Who's Who

Church and Change group (C&C): www.churchandchange.org

“Church and Change is a growing group of WELS Christians who desire to think and work like the Apostle Paul who said, "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." The Church and Change group is interested in practicing and promoting innovation in ministry methods throughout the WELS especially at the "grass roots" level.”

The perception has been given that this group was endorsed by the previous synodical administration because of the conference registration link and other promotional information found on the official WELS website.

https://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/WELSForms.pl?&dir=churchChange

Board of Directors:
Pastor Ron Ash - Chairman
Jeff Davis Vice - Chairman
Sarah Owens - Secretary
Barry Spencer
Caleb Cordes
Pastor Bruce Becker
Pastor John Huebner
James Skorzewski
*Pastor Dave Kehl – synodical administrator / Conference presenter

Issues in the WELS: http://www.issuesinwels.org/

“… The purpose of this group is to meet from time to time to discuss these issues. We wish to offer input and give support to our Synodical leadership as they strive for unity of purpose and give direction to our Synodical family.”

This group recently invited newly elected Pres. Schroeder to participate in an upcoming form. http://www.issuesinwels.org/ItemsofInterest07/itemsOfInterest.htm

Motley Magpie: www.motleymagpie.org

The Motley Magpie was a quarterly journal dedicated to the promotion of Lutheran ceremonia in the evangelical catholic tradition as confessed in the Book of Concord AD 1580/1584.

Rev. John W. Berg: Author and Editor of the defunct Magpie. Berg was suspended by AZ/CA presidium (led by DP Janke) for thoughts written and condoned in the Magpie. Rev. Berg’s congregation was also given the boot when they chose to back Berg. Many clergy / theology professors believe Berg’s views were not unscriptural.

Rev. Peter M. Berg: Contributing author to the MM. Given the boot by his WELS bishop. Pastor of Our Savior Evangelical - Lutheran Church, Chicago and unconditional subscriber to the Lutheran Confessions, who is playing for that other team now.

Bailing Water

A blog originally started by Aaron in order to keep the discussion going about concerns in the WELS.

Please feel free to add your who to the who's who in the WELS ~

Sword of the Spirit

Here are a couple of comments that I thought I’d bring to the top as sometimes the comments from older posts get passed over:

Anon,
"I heard somewhere that we should be glad the convention was about money and not about doctrinal problems in the WELS, which i (sic) believe we dont have."

Doctrinal problems? How is that possible in a synod where everyone is in the Office of the Ministry?

And what's this business about Pr. Berg being a false teacher? I'm curious to hear what you know, Anon.

-LM

Another poster –

Rick said...

…John in this blog has lamented his view that our Synod is fractured. I don't agree but sometimes it seems that people who dislike Church and Change are bent on driving in the wedge.

It is very evident that the problems that have arisen stem from theological issues (ie doctrinal problems). The missing unity in doctrine and practice is very evident. Rick I would disagree with you. The synod is fractured. I believe you are wrong when you say that those who dislike the C&C group are driving in the wedge. Maybe they are striving, with passion, to cling to a remnant of Confessional Lutheranism found in the divine service. Unless you mean that the sword of the Spirit, (the Law and the Gospel), is being pounded home with full force.

I, too, wonder what mr. anon. means that Pr. Berg is a false teacher. Is this anonymous the mysterious deep throat who holds the Watergate (Magpie) tapes from the AZ/CA presidium. Was Pr. Berg a false teacher because he was too catholic and didn’t have a praise band in the sanctuary?