion for the acceptance of homosexual relationships in the ELCA. And his view won the day in 2009 when the ELCA voted to ordain practicing homosexuals and to allow gay "weddings". Near where I live is an ELCA church where the male Lutheran homosexual pastor has a "husband" who is an United Church of Christ pastor. This is the new world of the ELCA. This month Living Lutheran, the ELCA's national magazine, is presenting a five-part series by Chilstrom on the authority of the Bible. His first article says this: "If the Spirit of God is alive and at work in the church in every age, should we not expect that new insights into our understanding of the Bible will emerge in our own generation—or from the experience of believers in the world?" These words remind me of a conversation I had years ago with a liberal Lutheran pastor on the subject of homosexuality. I pointed out the clear teaching of Romans chapter 1 forbidding homosexual behavior. His response: "The Holy Spirit is leading us to a higher consciousness on this issue than the Apostle Paul had in the First Century." In other words, the Holy Spirit today is contradicting what He inspired the Apostle Paul to write in the First Century. The most liberal Protestant denomination is the United Church of Christ whose motto is: God is still speaking. I'm afraid this means "Yes, God spoke against certain things in the Bible long ago, but God is saying new things to the Church today." This understanding of Scripture allows you to get around any Bible verse that you don't like. And it is tragic, perhaps near blasphemy, to say that the Holy Spirit is the one leading the liberal, mainline Protestant denominations to embrace the world and reinterpret Scripture. The answer to all this, of course, is to remember the Holy Spirit inspired the writing of the Bible and He will not contradict Himself 2000 years later. The Lutheran Reformation was founded upon the Latin phrase "Sola Scripture" which means "the Bible alone" has the final authority. Would that liberal Protestant leaders remember that and not try to imagine a Holy Spirit who contradicts the very book He has inspired. Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock  Popular ELCA Minister Flips-off "Masterpiece Cake Shop" for Its Traditional Marriage Stance1/30/2020
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) beloved and notorious pastor, author and speaker continues to show the world why to stay away from ELCA pastors and their churches.
A couple of days ago, ELCA Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber sent out this Tweet, 
Masterpiece Cake Shop, which made national news, is the business that was taken to court for not baking a cake, and thereby not endorsing, celebrating and participating in, a same-sex wedding. The Tweet, which looks to have been taken down by Rev. Bolz-Weber, has caused an uproar, even bringing some criticism from people who support the radical pastor (see here). If you do not know a whole lot about ELCA Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber, we have a collection of information about this pastor who is admired by many ELCA bishops. (see here)
(The following is a past article written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) The official magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Living Lutheran, is ever promoting the homosexual agenda. The January 2018 issue talks about “Christ’s radical inclusivity at the table” as a reason some are promoting the LGBT movement. The issue tells us that next month an article will be devoted to Reconcilingworks, the pro-LGBT group which enlists Lutheran congregations around the country to identify as LGBT friendly. Another article talks about yoga and drumming. It quotes an ELCA pastor who said she “had a deeply profound experience of God’s presence following a yoga class.” She “combines the Hindu practice of yoga with Christian devotions”. Over 35 Twin Cities congregations use her yoga class for “God’s healing presence” through yoga. A yoga class member said “Sometimes I think the whole group is experiencing something at the same time. I believe its the Holy Spirit.” Another article talked about claiming “our womanist ethic”. Another article on “transformation”—which to me sounded more New Age than Christian—talks of waiting “in stillness and silence” until “your soul will reveal the wounded parts of you that need healing and restoration. Your soul will reveal the false selves you’ve crafted.” The article does not mention transformation through prayer and Bible reading. And yet another article gives a one-sided view of immigration without exploring that there might be good reasons for upholding immigration laws. All in all, it was what I have come to expect from the official magazine of the ELCA, which some say really stands for “the Extremely Liberal Church in America”, or, “Every Lutheran Confession Abandoned”, or, “Everything Luther Cautioned Against.” Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock  Rev. Kevin L. Strickland is the bishop of the ELCA's Southeastern Synod and the former Assistant to the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA and Executive for Worship. Last spring Rev. Strickland said the following: "For many years, I felt like I was 'broken' as I fought the internal struggle to come out and say that I was gay and to not only do that but then to continue being able to serve as a pastor in this church. I felt shame, brokenness, sense of not being right. Then a dear friend and pastor, reminded me, I was exactly what God created and even in what may feel broken to me, God calls it beautiful. I now can claim that I am a beautifully and wonderfully created child of God who is gay. Being broken-open means I now live free as the person that God created me to be. In that broken-openness, there is such beauty." (See here) In the ELCA and world it is common for people to say that "God made me gay." This is a lie. 
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.) This summer the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America held its churchwide assembly. One of the preachers, a homosexual pastor with a “husband“, remembered the 2009 ELCA decision to ordain practicing homosexuals. He encouraged them not to celebrate that decision behind closed doors, but to celebrate it openly. Even this liberal crowd did not seem to me to be overly excited about his message. Perhaps that is because the 2009 ELCA decision caused the greatest church split in American history and has cost the ELCA a huge number of members and donations. During the 2009 decision, conservatives were assured that both liberal and conservative views would be honored on the issue. However, this summer’s ELCA assembly had no speaker who was allowed to annunciate the traditional, biblical understanding of homosexuality. So much for both sides being honored. If you want to hear how a Lutheran pastor tries to justify his homosexual behavior in the name of Christ, started at minute 13:17 below. In Christ, Pastor Tom Brock Rev. Bradley Schmeling sermon. Wednesday Worship at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly 2019. 
That is wrong. But what was sinful is when the ELCA voted to allow the ordination of practicing, monogamous homosexuals. It is a position that has harmed many people.
Is being monogamous even a requirement anymore or was it ever? And if the ELCA was sinning because they did not ordain practicing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual/Allies (LGBTQIA+) people, it stands to reason that the ELCA believes that those that do not celebrate these behaviors are also guilty of sin. One must also consider as to when the ELCA voted to ordain people who identify as bisexual and transgender? After the ELCA comment, a few posts later, the ELCA recommended resources that are made by an LBGTQIA+ organization. (See below) 
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Facebook statements were made in the comment section of the ELCA-posted video (below), celebrating "the process of inviting more than just cis-men to ordained ministry."
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, through its advocacy office, celebrated gay Pride Month this past June.
In most cases, some money given to ELCA churches makes its way to ELCA synods, which in turn distributes some of that money to ELCA Churchwide. ELCA Churchwide uses some of the money received to promote and advocate for things they believe in, decisions headed by the ELCA Advocacy division. Therefore money given by individuals pays for the ELCA's extreme and often unBiblical policies, beliefs, pastors and leadership.
Some years ago a family visited my church because their Lutheran congregation was allowing a practicing lesbian to teach their daughter Sunday School. That was before the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's 2009 decision to ordain active homosexual persons. I drove by that church in a Minneapolis suburb a few days ago and wondered "How liberal is that church today?" I looked at the church's website to discover now one of the pastors is a lesbian with a "wife". And who is that "wife"? She is a pastor serving another ELCA church in the St. Paul area. I have noticed this before, that when one homosexual pastor is serving a church, their "spouse" might also be serving an ELCA-- or perhaps a United Church of Christ-- congregation.
This is what happens when we give up the authority of Scriptures. Anything goes, God is mocked, and the congregations tend to shrink. The ELCA has been shrinking since it was founded in 1988, but the shrinkage has increased greatly since 2009. In Jesus our Savior, 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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