Exposed ELCA Social Media Blog - EXPOSING THE ELCA

A 'Sex-Positive Gospel'

6/27/2019

Calvary Lutheran Church in Federal Way, WA is had a series of free forums under the banner "Silent No More: Sex, Gender & Identity in the Church." (See more about the speaker here)

One forum is titled "Sex, God, & the Conservative Church, Erasing Shame From Sexual Intimacy": A Sociological Account." The speaker is a therapist endorsing a "sex-positive Gospel."

The other forums are called "Seeing Beauty": A Person Account. (the speaker is active in LGBTQIA organizations) and "Hitler's Pink Victims": A Historical Account.

We invite you to our upcoming forum series, #SilentNoMore: Sex, Gender & Identity in the Church, featuring @danny_c_cortez, @uclsuplu, and @TinaSSellers! Feb. 17, 24, and March 3 at 3:00 PM in Calvary’s social hall. FREE and open to the public. @ELCA pic.twitter.com/Ci7ji62QDF
— Calvary ELCA (@calvary_elca) February 7, 2019

ELCA Pastor Says Conversion Therapy is Abuse

6/17/2019

Robert Neubert is an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America pastor in Madison, WI. A few months ago, Rev. Neubert took to social media saying he is "deeply saddened at what the Christian Church, which I call home, has done and continues to do to make people in the LGBTQ community feel guilty for who God made them to be." He also said, "Conversion Therapy needs to be outlawed throughout our nation and classified as what it is...abuse." (See here and below)

God did not make people LGBTQ and it is an act of love to help people turn from the sin of homosexuality.

This is the state of our secular society and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

If you go to the linked post you can read the comments, which are interesting.

And below are some additional posts by ELCA pastor Robert Neubert.

Spotlight on an ELCA Seminary Student

6/11/2019

What kind of pastor is the ELCA producing? And what kind of person is seeking ordination in the ELCA? Good questions all ELCA churches should ask.

A person's social media account will often tell a lot about a person. Jacob Krueger is a student at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Wartburg Theological Seminary who is active on social media. Here is some of what he is saying on Twitter.

The greatest threat to the United Stated is the white, male, patriotic American. #dylannroof #etc
— Jacob Krueger (@JacobKrueger5) July 8, 2018

Lord, have mercy. https://t.co/JEcXz35r88
— Jacob Krueger (@JacobKrueger5) January 22, 2019

I hope the March for Life folks called for the end of the death penalty! Otherwise, they are all missing the point. #march4life
— Jacob Krueger (@JacobKrueger5) January 19, 2019

Me trying to look around Rickett’s bullshit. https://t.co/pOAWdsi98h
— Jacob Krueger (@JacobKrueger5) January 5, 2019

Christmas isn’t about the individual. It is about the community. Jesus, a refugee and non-white person, came into this world to liberate us from our sin sin of unjustly treating the refugee, our sin of killing those on death row, and many more. You should talk to your bishop
— Jacob Krueger (@JacobKrueger5) December 10, 2018

Enacting the travel ban not only denies new lives for refugees and immigrants, but denies the humanity and dignity of those very people. #NoTravelBan
— Jacob Krueger (@JacobKrueger5) June 27, 2018

Fuck this shit. Be kind to people. https://t.co/blaKj9B5e2
— Jacob Krueger (@JacobKrueger5) February 15, 2019

Know What Your ELCA Youth Director Teaches and Believes

6/4/2019

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has left the truth of Scripture and you have to wonder what that means in the local church. Here is what one ELCA youth director says about evangelical churches and Christians.

Why are people surprised about evangelical churches being homophobic? I’m a Youth Director in an ELCA Church & often times the 1st thing I wonder when I meet a Christian is if they‘re homophobic.(If you’re looking for a safe place, check out an ELCA RIC Church. It’s good stuff)
— Vanessa Steiger (@vsteiger94) January 17, 2019

Attacking America and Israel

5/25/2019

Elle Dowd is a student at the ELCA's Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. Two recent Facebook post by this student are posted below. The first contains a picture of Elle in or near Israel with a head covering and a closed fist up in the air. Part of her comments with this picture were:

"Our US tax dollars fund an occupation that is violently enforced, including the use of the same chemical weapons against the Palestinians that we choked on in St Louis during the uprising."

"Free Palestine.

From Ferguson to Palestine, occupation is a crime."

You should read the whole post because not only does it proclaim a lie, saying Israel occupies "Palestine," but she makes no mention of the violence, terror tunnels, arson, knifing, rockets attacks and pedestrians being hit by cars, perpetrated by Palestinians.

(See here)

The second Facebook post by ELCA Masters of Divinity student Elle Dowd equally contains falsehoods. She writes:

"...Michael Brown was sacrificed to the false god of white supremacy."

"...we sacrificed Jakelin Amei Rosmery Caal Maquin and Felipe Alonzo-Gomez to the false gods of nationalism and security."

"...Christian counseling centers...torture lgbtqia+ children and call it 'reparative therapy,' leading to the death of countless children."

(See here)

ELCA Seminary Facebook Post Profiles Married Gay Student

4/30/2019

ELCA seminary, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), has taken to Facebook to shine a spotlight on some of their first-year seminary students. The below profile is of Phillip Potaczek, a Master of Divinity student. In the profile we learn Phillip is gay and has a husband.

God tells us in many places in scripture that homosexuality is a sin. We also know that God calls on us to repent of our sins. If you care about gay people you will lovingly tell them that.

Instead of encouraging repentance of homosexual relations, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America presents it as "good." People with same-sex attraction deserve to know the truth. They need to know that bondage to sin can separate them from God.

An ELCA Church's Syncretism and its Politically Obsessed Pastor

3/26/2019

Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Rockford, Illinois, is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and is located 75 miles away from ELCA headquarters in Chicago.

If you attend Emmanuel Lutheran Church you should know that they are "embracing a broader view of Jesus’ life and teachings as a path of transformation for our own individual spiritual journeys, our ReFresh service draws upon readings from the Bible and other sacred texts, poetry, dance, and song."

On Emmanuel Lutheran's website homepage they say "We are open to the uniqueness of each person's story and are about helping you discover your gifts and your calling. We seek to become compassionate servants of God, reaching out through service to heal and inspire Rockford and the world. We learn from our own Christian tradition as well as from other cultures and religions." (see here)

Mixing religions is called syncretism. This goes against God's Word. (See Deuteronomy 4:2 and Revelation 22:18-19.) That is what Emmanuel Lutheran in Rockford looks to be doing.

Below is how this ELCA church describes a couple of their services (or see here).

(See here)

This same ELCA church recently hosted a Sufi Meditation Gathering, (see below) which is Islamic.

This is a video by Emmanuel Lutheran Church of church members saying what they like about the church. One young person interviewed said “I like how it accepts most religions and sexualities…It gives people a chance to just like chill without being like told, like if they are not a certain religion they can not go up for communion. It’s really accepting.”

Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Rockford, Illinois, describes itself on its home page as "PROGRESSIVE. INCLUSIVE. CREATIVE." (see here) Below is their LGBTQA Support information.

(See here)

Robert Franek is the interim pastor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. (See below)

ELCA pastor Franek is very passionate about politics, and he loves to share his perspectives. In one of his articles he wrote, "Currently one party, as it struggles with messaging and infighting, is fighting for the soul of our democracy. The other is a dumpster fire gas lighting the nation and enabling a president who poses a clear and present danger to our national security, civil rights, and planetary health." (Read here)

On Rev. Franek's Twitter account he made 143 tweets, retweets and replies in a 24-hour period. (11/1/18 2:55 p.m. to 11/2/18 2:55 p.m.) And he did not tweet that in one sitting. The tweets took place in at least 21 different time blocks throughout the 24-hour period. I'd call that obsessive.

Below is some of what Rev. Franek has written or shared:

The Health 202: Three states to vote on measures to limit abortion rights in the midterms https://t.co/MnWm2tz5P8 pic.twitter.com/5EIjLncHlW
— Robert Franek (@robertfranek) November 2, 2018

Trump Has Destroyed the GOP Coalition With His White Nationalism https://t.co/zUA5tpvtTB pic.twitter.com/vSzXzmanON
— Robert Franek (@robertfranek) November 2, 2018

Trump Has Told 6,420 Lies Since Becoming President https://t.co/pS2rlL9PEh pic.twitter.com/jxeXQbIHmf
— Robert Franek (@robertfranek) November 2, 2018

Mob boss law and order. This fear mongering and inhumanity has to be stopped. VOTE BLUE! https://t.co/cMgvfimJiu
— Robert Franek (@robertfranek) November 2, 2018

ELCA Transgender Pastor Featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine

3/12/2019

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America transgender pastor Dr. Megan Rohrer was featured in an article and video by Cosmopolitan. (See video below. The video and article can be seen here)

Rev. Rohrer is the first transgender ordained in the ELCA and the ordination took place at a goddess worshiping ELCA church in San Francisco, known as herchurch.

'A More Inclusive and Loving Church'

2/22/2019

Below is a Facebook post that the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), an ELCA seminary, shared. Under the homosexual rainbow banner, the prayer addresses the United Methodist Church (UMC), which will be voting on allowing homosexual weddings and practicing ordained homosexuals. The prayer talks about "being a more inclusive and loving church."

And read the second paragraph. The ELCA continues to push their LGBTQ supportive narrative on its membership and give no credence or equal time to the Biblical view on homosexuality and marriage.

How can anyone, who believes the Biblical view of marriage and homosexuality, feel welcome in a denomination that sees this traditional view as wrong, unloving and hurtful?

Below is a tweet by ELCA Pastor Lenny Duncan, with a "like" from ELCA Pastor Emily Scott, regarding the United Methodist Church (UMC).

ELCA Pastor John Sipf's Views

2/11/2019

The following is a response by ELCA pastor John Sipf of Peoria, Illinois, to my tweet replying to another ELCA pastor. We were discussing this blog about an ELCA pastor giving the camera the finger and his rant against America.

Oh, Danny boy... unlike *ahem* "some" not everyone masterbates to their hatred of the ELCA.
— John Sipf (@Pr_JT_Sipf) December 19, 2018

ELCA pastor John Sipf regularly tweets and retweets about white people, racism, politics, Donald Trump, refugees and illegal immigrants, transgenders, abortion, etc. Below are a few examples of his activity on Twitter.

Jesus killed by Pilate and the centurions

Children killed by Trump and ICE.

America, we are Rome and Babylon.

What're we gonna do about it? https://t.co/jD5m7Ifpvm
— John Sipf (@Pr_JT_Sipf) December 25, 2018

Same https://t.co/OmSkcwrbHT
— John Sipf - He/Him/His (@Pr_JT_Sipf) February 7, 2019

We killed her... Our government killed her... Our silence killed her... https://t.co/pOmI4ljfSp
— John Sipf (@Pr_JT_Sipf) December 14, 2018

'There Needs to Be More Queer Women Pastors'

1/16/2019

Are there any Bible-believing, orthodox individuals going to ELCA seminaries?

I’m filling my candidacy paperwork with the ELCA...because I think there needs to be more queer women pastors in the world ??
— Jaz (@ItsJazWaring) October 31, 2018

ELCA Pastor-To-Be Posting anti-Trump, Anti-Israel and Pro LGBT Comments

1/10/2019

Kevin Beebe is an ELCA "Pastor-to-Be" studying at the ELCA's Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. He loves to post LGBT supportive information, Palestinian propaganda against Israel, and anti-Trump materials on social media. This is the type of pastor the ELCA has, and is producing to lead your congregation.

The ELCA seminarian supports the BDS movement, which advocates boycotts, divestment, and sanctions against Israel, as you see below.

Here future pastor Beebe complains about Israel building an underground wall to prevent Palestinian terrorist tunnels used to invade and kill Israelis. That is mind-numbing stupid.

Time to stop this violence from occupying soldiers. End the Israeli occupation. Looking at you, @realDonaldTrump. Stop defunding hospitals and schools, rather stop selling guns to Israel.https://t.co/c0mO9okTRQ
— Kevin Beebe (@kevbeebe) October 13, 2018

When God's people are supposed to multiply, why do we let the children die? #FreePalestine #refugees #asylum #godspromise #adventhope
— Kevin Beebe (@kevbeebe) December 16, 2018

If globalism is bad, @POTUS @realDonaldTrump, then how about we stop our activity in one of largest ways the USA contributes: arms sales. Stop selling weapons around the world, particularly to occupying nations like Israel.
— Kevin Beebe (@kevbeebe) September 26, 2018

Even if you don't think it is your fault, @realDonaldTrump @POTUS, it is your responsibility as President of the United States to offer words of calm, unity, and peace. #growup
— Kevin Beebe (@kevbeebe) October 29, 2018

Stop calling the press the #EnemyOfThePeople @realDonaldTrump! You're only proving you can't responsibility for creating a heated atmosphere which promotes shooting of Black people, Jews, reporters, and sending bombs in the mail... https://t.co/EA1LSowwkX
— Kevin Beebe (@kevbeebe) October 29, 2018

Some of us are guilty of not listening to the stories. God, have mercy on us who are white #decolonizeLutheranism
— Kevin Beebe (@kevbeebe) October 22, 2016

Finally, a post sharing the vile devotional made by two ELCA pastors. (language warning)

ELCA Church Offers LGBTQIA+ Affirming Adult Sunday School

1/7/2019

The ELCA's Reformation Lutheran Church in Columbia, SC offered an adult Sunday school class called "Being Thankful for Ourselves: LGBTQIA+ Affirmations." As you can see, it was very affirming of homosexuality and transgenderism.

Quick News @Reformation 11/2/18 https://t.co/ndkFtpaR5w pic.twitter.com/3m0qUMtu57
— ReformationLutheranCAE (@ReformationCAE) November 2, 2018

Another Radical ELCA Pastor

12/28/2018

Diana Edis is an ELCA pastor. She enjoys pushing here radical social justice beliefs on social media. And she is apparently a big proponent of Planned Parenthood.

Assistant to the ELCA Presiding Bishop is a Trans* Ally

12/10/2018

Homosexual ELCA Pastor Kevin Strickland, is the Assistant to the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA. He also, as seen below, is a "Trans* Ally."

Prayers to Embrace Sin

12/5/2018

Diana Edis is an ELCA pastor at Breath Of Life Lutheran Church in Blythewood, South Carolina. Here is a prayer she shared on her Facebook page from the LGBT rights religious organization, ReconcilingWorks. It asks the "Living Spirit" to "teach us to embrace all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions."

And,

Quotes of Support For LGBT Ministers By Two ELCA Bishops

11/22/2018

Below you will find quotes by two ELCA bishops in support of Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM). ELM describes itself as a "professional community for publicly identified gender and sexual minority ministers and candidates" (See here )

The first quote is by Delaware-Maryland Synod Bishop William Gohl.

(See here)

Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries has an article that addresses this on its website. The article shares a quote from Bishop Kirby Unti of the Northwest Washington Synod that says, “The church has entered a time when what we need are effective adaptive leaders. Our LGBTQIA+ ministers tend to be some of our best adaptive leaders. Their lives have relied upon adaptive sensibilities in order to thrive.” (See here)

Gay ELCA Pastor Thinks 'Couples Should Sleep Together Before Marriage'

11/9/2018

The Rev. Emmy R Kegler at Grace Lutheran Church of Northeast Minneapolis,
Minnesota, describes herself as "a queer woman & a Christian pastor, and deeply in love with my fiancée (Doctor Future Wife)."

She tweets this:

I really do think couples should sleep together before marriage.

It's important to establish who in the relationship is the wide eyed golden retriever who CAN'T WAIT TO START THE DAY and who is the grumpy cat that curls further under blankets and needs you to bring her coffee.
— Emmy Kegler (@emmykegler) October 9, 2018

This is what the ELCA has become. A denomination where their pastors/leaders reject the clear teaching of God and in this case, are in favor of people sleeping together (having sex) before marriage. (See Hebrews 13:4 to learn what God has to say on this topic, for starters). Seems God's Word is just ignored now in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

ELCA members should ask themselves what their current ELCA pastor believes, and does not believe, when it comes to God's Word? Additionally, contemplate what future pastors in your church family, trained by the ELCA, will believe about God's Word and what they will be teaching the congregation.

Disturbing Posts By ELCA Campus Pastor Elizabeth Rawlings

10/28/2018

ELCA pastor Elizabeth Rawlings is an ELCA campus pastor at the University of Washington. She has a lot to say about almost every topic that the liberal left cares about. It kind of scares me. We will start this off with something Rev. Rawlings shared that seems to be saying there is no eternal hell.

Here are some more disturbing posts by this ELCA pastor:

Be sure to catch these quotes -

"If you want to take this further, as you breathe, imagine there is a light shining somewhere outside of you. Feel the light shine on your body. Feel its warmth. That light is love/God/spirit/creatrix. Breathe it in. Fill your body with the light and love of that which made you."

"If your cosmology allows for it, picture yourself surrounded by Jesus, ancestors, Angels, guiding spirits, a cloud of witnesses, (whatever works for the way you walk in the world) all holding you and keeping you safe." (See here also)

Reproductive health care is important Rev. Rawlings and she seems (see below) to be supportive of Planned Parenthood.

Rev. Rawlings shared this Facebook post by Linda Tirado.

Assistant to the ELCA Presiding Bishop Watches 'God Bless Gay'

8/14/2018

Rev Kevin Strickland is the Assistant to the Presiding Bishop/Executive for Worship of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

What a beautiful show. I watched it on a plane and flight attendant had to come ask if I was ok. :)
— Rev Kevin Strickland (@PrKevinELCA) August 13, 2018