The Formation & Fall of the ELCA - A Conversation With Rev. Dean Wheeler

[@JeffPospisil]

I was kind of surprised about the Wesleyan denomination's Trust Clause. In our area, the Wesleyan churches aren't separately incorporated and the District is the name on any deeds. In my area, there is tremendous respect for the DS and the churches have experienced tremendous growth (roughly quadrupling in average attendance since 2020). When you're on a winning team, it's hard to complain about the system.

[@JeffPospisil]

Kind of interesting too...the District can hire and fire their District Superintendents in the Wesleyan denomination.

[@guyparker1749]

In the LCMS and industrialization ,on set of corperate inflictions..Orthodox Lutherans..🤔☝️🕊️

[@guyparker1749]

🕊️☝️🤝

[@Keycity60]

Pastor Rickman, I hear the melancholy in your voice concerning the inability of ecumenism to function because of leadership issues. As long as individuals are allowed to lie their way through the ordination process I don't think that will change.

[@plainspokenpod]

Agreed. I also advocate for a more streamlined process for kicking folks out who are in violation of covenant.

[@Sebman1113]

I’m a Lutheran of the ELCA. While I have no intent to leave, I don’t like what these radicals are doing to it either. I just wish one day we can get to a point where we can start uniting as Lutherans again and stop this crazy stuff that strays from scripture.

[@jwright1178]

What about WELS or LCMS?

[@Sebman1113]

@ I don’t see why I would leave. Just because the crazies exist does not mean they are the majority, it’s not the norm. I like the Church I go to on the typical Sunday and I’ve sat in important positions. Plus, while some ELCA congregations can be way too progressive, WELS is just too conservative for me, I could live with a more moderate LCMS congregation but what would be the point if I’m already in a biblical ELCA congregation? I would be fine going NALC or LCMC in another town but I just think leaving would be silly. Instead, I volunteer and study theology.

[@RikEischen]

You might want to read What's going on among the Lutherans Northwestern Publishing House--even if you get it through your public library by Inter-library loan. Eye opening.​@Sebman1113

[@martinm3474]

Growing up as a PK in the 60s-70s-80s and I can not recognize the ELCA as Lutheran. How could this be allowed? "Jesus Wept."

[@markfshilling]

The merger of the Methodist, and EUB in 1968 is between two denominations, not three

[@MdBlueBonnet]

There were three in 1939.

[@markfshilling]

@@MdBlueBonnet The. Methodist had many denominations in 1939.

[@MdBlueBonnet]

@@markfshilling The merger in 1939 was between three denominations.

[@markfshilling]

1946 merger between the Evangelical, and the United Brethren in Christ denominations.

[@jasonwreden]

The LCMS had Seminex (Seminary in Exile) back in the 70’s. If the denominations kept up with what is going on in others, some of this could have been avoided or mitigated. Nothing “Lutheran” about the ELCA now.

[@deanzanger9360]

Ex ELCA here…a dying synod for good reason 😢

[@iamafarmerntx]

Jeffery, an observation, sometimes you talk over the guest. It disrupts the flow of the conversation. Ask a question and let the guest give an answer. Sometimes you interrupt to explain a term, maybe ask the guest to explain. Thanks for an awesome podcast! Lots of non Methodist topics that are still related to the overall demise of the mainline churches.

[@FrmrVolFire]

The ones that split from TEC formed the ACNA.

[@plainspokenpod]

Yes. Will try to get an interview with someone who went through that chapter someday.

[@tjh1855]

Society changes. Raised LCMS here, although a fairly liberal congregation for that denomination. Also gay, older, and went though years of reparative therapy by my choice. It almost destroyed my faith. It didn't make me any less gay. It doesn't help when you have studied the Bible intensively and know it better than your therapist. Theology is kind of silly. The focus of Christianity should be Jesus Christ, not politics or social opinion. Hatred against the other is dead. God is a living person.. He can speak to each person's heart individually. Judging others is not necessary.

[@plainspokenpod]

Society changes; God's word does not. Theology is the opposite of silly.