Queer ELCA Lutheran pastor helps transgender people understand "God created them just as they are"7/2/2024 (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) Dawn Bennett is a queer pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America who works with transgender people. Pastor Dawn helps people see that if they are biological males but identify as females, God made them that way. In a glowing article in the ELCA's national magazine, Kathy Halbrooks of PFLAG, “Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays,” says this about queer Pastor Dawn's work: "I see so many LGBTQ+ people emotionally damaged by their experiences with negative organized religion. Pastor Dawn of The Table helps people understand that God loves them and created them just as they are." So if you believe what Jesus said, that "He who made them at the beginning made them male and female" (Matthew 19:4), you are part of "negative organized religion". You need to understand something that Jesus never said, namely, that God also makes people to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, pansexual, tri-spirit, etc. etc. This is the "brave new world" of the ELCA as it drifts further and further from Biblical truth and embraces the confusion and deception of modern American culture. Rather than help people out of sexual confusion, the ELCA confirms people in it. In Jesus our Savior, Pastor Tom Brock (See Living Lutheran article here) 
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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.) I have reported earlier on a South Dakota Bible camp of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America called Outlaw Ranch. I attended many years ago as a teenager and it was biblical. In a week it is holding an LBGT Pride Camp for 14-18 year olds.
The camp states: "We are all created in the image of God and believe that all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions reflect God’s creative identity." What? God Himself (or Herself or Itself or Theyself) is LGBT? For pride week, the camp will revamp gendered bathrooms and cabins, use youth's "preferred pronouns", and help them be "their authentic selves". And if you are LGBT, you can opt out of Bible study. The camp states: "We recognize that church may not have been a welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ youth. With that in mind, we will offer our daily Bible study and worships, but it will not be required. Alternative activities will be provided. The goal of Outlaw’s Bible study is for our campers to understand that they are beautifully and wonderfully made and that God loves them no matter what." May I ask you to stop and say a prayer right now, that God would somehow intervene for the sake of these teenagers and put an end to the deception that this "Bible" camp is promoting? I can't help but think of the verse: "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fashioned around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea" (Matthew 18:6). Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock Source: https://www.losd.org/pridecamp (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) Beaming Books is a branch of 1517 Media, the publishing house of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It has published a book edited by trans activist Leigh Finke who helped pass legislation making Minnesota a “safe state" for sex change operations on children. Finke's book tells LBGT teens that Jesus was "totally fine" with queerness, don't listen to parents if they are not gay affirming, and porn can be useful (see article below for full story.)
Regarding parents, "If your parents do not accept you and your queerness, then they do not know what’s best for you. They just don’t. Even if they love you, even if they’re praying for you...Just because they love you does not mean they know what is best for you. Limit contact with any adult who tells you something is wrong with you...just know that you are the only authority on who you are.” Regarding pornography, “For starters, porn can be a safe way to explore your sexuality. You can learn about your body and pleasure and how to make the most of both. You can also take that information, when applicable, and put it to use on your partner’s body." The book recommends watching porn “with your partner, which can open up new conversations about sex and pleasure, stimulate our natural arousal systems, or it can just be a silly fun thing to experience together.” This is perhaps the worst heresy yet from the ELCA. In Christ, Pastor Tom Brock (Article about the book here) The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has elected it's third homosexual bishop this year. The ELCA has a total of six practicing homosexuals who currently are bishops. (likely to grow in number this summer) ELCA pastor Nathan Pipho was elected bishop of the New England Synod. He is gay, as he explains in an article he wrote, "It was the saints at Good Shepherd, North Quincy, who took a chance on a pastoral candidate who was gay. This was seven years before the 2009 Churchwide Assembly lifted prohibitions on partnered LGBT persons serving as ordained ministers. It also coincided with the height of the clergy sexual abuse crisis that was hitting the Archdiocese of Boston at the time. Some of my friends counseled me this was not the best time for me to be open with them about my sexuality, that it was none of their business, that I should stay in the closet …but I knew for the sake of authentic witness I needed to be open." (See here) Rev. Nathan Pipho is a "...past chair of the New England Synod Team for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Inclusion." (See here) Since we are talking about Bishop-Elect Pipho, here is his position on a controversial transgender topic: "Earlier this year, the Charlotte City Council passed an ordinance that affirmed the right of transgender individuals to use the bathroom of their gender identity. It was right and fair." (See here)   See photo here - https://www.masslive.com/galleries/TDQWQH3E3BDT3MOAXKH4J34Z2U/ (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) For years, Living Lutheran, the official magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has printed articles promoting homosexuality and transgenderism, while forbidding the traditional, biblical viewpoint in its pages. As if to see how radical it can become, Living Lutheran magazine celebrates gay pride month in an interview with queer/bisexual ELCA activist pastor Elle Dowd, who calls for the overthrow of “heteronormality” and capitalism. It is the most radical Living Lutheran article to date.
Here are some highlights: The article begins: June is Pride Month, and we are excited to amplify the voices of our ELCA siblings who are proud to be part of the LGBTQIA+ community... Today we are speaking with pastor, author and activist Elle Dowd (she/they). Dowd states: I am currently...finish(ing) up my Ph.D. in queer theology, researching bisexual theology...I have a lot of religious trauma from growing up in the church...I received a lot of messages about the sinfulness of my identity (as a bisexual/quer pastor), which deeply harmed me... we can’t continue to affirm theology that is killing people. The ELCA needs to move toward a full-throated, wholehearted affirmation and even celebration of LGBTQIA+ people..What I want to know is: Are you lobbying your legislators to protect LGBTQIA+ people? Are you protesting and taking the streets when our rights are ripped away from us? ...Does your budget and your calendar reflect that we are a priority? Are we in your pulpits? In your liturgy? In your Sunday school illustrations? What kind of conversations are you having around reparations?...Does your congregation have education about the phenomenon of bisexual erasure? ...I pray for... the dismantling of white supremacy, for an end to cis-hetero patriarchy, for the fall of capitalism and empire, for #landback, for abolition, for reparations, for restoration... So ends the article Whew! The truth is that if I Corinthians 6:9-11 is true, that homosexuals will not inherit the Kingdom of God, then it is hateful to promote homosexuality, which the ELCA is doing in its national magazine. Living Lutheran is funded by ELCA offering dollars. That's right, your ELCA offering dollars at work, overthrowing “hetero-normality” and capitalism. Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock PS. The article states that its author is Kelly Wilkerson who is in full-time ministry and “resides with her fiancée”, an unashamed plug for pre-marital cohabitation (Read Living Lutheran article here.)
We are just a couple days into what the woke have deemed "Pride month." Their "pride" is in being LGBT+ or supporters of the lifestyles.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in American (ELCA) has chosen to announce their support of people's sexual and gender twisting practices, as we see below:
This proclamation is from the national ELCA churchwide headquarters -
The next display is from the ELCA's Vice President - 
Additional "pride" posts that I've run across so far, (with little effort to find) include this from the ELCA's Susquehanna University - 
(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) Last week the United Methodist Church went against Scripture and 2000 years of Christian teaching and voted that homosexual behavior is now acceptable. Henceforth the United Methodists will have practicing homosexual pastors and perform gay “weddings”.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America did the same thing back in 2009. What was the response yesterday of Elizabeth Eaton, head bishop of the ELCA, to the Methodist heresy? She is overjoyed: “The ELCA rejoices and gives thanks to God for the opportunity to proclaim together (with United Methodists), from this point forward, that Christian teaching is for all people and that the gifts of all are welcome and needed to serve Christ's church. In unity, The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton”. (See here) Wait. For 2000 years, Christian teaching has not been for all people? All people, regardless of their sin, have always been invited to repent of sin and put their faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. Eaton’s words show the arrogance of religious liberals who believe they are more enlightened and compassionate than all the Christians who have come before us. In truth, by affirming sin, the ELCA and United Methodists are not loving people. They are, as an old Lutheran pastor told me years ago, “nice-ing people right into Hell” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). 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.) Bryan Penman is the newly elected bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He has a male partner and an adopted child. Penman says this about his election: “So the spirit moved today, and I have a new call. I stand on the strength of thousands who have helped me say yes to this call and who have paved the way in the church against the odds. Soli deo gloria.” As a person who has personally struggled with same-sex attraction most of my life, I abstain from this behavior for the sake of Christ and my eternal soul (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). The Bible teaches that homosexual behavior is sin (see my article “What does the Bible say about homosexuality?” at pastorsstudy.org). Jesus taught us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him. Instead today in the ELCA people are taught to affirm homosexuality and transgenderism. This was done to 31,000 teenagers at the ELCA’s national Teen Gathering.  The homosexual bishop claims the Holy Spirit is the one who “moved” to get him elected. This, to me, is much too close to the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus the only Savior, Pastor Tom Brock P.S. If you struggle with same-sex attraction, go to restoredhopenetwork.org and see resources and a possible support group in your area
Jen Negel is the second member of the LGBT+ community to be elected today (May 4, 2024) as an ELCA synod bishop. Pastor Negel was elected by the Minneapolis Area Synod. It will probably not be the last as synod assemblies are happening over the next 4 to 5 months.
You can read a bio of Bishop-elect Jen Negal from her current church here. For further confirmation you can visit the new bishop's Facebook page here. Here is the synod bio that she filled out for the election of bishop. 
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod (SEPA) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has elected a gay man to be their synod Bishop.
(See his bio here) 
See here.
Pastor Bryan Penman is a member of Proclaim. Proclaim, is a community for queer Lutheran pastor and candidates. (He states this in an article he wrote - https://www.elm.org/2018/01/ You can also learn more about Bryan here.
Coming to the 2024 ELCA National Youth Gathering.
(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)
A friend of mine graduated from Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania, a school related to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He recently received this communication from the university about the university’s specialty housing for LGBTQ+ students, its new LGBTQ+ Resource Center, and Midday Mindfulness yoga: “Susquehanna University recently dedicated the LGBTQ+ Resource Center as an on-campus space where queer students will feel supported and empowered. “We want to promote students and community visibility by empowering and lifting up queer students and giving them a bigger voice on campus,” said Kyoti Tavarez ’24, a QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) student liaison with the resource center. “This is a space where we want to highlight queer students and their accomplishments, talents and joy.” …the center’s creation was due in part to growing demand among LGBTQ+-identifying students, said Dena Salerno, senior director of inclusion & diversity. “…over 30% of a recent incoming class tell us that they identify as queer in some way,” Salerno said. In addition to opening the resource center, Susquehanna also created specialty housing for LGBTQ+ students this year….Midday Mindfulness sessions, led by a certified student yoga instructor, are scheduled…” My friend complained to the university and got this response from the university chaplain: “Theologically—and I speak now as the university chaplain—I want to be very clear: we do not in any way endorse theologies that frame same-gender attraction as wrong or disordered. Quite the opposite, we celebrate the presence of God in the lives and loves of our LGBTQ members, and our community and campus are blessed daily by their inspiring faith, abundant spiritual gifts, and all-around brilliance.” My response: 30% of students are LGBT? Highly unlikely. And never mind prayer at this Lutheran college, let’s promote mindfulness yoga. Yes, this chaplain celebrates LGBT behavior, but he stands in contradiction to the Scripture and 2000 years of Christian teaching (see my article “What does the Bible say about homosexuality?” at pastorsstudy.org). This wholesale embracing of the homosexual/transgender movement is also evident at Augsburg, Concordia Moorehead, Saint Olaf, Gustavus Adolphus, Augustana, Luther and Wartburg Colleges. The only ELCA college I know of that still has some Biblical faithfulness is Grand View University in Iowa. So don’t send your child to a college of the Evangelical Lutheran church in America thinking they will get a Christian education. Instead, they will be indoctrinated in the lies of our culture. Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock Susquehanna’s chaplain also wants to make clear where he stands on abortion, see below. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has produced a confirmation curriculum for their youth titled "Queer Confirmation." It is a project originating from the ELCA's Wartburg Theological Seminary. "The Queer Confirmation curriculum (QC) is a 1-year (24 sessions), synchronous, online curriculum for LGBTQIA+ teens accompanied by a safe adult (parents/religious leader)." (See here) "Queer Confirmation is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)." (See here) The author of the curriculum "underscored the monumental impact of the ELCA's partnership, viewing it as a significant step toward churchwide accountability. The financial support from the ELCA, a tangible affirmation of their statements, marked a historic moment. Budgets are moral documents, and this funding represents a commitment to accountability, inclusivity, and healing within the Church. The ELCA's support went beyond financial contributions, extending to visibility and access through national platforms and social media. The partnership opened doors to present at key events and engage with influential figures within the Church, creating a ripple effect of positive change." (See page 10-11 here)   (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) Many years ago, Elim Lutheran Church near my house in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, had a wonderful, Biblical pastor. He was willing to stand against the pro-homosexual movement that was being promoted by our bishop and others in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He eventually retired. Another pastor came and slowly but surely the church became more liberal. I remember a woman from that church calling me, upset that they wouldn’t allow the Christian men’s movement Promise Keepers into the church because one of the pastors said it was sexist. Today if you go to Elim’s website, you will see that the current pastor and all of the staff members list their preferred pronouns (see the “he/him” pastor below). The director of Elim’s children, youth and family ministries is a “they, them” who is studying “queer theology.” This is the danger of staying in a liberal denomination and I have seen it over again. A new pastor comes along, and slowly influences the congregation to accept the heretical beliefs of the ELCA. This is why I encourage every congregation to leave the ELCA and join a more Biblical branch of Lutheranism. Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock
Screenshots are from the church website. See here. The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) Earlier this year, Luther Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America hired a gay theologian. He recently preached at Luther Seminary chapel (see sermon below) about the Parable of the 10 Virgins. Instead of preaching the true meaning of Jesus’ parable, that we must be ready for Christ’s return or we will be shut out, he instead preached about the oppression of those who have been shut out, thus turning the parable on its ear. As an example of oppression, he told the story of homosexuals who were denied Holy Communion by a Roman Catholic priest and so started their own church (minute 14 below). At one point, the preacher referred to the “Kin-dom of God” instead of the “Kingdom of God”. In recent years “Kingdom“ is considered too sexist since it refers to God as a male King, so a new word, “Kin-dom”, has been invented. Sometimes traditional Lutherans from Africa come to Luther Seminary to be trained as pastors and are aghast at what they find. Recently, a Lutheran from Ethiopia told me how the Mekane Yesus Lutheran denomination there, the largest Lutheran denomination in the world, has cut off ties with the ELCA because of its embracing of the LGBT movement. How far the ELCA has drifted from what the Bible teaches, “…homosexuals…will not inherit the Kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). It reminds me of what an old Lutheran pastor said many years ago when some Lutheran bishops started to promote the acceptance of homosexual behavior, “We are nicing people right into Hell.“ In Jesus our Savior, Pastor Tom Brock PS. And how tragic that yesterday the Pope authorized Catholic priests to perform blessings for same-sex couples. It seems everybody is caving. But Christians, let us follow Scripture though the whole world be against us. (See link to video of service here, on Tom Brock's Facebook page) |
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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