I left the ELCA after 33 years. Their position on the lack of inerrancy of the Bible, Gay marriages, Gay pastors, Abortion and Universalism caused me to leave. I am a member of an LCMS Church and love it. I pray the ELCA will repent from their distortion of God’s word.
@arthurgearheard47013 жыл бұрын
I've been worshipping in the LCMS for eight years now!
@ellen823ful2 жыл бұрын
That’s why I stopped going to church completely for a long time. It just broke my heart. I felt truly abandoned by the church I was baptized in. I miss it though. I miss the sung liturgy. I’m so glad I know it. I can still sing it word for word. Sad 😞
@finneganohooligan90262 жыл бұрын
@@ellen823ful left Elca after70 years when their pastor said Mohammed’s allah was the same as God, please try the LCMS if you need the sung liturgy but also true preaching of Gospel , adherence to the Word and sacraments . Used to be a feminist but male LCMS pastors ARE faithful loving shepherds recognizing their lady members gifts and they know the difference between God and Mohammed’s allah
@rhywe9 күн бұрын
Well I guess the good news is too good for you, and only for some.
@donaldjacobson41844 жыл бұрын
I have left the ELCA. I’ll never go back
@southernlady50853 жыл бұрын
Me, too. The ELCA is no longer a church. It is an arm of the radical leftists in the Democratic Party. I truly loved my parish. I could not remain there in good conscience.
@ruthgoebel7233 жыл бұрын
Same here. My late mother would be hugely disappointed in what her much-beloved church has become.
@frizfarm5 жыл бұрын
"God's Law is not hate speech . . . " Wonderful statement!
@wayhollobj36 Жыл бұрын
Some of it clearly is Hateful
@SinoSene Жыл бұрын
No it's not, but the church quite often has been very hateful.
@longkong7506 Жыл бұрын
@@wayhollobj36"Without an hate for which threatens our love, our love is an empty catchphrase"
@kenmcguire58373 жыл бұрын
As a fellow ex member of the ELCA, I still pray for the healing to be able to speak the truth in love like you did.
@zr37552 жыл бұрын
Having left the ELCA three years ago, you've articulated my criticism better than I ever could. God bless
@vxskud2 жыл бұрын
This video helped be decide which Church was right for me. I love the surety and simplicity of LCMS.
@cfgjr10 ай бұрын
Simple minds do love those things.
@lauramcazАй бұрын
@@cfgjrGod uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise
@tomwessling70655 ай бұрын
I was a member of the ELCA for 47 years. The day the liberal female preacher railed against ‘Christian Nationalists’, I found that my heart longed for God’s word. I found the Wisconsin Lutheran Church and now my faith is stronger than ever.
@rhywe8 күн бұрын
God’s word says, for God so loved the WORLD. Antithetical to nationalism. I hear a lot of “America first” rhetoric. God’s word say the first will be last in the kingdom, and the last will be first.
@tomwessling70657 күн бұрын
@@rhywe This is getting away from the topic of the ELCA becoming too liberal in their interpretation of God's word, but most don't understand 'America first'. America first doesn't mean we don't take care of others but in the past few years it has been other countries first or Democrats first while NPA's or GOP's are ignored. A good example of this was the Ohio toxic train derailment. America first simply means (using the air flight passenger analogy) we put our oxygen masks on first so we are better able to help others. That means ALL Americans: white, black, latino, asian, men, women, young, old, everyone that is American. Then we are better able to move forward to help our neighbors.
@mikeparker8404 жыл бұрын
Pastor Bryan, I see your compassion in this message and your labor of love, the Lord Jesus reward your efforts in bring many sons and daughters out of false teachings to the true way of life and immortality in Jesus name.
@jmjaquinas72985 жыл бұрын
Very kind and true video, sir. I’m Catholic, but so glad you made this video. May God bless you and draw the ELCA and LCMS ever nearer to His holiness, Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.
@jmjaquinas72987 ай бұрын
@@mpkropf5062 Yes, I realize that. The LCMS is much closer to the Catholic Church in most ways. But, I pray that God guides both of them closer to Him. The ELCA just has a farther distance to go
@rhywe9 күн бұрын
The ELCA and the R Catholic Church have made more efforts towards unity than the LCMS. The LCMS has no interest in partnership with the Catholic Church.
@lc-mschristian57175 жыл бұрын
Very compassionate of you to address this church body instead of just ignoring them. Peace
@chaselefort1245 жыл бұрын
I'm glad that folks like Pastor Wolfmueller are talking directly to our brothers and sisters who are most closely related to our own church body, so that we may keep striving for unity in the Gospel instead of division according to the whims of the world. It's encouraging to see hope for the Gospel win out over indifference to the lies embraced by our sister church body.
@wayneschlotfeldt16313 жыл бұрын
My heart aches as I see the ELCA moving away from the Bible and into politics.
@southernlady50853 жыл бұрын
I commend this pastor. Apparently Pr Wolfmueller left the ELCA as I. Many faithful pastors remained so please, please do not think my following comments are directed at those faithful ELCA Lutheran pastors who remain to tend God’s people. I want to make that clear at the start. One can make enemies in speaking out as Pr Wolfmueller has. Some colleagues will think one a traitor to ordination vows, whether one speaks out and /or leaves the church. This is sad. But the ELCA is so politically charged there is little room for theological discourse, were that to be allowed at synod assemblies or elsewhere. Sadly, those who bring up any Biblical teachings on the floor of Synod are sometimes greeted with scorn and heckling. It’s a tough sell in these god-less times. When I left, things hadn’t come to a full head as yet, at least in my synod. It wasn’t the fullness of time for the parish as our people first needed to see where the synod would lead at that point. I thought it best to leave the parish after educating those wonderful folks in the Word and Holy Sacraments, Confessional statements, and Bible, thus allowing them to make their own decisions w/o my prejudice entering into it. In an odd way it was like a parent letting go. They were spiritual adults. I knew the ELCA would go left, but never dreamed that it would be as radical a turn as it was. The ELCA ,from its inception, incorporated cultural norms which is always highly dangerous for the church body. At its worse, cultural norms are anti-gospel and is antithetical to all that is true, right, and pure. Why? Because popular culture always has a dark side which is the playground of the devil. It’s been a tough road personally. But when I was chastised by colleagues and friends by using “antiquated” teachings no longer suitable in “today’s church” I knew the church I loved was dead. She had left her first love, Jesus Christ our Lord, and has satisfied her own depraved wants and needs by accepting the most immoral and shockingly perverse behavior society offers and baptizing it as good, right, and true. The devil loves that church trickery because he first developed it. Look at radical, leftist culture and ELCA and the two mirror one another so closely as to be one. But I still grieve. That’s what happens when you love something with all that you are. So kudos to this pastor! Keep fighting the good fight. Your brother and sisters in the faith support you and our Lord God awaits to give you the Crown of glory that he gives all who persevere in the One ,True Faith.
@georgebobblehead9602 Жыл бұрын
The eclc has jumped on the united Nations climate train the safe and orderly migration compact.
@mic12407 ай бұрын
How many ELCA or NALC pastors have been indicted for interfering with US elections? Oops, that is a LCMS pastor involved in politics to intimidate volunteer election workers and now under legal indictment, yet supported by LCMS leaders,a bit ironic huh?
@mic12407 ай бұрын
@@mpkropf5062 yet, LCMS us (by far) a minority in the Lutheran church. Perhaps it should spin off given it disagrees with about 77 million other Lutherans?
@markeggert2163 Жыл бұрын
I did not leave the ELCA, it left me.
@NOVENA-h8u5 ай бұрын
God bless you Pastor Brian M.
@kevinrose8568 Жыл бұрын
Someone said to me one time, "You can't put God in a box." I responded with, "But God has put us in a box, the box of His Word." Woe to us if we should wander outside of those fences. Thx for your letter, P. Rose
@cdunphy457 Жыл бұрын
as always excellent and caring praise the LORD and the word he gave us
@MTF07185 жыл бұрын
"The Holy Spirit is no skeptic" - Martin Luther, Bondage of the Will
@sonkramarczyk92882 жыл бұрын
WOW, Well said! It was very kindness and loving through Jesus Christ. Aman
@nuggetoftruth-ericking74896 ай бұрын
Thank you for this. I just gave a talk at an ELCA church. It is important to involve the whole Body of Christ over the issues at hand.
@mocote98343 жыл бұрын
My husband and I left the ELCA 14 years ago. It took us three years to leave. That time in our lives was full of spiritual sadness towards the ELCA and our church family. But when we did leave and returned to the LCMS , my tears turned from sadness to joy! I was home and worshiping with like Christians. Jesus is not a historical figure any more . Sunday school classes teach the bible stories. Communion is Christ's body and blood. In Christ , Bec
@masonkahale79354 жыл бұрын
Very informative and faith strengthening. God bless you Pastor
@romanthechristian52372 жыл бұрын
A beautiful example of speaking the truth in love. This is loving, to speak the truth.
@jimflys25 жыл бұрын
Very evangelical of you Pr. Wolfmueller. 30 years ago when I left the newly formed ELCA and became a confessional Lutheran in WELS, it was reported back to me that it was said, "There is no hope for people like him." (I contended in many discussions with my then pastor and the area bishop on weighty matters and Biblical inerrancy to no avail). God bless you pastor Dan from Timothy Lutheran church. I consider it a blessing to be mocked for my trust in the word of God, which is true, cannot lie and is unchanging. I hope it works true faith in you. Amen.
@paulswanson81893 жыл бұрын
Back in the 80s when our church voted to join the ELCA, my mother said they were too liberal. Boy was she spot on!
@michelleshannon3573 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this video. I was raised , confirmed and married in an ELCA church but we left years ago. The problem is the seminaries of this denomination. The fruit of their decisions is an exodus of members.
@clouds-rb9xt Жыл бұрын
What are you a member of now?
@2StallGarage3 жыл бұрын
Keep on preaching and teaching brother!
@ann-marieb25935 жыл бұрын
A great response Pastor. I hope you keep us updated if any reaches out to you.
@gloriawilson32415 ай бұрын
I left the ELCA when the Bishop announced he was gay and had his boyfriend living with him. They adopted the 10 suggestions.
@judithtaylor67132 жыл бұрын
This is an earnest and compassionate appeal.
@kenthammer1238 ай бұрын
Well said Pastor. I grew up ELCA, left before being comfirmed, and ended up a Unitarian, then Atheist, and now a LCMS member for 17 years. Quite a jounrey it has been so far. Truth is so very difficult to articulate. Your video was well done, and I pray that ELCA finds a path back to confessional doctrine Chrisr be with you Pastor.
@mike24540111 ай бұрын
What broke up the lutheran church?
@thomaseubank15032 жыл бұрын
God speaks through this one.
@katybeadle6845 жыл бұрын
So excellent in so many ways. Amen to those prayers. May many come to know the transcendent beauty of Jesus.
@arKiteX35 жыл бұрын
While it's always a little dangerous to bring up quotes from church fathers as a Lutheran, the ELCA's reticence to preach the full Law and Gospel reminds me of my favorite quote: "Nothing conquers except the truth, and the victory of truth is love." --St. Augustine Lying to your neighbor is not loving them; the truth, though it may in the moment sting, carries with it salvation from the sting of death itself; and consequently to deny your neighbor the truth of the Law and Gospel is neither loving nor Christian.
@Nonz.M Жыл бұрын
There is nothing dangerous at all about quoting church fathers as a Lutheran. It's often thought that Rome or the Eastern Orthodox have some sort of “corner” on the great church Fathers. But Lutherans have never believed this to be true. The Lutheran reformers drew upon the writings of the early church fathers to understand what the Christians of old believed and how they understood scripture, and to see how Rome had strayed from the catholic faith in certain areas. That is why every document in our confessions is supported by quotes of the early church fathers. We acknowledge the church fathers as an important authority, but not the ultimate authority, that would be the Bible alone. The Lutheran Church did not start in the 1500s, but is the continuation of the one catholic (universal) Church, including everyone who taught and believed the one catholic faith.
@loragorton8815 жыл бұрын
My wonderful sister and hubby attend an ELCA church. I hope and pray their pastors the kind you are referring to that rightly handles God's word. I think most laypeople wouldn't understand all this. They sure need our prayers and love. It breaks my heart.
@bigderfla5 жыл бұрын
Thank you, Pr. Wolfmueller, for this heartfelt plea. Here's hoping members of ELCA congregations will take this in the compassionate spirit in which it was offered and also take you up on your challenge.
@couchcaptain93792 жыл бұрын
I have been listening to tons and tons of podcasts et cetera over the last nearly 2 years, my job is awesome that way, and I have not, in that time, found anymore with more wisdom, knowledge, and compassion than Bryan Wolfmueller. Bryan, you have and are a gift from God, may he continue to bless you as you have blessed me and so many others.
@wk70609 ай бұрын
I love the ELCA and have for over 60 years. They are welcoming, know the love of God, and have served my family well my entire life, even though the LCMS does not accept me as a Lutheran. They let me know when I visited their church and was told I could not Commune there after being a Lutheran for 35 years.
@jedclampett77058 ай бұрын
Psssst…the ELCA hasn’t been around for 60 years. Just saying. 🫣
@craigknudson15545 ай бұрын
Very eye opening. Thanks ..
@james9524 Жыл бұрын
I'm a little late to this conversation, but I'm curious what you would do with people who suffer from Disorders of Sexual Development like AIS (Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome)? That is when the adrenal gland in an XY embryo is sending out male androgens and testosterone to tell the embryo to develop into a male, but the signals are not received properly, and the embryo develops with a mix of male and female genitalia. In some cases, the person can look completely female, with a vagina and breasts, but no uterus or ovaries. Is that person a female because they look female on the outside, or are they male because they have the XY chromosomes?
@fredwoodson64059 ай бұрын
Say hello.
@jedclampett77058 ай бұрын
Pastor Wolfmueller, in light of what just took place at the UMC General Conference or whatever they called that hoopla recently in Charlotte, NC, can you please do a “Dear UMC” video similar to this one? Would be educational for many as was this Dear ELCA outstanding piece of four years ago. TY!!!
@bobdunn41794 жыл бұрын
The Law is the truth just as The Gospel is the truth.
@carolynkading4565 жыл бұрын
As a woman 74 years in the WELS I am so very glad for the confessional Lutheran faith that has stayed so Strong. You offered copies of the Catechism for those requesting them. May I best bold Astoria suggest that of who say we are Lutheran get out our catechism for the dust shelf put them next to our Bibles and review all that we claim to believe. It is God's holy word that will make us strong in Him.
@NOVENA-h8u5 ай бұрын
Amen , Pastor Brian M
@fredr7217 Жыл бұрын
Very thoughtful message. Truth delivered in love. If I ever returned to Lutheranism, I would join Missouri Synod because they hold to the truth
@Nonz.M Жыл бұрын
To where did you depart?
@aaronduve14415 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your message. If I may add any WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) pastor would be happy to speak with them as well.
@sweynforkbeard88575 жыл бұрын
LOL As a member of a WELS congregation, any WELS pastor would speak to the exclusivity of the Bible, rather than to any inclusivity for any religion or behavior. Not all things can be simultaneously true, but rather that the Bible speaks to an exclusive truth.
@agnusplum93364 жыл бұрын
sweyn forkbeard That’s what Pr Wolfmueller said. :)
@shaunalynn29974 ай бұрын
I never felt closer to Christ than when I walked into an ELCA Lutheran Church. I never felt more welcomed, befriended, and loved either. It's small, over 125 years old, and the liturgy is traditional. Our pastor is a woman who preaches the Gospel with wisdom, joy, and frankness. There are no politics in this church, only the Word of God and the love we share for the Lord. All are welcome to hear the Word of God and find Christ in their hearts.
@couriersix73264 ай бұрын
A woman who blatantly breaks God's rules for who can be pastor of His church is no Godly woman.
@shaunalynn29974 ай бұрын
@@couriersix7326 What you take from the Word is strictly your own. Just as the Baptist or the Orthodox takes their own from the Word. What the Lord intends from the Word is not yours, but His. I’d reckon based on what I take from the Word that you’d make better use of your time to look at the log in your eye than to judge whether this woman you don’t know is a Godly woman. She is more pure of heart and Godly of a woman than many men who presume themselves Godly above her or who proclaim that their subjective convictions about the Word and the Lord’s true intentions are the same. You have fingers God gave you that can just as easily learn to make better use of your time, like getting that log out of your eye. And for a mind so eager to leave their judgment online, you’d really make better use of that mind with introspection and a focus on your community than to use it for disparaging another community or person online. The latter is a path that leads nowhere sincere and changes no hearts.
@rhywe8 күн бұрын
It’s not about rule following, it’s about Christ following, and Christ didn’t always follow the “rules” according to the Sanhedrin. That’s precisely what got him crucified.
@ChristopherPerez-vc8dn16 минут бұрын
@@rhywe Christ always followed the rules of His Father. He only did the will of the Father. You are trying to make a difference while failing to realize the source of the rules is important to this discussion. Man-made rules do not supersede God's authority.
@clairewalker44415 жыл бұрын
I was kinda expecting this to be petty but was pleasantly surprised by the truth gracefully given
@markh71754 жыл бұрын
Good commentary. BTW-Compassion and tolerance aren’t the same thing, even though some cloud this distinction.
@voyager72 жыл бұрын
The issue as always it seems, is the hermeneutic through and with which one presumes and then approaches the concept of humanity and it's relation to our Creator. That approach brings certain paradigms to the interpretation and understanding of scripture and hence, to one's understanding of doctrine and how it forms and shapes their place in the world.
@danbale41605 жыл бұрын
Great video, Pastor! As of a few minutes ago, the LCMS locator site is no longer allowing to sort by distance from a given zip code. The worker search lets you zoom down geographically to the state level only. Kind of tough to find an ordained minister close by using the worker search. The church search at least allows you to search "n miles from a zip code", and most churches have an ordained minister. The church listing will have links to pastors that have their contact information. Unfortunately, you can no longer sort the results by distance from your zip code. Still, better than nothing.
@ann-marieb25935 жыл бұрын
I was just able to search with zip code
@Kingcob75 жыл бұрын
The link above goes directly to the worker search, if you click back to the main "locator" area you can search by church which has the option to do zip code + miles.
@shellieperreault62625 жыл бұрын
Go to Google maps and type in "LCMS." If a church in your area says LCMS on its website, the location of that church on your map will pop up, as well as a link to the website and phone number.
@iamalphalim4 ай бұрын
“But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.””
@Jefff722 жыл бұрын
I grew up WELS but today, I find there are parts of each synod or denomination that I agree with. There were things that I was taught that I don't agree with. My point is that I like the pastor's insight.
@CloudslnMyCoffee5 жыл бұрын
“You’ve made Christ a champion for tolerance instead of a savior of sinners”
@CaseyEMartz Жыл бұрын
Great video Pastor! My question is this. Can there be good churches associated with not so good denominations? I was raised Southern Baptist but have recently found the Lutheran views to be more to my liking. I’ve recently joined an ELCA denomination church in my small little town. I know there are issues associated with the ELCA that leave blemishes on the Lutheran title, however I have not experienced these issues in my church. Male pastors (both junior and senior ) the messages are scriptural, politics are rarely discussed but most people accept that differences in politics do not change the love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Nothing screams “look how radical and progressive we are” in fact most of the congregation is fairly old. I do not have a LCMS near me and I want to find the right church for me and my family. Is it possible that a church can be under the umbrella of ELCA but not really take part in their tomfoolery? I love the church and the family and i find it hard to leave because people say how wrong the ELCA is but the wrongdoings do not seem to be present in my church. Thanks!
@jimthompson5844 Жыл бұрын
There are still faithful churches in the ELCA trapped in the church. That being said, to be in the ELCA means that you commune with the ELCA which is a very horrifying thing to tell you the truth, there is a church in San Francisco which is the seat of a bishop that practices witchcraft. If I were you I would look for WELS, LCMC, ELDONA, or an NALC church nearby if possible since you said there is no LCMS churches. That being said if there are none I would engage and challenge your pastor on his theological beliefs to make sure you are not being led by a false teacher. If it is a remnant (which does exist within the ELCA) that’s better than nothing.
@unclejojo63 Жыл бұрын
I grew up Pentecostal and stopped attending church several years ago, just not really able to find a place I felt at home. A few months ago I decided to try a local ELCA church and I really like it. I didn’t know there were different synods at that time. I liked the people and traditional service. They are very involved with community outreach. They were very warm and kind to me when I first attended. At this point in my life, I feel like it’s where I should be. It is very close to my home. I’m not going to worry about the stances on certain issues unless I start hearing things being taught from the pulpit that are troubling. We say the Creed and ask for forgiveness for our sins. I think if you like your church and they love you and your family, you should keep going.
@donaldjacobson41844 жыл бұрын
Excellent. Thank you so much
@arachnophilegrrl5 жыл бұрын
They won't. I left only 8 years ago and we said all of this, though you were more poetic, likely. ;)
@arachnophilegrrl5 жыл бұрын
But it is always worth saying.
@theredheadramblertakeii56225 жыл бұрын
They are. LMSC is on their radar because most just can't envision not being Lutheran. Its going to be quieter than the waves of departures from recent past, can't speculate on the numbers but the ones who are will cripple some churches at the local level. Leadership should be very, very concerned but I assure you, they are not.
@southernlady50853 жыл бұрын
15 yrs here. Left heartbroken but knew I did my best to try to inform and educate people so they could stand firm in the Truth of our Lord Jesus Christ in the future. Have the battle scars to prove it. It was so painful to go.
@Sethiscool-16 ай бұрын
I’m in the elca and planning on becoming orthodox now, one of the speakers at the elca youth gathering was trans and said God made her trans but God makes no mistakes, you were to be a man. They support gay pride yet God says it is sin. It is sad the elca has changed so drastically
@rhywe9 күн бұрын
You’re correct, God doesn’t make mistakes, and didn’t make a mistake making a trans person. He made them for his glory. The Pharisees also would get upset at Jesus for “hanging with the wrong kind of people”
@Sethiscool-18 күн бұрын
@ but we are made perfectly in the eyes of God, by saying you are what you are not you are defiling Gods image
@rhywe8 күн бұрын
I agree with part of that, we are made perfectly in the eyes of God. But I see it differently, God made trans people just like he made people with Down’s syndrome, yet we wouldn’t say he made a mistake making someone w Down’s would we?
@rhywe7 күн бұрын
I see it differently, God did make them perfect and are living into how God made them. Different. . So what if their brain is different than ours and they want to wear a dress. We both agree God doesn’t make mistakes, yet people are born with disabilities. We certainly wouldn’t call someone with Down’s syndrome a mistake now would we?
@irondawson5 жыл бұрын
The best explanation that I have ever heard!
@AliLePere5 жыл бұрын
Can you imagine if Luther had KZbin to share his theological disputes? I really don’t think he would have been this nice. 😂 Also, if this video doesn’t reach them you could always try nailing a transcript of it to some church doors? But really, this is an important, well-articulated video. I hope the invitation to open a dialogue is received and accepted. Thank you for all you do in the church, pastor!
@judithtaylor67133 жыл бұрын
You’re very kind.
@CarolineJoyAmico Жыл бұрын
Beautiful!
@josephgoodroad59285 жыл бұрын
Good video, Rev. May the Lord stifle all false teaching. Amen.
@theadventurousprogrammer64495 жыл бұрын
Thank you... I was thinking of writing them a letter.. though mine would be far less cordial.
@ChristopherHalbert-f5k9 ай бұрын
I'm sure ELCA pastors, bishops appreciated this video......
@JayEhm15174 жыл бұрын
I'm very thankful for the witness of my confessional Lutheran brothers and sisters. Thank you Pastor Wolfmueller.
@noyebalmer81125 жыл бұрын
Very well done Bryan. May God bless His Word.
@mitchevans45972 жыл бұрын
Why not put into practice the teachings of Christ in our own lives before we start condemning the way others live outside of the knowledge of Christ?
@plumberbear25145 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this video! Having left the ELCA church just a couple months ago, I’m in agreement with tour thoughts. I attended a “reconciled in Christ” meeting regarding inclusion for LGBTQ persons. They presented a short video with “priests” of every sexual preference, except heterosexual. There recite Paul,”All have fallen short of the law” as their basis for inclusivity and they dread the word...... judgement! ELCA has been compromised and infiltrated unfortunately. Thanks again for your words of truth
@martinjohnson13665 жыл бұрын
Perhaps they should dread the word judgment. Of course, eternal judgment is God's alone. In the meantime, we are called to discern false teachings... Faithful pastors like Bryan Wolfmueller help point us in the right direction. Thank you, pastor, and God bless...
@theredheadramblertakeii56225 жыл бұрын
Plumber Bear I'm with you. The clergy drove me NUTS with this stuff. In the Lutheran tradition, I would go to them and ask, "What is the scriptural basis for these things you are claiming ?". I would either get silence or a long winded no answer answer which would contradict itself !!!
@hugoboom57745 жыл бұрын
Awesome. Thanks Bryan for delivering such a well thought out, measured & loving response. And this video has been screen-recorded. (In case KZbin labels it “hate speech”). 🙄
@theleastartic5 жыл бұрын
Ah, wise move.
@clintsdatter5 жыл бұрын
May I ask, how does one screen record?
@hugoboom57745 жыл бұрын
Roxie Sheppard on iPhone it’s built in. 😃 just have to press the little red button.
@frankrosenbloom9 ай бұрын
Thank you Pastor for a very interesting discussion. We are Catholic but we can perfectly understand how someone can be Lutheran and in the LCMS. Of course, we do have a different understanding of ecclesiology and other issues regarding justification and works, but can perfectly respect Lutheranism. Some of our closest friends are ELCA , and we love them dearly. In fact, the wife of the couple is a retired ELCA pastor. We don't very much speak about religion other than to say Grace together when we share a meal and they have attended church with us when they were visiting us. However, The voice of God is supposed to be the voice of the people, not the other way around. Vox Dei, Vox populi not vox populi, vox Dei. I do worry about the relative laxity on moral issues such as homosexuality and abortion in the ELCA. Now of course, you probably worry more about me as a Catholic but this is still on my mind. Anyway thank you for the video. You have a new subscriber. God Bless.
@alistaircharles99264 жыл бұрын
Well said !
@Soapmaker195 жыл бұрын
Glad I left the ELCA for the Missouri Synod six years ago...
@Dilley_G454 жыл бұрын
Great choice. Wish we had LCMS here in New Zealand
@CloudslnMyCoffee5 жыл бұрын
I thank God for such a faithful man who would call fellow Christians to repentance with compassion and humility
@Kingcob75 жыл бұрын
A follow up on joining a new church would be great (I'll check your other videos). I was raised in the ELCA and can't in good conscience support it anymore or raise a family within it as I had planned :/
@srwalther5 жыл бұрын
check out www.lcms.org for a church near your home. But you should expect to take an adult instruction class (length of class varies), not because we consider you dumb or deficient in any way, but it serves as a great way to get to know your pastor, ask questions of him, and well simply everyone of us should consider ourselves catechumens in need of learning.
@rev.steveandrews22275 жыл бұрын
If you want to share what's available to you within a reasonable drive of your family, maybe we can help you here!
@Kingcob75 жыл бұрын
@@rev.steveandrews2227 Oh I have one locally I'll be attending as soon as I can and a few others within reasonable distance I will check. Just what to expect from the introduction process both from a technical aspect of getting in the closed communion, but I think more importantly what it is like joining a new church from a social change perspective. Getting used to new people, how to tell a good church from a bad church etc. I think what I want to emphasize with the ELCA is that in their embrace of social progressivism they are disenfranchisizing and harming their own congregations significantly. I don't imagine they actually care about that but I consider it a significant slap in the face to disrupt our lives and plans in this way. Do you have any thoughts on what to look for in a church or references I could lookup? I do have a few LCMS churches (and a WELS though I wasn't leaning that way) to choose from luckily :) Thank you Reverend.
@rev.steveandrews22275 жыл бұрын
@@Kingcob7 In regards to closed communion, the appropriate step when you visit a congregation would be to speak with the pastor prior to the service. They will discuss with you what you believe the Lord's Supper is, and let you know if you can receive the Lord's Supper that day, or if there's a way to do so in the near future (such as going through a new member class). If you don't understand the idea of closed communion, let me know, and I'd be happy to discuss it. If my family and I were looking for a new congregation, here's the things we'd do: 1) see what LCMS churches are around us (you've already done); 2) check out their websites: you can gain a lot there from service times and types, to seeing what kind of things they're about, I'd want the website to admit they're LCMS (not all do), and be willing to share what they believe, teach, and confess. 3) visit in person. Key thing here: did the pastor share Law and Gospel? That is, in the service, did I recognize and repent of my sin and hear the good news that I'm forgiven? Were my young children welcome to be in the service with me, so they too can hear God's love for them and begin to learn how to have this as a regular part of their life? Is the pastor's sermon preached on God's Word? Was I able to attend Bible study? Did we talk about God's Word in Bible study (seems like a no-brainer, but not all do!)? This is my short list of musts. A Church that stands (or falls) on the truth of God's Word. If these things are there, it's a good place to be. You'll regularly hear God's Word for you (and your family) of forgiveness, life, and salvation. My hope is, that would be true of each of the congregations you've mentioned are an option. You mentioned people/social things. There's value there, certainly, but look at it this way: every one of our families is broken and messed up with drama we'd rather avoid. In finding a new church to call home, you're also looking at your brothers and sisters in Christ, a family. They won't be perfect anywhere you go. You're looking for a place to call home, where you will then learn to walk together as you receive God's gifts in His house and then share those things with your community around you.
@theredheadramblertakeii56225 жыл бұрын
@@Kingcob7 It seems like their congregants had no real say in what leadership does. These resolutions to recently be passed, I feel most congregants did not support. At any rate, I SHOCKED at the news coming out of this assembly. Wasn't an easy decision but I'm gone.
@bobr73803 жыл бұрын
I struggled but have separated from the ELCA. They are a liberal socialist organization not a religious organization. Religion is about saving souls not supporting agendas. I'm heading to the Missouri Synod.
@jabujolly90203 жыл бұрын
Can anyone explain to me why the Lutheran churches can't seem to reverse the decline of their denominations? The ELCA is literally hemorrhaging as are all progressive denominations but whilst breakaway conservative Anglican denominations, independent Baptist groups, the PCA, Church of Christ, and free Methodists are all flourishing, the Missouri and Wisconsin synods are declining albeit at a much slower pace than the ELCA. What ails Lutheranism in North America?
@abdulaleem92073 жыл бұрын
religious groups that are conservative and resistant to change, flourish and withstand the test of time.
@paulengstrom4323 жыл бұрын
it is because of that awful noise they do instead of good old hymns. and the Liturgy is missing.
@walt8284 жыл бұрын
1st Commandment: Thou shalt have no other god BEFORE ME. That is not the same thing as "I am the ONLY god." Your letter to the ELCA reflects intellectual arrogance, not "certainty." You may have left the ELCA 20 or so years ago, but I left the LCMS 50 years ago because what I found there was a narrow-minded intolerance and an unacceptable literalness that even as a 13-year old I knew was wrong. I will be seeking ordination in Word and Service in the ELCA, and perhaps when I do, I will start creating video letters to the LCMS that punctures what is, in reality, a fundamentalism that is ahistorical.
@PastorBryanWolfmueller4 жыл бұрын
Do you think there are other gods? There is always Isaiah 45:5, "I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God." Send me the links to those videos.
@walt8284 жыл бұрын
@@PastorBryanWolfmueller I think there is one God, and the Judeo-Christian version is one image of that God. Joseph Campbell described anthropologist Adolph Bastian's differentiation between "elementary ideas" and "folk ideas": "these common themes that come out of the collective unconscious he calls elementary ideas. But they always come to expression in specific social environments and it’s historically and geographically differentiated. He called those differentiations Volkergedanken, or ethnic or folk ideas…. In India, in art criticism, these same two aspects of images are recognized. The folk aspect, which simply has to do with people and things in stories and time and space is called desi, which means local, popular. On the other hand the elementary ideas, when the diety is represented, is called marga, the path…. So the desi, the folk, guide you into life, and the marga, the elementary, guides you to your own inward life....The elementary ideas do not change. Where do they come from? They come from the soul. The origin is the soul of man. Marga. The Hero’s Journey: Joseph Campbell on His Life and Work (Edited with an introduction by Phil Cousineau), pp 45-46 I choose to follow Jesus because I find that image of God promotes a way of living that contributes positively to creating the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, which I believe is my task. Similarly, if someone else finds similar power in Allah, or the Hindu gods, I have no issue with them: they all lead to the same God.
@rukusfan13873 жыл бұрын
@@walt828 Great comedy - are you slated for the Tonight Show?
@lucantrell42715 жыл бұрын
Pastor Wolfmueller, thank you for your thoughts and challenges. I am an ordained female pastor in the ELCA and I was also a voting member of the churchwide assembly held in Milwaukee. Although I disagree with your theology, I am interested in your challenge. I have read the Large Catechism several times although I will read it again just in case something has changed. I have tried to reach out to the LCMS pastor in my town as has the ministerial association which is the ecumenical group that meets monthly. He will not attend our meetings and will not speak with me because I am a female pastor. His behavior has left a sour taste in my mouth as I feel he thinks he is the only one who can correctly preach the Gospel. He will not participate in our ecumenical Thanksgiving service either. So my question for you is, is this how Jesus loved people? I don't believe it is our job to judge others by what they do or don't do. I saw a church sign posted which pretty much sums up my theology; "Dear Church, Love everyone. I'll sort them out later. God." Pastor Lu Cantrell
@shellieperreault62625 жыл бұрын
If I may suggest... Instead of allowing yourself to feel put out because the LCMS pastor in town won't come to your ecumenical meetings and services, have you tried instead to humble yourself and visit his church to learn more about the LCMS position, rather than declare him "judgmental" because he won't come to yours? There seems to a ginormous difference between the ELCA and the LCMS when it comes to the definition of "love." In the LCMS love is demonstrated via speaking the Word in it's fullest truth, whilest it appears in the ELCA it's all about not hurting anyone's feelings. I do not believe when you ask about how Jesus loved people that you will get the answer you are assuming. But then again... If you ask an honest question, you will get the answer you need to hear and not the one you want to hear. Anyways, I do want to thank you for your genuine curiosity, good intentions, and (I dare say) civilized participation in the discourse. So much of this is needed on both sides of the aisle.
@christiannanemec2345 жыл бұрын
@TFR 6540 You speak like you know this man really well. How have you learned these things about him?
@christiannanemec2345 жыл бұрын
If the ecumenical meetings gather under the assumption that everyone there basically believes the same thing and that the differences between the different confessions there don't matter, then I completely understand your local LCMS pastor's refusal to participate in such meetings and consequently confess that he is on the same page as all of the people there. I defend his decision to abstain from such meetings. The same goes for the ecumenical Thanksgiving event. He should not participate in a service that in part confessess that the differences between Christian denominations do not matter. If your ecumenical Thanksgiving service in part confesses this than it makes perfect sense that he would not participate. Do you realize that asking him to participate in such things would be asking him to act against his conscience and against his beliefs? It sounds like you have spoken with him at least a few times in order for you to have developed feelings in response to what he has said. I don't know why he has stopped agreeing to talk to you. If you have only asked to speak with him in the context of these ecumenical events and he continues to refuse, try offering to have a one-on-one conversation with him by going out to a coffee shop or something if you haven't already. This way, he would not be asked to participate in an event that asks him to compromise on his confession of faith. Have you tried to have one-on-one conversations with him before?
@lucantrell42715 жыл бұрын
@TFR 6540I am so sorry for the losses you experienced on 9/11. I don't usually "garb." However, the town is small enough, most people would know I am a local pastor. I don't need "converting" but thanks for the thought. What I'm trying to "spread" is God's love and acceptance...it's not our place to judge...that's God's job.
@lucantrell42715 жыл бұрын
@TFR 6540 Thank you for your kind and words!
@SolSkinn8 ай бұрын
I love LCMS. I love the theology. But the people aren't welcoming at all to me. They are cold even. There are donuts after. The lady who passes them out...I say what a great service, right? I get daggers. I say thank you, she doesn't look up at all. They are all Trump supporters also. I can't see how we would support anyone who would be so vulgar as to say he'd grab a woman by the... well, you know. The ELCA is doing this because Lutheranism is not going to survive at the current numbers. They are reaching out to keep things alive. Their bishop is a face. But dang it, they are nice when you go there. Not love bombing but cordial at least.
@mitchevans45972 жыл бұрын
The speaker is not exegeting scripture. He is making isogetical implications about the first commandment outside of its historical and theological setting.
@EvanPristonАй бұрын
1 Chronicles 16:8 KJV 8 Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
@patrickw.randolph78245 жыл бұрын
Pastor, you didn't put the link to LCMS churches in the description. Please put it up soon.
@docbrandy915 Жыл бұрын
“You’ve confused God’s Mercy with His permission. You’ve made Jesus the champion of tolerance”. Never a greater assessment of ELCA Policy.
@Mycroftsbrother5 жыл бұрын
It should be clear, God hates sin. What is sin? Disobedience to God. Does your personal opinion have any affect on the foregoing? NO!!! Any "Christian" who doesn't understand that is no Christian at all and in need of repentance.
@theredheadramblertakeii56225 жыл бұрын
Out of respect for the people who responded to my original post, I want to give everyone an update. I spoke on the phone to the pastor of a Missouri Synod Church in my area late last week, we set up a time to have coffee for this coming Thursday. It was a brief conversation but the tone was very positive I felt. Additionally my parents were also leaving ELCA attended services at a Missouri Synod Church near their residence earlier today and were made to feel very welcome. That's been a BIG relief to us !!!!! Our interactionswith Missouri Synod in the mid 90's were maybe not nearly as positive. So we just weren't sure what kind of reaction we would get. I'm relieved to say that my real-life interactions with MSLC, have been as welcoming and positive as the the interactions I've had with with your members through the internets.
@rockpaperscissors825 жыл бұрын
Everything you say here could be said to my former denomination: the PCUSA. The evangelicals have mostly exited over the past five or so years (or five decades if we consider the formation of the PCA and EPC in the 70's and 80's respectively), so all that remains is a coalition of moderates and liberals. But the liberals clearly have the upper hand and are obviously more active and engaged in the denomination than the moderates. They set the tone and the agenda at each general assembly, not to mention the presbyteries and seminaries. And each general assembly gets more and more social justice driven, including the wide plethora of "identity" issues. The most recent GA was almost nothing but social justice, defined with leftist categories of course. The evangelical voice has been extinguished.
@guyparker17492 ай бұрын
🤔
@judithtaylor67134 жыл бұрын
Well spoken.
@anthonyhilton41685 жыл бұрын
A grand slam home run!!! Thank you for carefully and correctly putting into words what we all sense and feel about the ELCA .
@CandyDelicia5 жыл бұрын
I love the Ecla i go there because they do know the love of God
@williamjones7623 жыл бұрын
It seems that liberal political views and Biblical truths are getting further and further apart.
@abdulaleem92073 жыл бұрын
wierd it took so long to realize this.
@joerodriguez6043 Жыл бұрын
The ELCA DOES NOT WORSHIP OTHER GODS
@shamrock19613 жыл бұрын
ELCA needs to change completely by calling themselves Universalist Unitarian. Luther is very disappointed with them.
@rhywe9 күн бұрын
How can Lutherans NOT be universalist? When we teach a morergistc salvation, meaning only God can save, we cannot cooperate in that. And if only God is responsible for salvation, we’re not Calvinist, we don’t believe he would only save some. Instead, he has saved ALL
@richardcowart32278 ай бұрын
I left the ELCA and became Catholic - best thing ever
@richardcowart32277 ай бұрын
@@mpkropf5062 no church within 150 miles where we live LSCM -
@gilbertalphin67975 жыл бұрын
Thank you Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller. GA Kure Beach, NC
@stevekohl53517 ай бұрын
As an ELCA Lutheran, I am appalled by your condemnation of the ELCA's declarations. It is the LCMS that must repent! For example since men and women are imperfect, the Bible cannot be inerrant because men wrote down the Bible. Next Paul reflected the condescending attitude toward women at the time.
@Kerosenetrewthe5 жыл бұрын
To speak truth is to speak love, Even when it's unpopular.
@michaelsternemann25315 жыл бұрын
One word- AMEN.
@MrTexasLIberal3 жыл бұрын
I was baptized and confirmed in the ALC. I also joined the LCMS in my 20s and early 30s because that was nearest congregation to me. The politics made no difference to me because I liked the people and the minister of the LCMS congregation I belonged to at the time. In time, I reverted to the ELCA because of the same reason. I am not aligned with most of the LCMS thinking. Nor will I always agree with my fellow ELCA brethren. Thus, I have the best of both worlds. I know enough that I don't know enough but strong in my faith based on my early teaching of my mother, SS teachers, and many wonderful ministers of the Word in both the old ALC, the LCMS, and the ELCA. Bonhoeffer was pointing the way to a denomination-less theology based on God's grace and love. That is the most critical area for me. Ministers have their own individual spin of the Word. I will go my own way with God and work within the system of the ELCA since I think no one should be denied the last meal at the Lord's table simply because of a set of lables as ELCA , LCMS, or any other label.
@paulengstrom4323 жыл бұрын
You are the only commenter in here to be reasonable. I don't like the way some congregations in ELCA are currently run, but I Don't want to join the Misery synod either. Or any other wacko group of haters or repressors.
@jonetterollene6396 Жыл бұрын
Some minds are like concrete, all mixed up and permanently set.
@hollylisasmith Жыл бұрын
Amen!
@theredheadramblertakeii56225 жыл бұрын
I actually submitted this via your website but having watched some of your youtube videos thought I would share it here to see what kind of discussion it creates. Dear Pastor Mueller; Thank you for praying for us and caring enough to try to speak truth to us in love. A friend & member of MSLC sent me this suggesting I reach out to you. I was a baptized & confirmed member of the ELCA until Tuesday when I resigned & revoked all affiliation with that church. I did so because in light of the resolutions passed by the 2019 Church Assembly I felt I could no longer turn a blind eye to the road their leadership with taking that church down. I wasn’t angry, I was just disappointed. A church is more than just its message, a church is a family & being Lutheran has been as much a part of my idenity as my last name. So there’s been some emotions with that. Three observations for you. I personally believe the problems with the ELCA can be traced back to 1997 when it adopted the view of The Word as the “inspired word of God” as official chruch doctrine. I was confirmed in 1996, I was unaware of this change until recently. 2. At minium these August announcements have caused further division within the ELCA and could have started the begining of the end. I was surprised at the number of life long ELCA members who reacted the same way. They weren’t angry, they were just sad, and no one was asking “should we stay ?”, they were asking, “So what churches are you looking at joining ?”. It won’t happen at once, because most wish to sort of wrap up any committents they made first, but they will be quietly leaving. I have looked into the doctrine of the Missouri Synod and I very sincerely feel of the denominations out there, MS’s is the most scripturaly sound. Which leaves me two questions: Being former ELCA, would I actually be welcome in the MSLC ? I’ll be honest, the few times I’ve had interactions with their members, I definitely picked up on some real hostility. 2. Would your church accept my baptism ?
@clintsdatter5 жыл бұрын
The Redhead Rambler Take II I’m just a lay person, and former LCA myself (looong time ago), but I feel confident in saying you would absolutely be welcome in the LC-MS, and that your baptism absolutely would be considered valid. God bless you in your search for a new church.
@PastorBryanWolfmueller5 жыл бұрын
1. Absolutely! 2. Absolutely!
@PastorBryanWolfmueller5 жыл бұрын
More soon
@JonathanMeyer843 жыл бұрын
I am also a member of the LCMS. My family and I transitioned from ELCA to LCMS back in the late 1990s. I feel confident in saying that you would be welcomed into our denomination with open arms if you decide to make your home with us. Your baptism would be accepted as 100% valid.