Free Republic

One is often judged, fairly or unfairly, by the company they keep. Hang with someone who is a thief and it may be assumed that you are also a thief. Affiliate with an organization and those values espoused by that organization are assumed to be yours. Fair or not, it is what it is. While our Lord and Savior hung around with those judged not acceptable by society, He came to heal their spiritual shortcomings. Jesus healed the sick, both physically and spiritually. So, when Jesus sat down with prostitutes and tax collectors, He did so to heal their hearts...

The following is a report written by Dean Kallenbach about Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, WI. Two days after 56% of the congregation voted to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (falling short of the 67% required by the constitution), the congregation council of Grace Lutheran Church voted tonight to join Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC). The council, before an overflow crowd in its church parlors, approved a motion that would have the congregation dually affiliate with LCMC and ELCA. Proponents of the measure said action needed to be taken to demonstrate to the 288 people...

One of the pastors at Grace Lutheran Church believes other area clergy are trying to influence members of his Eau Claire congregation in an attempt to keep them from leaving the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. "ELCA churches are leaving, and as leaders watch, they are trying to develop strategies to throw up roadblocks," said the Rev. Rolf Nestingen, who charges neighboring ELCA pastors of doing just that and says their interference is in violation of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin constitution. The Rev. Kurt Jacobson of Trinity Lutheran Church in Eau Claire and other area ELCA pastors don't deny...