Throw me a bucket

Through this blog I have highlighted a few “observations” that I have witnessed in the WELS including a pastor allowing a woman to lead a co-ed Bible Study and a young girl giving a children’s sermon. As well as a perceived double standard on how a few on the cop choose to treat or discipline some clergy. The “officials” choose to exercise doctrinal discipline on some yet allow questionable and unscriptural practices to go unchecked and the cry is to put the best construction on his case (cause he’s got a synod name) while someone else gets the boot.

I have also continually brought up the divisive nature of the Church and Change group. I believe, divisive in nature by its very name and its history of inviting heterodox Unitarian speakers.

There have been many comments on the blog about how the WELS perspective on the OHM has shifted (or not). We float along as "every member is a minister" becomes the slogan of the day and then no one is left to shepherd the people.

Some posters have commented about the struggling school system. Is it because of a lack of support from the church? or are the educational standards not high enough? Lutheran schools are struggling.

I have said that maybe the struggles financially are a call to repentance.

So the good ship WELS continues to drift along. The layman is left to bail water. Maybe a Confessional clergy will throw a bucket now and again.

Theological issues that plague the WELS

In a comment ~ Jared asks what theological issues plague the WELS? Now I will preface this to say that I am not a theologian in the WELS but a simple layman offering this view from the pew. But I have heard and seen a few things.

There is a double standard among some synodical leaders. Prior to the convention, the (former) president and vice-president rejected a memorial from 86 pastors and 3 congregations. This memorial asked for a study on the synod's position on fellowship. Yet the WELS official website endorses the Church and Change group that is continually reaching over the fence. The WELS website has a registration link to this "extreme" makeover conference. Yet those high church folks in the WELS must be put out quickly or we might look back at our Confessions. This is a theological issue. The WELS now officially approves of using Church growth methods. The slope is slippery. A vicar recently told me that the WELS will probably have women ministers before Missouri. (just an opinion by a theological student in the mix). Yet check out the youth services that are all the rage and you'll see the young ladies giving the children sermons.

There is a double standard on called workers and cover ups. In the past few years unproven allegations have been made agains a few parish pastors concerning the 6th commandment. These small town pastors are quietly swept away. (note resign) Yet a big synodical boy from the desert is involved in similar allegations and the "officials" say to put the best construction on this and don't sin against the 8th commandment. A dp tries to oust a called teacher without even talking to the teacher before the dp calls the boys in Milwaukee. This is a theological issue.

So now the WELS is caught in a financial crunch. Is this not a theological issue?