This Blog's purpose is to offer information about congregations voting to leave the ELCA. Pastor Barnhart's other Blog offers information about current news events relating to the Church and the nation. It may be found here: http://livinginthetimes.blogspot.com/



Tuesday, February 23, 2010

GREAT DISCOVERY IN JERUSALEM--SOLOMONIC WALL


Israeli archaeologist Eilat Mazar has been uncovering a hoard of treasures and sites outside the southern wall of the Temple Mount. First she uncovered the palace of King David and now a wall dating to Solomon.


Many liberal scholars claim that David and Solomon are myths. The proof there were real and the Bible is accurate is pouring from the earth.


CROSSALONE LUTHERAN DISTRICT OF THE LCMC ONCE AGAIN ATTACKS THE INERRANCY OF SCRIPTURE


"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (NASB 2 Timothy 3:16-17).



In our Fall 2009 issue of The Vine and Branches David R. Barnhart wrote an editorial showing that a district within the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), namely CrossAlone Lutheran District, attacked those who believe in the inerrancy of Scripture, i.e. the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Well, they are at it again in the most egregious mischaracterized exegesis of this particular Scripture I've ever seen. Again, we warn churches aligning themselves with the LCMC to beware of those in their midst whose theology is no different than found in the ELCA when it comes to the authority and inspiration of Scripture.


First of all, the context of this verse is Scripture and nothing else! Secondly the lack of a definite article in the Greek before the word "Scripture" indicates it speaks of every passage of Scripture, wherever you find it, certainly applied to the Old Testament here, but also it may be applied to the New Testament. The Greek word used here theopneusios clearly means "God-breathed or "God blown." And let us note also the message here that Scripture being "profitable for correction is speaking of false doctrine, just like the CrossAlone District of the LCMC is espousing here.


Monday, February 22, 2010

UPDATE ON CONGREGATIONS VOTING TO LEAVE ELCA SINCE AUGUST 2009



CONGREGATIONS VOTING TO WITHDRAW FROM THE ELCA

Over 160 congregations have successfully voted to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) since August 2009. Listed below are those known to have begun the process with their first or second vote.
*First vote **Second vote

** Community Church of Joy, Glendale, AZ
** Concordia Lutheran Church, Kingsburg, CA
* Rancho Penasquitos Lutheran Church, San Diego, CA
* St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, La Mesa, CA
** St. Luke Lutheran Church, San Diego, CA
* El Camino Pines Lutheran Church, Frazier Park, CA
** Bethel Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO
* Hope Lutheran Church, Miami, FL
** Shepherd of the Woods Church, Jacksonville, FL
* St. Peter Lutheran Church, Fort Pierce, FL
* Bethel Lutheran Church, Springfield, GA
* Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Springfield, GA
* Laurel Hill Lutheran Church, Cllyo, GA
** Mt. Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Haralson, GA
* Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, IA
** Zion Lutheran Church, Des Moines, IA
* Skien Lutheran Church, Sloan, IA
* Immanuel Lutheran Church, Waukee, IA
* Faith Lutheran Church, Moline, IL
* Hosanna Lutheran Church, St. Charles, IL
** Joyful Harvest Lutheran Church, Johnsburg, IL
* Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Rockton, IL
* St. Mark Lutheran Church, Lindenhurst, IL
* St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Oregon, IL
* Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Iron Mountain, MI
* American Lutheran Church, Long Prairie, MN
* Bethlehem/West Elbow Lake Lutheran Church, MN
* Community Church of Hope, Rosemount, MN
* Christ Lutheran Church, Otsego, MN
* Christ the King Lutheran Church, Hutchinson, MN
** Central Lutheran Church, Elk River, MN
* Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Maple Lake, MN
* Hosanna Lutheran Church, Lakeville, MN
* Moe Lutheran Church, Roseau, MN
* Wagen Prairie Lutheran Church, Cannon Falls, MN
** Rejoice Lutheran Renewal Church, Northfield, MN
* Rodnes Lutheran Church, Erskine, MN
* Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Afton, MN
* South Zumbro Lutheran Church, Kasson, MN
** St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN
* Sychar Lutheran Church, Silver Bay, MN
** Singaas Lutheran Church, Hendrix, MN
* Zoar Lutheran Church, Tofte, MN
* Calvary Lutheran Church, Evergreen, MT
** Peace Lutheran Church, Belgrade, MT
* Christ Lutheran Church, Whitefish, MT
** Golden West Lutheran Church, Conrad, MT
** Pondera Valley Lutheran Church, Conrad, MT
* Hope Lutheran Church, Smithfield, NE
** Thanksgiving Lutheran Church, Bellevue, NE
* Hope Lutheran Church, Harvey, ND
* First Lutheran Church, Harvey, ND
* Peace Lutheran Church, Hazen, ND
* St. James Lutheran Church, Niagara Falls, NY
* Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, Weddington, NC
* First Lutheran Church, Barberton, OH
* St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Maumee, OH
* East Lake Andes Lutheran Church, SD
* St. John’s Lutheran, Boerne, TX
* Zion Lutheran Church, Mission Valley, TX
** St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, New Braunfels, TX
* St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Weesatche, TX
* Zion Lutheran Church, Castroville, TX
* First Lutheran Church, Orange Grove, TX
* Apostles Lutheran Church, Chesapeake, VA
** Morning Star Lutheran Church, Mt. Jackson, VA
** St. John’s Lutheran Church, Roanoke, VA
* Christ Lutheran Church, Odessa, WA
* Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Chimacum, WA
* Richland Lutheran Church, Richland, WA
* Christus Lutheran Church, Clintonville, WI
* Peace Lutheran Church, Edgar, WI
* Stanfold Lutheran Church, Rice Lake, WI
* Trinity Lutheran Church, Pell Lake, WI

Since the ELCA voted to sanction homosexual pastors at their Churchwide Assembly in August 2009, approximately 160 congregations have successfully taken their first vote to withdraw. Most congregations voting to leave have chosen to join Lutherans in Mission for Christ (LCMC). An additional 68 congregations voted to withdraw from the ELCA but did not achieve the necessary 2/3s majority.
The ELCA constitution requires congregations seeking to withdraw from the church body to cast their votes at a legally called congregational meeting and obtain a 2/3s majority vote. If that number of votes is achieved, the bishop or his assistant is invited to address the congregation to defend remaining in the ELCA. A second vote to withdraw is required at least 90 days following the first vote. It also must receive a 2/3s majority.
List as of 2/21/10. Inform us regarding any additions, corrections or changes that should be made to this list. The list is posted and regularly revised on our blog which may be accessed at thevineandbranches.org under “News and information.”


Thursday, February 18, 2010

LUTHERAN CORE ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR A NEW LUTHERAN CHURCH BODY TO BE CALLED NORTH AMERICA LUTHERAN CHURCH



The Lutheran Coalition for Renewal (CORE) announced their intentions last fall to organize a new Lutheran Church body. Today CORE released a document detailing the formation of that church and future plans for their own organization. CORE is presently made up of people from the ELCA who are determined not to accept the resolution endorsing practicing homosexual clergy that was passed last August by the ELCA's churchwide assembly. It is likely that several hundred churches will bolt from the ELCA and affiliate with this new Lutheran church body.


EMERGENT CHURCH GOES ECUMENICAL


It looks like Emergent Church leader Brian McLaren is pointing his followers in the direction of universal salvation and ecumenical tree hugging with the Buddhists. I wonder if McLaren will add this latest twist if and when he is invited back to speak at the Willow Grove Community Church or the Saddleback Church.

LARGE CALIFORNIA CHURCH WANTS TO LEAVE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.)


Much like the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church, congregations in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) want free from the liberal hogwash that is being fed to the folks by the denomination. Most mainline denominations continue to suffer great losses as local congregations realize their continued presence in these church bodies is bringing them down.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

PRIME MINISTER SAYS ISRAEL IS NOT PLANNING A WAR WITH IRAN


Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tired to put to rest rumors prompted by Ahmadinejad of Iran that Israel is preparing for war.

Monday, February 15, 2010

ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND THE JEWS

Happy Birthday Mr. President

According to Mary Todd Lincoln, her husband's last words were: "How I should like to visit Jerusalem sometime. According to Herb Geduld, a Jewish writer who lives in Cleveland, Lincoln was a great friend of the Jews.

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/herb/geduld_lincoln.php3?printer_friendly

Thursday, February 11, 2010

CONGREGATIONS VOTING TO WITHDRAW FROM ELCA SINCE AUGUST 2009



Since the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) voted to sanction homosexual pastors at their Churchwide Assembly in August 2009, over 160 congregations have successfully taken their first vote to withdraw. Most congregations voting to leave have joined Lutherans in Mission for Christ (LCMC). There were 68 congregations that voted to withdraw from the ELCA but did not achieve the necessary 2/3s majority.
The ELCA constitution requires congregations seeking to withdraw from the church body to cast their votes at a legally called congregational meeting. The congregations voting to withdraw must obtain a 2/3s majority vote. If that number of vote is achieved, the synod is notified and the bishop or his assistant is invited to address the congregation on the matter. A second vote is required at least 90 days following the first vote. It also must receive a 2/3s majority.
With the ELCA’s 10,000 plus congregations, some have suggested these losses represent only a trickle. However, congregations are lined up to vote out of the ELCA nearly every Sunday for the foreseeable future. A new Lutheran body is scheduled to be formed this summer by the Lutheran Coalition for Renewal (CORE). After CORE gets the new church body organized, it is likely the trickle will turn into a flood.

List as of 2/11/10. Inform us regarding any additions, corrections or changes that should be made to this list. The list is posted and regularly revised on our blog which may be accessed under News and Information at thevineand branches.org. List is updated weekly.

*First vote **Second vote

** Community Church of Joy, Glendale, AZ
* Concordia Lutheran Church, Kingsburg, CA
* Rancho Penasquitos Lutheran Church, San Diego, CA
* St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, La Mesa, CA
** St. Luke Lutheran Church, San Diego, CA
* El Camino Pines Lutheran Church, Frazier Park, CA
** Bethel Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO
* Hope Lutheran Church, Miami, FL
** Shepherd of the Woods Church, Jacksonville, FL
* St. Peter Lutheran Church, Fort Pierce, FL
* Bethel Lutheran Church, Springfield, GA
* Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Springfield, GA
* Laurel Hill Lutheran Church, Cllyo, GA
** Mt. Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Haralson, GA
* Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, IA
** Zion Lutheran Church, Des Moines, IA
* Skien Lutheran Church, Sloan, IA
* Immanuel Lutheran Church, Waukee, IA
* Faith Lutheran Church, Moline, IL
* Hosanna Lutheran Church, St. Charles, IL
* Joyful Harvest Lutheran Church, Johnsburg, IL
* Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Rockton, IL
* St. Mark Lutheran Church, Lindenhurst, IL
* American Lutheran Church, Long Prairie, MN
* Bethlehem/West Elbow Lake Lutheran Church, MN
* Community Church of Hope, Rosemount, MN
* Christ Lutheran Church, Otsego, MN
* Christ the King Lutheran Church, Hutchinson, MN
** Central Lutheran Church, Elk River, MN
* Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Maple Lake, MN
* Hosanna Lutheran Church, Lakeville, MN
* Moe Lutheran Church, Roseau, MN
* Wagen Prairie Lutheran Church, Cannon Falls, MN
** Rejoice Lutheran Renewal Church, Northfield, MN
* Rodnes Lutheran Church, Erskine, MN
* Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Afton, MN
* South Zumbro Lutheran Church, Kasson, MN
** St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN
* Sychar Lutheran Church, Silver Bay, MN
** Singaas Lutheran Church, Hendrix, MN
* Zoar Lutheran Church, Tofte, MN
* Calvary Lutheran Church, Evergreen, MT
* Peace Lutheran Church, Belgrade, MT
* Christ Lutheran Church, Whitefish, MT
** Golden West Lutheran Church, Conrad, MT
** Pondera Valley Lutheran Church, Conrad, MT
* Hope Lutheran Church, Smithfield, NE
** Thanksgiving Lutheran Church, Bellevue, NE
* Hope Lutheran Church, Harvey, ND
* First Lutheran Church, Harvey, ND
* Peace Lutheran Church, Hazen, ND
* St. James Lutheran Church, Niagara Falls, NY
* Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, Weddington, NC
* St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Maumee, OH
* St. John’s Lutheran, Boerne, TX
* Zion Lutheran Church, Mission Valley, TX
** St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, New Braunfels, TX
* St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Weesatche, TX
* Zion Lutheran Church, Castroville, TX
* First Lutheran Church, Orange Grove, TX
* Apostles Lutheran Church, Chesapeak,e, VA
** St. John’s Lutheran Church, Roanoke, VA
* Christ Lutheran Church, Odessa, WA
* Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Chimacum, WA
* Richland Lutheran Church, Richland, WA
* Christus Lutheran Church, Clintonville, WI
* Peace Lutheran Church, Edgar, WI
* Stanfold Lutheran Church, Rice Lake, WI
* Trinity Lutheran Church, Pell Lake, WI

Thursday, February 4, 2010

HOAX REGARDING REBUILDING THE TEMPLE SPEADS LIKE WILDFIRE


In recent days a widespread hoax is making its way around the world that David Rockefeller is planning to raise money to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, thus making peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

AIR FORCE ACADEMY BUILDS WORSHIP CENTER FOR PAGANS


Reporting from Denver - The Air Force Academy, stung several years ago by accusations of Christian bias, has built a new outdoor worship area for pagans and other practitioners of Earth-based religions.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

RIFQA BARY'S PARENTS TAKE DAUGHTER BACK TO COURT


The parents of Rifqa Bary, the 17-year-old teen who converted from Islam to Christianity and now fears for her life, are taking their daughter back to court to gain custody. The effort is spearheaded by people from CAIR (The Council on Islamic Relations), an organization tied to the radical Muslim Brotherhood. Pray for this girl!