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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.)
The liberal Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has just concluded its national assembly. At the assembly, smoke was dispersed to cleanse from evil spirits and negative energy according to the Native American ceremony called smudging. No, ELCA, evil spirits are not driven out by smoke but only by the name of Jesus Christ. If you tap on the second link below, you can watch pagan smudging going on during an ELCA worship service. Also, the ELCA took up the issue of "bound conscience". Back in 2009 when the ELCA voted to ordain practicing homosexuals, conservatives were assured that their "bound conscience" against homosexual behavior would be allowed in the ELCA. But now, some want that reconsidered so that LGBT people will feel more welcomed in the ELCA. The ELCA already has two practicing homosexual bishops and a while ago elected the world's first transgender bishop. But that is not welcoming enough, some say, and they want the "bound conscience" language to be reconsidered. Kevin Strickland, an ELCA homosexual bishop with a "husband", took to the microphone to share his angst that someone refused to receive holy communion from him because the person objected to the bishop's homosexual behavior. The bishop said that he is tired of having his "personhood" challenged. He wants the church to "reconsider the church's current concept of bound conscience" because the ELCA should be a place where all are welcomed and loved, not condemned. I personally have struggled with homosexual temptation most of my life but for the sake or Christ and my soul, I abstain from this behavior (see "My struggle with same sex attraction" at pastorsstudy.org). I would say to the ELCA's homosexual bishops that no one is challenging their personhood. People are challenging homosexual behavior which the Bible condemns and in which the bishops engage. It is out of love that we tell people to turn from sin since sin dishonors God and hurts us. Indeed, it is very unloving to condone a sin which can eternally separate people from the Kingdom of God (I Corinthians 6:9-11). So now the ELCA has reached the point where it will examine whether to even allow the traditional, biblical view of homosexuality in its ranks. Indeed, the ELCA's national magazine already bans the conservative viewpoint in its pages. Given the ECLA's syncretism with pagan practices and its affirmation of homosexuality and transgenderism, it is long past time for Bible-believing Christians to leave this denomination. Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock (To see Bishop Strickland's convention remarks, tap on second link below). Smudging at the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly https://www.facebook.com/100075432623373/videos/839357237232129/
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The 2022 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Churchwide Assembly is happening this week.
The unbiblical native American practice of "smudging" was one of the events taking place in the large gathering that included all of the ELCA leadership. "Smudging is a Native American ritual that links smoke with spirituality... This is a common ceremonial ritual among indigenous people, held closely within these cultures to purify, spiritually cleanse, rid physical spaces of negative energy, and bless." "Smudging is the bridge between mortal life and higher realms, bringing in good spirits and eliminating any negative, stagnant ones. This ceremony lifts away any sadness, impurities, anxieties, and remediates poor health, leaving nothing but peace and harmony for both individuals and the environment after the cleansing." (Read here) In the comment section of this post by the East Central Synod of Wisconsin are additional pictures and another video. (See here) ELCA Lutherans to incorporate Native American worship and praying "to the four directions"8/6/2022 (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)
The increasingly heretical Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will meet in assembly August 8-12 in Columbus, Ohio. The ELCA will denounce "the doctrine of discovery" (Christopher Columbus). Head Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will open the assembly acknowledging their meeting is taking place on the ancestral homelands of the Shawnee, Miami, and Kaskaskia peoples. The worship service will "include a prayer to the four directions, which will incorporate a gathering of waters from the four directions within the territory of the ELCA, and a time of repentance as called for in the Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery." (see here) 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. Please take a moment to pray for the ELCA and its upcoming assembly. Pray that the ELCA will remember the First Commandment: Thou shalt have no other gods. In Christ, Pastor Tom Brock I guess we should not be surprised that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, by way of the Metro D.C. Synod and their Synod Council Interim Vice President, produced a devotional video with a Buddhist/Hindu statue sitting in the background. Let me be clear to ELCA leadership and anyone who doesn't know God's Word very well. Buddhism is a false religion. Hinduism is a false religion. God says this in Exodus 20:2-3, “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." I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to anyone else, nor share my praise with carved idols. - Isaiah 42:8 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. - John 14:6  Help Exposing the ELCA raise $75,000, an amount many ELCA pastors make in one year. 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. (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) Living Lutheran, the national magazine of the liberal Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has an article giving advice on how to observe lent. It starts with this "Deep breaths.… Remember to breathe deeply. While doing so, perhaps you can meditate on a mantra such as "I breathe in peace. I exhale worry.” A mantra is the Hindu practice of repeating a phrase over and over to achieve magical and spiritual results. The article also recommends reading a “centering poem” each day and “Light a candle. Sit by its glow. Watch the flame and smell the scent. Repeat as often as needed, whether aloud or silently: “Jesus is the light of our world.” This incorporating of non-Christian religious practices reflects what the ELCA did at its last national assembly in affirming that we do not know what God thinks of non-Christian religions. One delegate tried to amend that saying, yes, we do know since Jesus said He is the only way of salvation (John 14:6). The delegate was voted down by 97 percent. Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock (See article on page 9 here)  (The following article is from Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) As the liberal Evangelical Lutheran Church in America shrinks in membership and donations, so do its seminaries. Two ELCA seminaries in Pennsylvania had to merge, Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota had to sell off some of its buildings and in 2017 the building of the ELCA seminary in California was sold to a Muslim College. The President of California Lutheran University (which owned the California seminary property) was delighted to sell to the Muslim college: "We are delighted that the property is going to another nonprofit, faith-based educational institution". The President of the Muslim College stated "We are humbled and honored by this beautiful display of interreligious cooperation." This past summer the ELCA in convention passed an interreligious resolution stating that we do not know what God thinks of non-Christian religions. A delegate tried to amend that, stating that the Bible teaches Jesus is the only way of salvation (John 14:6). His amendment was voted down by 97 percent. We should grieve that a once Christian seminary building is now being used to promote Islam, but instead the President of the ELCA's California Lutheran University is "delighted". Such is the new world of ELCA interreligious cooperation. I have written many posts about how radical my alma mater Luther Seminary has become with its chapel services featuring transgender preachers, "God the Mother" worship, Native American "Great Spirit" worship, and the commemoration of National Coming Out Day and Transgender Week of Remembrance. I cannot help but think of the Bible's teaching "You reap what you sow." For years the ELCA has sown arrogance and rebellion against the Scriptures, and slowly but surely the ELCA has reaped its own decline. Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock 
A post last week by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is extremely disturbing. The ELCA official Facebook page published a post wishing people a "blessed Ramadan." This is encouraging a teaching and religion that is opposed to Christian beliefs. Kindness and love are Christian tenets, but the ELCA's belief in universalism, that all people are saved, has taken them to a place where they bless the practice of false religions and encourage people participating in them.
Even more disturbing, in the same Facebook post, is the statement made by the ELCA: "This month commemorating the revelation of the Qur’an is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation, devotion, and reflection" (italics mine). "Revelation," according to Lexico.com, is defined as "the divine or supernatural disclosure to humans of something relating to human existence or the world." The ELCA, by their own words, is saying that the Qur'an has divine origins, that it was given and disclosed by God! The Qur'an was written long after the New Testament and clearly states that Jesus is not the son of God. This reality, among other examples of the Qur'an not being a Christian resource, reveals a toxic sentiment by the ELCA that is opposed to orthodox teaching. It is heretical and evil of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to post that the Qur'an is a revelation, from God. God's Word in Galatians 1:6-7 tells us "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ." How far the ELCA has fallen. They twist, distort and deny God's Word but lift up a different religion's writings as being from God. It is time to leave this denomination that has left the Truth. 
(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) Luther Seminary of the liberal Evangelical Lutheran Church in America recently held a chapel worship service based on Native American spirituality. A Native American woman burned a plant and waved a feather over it, explaining that smudging "releases the energies within yourself". She led the congregation to inhale and exhale "which cleanses you" (see minute 4:02 below). Prayers were made in the direction of the four winds, patterned after Native American religion. The preacher explained that her Christianity is an extension of Native American spirituality. She said "I am a hybrid" in that she practices Christianity and holds to native spirituality. She talked of her "natural fusion of Christian and Sioux spirituality". She spoke of "the foundational values of God's original covenant with Native Americans that must never be violated." A version of the Lord's Prayer was made to "the Great Spirit."
Years ago when I was still in the ELCA, our Minneapolis Area Synod convention had participants pray toward the North, South, East and West. At that convention I got to the microphone to complain about the Native American worship. I said "I am German. My ancestors worshipped Thor and Odin. I hope we aren't going to incorporate Thor and Odin worship next." I shared this with my congregation and a Native American woman came up to me after church with tears in her eyes saying "They are trying to get us to return to the things that Jesus saved me from!" Luther's Christian/Sioux worship service is consistent with where the ELCA is heading. At the recent ELCA church-wide assembly, in the presence of representatives from non-Christian religions, the ELCA overwhelmingly passed an interfaith resolution stating that we don't know what God thinks of non-Christian religions. A delegate said that we indeed know since Jesus said He is the only way of salvation (John 14:6), but the delegate was voted down by 97%. Some time ago an elderly woman who has donated to Luther Seminary asked me if she should continue to do so. I said "Not a penny." One Luther chapel service brought in a transgender preacher who prayed "Our Mother in heaven". Another Luther chapel service had a feminist/womanist preacher tell the students to hold hands and imagine they were in "the pushy womb of God". Another chapel service observed National Coming Out Day for homosexuals. Another chapel service observed the Transgender Day of Remembrance. And now this smudging service (watch it below). Like I said, "Not a penny." Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock PS Luther Seminary is selling off 15 acres and some of its buildings because of the seminary's financial problems.
Jesus did not and would not invite worshipers of Baal into the Temple of God to worship their deity. But the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA proudly reports on one of their ELCA churches that invited Muslims to pray at their church.
A second Facebook post by the ELCA synod has the ELCA church's pastor saying they "Sometimes even pray with them." 
Below we learn from the ELCA's Living Lutheran magazine:
"This Ramadan Shoulder-to-Shoulder (of which the @ELCA is a founding member) is visiting 5 cities across the U.S., holding interfaith celebrations. Tonight the #RamadanRoadTrip concludes in Washington, D.C"
See 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 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a partner to LIRS (Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service). (See here) Recently, Krish O’Mara Vignarajah was appointed the President and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.
ELCA Synod Bishop Michael Rinehart is the LIRS board chairman is quoted as saying, “Krish is exactly the kind of once-in-a-generation leader LIRS needs right now...In the wake of unprecedented challenges to U.S. refugee resettlement and immigration policy, the LIRS mission — to protect, embrace, and empower those we serve — is more crucial now than ever.” A lot of ELCA money goes to LIRS. Let's learn a little about Krish O'Mara Vignarajah. She is Hindu and is married to a Catholic. In 2016, they had a Hindu wedding ceremony and a Christian ceremony. (see here) She worked as a senior advisor under Sec. of State Hillary Clinton and John Kerry before becoming Policy Director for First Lady Michelle Obama. (See here)
Krish O’Mara Vignarajah was a Democratic candidate for governor of Maryland in 2018.
The Baltimore Sun newspaper, during the campaign season, said "Vignarajah has many big promises for Maryland spelled out in more than 100 pages of text and nearly 14,000 words on her website: universal pre-kindergarten, free college tuition at community colleges and historically black colleges and universities, more reproductive health centers, paid leave for new parents, expanded use of renewable energy sources and a massive increase in school construction funding." (Read here)
Also on Krish Vignarajah's campaign website is a tab that addresses issues that are important to the candidate. One of those issues was "LGBTQ," where Vignarajah says "My Administration Will Make Maryland The Most Welcoming And Anti-Discriminatory State In The Union."
The website's LGBTQ page then listing "Priorities" where we find the following: 
(See here)
Below are a couple of Facebook posts by Krishanti Vignarajah. She seems like the perfect fit for a partner of the ELCA.
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: What is interesting and disturbing about this ELCA hire is that Jill Braithwaite is a graduate of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (see here and see her thesis here). It is a seminary where many Unitarian Universalist pastors-to-be go to study. (See here) It also has a good number of faculty and staff who are Unitarian Universalists. (See here) Add to that the fact that Jill Braithwaite has preached at least a couple times at First Universalist Church of Minneapolis (see here and below), and as of 2014, she was a member at the Universalist church and served on the church's board of trustees and welcome team.   Unitarian Universalism is not Christian, as the they study, follow and teach from many and various religions. On the Unitarian Universalists website on pastor writes, "I do not believe Jesus is the sole revelation of the Divine, and I do not know, but seriously doubt, if he was raised from the dead..." (see here and see this page for additional comments about Jesus). It is obvious that most do not see Jesus as Lord and Savior, as the Son of God, as Messiah. Instead of going into more details, here are a few additional links if you would like to know more about Unitarian Universalists. See how they describe what they believe here, what they are based on here and another article about their beliefs here. What is going on in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that makes it acceptable to hire someone with a Unitarian Universalist background? Are the teachings of the Unitarian Universalist church compatible with that of the ELCA? |
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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