Category: Synods

An ELCA Church Holds A 'Queer Christmas Pageant'

12/27/2018

Dreams and Visions is the name of a new church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) located in Baltimore, Maryland. Last week they held a gathering they called "Incarnate: A Queer Christmas Pageant." The ELCA church invited people to "Celebrate Christmas in a Queer and sacred space."

The ELCA church's Facebook post gives you a little more information about the pageant.

(See more photos of the pageant here.)

I probably do not need to explain to you how this is blasphemous, a mockery of Christ's birth and an encouragement of sinful and harmful living.

Dreams and Visions is a newly formed ELCA church run by well-known ELCA pastor, Emily Scott, who was a main stage speaker at the ELCA’s 2015 National Youth Gathering. The church formed in conjunction with the ELCA's Delaware-Maryland Synod. The synod was mentioned in the Queer Christmas Pageant 'Thank You' section. (See here)

Dreams and Visions' website explains the church's beginnings and vision saying, "Our Bishop Bill Gohl (as well as his predecessor) had dreamed of a new spiritual community taking root in Lauraville. Emily Scott, now our pastor, dreamed of a congregation that was fresh, joyful, and justice oriented, where LGBTQ+ folks were part of the DNA of the community. It turned out God shared that dream, and brought together Emily, the Delaware-Maryland Synod, and bunch of leaders, supporters, and congregants to imagine something new together."

The church website goes on to say "The ELCA is a denomination that supports the lives and ministries of LGBTQ people and, does incredible work with refugees and immigrants. The local expression of our denomination called the Delaware-Maryland Synod. Bishop Bill Gohl, Dr. Amsalu Geleta, and the Synod Council have all worked together so that Dreams and Visions might come into being!" (see here)

If you have any doubt that God is calling you to leave the ELCA, continue reading and then reread this article. The ELCA has abandoned God, Truth, Love and God's Word. You have no excuse to remain in this apostate denomination.

(See here)

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ELCA Synod Advocating For Refugees, Immigration and an End to Border Militarization

12/9/2018

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The Southwest California Synod of the ELCA sent out an email today titled, "Two ways to support migrants and refugees." In the email is a picture of a young boy peering through a wire fence. The ELCA synod is promoting a "Sunday Of Solidarity with Refugee Families!" event.

Later in the email the Southwest California Synod tells of another event where "100 faith leaders from all over the country will take part in a nonviolent direct action the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego, California. The event will kick off a week of actions in communities across the U.S., demanding an end to border militarization and calling for humane immigration policies that respect the rights and dignity of all people."

While churches who love Jesus and His Word seek to bring people to Christ, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is at work, funded by members' offering dollars, trying to implement their liberal extreme views on society.

If you disagree with that which the ELCA advocates, why are you funding them? Find a church that uses your money to do things that God actually tells us to do.

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ELCA Lutheran Pastor Says to Bake the Gay Cake

8/23/2018

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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 added some additional information at the end)

Perhaps you have read that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission which lost its Supreme Court case trying to force a Christian baker to make a wedding cake for a homosexual "wedding" is going at him again, again bringing charges. You would think that a Christian pastor would defend the Christian baker for not violating Scripture and his conscience. But in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, it is in vogue to promote homosexuality and transgenderism. This was done last month by the speakers at the ELCA's Teen Gathering as they spoke to 31,000 teens. If you don't condone homosexuality, some say, then you are not being loving.

Here is what a Minneapolis Lutheran pastor said recently in his sermon "All You Need is Love":

"What would be so bad about baking the cake for the gay couple, not because you agree with their marital status, but because you recognize this is, in fact, who they are: broken people like you and me, trying to find companionship and love in this world and be whole and contributing human beings. And now you have a chance to make a symbolic gesture encouraging them in their relationship or to discourage them by essentially saying you want nothing to do with them. Well, if we are commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves, this means that regardless of compromises you think they’re making, it’s better for them to have a good life together in a stable, committed relationship than in a painful, fractured one. That it’s better for society if their relationship makes it than it is if it breaks apart...For an increasing number of people in our society, when they think of Christians, they do not think of love. What they think of is self-righteous, unyielding people who seem more angry and hateful than loving."

My problem with the above sermon is that the pastor is not, in fact, being loving. I Corinthians 6:9-11 teaches that people who live in impenitent sin, including the sin of homosexual behavior, will not inherit the Kingdom of God. So, if we are truly loving and care about where people spend eternity, we will not bake the cake. We will urge people to repent of sin and put their trust in Christ for forgiveness and salvation. We will not do as the pastor does in the above sermon, namely, preach compromise to make people feel good about their sin and to feel good about us "hateful" Christians.

Please pray the Lord grants the Christian baker in Colorado the strength to endure another attack and to again find victory in the courts. And pray that God give will Christian pastors the courage to side with the Word and not with the world.

In Christ our Savior,

Pastor Tom Brock

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Here is a link to the ELCA pastor's sermon.

ELCA Bishop Bill Gafkjen of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod also seems to believe Christians should bake cakes for gay weddings or lend their services to the celebrations, as you can see in his Facebook post below and in his sharing an article, with his comments, that says:

"My 'sincerely held religious belief' should not allow me to discriminate against others on the basis of things they cannot change. No workaround to the First Amendment and existing law is needed to solve this "problem," because it should not be a problem if we follow the Golden Rule." (Here is the article Bishop Gafkjen shared)

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ELCA Magazine Highlights Lutheran Pastor Who Has Changed From Female to Male—With Her Bishop’s Approval

4/13/2018

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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.)

In yet another article affirming transgenderism, the April edition of Living Lutheran, the national magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, tells the story of Pastor Rose who has become Pastor Peter in a “renaming ceremony to reflect his transition from female to male.”

The article states: “He (my note: the article calls this woman “he” throughout the article) had openly self-identified as queer for many years…the congregation was fully accepting, which, given its reputation as a radically welcoming place, didn’t surprise him.”

Did the ELCA bishop do anything to discipline this pastor and congregation? No, quite the contrary, the ELCA bishop of New Jersey was present at the re-naming ceremony and called the pastor a “faithful, joyful servant of Christ”. According to the article, the bishop “believes the renaming ceremony was important for the church and for her to be part of it. “I felt it was appropriate and important for me to stand with Pastor Beeson and the people of St. Matthew Trinity. We have been providing education and events for congregations to learn about becoming safer and more welcoming places for LGBTQ youth. Standing with this congregation and their pastor seemed a logical way to demonstrate what we have been teaching.”” (NOTE: Head bishop of the ELCA Elizabeth Eaton has also taken a stand for transgenderism telling a Chicago newspaper “When we take a look a people’s sexual orientation or gender identity, it’s not completely binary. Everybody isn’t male or everybody isn’t female. There’s a whole spectrum to that. I think that’s something that’s new for a lot of our people to think about, but it’s the truth…”)

The article concludes: “Beeson…isn’t that different from other ELCA pastors, ministering out in the world…at a congregation that he said is dominated by a “deep commitment to God’s grace.”

Here again we see God’s grace being used as an excuse to sin. I couldn’t help but think of the warning of Jude 4 regarding “certain persons (who) have crept in unnoticed…ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” And also Romans 6:1 “What shall we say then? Are we to continue to sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?”

May the Lord have mercy on this confused and rebellious denomination that is encouraging people to live in sin,

In Jesus our Savior,

Pastor Tom Brock
pastorsstudy.org

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(Here is the referenced article in the ELCA's Living Lutheran.)

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2400+ ELCA Leaders Sign Letter Supporting Evolution and Rejecting Truth of Creation

3/25/2018

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(Updated March 2018 - Original blog was written March, 2011)

One would think that ELCA pastors, bishops and teachers would believe Scripture. However all one has to do is read, “The Clergy Letter - from American Christian clergy: An Open Letter Concerning Religion and Science,” to find that most do not.

Over 2400 ELCA leaders signed this letter which states,

“the overwhelming majority (of Christians) do not read the Bible literally, as they would a science textbook. Many of the beloved stories found in the Bible – the Creation, Adam and Eve, Noah and the ark – convey timeless truths about God, human beings, and the proper relationship between Creator and creation expressed in the only form capable of transmitting these truths from generation to generation. Religious truth is of a different order from scientific truth.”

Make no mistake, what these Christian leaders are saying is that they do not believe what the Bible actually says. They are calling the story about creation, Adam and Eve, and Noah’s ark, lies. These ELCA leaders think they know better than Jesus, the Old and New Testament writers, and 2000 years of Christians, who knew these stories to be true. (read more here)

The letter goes on to say, “We believe that the theory of evolution is a foundational scientific truth, one that has stood up to rigorous scrutiny and upon which much of human knowledge and achievement rests. To reject this truth or to treat it as ‘one theory among others’ is to deliberately embrace scientific ignorance and transmit such ignorance to our children.”

Really? So those that believe God’s account of creation, are “ignorant?” Maybe these religious elites should read from the following website of the many scientists who are skeptical of Darwinism. (read here and download the list of scientists who signed "A Scientific Dissent from Darwinism .")

The Clergy letter also says, “We believe that among God’s good gifts are human minds capable of critical thought and that the failure to fully employ this gift is a rejection of the will of our Creator. To argue that God’s loving plan of salvation for humanity precludes the full employment of the God-given faculty of reason is to attempt to limit God, an act of hubris.”

Let me get this straight, now these “Christian” leaders, who say that the Biblical account of creation is not true, are now telling us that if we believe God’s account of creation we are REJECTING God’s Will?

Finally the letter says, “We urge school board members to preserve the integrity of the science curriculum by affirming the teaching of the theory of evolution as a core component of human knowledge.” (read here)

Here are “Christian” leaders urging school boards to have the teaching of evolution be a “core component of HUMAN knowledge.” These are the people teaching us and our children about Jesus and the Bible?

Someone may ask, “What’s the big deal?” “Who cares if ELCA leaders and pastors don’t believe what the Bible says about creation?”

Here are a few quotes that highlight why we should care:

"More cases of loss of religious faith can be traced to the theory of evolution--- than anything else." - Martin Lings, quoted in Christian Century July, 1982

“Evolution is the greatest engine of atheism ever invented.” - Noted evolutionist, Professor Will Provine, in “Evolution: Free will and punishment and meaning in life.”

"Any creationist lawyer who got me on the stand could instantly win over the jury simply by asking me: 'Has your knowledge of evolution influenced you in the direction of becoming an atheist?' I would have to answer yes and, at one stroke, I would have lost the jury." - Noted evolutionist, Dr. Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion (2008) p. 93

While I was studying at an ELCA seminary, the Dean of Students told me that not one ELCA seminary professor in the United States believes Adam and Eve were real people. I have no doubt that statement is true. Sadly, seminary professors’ beliefs are being picked up by their students, who are the current and future ELCA pastors.

Linked at the end of this blog is the list of current and retired ELCA pastors, ELCA seminary professors, ELCA college professors, ELCA seminary presidents and ELCA Bishops who agree with this letter and signed it. Some of the notable signers are: Bishop Tom Aitken (Northeastern Minnesota Synod), The Rev. Hans R. Arnesen (Associate to the Bishop of the New England Synod), Bishop Allan Bjornberg (ELCA Rocky Mountain Synod), Bishop Paul J. Blom - Houston, Texas, Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber, The Rev. Stacy Boorn (herchurch), The Rev. Michael Cooper-White, D.D., (President - Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, PA), The Rev. Jean DeVoll-Donaldson (Assistant to the Bishop/Director for Evangelical Mission Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod), Bishop Ralph W. Dunkin (West Virginia -Western Maryland Synod), The Rev. James Kenneth Echols, Ph.D. (President - Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago), The Rev. Paul W. Egertson, Ph.D. (Bishop Emeritus - Southwest California Synod), The Rev. Jim Hazelwood (Bishop of the New England Synod), The Rev. Anita C. Hill, The Rev. B. Penrose Hoover (Bishop - Lower Susquehanna Synod), The Rev. Robert L. Isaksen, (Retired ELCA Pastor and Bishop of the New England Synod), The Rev. Jeff R. Johnson, Kevin S. Kanouse, (Bishop Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod), Paul R. Landahl (Bishop Metropolitan Chicago Synod), Bishop April Ulring Larson (La Crosse Area Synod), The Rev. Duane H. Larson, PhD., (President - Wartburg Theological Seminary), The Rev. Felipe Lozada-Montanez (Bishop of the Caribbean Synod of the ELCA), Bishop Brian D.Maas (Nebraska Synod - ELCA), Bishop John S. Macholz (Upstate New York Synod - ELCA), The Rev. Dr. Gerald L. Mansholt (Bishop Central States Synod), The Rev. Robert W. Mattheis (Bishop Emeritus, Sierra Pacific Synod), The Rev. George Paul Mocko (Bishop Emeritus, Delaware-Maryland Synod), Bishop David G. Mullen (Sierra Pacific Synod), Bishop Dean W. Nelson (Southwest California Synod), Bishop Margaret G. Payne (New England Synod), The Rev. Dr. Ted Peters (Interim President - Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary), The Rev. Dr. Jerry L. Schmalenberger (Retired President - Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary), Rev. Robin J. Steinke, Ph.D. (President Luther Seminary), Bishop David R. Strobel (Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod), The Rev. Dr. Christopher M. Thomforde (President - St. Olaf College), Bishop Ron Warren (ELCA Southeastern Synod), The Rev. Dr. Howard E. Wennes (Retired Bishop ELCA), The Rev. Paul M. Werger, (Bishop Emeritus - Southeastern Iowa Synod), The Rev. Eric G. Wolf(Assistant to the Bishop of the South Carolina Synod, ELCA), The Rev. Dr. Herman Yoos (Bishop - South Carolina Synod) and Bishop David B. Zellmer (South Dakota Synod).

More than 14500 American pastors signed this letter and over 2400 of them are Evangelical Lutheran Church in America leaders.

Here is a list of all the ELCA leaders who signed the Clergy letter.

To read more about creation, intelligent design or evolution see:

http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2012
http://www.icr.org/article/5669
http://www.icr.org/article/creation-evolution
https://evolutionnews.org/
http://www.trueauthority.com/cvse/faq2.htm
http://scienceagainstevolution.info/topics.htm

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ELCA Bishops, the Second Amendment and the March for Our Lives

3/22/2018

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Guns. They are a hot topic of conversation and debate these days. The ELCA Conference of Bishops jumped into the fray with a news release stating their support of the gun focused March for Our Lives. The Bishop’s statement was clear:

“The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in solidarity with our children and youth…offer our support, partnership and prayers for the March for Our Lives, its satellite city events, and our children and youth who are leading us forward as peacemakers.” (see here)

The ELCA's presiding bishop and 62 synod bishops signed the statement.

The March for Our Lives calls for

- "A law to ban the sale of assault weapons..."

- "Prohibiting the sale of high-capacity magazines..."

- "Closing the loophole in our background check law that allows dangerous people...(to) buy guns online or at gun shows." (see here)

Some of you may agree with that stance, some of you may not. I present this information for those ELCA members who disagree with the March for Our Lives' demands. They have a right to know what their denomination is supporting.

An recent email by ELCA Advocacy gives further details of what the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America wants to happen regarding guns, at least for the time being:

"We have resolved as a church to work for the passage and strict enforcement of laws that control the manufacture and sale of weapons not used for hunting and sport, or for use other than law enforcement and military purposes." (See here)

Below are some more gun related thoughts of ELCA leaders and entities,

- ELCA Pastor Sue Seiffert writes this about the NRA,

- The tweet below is from the ELCA's Southeastern Minnesota Synod,

Statement released today by National Council of Churches: https://t.co/ckJRL7b0Vq pic.twitter.com/dF6UYss9CE
— SEMN Synod, ELCA (@semnsynod) February 15, 2018

- Clergy and faith leaders in Oklahoma, including 5 from the ELCA, signed a letter that said,

"we raise our voices again today, to call once more for change and to make the moral claim that our dedication to guns and to violence is, in religious terms, idolatry. We appear to be willing to sacrifice even our own children to this warped ideology, wrapped in the second amendment as if it were Holy Scripture."

These "Christian" pastors even say prayers are "...meaningless if they do not change us and our actions." Seriously? They should be defrocked if they think prayers are meaningless. (see here)

- WELCA wades into the gun debate,

- The Rocky Mountain Synod posted this on their Facebook page,

- And here is Rocky Mountain Synod ELCA Bishop Jim Gonia marching,

The Three Bishops #umc #elca #episcopal #marchforourlives pic.twitter.com/Nh8CVLER7t
— Bishop Karen Oliveto (@BishopOliveto) March 24, 2018

- Finally, ELCA Advocacy and the ELCA's Metro D.C. synod will participate in the March For Our Lives -

Read more about the ELCA's stance on guns here (scroll to the bottom of the page).

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Sacrificing Our Youth to the ELCA

2/5/2018

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The apostate church, the world and ultimately the devil want to destroy the life, faith and souls of our youth. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is part of this: injecting sexual perversion and evil into the hearts and minds of young people. They are justifying and encouraging sexual sin and denying the clear reading of scripture against it.

Take a look at some of what the the ELCA has been doing lately that is aimed at the youth of the church:

- The ELCA's Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, in their newsletter, invited LGBT youth on a youth retreat -

(see here)

- Lutherock is a camp of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, located in Newland, NC. They hold all kinds of gatherings for children and teens. Below Lutherock posted this message and picture of a same-sex wedding of their past staff members. It gives us clear indication as to the mindset and beliefs taught to the children who attend the camp.

- A large gathering for ELCA high school youth in regions 1-4 was held at California Lutheran University (CLU), June 28 - July 2, 2017. One of the featured speakers was transgender ELCA pastor, Megan Rohrer. (see here)

Below is the transgender pastor's post on Instagram while at the youth gathering.

Of course, this ELCA gathering for youth had "All Gender Bathrooms."

All Gender Restrooms can be found in Mountclef, Nygreen, the Chapel, Pederson Admin Building, and Gilbert! #wsyg17 #wyle17 pic.twitter.com/975P5CrGUZ
— Western States 2017 (@wsyg17) June 27, 2017

- Lastly, we have the #ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza. This is a gathering for ELCA persons who work with the youth of the denomination.

The following are tweets from the ELCA Youth Ministry Network and people at the "Extravaganza." Most are related to the session given by a transgender child's mother.

On a different topic, we have the ELCA Youth Ministry Network tweeting this gender-avoiding reference to the Trinity.

Renewed in baptism for the journey ahead, may God be with you as you find forward. In the name of the Creator, Redeemer, and the Sustainer. #Ext18
— elcaymnet (@elcaymnet) January 29, 2018

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ELCA Bishop To Preach At Transitioning ELCA Pastor's Renaming Service

1/25/2018

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You can not change your sex. You can not change your gender. Those are facts. Trying to do so goes against God's will for you and is a sin against God. (see here)

It is also a sin to encourage sinful behavior. The ELCA is guilty of this. They do this regarding homosexuality and transgenderism. This week the ELCA's St. Matthew-Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoboken, New Jersey, announced that one of their pastors is "transitioning" from female to male. They will be holding a renaming service for this pastor. The bishop of the New Jersey Synod, Tracie Bartholomew, will be the featured preacher that day.

Here is Pastor Rose Beeson, the transitioning woman who is having the renaming service.

Pastor Beeson's church will also be holding LGBT Etiquette Training. The church newsletter describes it this way, “a refresher course on terminology used by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to equip us with more tools and resources to make St. Matthew Trinity an even safer and more welcoming congregation. This builds on SMT's historic commitment to be a Reconciling in Christ congregation, welcoming people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.” (See here)

Here are a couple excited St. Matthew-Trinity members sharing the news of their pastor's renaming ceremony.

Proud that my @ReconcilingWrks, @ELCA (spec. @njsynod) congregation is one of hospitality, love, understanding, and progress.

Join us in supporting our pastor and showing the world what God's love looks like. https://t.co/Gs1ugQllaT
— Olivia Whitener (@owhitener) January 23, 2018

This isn't just a case of one wayward church or one wayward ELCA leader embracing transgenderism. It is happening throughout the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

- Not long ago a ELCA website published an article by an ELCA pastor about her transgender child. (See here)

- The ELCA's Sierra Pacific Synod 2016 Assembly Handbook tells us how the synod had a workshop called “The Story of Gender.” Here are the first few sentences describing the workshop:

“Gender is no longer just male and female. As a church we need to know and understand the language around gender identities and be able to include this language into our liturgy.
Now that many people are getting the language needed to help them understand who they are, such as transgender, people are now able to live into authenticity.” (See here, page 18)

- Also in the Sierra Pacific Synod 2016 Assembly Handbook you can read all the changes being recommending to the synod and the ELCA by the Committee on Gender Identity Inclusivity in response to two resolutions that were passed at the 2015 Sierra Pacific Synod Assembly. (see previous link and go to page 71)

- Fittingly, I just came across this tonight.

Lifting prayers for strength and courage to all my dear friends at #CC18. I am finishing my last semester of seminary by serving as a pastoral intern. Next year, I hope to be with you as a transgender Latina who is an ordained pastor in the ELCA.
— Nicole Garcia (@nicoleg152) January 28, 2018

- Then there is this from the ELCA Youth Ministry Network:

Transgender children are whole and holy, they are not mistakes, and the Body of Christ is fuller when they are present in it with us. - @hippypastorwife #Ext18
— elcaymnet (@elcaymnet) January 27, 2018

To see more evidence of the ELCA embracing transgenderism see here and scroll down the page here.

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ELCA Homosexual Bishop Doesn’t Like “Love the Sinner and Hate the Sin”

1/23/2018

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(The following two articles were written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)

Bishop Guy Erwin is a homosexual bishop with a “husband” in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He recently preached at an event commemorating Martin Luther King of the Southwest California Synod. He brought up his homosexuality and said “most painful of all – that people thought that in order to be faithful to God they needed to hate people like me – even when they tried to hide the hate by saying it wasn’t about me, it was only “the sin” they hated. I couldn’t choose what I was...”. He went on in his sermon to call President Trump a “reality show ex-salesman... who says whatever the hell he wants.”

I personally have struggled with same-sex attraction most of my life (see my story at pastorsstudy.org). We are all to “love the sinner and hate the sin” within ourselves and others. But Bishop Erwin does not believe it is wrong for a man to have sex with a man. The Bible teaches, however, that if this bishop does not repent, he will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). And, no, the great majority of the Bible-believing Christians do not “hate” homosexuals. They believe homosexual behavior is wrong. That does not mean they hate anyone. Indeed, the people who are hurting homosexuals are those who tell them to engage in a behavior that will bring them a horrible eternity.

I also do not appreciate the bishop using “hell” as a profanity. Hell really exists, and we should not trivialize that. I don’t know this bishop’s belief about hell, but sadly many liberals in the ELCA have rejected Jesus’ teaching on hell and deny its existence.

Colossians 3:5-6 says “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.”

We need bishops and pastors today who will care for human souls and who will uphold the truth of that verse.

In Jesus our Savior,

Pastor Tom Brock

(see sermon - http://www.socalsynod.org/2018/01/15/bishop-guy-erwins-sermon-at-the-swc-synod-celebration-and-commemoration-of-the-rev-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-january-14-2018/ )

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The ELCA Ship is Sinking

1/12/2018

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The ELCA is in trouble. Besides the trouble we see surrounding the ELCA's heretical teachings, they are also dealing with a continual, yearly financial deficit, dwindling membership and a clergy shortage.

- Bishop James Hazelwood, of the New England Synod of the ELCA reports, "Several years ago, I presented a picture to the June Assembly of this synod. I explained that we were a synod of 40-100-40: Forty congregations in near crisis, forty healthy and one hundred in between trying to figure out which way they were going. Three years later, I’d venture a guess that this assessment is no longer accurate. In the last three years, we’ve had churches close, others merge, others partner with Episcopal congregations, and others go from full time clergy to part time. In 2017, I think we are now 20 functionally or officially closed, 60 in crisis, 60 in the middle and 30 that are healthy. These are challenging times.” (see here)

Despite the financial crisis in the bishop’s synod, he is/has taken two trips to Israel within a matter of months. (see here)

- The ELCA recently released their 3rd Quarter financials for 2017, and they do not look good. (See here)

- Then we learn from a publication of St. John's Lutheran Church in Summit, NJ, that, “Bishop Bartholomew of the NJ Synod has asked our pastors to be willing to occasionally serve as supply pastors in 2018 due to the lack of supply pastors in the Synod.” (see here)

- I also came across the following information online. If someone could help me find the source I'd greatly appreciate it. It tells of the enrollment problems happening at ELCA seminaries over the last 10 years. You can see additional ELCA seminary enrollment information here.

- A poster on ALPB Forum writes:

"In the Lutheran Forum (Winter 2017 Edition) there is a interesting chart on the enrollment at the 8 ELCA Seminaries for the 2016-2017 Academic year.

There was a total enrollment of 663 ELCA students studying for their Master of Divinity degree. This compares to 1274 ELCA students studying for the M.Div degree ten years ago. This amounts to a decrease of 611 seminarians in one decade." (see here)

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The ELCA is Just an Extreme Social Policy and Political Organization that Cloaks Itself in Religion

12/19/2017

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God's Word in Matthew 4:17 tells us that Jesus preached the message, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

You will not hear ELCA leadership preach repentance of sin (unless it has to do with "Global Warming" or lack of being inclusive). They must believe Jesus was naive to think that people needed to repent or that hell awaited those that reject Christ as their Savior. Instead ELCA leaders succumbed to Satan's directives and are preaching their liberal social and political policies. Here are some examples:

- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America stands against the Congressional tax cut being voted on this month. They are spewing leftist propaganda saying it is a bill that "benefits corporations and the wealthy over lower and middle-income families." (See here and below.)

- Today the ELCA's Metropolitan New York Synod shared a post from a pro-LGBT organization about the case of the Christian baker from Colorado who was sued by two gay men because the baker would not use his artistic talents to make them a wedding cake. The article features an ELCA pastor condemning the Christian baker's claim of religious freedom (see here and below). In the case of gay men vs. a Bible-believing Christian, it is not a surprise with whom the ELCA synod is siding.

- Next is an article co-written by ELCA bishop William Gohl Jr. of the Delaware-Maryland Synod, ELCA. It condemns "current immigration policies" of the United States and says the "repeal of DACA would be morally reprehensible." He even says, "If we are to truly live out our faith, then we must...advocate that those who (are in the United States)...through DACA be allowed to stay." (See here)

- Gun regulations and laws are a favorite topic of many ELCA leaders. Here is some of what ELCA bishop Steven L. Ullestad of the Northeastern Iowa Synod is using to fill up his Facebook page:

(See here)

- News from the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has them adopting the Israel-inspired (anti-Israel) investment screen that was passed at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in 2016. (read the summer blog here)

They also “declined the request for the ELCA to declare itself a sanctuary denomination, yet supported the spirit of the sanctuary movement by encouraging congregations to serve and support the protection of migrants in their communities.” (see here)

- Finally, I will end this with what is truly one of the most morally reprehensible positions held in the ELCA, the support of abortion. After someone posted this abortion-supporting article on an ELCA Clergy Facebook page, some challenged the thought. Then ELCA pastor Russell L. Meyer wrote the comment below:

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The ELCA Propagates Vile View of God’s Creation Account

10/22/2017

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An incredibly disturbing article was written a few days ago about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Cary, North Carolina. But even more disturbing than the content of the article, was the fact that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America proudly shared this article (multiple times) to all of their followers on Twitter and Facebook.

The article is titled “Amid decline, one Lutheran church strives to live up to its namesake’s spirit.” (See here)

The article begins by telling of a Bible study taught by ELCA pastor Daniel Pugh where he is “telling members of Christ the King Lutheran Church that one way to interpret the story of Adam and Eve is as a coming-of-age allegory about a pair of carefree teens caught red-handed having sex…In this, alternative reading of The Fall, the ‘forbidden fruit’ offered to Eve in Chapter 3 may be a metaphor for sex, he said, and the ‘serpent’ may be a metaphor for a penis.”

This is outrageous. And it is indicative of the warped, foolish and evil way the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America views Scripture. See below how the ELCA itself is sharing this news article. Why would anyone stay in a denomination that teaches this perverted way of viewing God’s account of creation? They treat God's Word with contempt.

Later in the article you learn that:

- Christ the King Lutheran Church’s senior pastor is Wolfgang Herz-Lane, the former ELCA Delaware-Maryland Synod Bishop.

- Pastor “Herz-Lane notified the church council that he planned to officiate at a same-sex marriage in Charlotte. Pugh, an associate pastor, performed one such marriage before coming on board…Herz-Lane now wants the church to declare itself a ‘reconciling’ congregation, meaning that it is welcoming and accepting of LGBTQ people.”

- The newly appointed minister for contemporary music is a gay man.

- “(C)hurch leaders want the congregation to take on more of an advocacy role…they want to start a local chapter of a national community-organizing network, the Industrial Areas Foundation, which could advocate for such things as health care, green energy, criminal justice or immigrant rights.”

- “Herz-Lane hopes members gain a deeper appreciation for Luther’s willingness to break the mold and try new things.” Rev. Herz-Lane concludes “We’re here for the sake of the world, not to preserve some silly tradition.”

Most Bible-believing Christians would be appalled by the anti-Biblical teaching, actions and “social justice” agenda of this church but the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is not. They proudly posted this article on their Facebook page.

And on Twitter:

"God is bringing 150 people to our parking lot every morning & what are we doing about it?" -Rev. Wolfgang @HerzLane https://t.co/GkR6em7OR5
— ELCA (@ELCA) October 17, 2017

And again, on the ELCA News account:

.@ELCABishopEaton to congregations seeking to grow- take "a risk while being faithful to the core message of grace." https://t.co/6ndjRDfyar
— ELCA News (@ELCAnews) October 17, 2017

Below are some ELCA Synods posting and sharing this article:

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ELCA Synod Goes After Samaritan’s Purse

9/23/2017

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The Northeast Iowa Synod recently shared on Facebook a blog they wrote in 2016 which encouraged people to NOT support certain (un-named) Christian charities, but instead give to ELCA-related organizations. (see here) And who might these Christian charities be? The synod says, “non-ELCA organization programs that involve putting small gifts and trinkets wrapped in boxes for children in other countries.”

I know a charity that gives shoebox gifts to children. If you are still wondering whom the ELCA synod is referring to they clear things up on their Facebook page. Along with posting their own article the Northeast Iowa synod included another article that was critical of Operation Christmas Child (a program by Christian organization Samaritan’s Purse). The title of that article was “Operation Christmas Child Denied Accreditation For CRC Offerings.” (see here)

This truly was an ugly, shallow, uncharitable, self-serving piece by the Northeast Iowa Synod, which gives highly questionable “reasons” to not work with such organizations. The synod blog, written by Rev. Dr. Joelle Colville-Hanson, said things such as:

“The cheap toys that people are encouraged to buy and put in the box may be made by exploited or even slave labor. Some are even made by children. Remember that we want to help children and make their lives better. Exploiting children or families is the opposite of what people want to do when they are looking for Christmas giving projects. Even if the toys are ethically produced, many of them are not culturally appropriate.”

“Some of these organizations will add pamphlets with religious messages contrary to how we understand the Gospel. Many of them also have images with racist, sexist and culturally insensitive stereotypes.”

“If we support organizations that contradict what we say about the Gospel, this can be confusing and even damaging to people’s faith.”

It is true that Samaritan’s Purse has a different view of the Gospel than most leaders in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Samaritan’s Purse wants to share the love and truth of Christ, dying on the cross for our sins and rising from the dead three days later, having victory over death so that those who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior (by grace through faith) will have eternal life. Whereas, the ELCA does not do this because the ELCA consensus is that “all will be saved” no matter what they believe. (see more on the ELCA’s universalism here) That is truly a dangerous and false belief, putting individuals' eternal life at risk if they believe that and do not believe in Christ.

Yes, there is a different Gospel shared by Samaritan’s Purse than that of the ELCA. Which message do you agree with and what organization do you want to support?

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The ELCA's Continual, Relentless Pro-LGBTQ Message

8/24/2017

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If you are an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America member who believes Scripture, that homosexuality is a sin and that marriage is only to be between one man and one woman, then you are at odds with your denomination. You are the target of a propaganda effort by ELCA leadership to push their pro-homosexuality viewpoint on you and your family. The ELCA, by way of their institutions, publications and social media (among others) are bombarding people with their false, anti-scriptural, pro-LGBTQ view. Let me show you some examples.

The ELCA magazine Living Lutheran wrote an article titled, "Equal participants in the body of Christ: LGBTQ members find spiritual home in ELCA congregations." In the article you will find three pro-homosexual stories and one pro-transgender story. (see here)

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The ELCA, through Living Lutheran, also published this pro-homosexual article titled, "A dad’s concern." (see here) It is written by an ELCA pastor.

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The ELCA Gulf Coast Synod tweeted that "LGBTQIA people are good & holy & made in the image of God.” See below.

LGBTQIA people are good & holy & made in the image of God. @lura_groen #tlgcs #ELCA #PulseShooting #PrayForOrlando pic.twitter.com/EknejS1rvB
— Gulf Coast Synod (@GulfCoastSynod) June 14, 2016

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Another article from the ELCA’s Living Lutheran website says, “We want to ensure that LGBT individuals are in the fabric of our church and that it is never questioned.” (see here)

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The ELCA's Metropolitan New York Synod published an article on their website about two of their synod churches participating in gay pride marches. They title the article "Pride: conversations and connections." (see here)

The ELCA synod's article claims falsely, as so many in the denomination do, that the ELCA's social statement, "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust," is “grounded in scripture and Lutheran theology.”

The article also says that a resolution was brought to the “. . . 2017 Synod Assembly that asks us to have deeper conversations with one another ‘that will seek to cultivate and nurture listening to one another’s stories, concerns, and fears, especially concerning issues of human sexuality and the call for full inclusion of all on the gender spectrum.’" (here is the link to this resolution)

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One month ago the presiding bishop in the ELCA wrote this moral and political social media post:

LGBTQ people serve our church and serve our country. I am grateful for their service.
— Bishop Eaton (@ELCABishopEaton) July 28, 2017

Then the ELCA Facebook page followed up with this today:

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And here we have the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at the Metro D.C. Synod Assembly with a rainbow banner, a symbol of support for homosexuality, front and center:

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The ELCA Young Adults' Facebook page chimes in:

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The cover page of the June 2017 issue of Living Lutheran highlighted a teenager who won a contest with a doodle of "eight diverse teenagers lined up in an over-the-shoulder embrace. On their shirts were symbols of Islam, Judaism, Christianity, LGBT pride, gender nonconformity and disability rights." (see here, front page and page 17)

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(Former) ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson made a video (below) where he talks about bullying of gay people for "being the people God created them to be."

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The shot below sat on top of the page of an ELCA Facebook group that has almost 14,000 members:

The red sign in the above picture declares, "Queer Saints."

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The founder and moderator of this 14,000 member ELCA Facebook group, Rev. Clint Schnekloth, wrote an article for the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette saying,
“June is Gay Pride month, and I'm taking a moment to proclaim loudly and proudly how thankful I am for the increasing number of Christian faith communities who celebrate LGBTQ+ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer] lives, and who partner with them to deepen our shared Christian walk of discipleship.”

He goes on, “LGBTQ+ people are leaders in our congregation, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fayetteville, and in our wider denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. They serve on council, teach our Sunday school classes, are called as pastors and much more.” (see here)

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Just a couple of weeks ago the ELCA's Lower Susquehanna Synod posted a page on their website detailing their becoming an RIC synod, which means they are accepting and supporting homosexuality, as well as LGBT participation in church leadership. The page included a number of videos and additional information in support of their message. (see here)

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Below is a social media post by the ELCA's Sierra Pacific Synod in support of people marching in Gay Pride events:

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Another Living Lutheran magazine article by the ELCA tells us:

"The (sic) can also be said of same-sex couples who are seeking acceptance in a congregational setting. All congregations are supposed to be welcoming, but there’s a difference between lip-service and genuine acceptance and hospitality. Eight years ago the ELCA Churchwide Assembly voted in support of LGBTQIA folks both as rostered leaders and members within the church body, yet how many of our congregations make a point of posting visible signs of welcome to this community? Better yet, how many congregations are willing to have a Pride Sunday in addition to Mother’s and Father’s Day celebrations?" (see here)

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The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, a seminary of the ELCA, posted this on their Facebook page:

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Below is a response to an Exposing the ELCA post from Mike Rinehart, bishop of the ELCA's Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod. Notice his view of those with an accurate historical and biblical view of this issue.

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Here are a number of other Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Living Lutheran articles presenting homosexuality in a positive light:

It is a sign of welcome

Observations on homosexuality in the New Testament

Equal participant in the body of Christ: LGBTQ members find spiritual home in ELCA congregations

Living on a prayer: One man's cross-country journey in honor of his father

Extending and receiving welcome

There is a place for you here

All are welcome

Campus ministry becomes place of welcome after election

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Here is another pro-homosexual article from the ELCA magazine Living Lutheran. As you can see below it was shared by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Living Lutheran Facebook pages:

Link to the article here.

Friend to Exposing the ELCA, Rev. Tom Brock, recently wrote about the above ELCA article and shared his concern over the ELCA's pro-homosexual agenda. Here is what Pastor Brock wrote:

No surprise here: Yet another ELCA article promoting gay pride.

Gus Barnes, Jr., a seminarian of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, writes a June 25th article for the Living Lutheran website, the official magazine of the ELCA. He writes:

"I am now back at Wartburg (Seminary); will marry my spouse, Steve, this summer; and will finish school by the first week of February. My faith is strong, knowing the challenges I may face in the future. My inner pride is carrying me through the journey to ordination....This pride flows through me, a gay man in an interracial relationship. This pride keeps me grounded in my faith daily..."

There has not been one article with a conservative viewpoint on homosexuality in "Living Lutheran", but there have been an abundance of articles like the above painting transgenderism and homosexuality in a positive light. In 2009 the ELCA agreement was to respect both conservatives and liberals on this issue. Living Lutheran has given no space to the traditional, Biblical point of view. The abundance of pro-gay and pro-transgender articles shows that Living Lutheran's leadership has an agenda and the powers that be in the ELCA are allowing them to push their agenda through the ELCA's national magazine.

Yet one more example of why members of the ELCA should leave this erring denomination and join a more biblical branch of Lutheranism. ELCA offering dollars help support Living Lutheran.

Sincerely in Christ,
Pastor Tom Brock

(See Pastor Brock's article here)

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Pastor Tom Brock had this to say in another blog:

“Around the country, ELCA churches are often found marching in some of these lewd parades. The ELCA has a practicing homosexual bishop in southwest California who has a 'husband' And last year the ELCA's executive for worship (a 'married' homosexual pastor) came out with official materials so that ELCA pastors can perform gay 'weddings.' The ELCA materials declare this blasphemy: 'God joins this celebration, pouring out the Holy Spirit to bless your marriage...' ELCA presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton called the materials ‘faithful.'" (see here)

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Below is a small taste of all the pro-gay messages happening from individual ELCA pastors and churches:

Here is another:

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Next is the popular ELCA pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber's church:

Happy Pride pic.twitter.com/dmBxCw3TxW
— Nadia Bolz-Weber (@Sarcasticluther) June 18, 2017

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This ELCA Pastor tweets:

@JohnWisniewski visits @GSEquality to encourage our lobbying efforts on behalf of equality for #LGBTQ people in NJ. #advocacy #ELCA pic.twitter.com/wULjcG1z17
— Annemarie H Cook (@BoldLutheran) June 26, 2017

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Then you can read this newspaper article about a tiny ELCA church which mentions them being an RIC church here.

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Lots of ELCA Lutherans marching in this Gay Pride parade:

A beautiful day yesterday at #cbuspride! So joyful to be with the churches of the #elca and #reconcilingworks here in Columbus. There is a place for you here! #acceptingall #trinitylutheranseminary

A post shared by Kriss Buss (@matt25_40) on Jun 18, 2017 at 1:14pm PDT

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This ELCA church makes a public witness by marching in a gay pride parade and posting their pictures for the world to see. (see here and below)

How sad and evil that ELCA members, both straight and those struggling with same-sex desires, are being deceived and bombarded by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, pushing their pro-LGBT agenda. An agenda that stands in direct opposition to God and His Word.

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ELCA Lutherans Repudiate Missions to Native Peoples

8/20/2017

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(The following article was written a number of weeks ago by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and twitter - here.)

According to the May 2017 issue of the ELCA "Living Lutheran" magazine, "The 2016 Churchwide Assembly overwhelmingly approved memorials from 20 synods and affirmed that this church will eliminate the doctrine of discovery from its contemporary rhetoric and programs (my note: this is a reference to Columbus, etc.), electing to practice accompaniment with native peoples instead of a missionary endeavor to them..."

Did you catch that? Of course we should renounce the injustices done to Native Americans (which have been many) but to say we will no long engage in "missionary endeavor to them" is evil. The worse thing we can do to any people group is to withhold the preaching of Christ to them. This "nice" assembly decision is in fact mean and shows no concern for people and their eternal salvation.

And, yes, Jesus is still the only way of salvation (John 14:6, Acts 4:12).

Sincerely in Christ,

Pastor Tom Brock
pastorsstudy.org

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<<Previous

An ELCA Church Holds A 'Queer Christmas Pageant'

ELCA Synod Advocating For Refugees, Immigration and an End to Border Militarization

ELCA Lutheran Pastor Says to Bake the Gay Cake

ELCA Magazine Highlights Lutheran Pastor Who Has Changed From Female to Male—With Her Bishop’s Approval

2400+ ELCA Leaders Sign Letter Supporting Evolution and Rejecting Truth of Creation

ELCA Bishops, the Second Amendment and the March for Our Lives

Sacrificing Our Youth to the ELCA

ELCA Bishop To Preach At Transitioning ELCA Pastor's Renaming Service

ELCA Homosexual Bishop Doesn’t Like “Love the Sinner and Hate the Sin”

The ELCA Ship is Sinking

The ELCA is Just an Extreme Social Policy and Political Organization that Cloaks Itself in Religion

The ELCA Propagates Vile View of God’s Creation Account

ELCA Synod Goes After Samaritan’s Purse

The ELCA's Continual, Relentless Pro-LGBTQ Message

ELCA Lutherans Repudiate Missions to Native Peoples

Dan Skogen

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