The Present & Future of the Missouri Synod Rev. President Matthew Harrison

[@Purplelawn]

Time to start addressing false teachers in the LCMS or nothing changes. Come to Austin, it’s polluted.

[@ericturner7162]

The LCMS will be functionally the same as ELCA in 30 years unless big changes are made.

[@edwardluth7740]

Much less than 30 years. Try 10. Or less.

[@danbratten3103]

Especially with the horrendous new Large Catechism with annotations. Along with Harrison doing nothing about the liberalism already developing in the LCMS.

[@joerodriguez6043]

The LCMS can only hope

[@craigborgardt6396]

@@danbratten3103 Specifically, what liberalism, please? It's such an amorphous term that specifics would be appreciated.

[@danbratten3103]

@craigborgardt6396 One blatant example is the many churches using "deaconesses" in the divine service as associate pastors. Another example would be that the LCMS claims to be pro-life. Yet nothing is done about the pro-choice pastors in the LCMS, in particular Pastor ST Williams told the LA Times that the Dobbs decision by the Supreme Court was "a step backwards for the country". When he got caught, he claimed he was personally pro-life and that his comments in the interview were taken out of context. However, the line I quoted was a direct quote that was not twisted. The participation of ELCA's Steven Paulsen & members of the NALC in the new Large Catechism with annotations is disturbing for many reasons, mostly that there are fundamental differences of doctrines from the LCMS vs ELCA & NALC, which is why we are not in fellowship with them. There should not be people from those church bodies in a book involving doctrine. Speaking of the Large Catechism with annotations. There were disturbing annotations done by people within the LCMS. One was an article written by a lady calling for a more gentle tone towards sins of homosexuality, implying that sinners can't call out those sins can't be called out because of our sins. Another article, done by an lcms pastor, preached crt within his article. The fact that 23 pastors/professors gave their endorsement of the new Large Catechism before it went to print, with all of it's problems, is disturbing. Also, the low view of Holy Scripture by some professors & pastors that the Bible "contains" the word of God vs. the Bible IS the word of God. Thankfully, there are still good pastors and churches within the LCMS. 🙏🏻

[@colesmith3185]

Good video

[@krisquail8896]

This has made me sad (WOKE trying to make inroads into my church).

[@henrka]

Woke has already made inroads into the LCMS and President Harrison let them in as his endorsement of the large catechism publication earlier this year shows,

[@guyparker1749]

You think he 's straight..?

[@W.Cman5610]

아멘 (AMEN)

[@arlenehensley6753]

Preach Christ, but preach against the Devil and what is happening with the Commnistic leaders of our nation. You are right!

[@henrka]

The LCMS is pretty soft with regard to speaking against the devils in Washington DC. For the first time in this speech, he seems to realize the government spread misinformation about the safety and effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine. Too little too late, this shows a total lack of discernment Courageous church leaders like John MacArthur stood up to the vaccine mandates and risked jail time while the LCMS folded to the government. Now they are claiming they did not know at the time. What’s next ? When the Anti-Christ comes into government they will claim they did not know and will obey the government ?

[@dalenelson8254]

Around 25:00, Pres. Harrison urges the removal of our children from public schools that undermine and deny everything we try to teach them at home and in church. I'm grateful for this forthright statement. Parents should not be conned by the talking point sometimes made about how we need to keep our children in the public schools so that they can be "salt and light" there. Tell me, how much "salt and light" were you capable of distributing when you were 6 or 8 or 10 or 12? I would urge parents not to send their children to public schools at all, or at least to wait till they have been confirmed -- and give evidence that that rite was more than learning the right answers to chirp back if asked familiar questions. They need to be living the Baptismal life, they need to be communicants capable of self-examination, before they go into the public schools, if they go there at all, or so I would suggest. Listen, I was an English teacher for about 30 years in a state college with a historic emphasis on teacher preparation. Let me tell you that these candidates for teaching were not, in my experience, either very knowledgeable or strongly moral people. The teaching profession generally attracts people who are comfortable with wherever it is that society is at; and so the schools are SEMINARIES for the Zeitgeist, not the true God. What they do is to prepare young people to be contented sheep in that social sheepfold (except for being discontented with social injustices their teachers encourage them to dwell upon, etc.). This means not just what the young people are taught, but what they are not taught. Ask yourself, if you are thinking of having your children attend public school: (1) what do I know about the curriculum, the officially adopted books and activities & so on? and (2) what do I know about the -implicit curriculum-, the things that are taught without being written down, sometimes without people even realizing what's going on. For example, the public school curriculum does not explicitly teach that you do not need God, but it implies this in what it does. But when children absorb that unspoken doctrine, they are absorbing something that is not true for the only world there really is -- God's world. They are absorbing a principle of a man-made reality that will not stand even in this life, let alone at the Judgment.

[@danbratten3103]

​@@Ittakesonelifetolearnhowtolive BINGO!!!

[@jazz4asahel]

I have been attending a Missouri Synod and have felt good about it. I wanted to be in a church. I wanted to develop a healthy relationship with the Lord. And here in KZbin I have been slammed with the fact that the church is under the same attack as outside the church. And so it is. I could walk away. I can stay and pray. I don't have a real choice. Lord, hear our prayers.

[@danbratten3103]

@jazz4asahel if you have a good pastor at your church, you will be fine. I attend an LCMS church, and we have a good pastor. But, keep praying Sir.

[@jazz4asahel]

@@danbratten3103 Thank you. We have who I consider a careful, thorough, caring pastor. The good at the LCMS church I attend by far outweighs any negatives from controversy at the synod level. Thank you for your encouragement.

[@danbratten3103]

@jazz4asahel You are most welcome. I, too, wondered about stuff going on at the Synod level. I came to the same conclusion. My church has a very good pastor, and that is what matters most. May the Lord continue to bless you and your church.

[@BirdDogey1]

I just stumbled across this. It needs to be shown in every LCMS church.

[@sodality3970]

This is all very exciting , what is being done globally . While here in the United States , Mormon's are doing the work we should be doing . The LCMS needs to send out young men and ladies to go two by two into the neighborhoods in American with the truth of the Gospel and helps to those in need . The harvest is ripe already to harvest .

[@RepublicofE]

That's not the confessional Lutheran understanding of how evangelism should work.

[@run4cmt]

Evangelism is most effective when we witness to friends and family.

[@clouds-rb9xt]

⁠@@RepublicofEwhy not?

[@henrka]

@@RepublicofE If what you said it is true, then confessional Lutheranism is not biblical.

[@rob1978]

What! You need to watch some MormonStories especially the episode with Adam Paul Steed. He was the whistleblower on the Boy Scout/Mormon cover-up of child abuse. The church (cult) leaders followed him through his life and ruined his marriage and college education. A true psychological horror story. So, no, we should not emulate the Mormons.

[@guyparker1749]

Amen..

[@jimhollenbeck4488]

It's about time someone stood up and did something to right our ship!

[@TheJakeman789]

Can we please get rid of him and finally get someone else in office???

[@86byrdman]

He just got re-elected. He will be the LCMS President for at least 3 more years. To be fair, he was probably the best choice. Didn't really know the other guys on the ballot.

[@carolkerfeld1764]

why hasent he been fired??????

[@exvan3571]

We need him to help keep the Marxist essays in the cathechism. C'mon.

[@johnsiverls116]

I like relationships,, that's a great key and, pastors that stay!!!! These are two huge issues.

[@steveschultz300]

What people don't understand is: the evil one will put bright shiny things on in front of people. And those things make life seem so much easier to live. God has tried to warn folks of that. LCMS is attempting to use God's words to warn people of the evil ones mission. AND worldly folks don't like that. They like the easy way. They don't like to have a deep thought about life. LCMS confronts folks with deep thoughts about life.

[@carolkerfeld1764]

No Harrison loves the public eye. He loves grandstanding....he is foremost about himself

[@goldengram3865]

MADAGASCAR?!?! WOW! Thanks be to God!

[@goldengram3865]

And shame on the US....

[@sodality3970]

Thank you , President Harrison .

[@SandfordSmythe]

The government is going to say what sacraments we can use?

[@tjkhan4541]

12:45 was it illegal for Concordia Texas to leave the synod? Aren’t the schools and the Concordia university system independent of the lcms?

[@steveschultz300]

I thought that Concordia Texas lost their way and began to espouse woke philosophy?

[@claytonbenignus4688]

In 1054, the Orthodox Church Illegally" left the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope was intent on ramming "Papal Superiority" right down the Church'es Throat. The Pope did not address the causes of the disagreement, thereby causing The Great Schism. History Repeats Itself!!!

[@noelhausler2911]

I notices that there seems to be Missouri Lutherans who are on the rolls but do nt attend. Look how many are attending this speech.

[@steveschultz300]

In my humble opinion that shows those people are not really dedicated to the truth that LCMS preaches.

[@vester7457]

Isn't that what happens in the congregations of every church body? Why aren't they contacted more diligent ly by the clergy? But maybe they are

[@raketemensch6116]

I've been following this controversy closely and although the Stone Choir podcast guys aren't temperate in speech and I don't agree with their temporal ideology, they're entirely sound on Scripture. Harrison's speech here is desperate and confused. We don't worship the Declaration of Independence. The LCMS has lost its way and the recent atrocity in Denver is further proof of this. The spirit of Luther is alive in the opposition, not in LCMS leadership.

[@berniepfitzner487]

What happened in Denver?

[@danbratten3103]

As Bernie asked already...What happened in Denver?

[@brettleyendecker5304]

Those guys are fascists.

[@danbratten3103]

​@@berniepfitzner487 I found out. At an LCMS church/school in Denver, an employee of both church & school raped a teenage girl there. When the family went to the church about it, they denied it. The pastor said the girl was lying. They kept the monster employed and they ostersized the victim and her family. It was only after the police investigated and arrested the monster, that church finally fired him. But the pastor.....he's still there, happily employed. Absolutely pathetic! Oh and the rapist posted bailed and fled to TX but was eventually caught, arrested, & extradited back to Denver for trial. But Pres. Harrison is too busy to deal with this pastor, because Harrison is chasing after a non-existent army of white supremacists within the LCMC churches.

[@henrka]

The Store Choir podcast is correct on everything, including the role of Christians and the Church to oppose ungodly governments. Jeremiah, Isaiah, and John the Baptist all got killed for opposing the government. Regardless, your point that the Stone Choir podcast guys have sound theology while Matthew Harrison is wishy washy is 💯 accurate. There seems to be a disconnect everywhere in America, (i.e. government, businesses, churches etc). between the leadership that is going woke and everybody else that sees the lies.

[@rickbrosey9441]

What's going on in the Missouri Synod?

[@alephnaught8343]

"Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful." - Matthew 13:18-22 Worldliness has crept into the hearts of many of the members of the Synod, the institution, not primarily the actual congregations. There will have to be another Seminex moment...

[@rickbrosey9441]

@@alephnaught8343 All I wanted to know is what prompted the video. I'm a Lutheran from PA. Sorry to upset you.

[@chaselefort124]

​@@rickbrosey9441 Some folks think that racism isn’t a sin, and that if you say it is then it’s “worldliness.” They’ve taken shelter in conservative churches. Those in the LCMS been denounced by the synod and they’re mad now. That’s all. On the flip side, we’re trying to maintain a hard stance against the evils implicit in stuff like Diversity/Equity/Inclusion initiatives while supporting our Black brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s a hard line to walk. For those who say racism isn’t a sin: race began at Babel, and it ended at Pentecost or in Acts 10, depending on whether you want to look at language or ethnicity. The barriers are gone. Mixed-race children are a blessing like any other child.

[@vdma322]

@@chaselefort124 Show me in the bible where racism is condemned. You can't, because it isn't. Now treating others with contempt, yes. But acknowledging racial/ethnic/tribal differences is by no means sinful.

[@Johnson30-06]

@@chaselefort124 Diversity Equity and Inclusion is the ride you signed up for as it is the logical continuation of anti-racism, which is really just anti-Europeanism. The slippery slope is the undefeated champion.

[@arlenehensley6753]

Why are the problems of the LCMS drug out on U-Tube?

[@sandramartin9106]

Because he doesn't allow it anywhere else

[@sodality3970]

Hahman ? I have never heard it pronounced this way . Hey-man , long "a: sound .

[@ajpreus]

Different guy.

[@henrka]

Is this guy for real ? Frankly, like Paul I delight when corrupt people like this one spread the gospel. But we must be clear that as Christians we condemn Matthew Harrison for his handling of the Ryan Turnipseed situation. Slandering .Ryan as alt.right and racist was despicable and well beneath the leader of any institution that claims to be Christian.

[@exvan3571]

💯 Next maybe he'll defend Thrivent

[@guyparker1749]

I couldn't see Ryan hang'en with this punch..remember the Charlie the Tuna..star kiss..

[@alephnaught8343]

He sounds like a politician not a pastor. I guess that comes with running a large institution but its slightly offputting.

[@kaliki76]

Agreed. And at the beginning, eluding to fascism as the recent "alt right" infiltration as a large threat facing lcms is just not true. LSJ is a real, large, threat. Not a few so called alt rights. Also, what does he mean by diversity and equity? He dodges the meaning of it when he uses the word 'woke" to only refer to sexuality.

[@alephnaught8343]

@@kaliki76 Boomers be like: Say Christians talking points in the Overton Window of Fox News: abortion bad, Transgender bad, etc. But neglect anything deeper or broader like Divorce, birth control, anti-white racism, socialism, feminism, demasculinization of men, unlimited immigration, etc.

[@edwardluth7740]

You are correct. He’s not like Walther or Pieper and definitely not like Luther!

[@geomancer6894]

His whole job is to make everyone compliant with more powerful social and political forces, and to give theological justifications so everyone can still pat themselves on the back for being a good Lutheran.

[@carlvehse]

I can think of 305 million reasons why President Harrison has to be careful what he says about the Synod's involvement in the Kingdom of the Left.

[@run4cmt]

This is why Social Justice is so wrong and anti-Christian. I left a LCMS mega church for hosting a Social Justice sermon series. This was proceeded by one of the pastors calling us racists for living in the suburbs

[@jazz4asahel]

A year ago I attended a mini mega-church and had given a nice contribution and so on and then was told from the choir director that we were all racists. I fumed. I wanted to walk out. I thought, I can't just get up and put on my coat and walk out in front of everyone and walk up the isle and out the door. I just can't do that. Then I said to myself, "Watch me."

[@86byrdman]

Social justice is wrong and anti-Christian, really? In what way?... Gee, I hope you don't have any Black, Hispanic, Asian or friends of other minority groups. Good luck trying to get them to agree with you on this, if you do

[@guyparker1749]

Do you remember G.L.Johnson.peoples church fresno..?ya that my friend in a nut shell.james 3..

[@parrsaw]

God bless rev Harrison

[@carolkerfeld1764]

Harrison? he loves the limelight ......if he took all the grandstanding energy and consentrated on his congregations like a pastor should be doing

[@heatherbrown5463]

The Romans crucified many. What made Jesus Christ unique was that God raised him from the dead.

[@simply3141592654]

God bless Matt Harrison. We spend so much time on stuff elsewhere, how about more time on things here?

[@86byrdman]

President Harrison is kind of a Missionary because he is involved in a lot of stuff outside of the US, but he's focused on what's going on here in the US as well.

[@magnobraga4619]

Work overseas is providing pastors for LCMS because you people complain but dont tive suficient candidates for seminary.

[@philipschaffer9414]

Look like Teddy Roosevelt on steroids

[@exvan3571]

Steroid pie

[@jimluebke3869]

Bravo! Reverend President Harrison is more than just a mustache!

[@idahardy4052]

Respectfully, I have some questions. If all of this is true, and the schools are still teaching the gospel why have you published the catechism with a new commentary which promotes pacifism, and allows pedophilia as a sexual preference and not akin to murder of a child? I feel like there are a lot of unanswered questions and as a mother and grandmother, and a lifelong Lutheran I am disturbed by the language of the marxists who are insisting on “dismantling racism” which, of course, assumes that all white people are racist and the definitions they use reinforce this. I’m just a woman. I’m not in charge of anything, but I have influence on my children and my grandchildren. The decline of membership, the decline of people having children, and the decline of men attending churches of all denominations is happening for several reasons. The pastor, as you say, matters. Also, men are important. Men are vital. Men are the key to survival. Are you listening to them?

[@AngloLee]

If the LCMS is not careful and lead with the holy spirit, they will head the way of the other mainline churches. Do not be soft on sin.

[@Alan-lv9rw]

Why are LCMS members nasty to the ELCA?

[@claytonbenignus4688]

The practice that each Pastor has the full authority of a Bishop is problematic. A Hierarchy from Reader to Patriarch is needed to promote those who have progressed spiritually. Additionally, Checks and Balances are needed between Laity and Priesthood. My experience has been that some Pastors are not mature enough to handle the authority of a Bishop. This is a recipe for unravelling.

[@guyparker1749]

AlcA..what a shame,heres one..Theology of the cross...Keith translation..I've come to reality..rev 3

[@joeltelschow5910]

He is a liar. Synod's action towards Concordia Texas are absolutely sinful. He has done nothing of substance to fix the issues facing those of us that feel called to serve while Concordia worked hard to try and find a way to make it work. He needs to resign. The leadership is so corrupt and in league with laziness and personal glory it's evil

[@MercuryPrime00]

This 20 second quote at 8:32 leaves a lot to the imagination: "I might know a few sins of somebody who does drag shows at the library, which is abominable. But I know my own heart, and there's much more abomination than that in it." - Rev. Matthew Harrison Wish I had a way to know the true heart of this man. That cross around his neck seems rather heavy. Maybe this just a verbal faux pas. It's really too bad, since most of what he said in this presentation I didn't find objectionable. I would have let his pass by silently if he'd simply refrained from punching down at the laity.

[@a-gappower1574]

It's very very very clearly a "chief of sinners though I be" reference. Disappointing you read your own personal biases into what was a spiritually and theologically sound statement.

[@henrka]

I could not agree more. President Harrison does not realize the seriousness of the sin of homosexuality, it is not just another sin as he implies. Sodom and Gomorrah would not have been destroyed if the men that came to Lot’s house slept with Lot’s daughters (heterosexual sin) but it was destroyed because of their homosexual passions.

[@LivinInLuxury]

I think it’s a real shame that he, as a leader, is teaching that we should, when faced with the abominable things he mentions, take that as an opportunity to introspect on our own transgressions and sins. You don’t look the other way. He should be enthusiastically saying the opposite of this and encouraging people to stand up and really have a spine about these dire issues in particular.

[@guyparker1749]

Concordia in 1941 lutheran hymnal. Goodworks (only)brother,elca decayed missouri..why they picked this or that..family..(money)sent from whom what was then the body..1963-1971..71..how about America..80s..90s2000.2010,,,2015..2019..today..look at demos..age of ..lost a lot..By the way I"m a shut in..why..?

[@carolkerfeld1764]

as far as LCMS for me after being submitted to 4 generations of LCMS structure, for me that ship has sailed. all done all about men and money .....Harrison states women are over educated and not submissive enough. I have held to the Bible first and what God tells me

[@DALhsm]

41:15 This is one of the most formidable dangers Lutherans face nowadays.

[@wst9584]

What is he referring to?

[@steveschultz300]

@@Ittakesonelifetolearnhowtolive In what way?

[@JosephLove-di1ll]

If you have the same abomination in your own heart…then reach out to pastors who have committed abomination sins and invite them back into the fold! Otherwise…stop the appeal for pastors and the preaching of the gospel.

[@PedroGarcia-jj2xs]

He's awsome

[@danbratten3103]

If that is true, then why hasn't he done something about Rev. ST Williams Jr.? He is an LCMS pastor who is pro-choice. He specifically identifies himself as a Lutheran minister in supporting a “right” to abortion: “In L.A.’s West Adams neighborhood, the Rev. ST Williams Jr., pastor of the 97-year-old St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, a historically African American church, said that the [Dobbs] ruling [that overturned Roe v. Wade] ‘set us back as a nation, a people and a culture.’

[@DelwynCampbell]

You should try out for the long jump in the Olympics for that piece of slander. The devil IS a LIE. I suggest that you contact Dr. Williams and ask him before the devil uses you any further.

[@DelwynCampbell]

That article from which you quoted without context was written in the middle of last year. Dr. Williams never has described himself as "pro-abortion." So far, the way states have voted since the Dobbs decision has backed what he said. This country is already stressed over false narratives on the 2020 election, the Covid pandemic, and the state of relations between American Descendants of Slavery and the majority culture. This decision only happens because of the current political make-up of SCOTUS, not because the culture of the U.S. has shifted regarding abortion. We Still have MUCH work to do on this issue.

[@stevekohl5351]

@ericturner7162 This ELCA Lutheran knows that the LCMS needs to change. It must start ordaining women, stop condemning ecumenical cooperation in non religious matters, and work with other faiths.

[@rawkn4evr]

In essence, be of the world?

[@stevekohl5351]

@rawkn4ebr No, not be of the world. The world would not necessarily have Christian ministers. Yes, correct the many errors against Christ that LCMS repeasts every day. Ordain female ministers, stop condemning your own ministers who dare to participate in ecumenical cooperation in non-religious matters. Condemn the false teaching that women may not be pastors. In other words take the logs out of your own eyes so you can take the specks out of the eyes of others.

[@SandfordSmythe]

My parents, when they retired, moved to where the only Lutheran church was Missouri Synod, even though this was not their own Synod. No problems. My mother brought me to Communion where I wasn't officially allowed because I did not formally join. How many Christian churches would deny someone the Lord's Supper? The good Pastor had a "don't ask, don't tell policy. The Synod and all Lutherans should look to Niemoeller and Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer was a very traditional German Pastor,, but he had a good heart towards all Christians. In a crucial church vote against Hitler, he told the other Pastors to vote their own consciences and not just follow him. A good Lutheran. He believed in the traditional belief of two kingdoms - the world of Caesar and the world of Christ, but found this didn't work very well.

[@craigborgardt6396]

Yes, indeed. And the leadership is clueless to the "things of the adiaphora" which have and continue to drive people away or just as bad, keep them from seeking an LCMS parish in the first place. The legalism continues to abound....church discipline, closed communion and other judgmental doctrines and practices that divide people from each other and hurt them spiritually and psychologically still runs rampant within 95% of the Synod's parishes. "Command and control" religion of the Germanic historicity becomes "Country Club Religion" and indeed, even what has been termed "Ugly Religion". It's all about the members....outreach is stilted and ineffective because the Germanic Lutheran immigration of the past 175 years or so is complete and it was THE major form of "evangelism". Most of the LCMS, with the exception of perhaps a half dozen large and growing parishes (no coincidence here, either) has no idea how to reach those outside of its own walls. I left my "high church" parish after 52 years for an LCMS parish that is operating with the pure Gospel, the Word and Sacraments rightly practiced but has discarded the traditional ways of "doing church". The LCMS believes it can operate as it did in 1960 or 1940 or 1900 or even 1865 and what organization on this sinful earth still operates that way? We divide ourselves over things irrelevant to salvation and its pure Gospel message yet the Ivory Tower theologians and professional administrators dig in their collective heels, relying on the past instead of looking to the future. The German Lutheran Church died between 1932-1945 and it seems the American German Lutheran Church (WELS and LCMS) are committed to following in their misdeeds. Bonhoeffer warned of it and Eric Metaxas' book "Letter to the American Church" is a must read. We argue over musical styles (the early church had NO instruments), liturgy, how much of Roman Catholicism is yet retained within the WELS and LCMS and thus have lost sight of Christ's clear command in His last words recorded by the Apostle Matthew. Oh, and there's always Matthew's chapter twenty-three as well.....we have been warned.

[@craigborgardt6396]

and his reference to the studied 2000 folks who left the LCMS showed 400 left because of "lack of relationships". What about the other 80% (1600 souls)???? The LCMS is far to legalistic, judgmental and the reputation is out there...my current LCMS parish doesn't even put on our outside sign any reference to the LCMS because of that reputation. Insanity is doing the same over and over and expecting different results.

[@steveschultz300]

@@craigborgardt6396 Yeah, it's tough standing up for something. I guess bending to the will of the world is better/easier than bending to the will of God.

[@craigborgardt6396]

@@steveschultz300 and the true, 100% correct will of God is not always clearly stated in Scriptures, particularly in things of the adiaphora. Folks that pretend to know all and have the "mind of God" too often deceive themselves and those looking to them for spiritual leadership.

[@paulo7200]

Harrison's obsession with gay-bashing is marginalizing the LCMS. Christ never once mentioned homosexuality.

[@craigborgardt6396]

The infighting over communion practices alone divide and destroy the Body Lutheran Christian. Try practicing the Lord's Supper in a "high church", confessional, liturgical LCMS parish as they did in 1950 and even Harrison would run screaming. No one in Lutheranism practices the Eucharist as the Apostles did, much less even close to what Jesus did on the 'night he was betrayed'. Not even close yet we maintain OUR way is not only the best way but the ONLY way. I see judgment, exclusion, un-Biblical "self-exclusion" practiced all about me. I once had an LCMS pastor tell our Bible class that WW2 soldiers should not attend worship service or receive the Eucharist from anyone but an LCMS pastor. Right. Foxholes, front lines and within the horrors of that war and Christ's Body and Blood, and despite Luther's assurances that not even a scoundrel could desecrate the Holy Meal, were to be denied over denominational fights, arguments, vitriol of all kinds and division. I had another pastor tell me seekers in our inner city neighborhood need to come TO US, for that is what we have this large & beautiful building for. I almost choked and left the poor miscreant in a true state of despair. The LCMS (and WELS) had better come fully into the 21st century in practice and thus the pure Gospel message can then again be rightly proclaimed to those who need it most. Stop the judging/sentencing/executions of the sentences and become shepherds, ambassadors of Christ instead of trying to judge souls and faith as only God can and will. And here's a hint: those needing our outreach most are NOT currently members of the LCMS or WELS. Moreover, these two Synods cannot even reconcile their small differences and thus pave the way for even more discord and division. May God once again bless the Lutheran Christian faith. It is our only hope.

[@luther1546]

You don't really understand close communion. Also, "coming into the 21st century" is just another way of saying the Church should conform to the spirit of the age. Which it shouldn't, obviously.

[@craigborgardt6396]

@@luther1546 Oh, but I do. And the dying WELS/LCMS cannot relieve itself of its ugly Roman Catholic traditions long enough to see what havoc it is doing to both the faithful and the seeker. When my former parish's flub-dub pastor broke up my family by denying my son's ELCA Lutheran fiance's admittance to the LORD'S table, I did my homework. When denominations, churches and pastors play judge and executioner and divide people from each other, worse yet families, then they are playing in the wrong game and they will lose. My new LCMS parish practices orthodox, Biblical communion (neither open nor closed) and admonishes and informs the prospective communicant body of what they should believe and to self-examine themselves for their motives, beliefs and sins before communing. Just as Jesus did and Paul taught. Would your "orthodox confessional" LCMS parish commune the likes of Judas? Or the man soon to deny his Savior thrice? Or all those other miscreants who were on-and-off believers despite the miracles they witnessed? Probably not and thus YOUR way is un-Biblical, divisive, destructive and dangerous. But you are only dangerous to yourselves and the promise Jesus preached about taking from those with plenty and giving to those with less will rule the day. Or the century as the case may be. Legalistic Church = Ritualistic Church = Country Club Church" = "Ugly Religion" which makes it easy for folks to a) leave the synod and b) never walk through the doors in the first place. I pray for the uber orthodoxy that is slowly destroying a once relevant organization that they may have a revival and yet another reformation, to reform into what God would have us ALL to be in this modern world. Or perish. That's up to God.

[@craigborgardt6396]

@@luther1546 You are WRONG. Read your Luther's Large Catechism. Then read the Bible. Read of Jesus' ministry. Read how he came TO people, never judged them by sentencing them, never weaponized His Gospel message to any sinner. He communed Peter and Judas....JUDAS !!!! And if it was a restricted communion, then women can never receive the Eucharist. No, you've been brainwashed by a changing Small Catechism and a church hell-bent on "command and control" which leads to an ugly religion and a Country Club Church. Read Acts 2:42 but then read all the passages around it....when you live in a commune, come and tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. And if our hospitals and doctors treated physically/mentally ill folks like the church and many of its pastors treat the spiritually sick, by DENYING THEM ACCESS to the ONE AND ONLY MEDICINE GOD GIVES TO US because their sin is worse than ours, they don't hold a membership card to our religious club or their sin "caused" their illness, well then by golly have at it. Self-righteousness is no way to preach the Gospel and God is decaying the LCMS because it is not preaching, teaching OR LIVING the pure Gospel of love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, tolerance and forbearance that Jesus and Paul preached. I'm done trying to reform any of the old Lutherans whose main form of evangelism was building the church on the backs of German immigrants and now that this is done with have not a clue of how to reach out and work within the Spirit to bring people to Christ. AND KEEP THEM IN THE CHURCH AND CHRIST, preferring to frighten them off by judging with a sentence and weaponizing a 'precious means of grace' in barring them from Jesus' pure and holiest of sacraments. God and human choice will continue to eliminate LCMS and WELS parishes until they wake up and "get the Gospel' and just as importantly, learn how to live and apply it. And that is God's choice, not mine.

[@arlenehensley6753]

Women can also do these things. It is not just men.

[@duanesmith5074]

I would completely agree with you if you could find it anywhere in the bible. there lies the problem

[@stevemelancon6207]

​@@duanesmith5074 Amen.