Church and Change claims Synodical approval

WELS President Schroeder Excited for Church and Change.
(look under the headlines portion of their grandiose web page)

The Church and Change group is claiming the conference was a huge success. I wonder how they are measuring their success?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

update -- (Saturday evening)

After doing a bit of research on this issue here is how I see what has happened:

Shortly after the convention, President Schroeder quoted a convention resolution in his letter to pastors and teachers. The convention resolution quoted in the letter called for expanded efforts in world and home missions using both traditional and innovative means. The convention resolution was referring to recent new programs such as daughter missions and out reach programs to ethnic minorities. This resolution was not a blanket endorsement of all “innovative” approaches. The Church and Change leadership must have reached the conclusion that because of the letter to all called workers President Schroeder is “excited” about the Church and Change efforts. I believe that this inaccurate statement on the Church and Change site must be and will be removed.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

update -- Sunday 5:30pm CDT

www.churchandchange.org

The innacurate claim that President Schroeder is excited is now gone from the Church and Change website.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

comment

LM said...

"I am interested in an honest review of the keynote speaker and any workshops if someone was in attendance."

I'd like to see this too. The C&C website has an audio clip of the closing service--I wonder if anyone made audio recordings of the workshops. I'm especially interested in learning more about Pr. Parlow's workshop. The C&C materials say:

"Explore tansferable principles that will help you build a church for outsiders to come to and hear truth that makes a difference now and for eternity. Now is the time to shed ethnic rationalizations, personal preferences, and doomsday attitutdes that are offered as excuses for outreach failures."

I'd like to know what he means by "transferable principles." I've read some his sermons, and I have to say, statements like "The Christian life is a journey closer and closer to the Son. At some point it moves from I’m learning to I’m asking to I’m doing" make me wonder where these so-called "principles" are being transfered from.

The discription of the conference workshops can be found here:

http://www.churchandchange.org/site/cpage.asp?cpage_id=8980&sec_id=2384

The sermon in refer to can be found here:

http://stmarkpartners.org/images/sermons/Journey_-_white_belt%20_Sept.%209_.pdf

LM

Church and Change Conference Kicks Off

On the eve of the annual Church and Change conference doesn't the Church and Change website make it look as if President Schroeder has asked the C&C group to carry out a synodical resolution? www.Church and Change

Maybe the president will be in attendance or maybe even speak at the conference.

Remember there is an invitation for a C&C conference review on BW for anyone attending the conference.

Guest Blogger on Pres. Schroeder's recent visit to MLC

Michael Schottey has posted an excellent summary of Pres. Schroeder's visit to MLC

http://theshepherdsvoice.blogspot.com/

Follow this link to the report.. Pres. Schroeder at MLC

Rev. Ash's response to a letter Pres. Schroeder sent to all WELS pastors

from the Church and Change discussion forum:

President Schroeder asked us to especially pay attention to a resolution which was passed at the lastest synod convention. One of the resolves reads: "that we commit ourselves to expand mission efforts at home and throughout the world, using both traditional and innovative means of Gospel outreach, as God provides the resources..." We believe our Church And Change convention on October15-17, 2007, is one of the resources which the Lord is providing to help our people learn about "innovative means of Gospel outreach" which they might employ in their own congregation. Each devotional service will include a different format which will allow you to discover various new ways technology can be used such as powerpoint, video clips, etc. You can to go our website for information concerning the convention and to register online www.churchandchange.org

Rev. Ash

Open Forum

A few posters have asked that Bailing Water address a different avenue of topics.

So I will open up the blog for topics of concerns and issues facing the WELS. I believe that a major transformation that is needed is open lines or forums for communication and discussion.

Communicating clearly, concisely, consistently, accurately

This link leads to Pres. Schroeder’s recent e-mail newsletter and is an attempt to begin filling the information void. Also, here are some news items from wels.net

• After consulting with the Synodical Council and the Conference of Presidents, I've asked all areas of ministry and synodical agencies to give me an opportunity to review plans for filling existing or new positions, even if they are funded by the current budget. I'm thankful to the Board for Parish Services for their recent decision to delay calling for a vacant position in the area of parish consulting.
• Communications Director Joel Hochmuth has been asked to prepare a comprehensive strategy to improve communications; this e-newsletter is the first step.
• The Ad Hoc Commission established by the convention to provide long-range plans for the synod's financial health will be appointed in mid-September.
• A sincere thank you to congregations and individuals that participated in recent efforts to send special offerings to support the synod's budget. Also, sincere thanks to congregations that have increased their Congregation Mission Offerings in response to appeals by their district presidents.
• September's WELS Connection was sent to all congregations. I would encourage all to use what has proven to be our most effective communication tool.

Let me know what you think are the pressing issues that need to be addressed or discussed.

The New Administration

The comment discussion has turned towards the hope for a new direction under a new administration. I would imagine that Pres. Schroeder is trying to sort things out and get a hold of his new direction. As the waters of the WELS have become muddied, divided, and misguided. I can imagine that in two years Mueller would decide to step aside also. I am happy that the prez has put forth a direction. So I guess I will hold off on posting those 95 theses as Jared suggested.

What I am wondering is how he will prioritize the synod needs. I believe he realizes that the administration became very top heavy over the last decade. I know that he is a strong proponent of the Lutheran educational system. Someone mentioned how the ELS has made a concerted effort towards opening and supporting their school system. I would think that would be a move in the right direction. Our schools have been pitted against other ministries and have lost too much ground.

I believe that Schroeder must take a hold of those pastors that are trying to shed their Lutheran identity in order to grow the church. I believe that Schroeder does need to address the Church Growth inroads and address the fellowship issue. Again, I believe that Satan is working hard even amongst the DPs. I also feel that he needs to commend pastors to take hold of the office of the holy ministry.

What do you think his top priorities should be?

I appreciate the commenter who made the suggestion to write the president. I will and I will invite him to read the blog. I will also continue to bail water.