You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘The ELCA’ tag.
In Seattle we already have the swearing pastor Mark Driscoll and the New Age Metaphysical pastor Rodney Romney…..this is embarrassing enough I thought….. but no…..now we also have this.
Pastors at a Renton ministry have found a new calling behind the bar.
Turning water into wine is almost as surprising as turning pastors into bartenders.
“If you say, ‘Hey, did you hear that those Lutherans are serving beer down there in Renton?’ All of a sudden, people go, ‘Really? Really? Great!’ And a window is opened that was never opened before,” said Gretchen Mertes.
Mertus is among the Lutheran pastors called to serve – beer and wine, that is – at Luther’s Table.
“They didn’t train me to do this in seminary, I tell you what,” she said.
The new café isn’t limited to Lutherans, but it’s run by the Outreach Ministry of St. Matthews Church. The idea is to provide a caring gathering place where people can share chardonnay and gripes.
“So you got laid off. You’re in good company,” said Mertus.
The cafe is the brainchild of Mertus, who left her clerical collar at home but not her purple Converse shoes.
“I marry and bury — weddings and funerals, baptisms and preach,” she said.
When you belly up to the bar at Luther’s Table, you won’t find a Bible.
“oh, heavens, no,” said Bishop Chris Boerger.
There are just brews and pews.
“This is a place for the church to be, not arm-twist,” Boerger said.
The ministry sees Luther’s Table as a way to carry on Martin Luther’s tradition of reflecting on studies with students over food and beer.
“Luther would have rejoiced over it,” the bishop said.
The pastors not only have tradition on their side, but also a stained glass Jesus from the old Renton Lutheran Church watching over them.
“We love to say that he’s ordering two beers, please,” said Mertus.
Luther’s Table is holding its grand opening this coming Saturday with live music, kids’ activities and giveaways.
Money raised at the restaurant is put toward developing the ministry.
Well, half of it anyway…..
It was in September 2009 that my Pastor told me he was unhappy with the church because of the new ELCA resolution allowing gay ministry.
I wasn’t even aware that a vote had taken place but the outcome has affected all Lutheran churches everywhere. Those who are affliated with the ELCA have had to make some decisions. Many who have ended up in a ELCA church not really knowing the programs behind it are now aware.
I believe the Lord led me to the Lutheran church I was attending. I just did not know why. It was way too liberal for me, which caused discontent. Knowing that one is not to be discontent in a situation that the Lord has ordained, I stayed.
Our Pastor gave notice and a few of us started looking for a new location. There was the possibility of renting a hall, meeting in someone’s home, or looking at vacant buildings. Then me and husband noticed a church that seemed to have only a few worshippers on Sunday. We contacted the Pastor there and then the Lord cleared the way for us to be able to use this facility. The congregation there disbanded and we were able to take over the premises.
After months of prayer for the Lord to lead and guide us, He supplied a fully-stocked church facility to rent. He sent us a benefactor for start-up costs and necessary repairs.
And He sent worshippers.
We installed the sign early in the evening anxious to see our church in lights. The next day people driving by stopped and asked, “Are you part of the ELCA?” When the Pastor said “NO”, they said, “Good …we will be attending your next service.”
We have not even advertised yet and we already think we will have to start planning a second service. Half of the people from the old church, people from other ELCA congregations that are dragging their feet on a vote, and people looking for a biblical church.. have come.
We will not be a perfect church for we are imperfect sinful people..yet God answered our prayer because we wish to serve Him in spirit and truth.
I rarely watch television anymore.
Remember the old Dick Van Dyke Show? Laura and Dick could only be shown in twin beds. How times have changed. Today, some of the favorite TV characters and personalities have become beloved solely for their homosexuality. People laugh and tolerate the sinful lifestyle.
The church has succombed to this tolerance. The ELCA of the Lutheran church has declared that homosexuals can preach from the pulpit. Those who reject this resolution are being persecuted by the church itself by accusations of being unloving and intolerant. I know this first hand, for I am one being persecuted by the rejection of the ELCA and leaving my current church. I have gay friends. I do love them. I love them enough not to alter the truth. That the Bible says their lifestyle is an abomination to Him.
It may be difficult to stand up and hold to biblical truth. But one must.
My accusers call me divisive. Yes, they are right. I am dividing and separating myself from the world.
Please read:
TELEVISION IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE – David Cloud
It is getting progressively worse, and the majority of Christian homes are succumbing to Hollywood’s siren song. Like the frog in the gradually-heated pot, God’s people who are careless about separating from Hollywood’s filthy fare become desensitized by it.
A missionary friend was eating a meal with a fundamental Baptist pastor and his wife some years ago when the topic of the movie Titanic (rated PG-13) came up. When the missionary expressed his opinion that the movie is ungodly, the pastor’s wife said that they had seen it and had enjoyed it. The missionary asked what they thought of the nudity in the movie, and the pastor’s wife said it was “tastefully done.”
This illustrates how worldly many fundamental Baptist churches have become. If pastors and their wives are enjoying movies featuring premarital affairs and partial nudity, what are the other members of the church watching!
The Bible says the pastor is to be the example to the flock (1 Peter 5:3). Woe unto those multitudes of worldly pastors and deacons and Sunday School teachers who are comfortable with Hollywood’s cesspool and who do not teach their people the fear of God and separation from the world.
source –
Friday Church News Notes, January 8, 2010, http://www.wayoflife.org
LUTHERANS SPLITTING FROM LIBERAL DENOMINATION
(Friday Church News Notes, December 4, 2009, http://www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) –
The liberal Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is splitting over the issue of the ordination of homosexuals. On November 18 a group of Lutherans called CORE (Coalition for Renewal) voted to form a new Lutheran denomination in response to the decision this summer by the ELCA to allow “openly practicing homosexuals” to serve as pastors (“Lutherans Splitting,” Baptist Press, Nov. 25, 2009).
It is not yet certain how many churches will join the new group, as it takes a two-thirds vote for a congregation to leave the ELCA. Some 1,200 supporters of CORE met in late September to show their support for the split.
Eight years ago me and my husband began looking for a church in our area. While sitting in the back row of a Lutheran church as a visitor, I felt the Lord tug at my heart to be a “reader”. This is someone who reads scripture up front during the service. Okay…I thought, I have to be a member to do this. We joined.
You know how it goes once you join a church, you are asked to be part of the many activities and functions which was fine, but the interaction also revealed how many did not believe scripture. There are members who do not believe the verse John 14:6. The revelation was shocking to me. I wondered….why did the Lord lead me here?
Over two years ago we were blessed with a new pastor. I went to him asking to please…please preach the gospel and the truth from the scriptures. He did. When the ELCA voted in the new resolution he resigned from the ELCA risking his salary and pension, trusting in the Lord for provision.
I would like to add that there are some wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ who remain in the ELCA, and who do not agree with the resolution. To those I pray that you make a difference and remain true to the Word of God. Speak boldly and like Paul be not ashamed of the Gospel.
Our congregation does not officially have a two-thirds vote, so some of us have found a new location, and with the guidelines set out by CORE and the LCMC we intend to have a confessional Lutheran church.
Of course, the issue of homosexuality, is really just the tip of the iceberg. Under the surface of the water lies the true foundation of what is sinking all churches, all denominations, across the nations. We find in the murky water, the denial of creation, destruction of marriage and family by divorce and sexual immorality, the blending of false religions with Christianity, lack of knowledge of scripture and its authority, denial of Christ’s deity, inclusion instead of separation, and then… a weak and compromised Gospel.
Many who study prophecy might agree with me on this next thought. I believe the Lord is testing to see who really belongs to Him because the day of the Lord is near.
Joshua 24:14-15
Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
CORE
http://www.lutherancore.org/com_conf.shtml
And the LCMC
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on Friday approved a resolution to allow gays and lesbians in same-sex relationships to be ordained. ELCA’s highest legislative body voted 559-451 during the biennial Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis.
I attend a ELCA church. Today our Pastor announced he is leaving the ELCA because of the above resolution. There are going to be lines drawn in the sand in our church. It is going to be interesting to see who leaves with the Pastor and who wants to remain in the apostasy of this liberal synod.
We have an older congregation and many hold to the truths of God’s Word and we cling to each other. Some do not hold to the truths and are being seduced by ecumenism and universalism.
A new article by Jan Markell is fascinating because the excerpt below, describes what is happening this very day in our congregation.
Since the vote on Friday I have heard from good Lutheran people who plan to leave the ELCA. May their vote with their feet send a message that urges others to follow them. The ELCA is likely not going to change, so lovers of truth and the Bible in all liberal denominationsshould take a cue from disgusted ELCA members now looking for a new church home.
Read “Was God in the Whirlwind?” by Jan Markell ….HERE
I believe this tornado was a judgment against the church… Please boldly stand with those who have the courage to separate themselves from the apostasy and walk in obedience to the Word of God.
Rom 1:26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
Rom 1:27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
DiscernIt 
Recent Comments