Witness Stone Blog - The Liberal Lutheran Church Today

Topless ELCA Pastor at Gay Pride Parade

10/13/2021

(Warning. The following article contains content that is inappropriate. I have added black boxes to cover some of the picture. This is an example of how bad the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is.)

Last month bisexual ELCA pastor Dawn Bennett took to Facebook and made the public post which you can see here. At least one ELCA bishop commented afterward with a favorable statement. (Also shared below)

In the comment section ELCA Pastor Bennett writes:

Also in the comment section is this from Brenda Bos, lesbian bishop of the ELCA's Southwest California Synod:

How can anyone continue to support the ELCA, a denomination that allows this? A denomination that has a "Pastor of Public Witness" who brags about having sex with her boyfriend. A denomination that elects a transgender person as bishop of their synod.

Evil is alive and well and it controls the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

See here for more articles about ELCA Rev. Dawn Bennett.

Transgender 'Man' is New Assistant to the Bishop

9/11/2021

The ELCA's South-Central Synod of Wisconsin has a new "Assistant to the Bishop for Generosity." Rev. Peter Beeson, formally Rev. Rose Beeson (see here), is joining the synod staff.

This is the third known transgender person to be placed in a leadership position in the ELCA this year. The Sierra Pacific Synod of the ELCA elected transgender pastor Megan Rohrer bishop of their synod in May, 2021 (see here) and the East Central Synod of Wisconsin of the ELCA installed pastor Asher O'Callaghan as associate to the bishop, also in May . (See here)

Theological liberals control the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. If you believe God's Word, it is time to get out of this denomination.

Another Day, Another ELCA LGBTQ Post

7/21/2021

Below is an example of the constant message the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is putting out in their publications and social media pages.

The original post comes from a child (who claims to be transgender). The ELCA shared the post on Facebook and commented on it -

ELCA Bombards Members with Gay Pride Month Messages

7/9/2021

You should not be surprised to see lots rainbow colored gay pride messages in June, which many have branded "Gay Pride Month," but sadly, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of its biggest promoters.

Everywhere you look you will find ELCA pastors, ELCA seminaries, ELCA schools, ELCA synods, ELCA headquarters, ELCA publications, ELCA social media and ELCA churches proudly proclaiming their gay pride.

It seems to be there main mission as a church to declare what God calls sin, to be "good."

See full article here.

ELCA Proudly Announces They Have Their First Transgender Bishop

5/11/2021

On May 8, 2021, the Sierra Pacific Synod of the ELCA elected transgender pastor Megan Rohrer bishop of their synod.

Thrilled with the news, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America issued a press release with posts on their website, Facebook page and their magazine Living Lutheran announcing the historic action of the ELCA's "first openly transgender bishop..." (See below)

The news has been picked up by many national news outlets including this one from NPR.

The ELCA mocks God. They mock God's Word. They lead others astray and they twist the Truth. The ELCA:

Supports abortion, even paying for employee's and their family's abortions.
Celebrates homosexuality, same-sex marriage and allows practicing gay pastors.
Teaches universalism, that all are saved and that there is nobody going to hell.
They ordain transgender pastors.
Continually signals out Israel, the only Jewish nation, for condemnation, seeking to harm them.
Teaches evolution.
Publicizes and advocates their leftist political beliefs.
Denigrates the truth of Scripture.
Uses gender neutral or feminine words for God.
Pays for sex change drugs and surgery of those on their insurance plan.
Allows goddess worship.

I can no longer have any respect for anyone who remains in the ELCA. That includes churches that remain too, from the very smallest to the biggest (the ELCA's Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines and Nazareth Lutheran in Cedar Falls, to name a few). Shame on you for staying in a denomination that is not Christian but is leading people into sin and away from Jesus. Your participation is your shame and you have no excuse. You can not justify being part of this evil, faith destroying denomination.

(See the new release the ELCA published where they brag "Rohrer is the first transgender bishop in the ELCA" here)

Megan Rohrer was elected May 8 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod of the ELCA. Rohrer is the first transgender bishop in the ELCA.
Posted by Living Lutheran on Monday, May 10, 2021

The ELCA Drag Queen Storytime Queer Christmas Celebration

12/23/2020

ELCA church Dreams and Visions and their hyped ELCA pastor Emily Scott is hosting "A Drag Queen Storytime Queer Christmas Celebration."

Living off the dime of a century's worth of Biblical Lutherans, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has turned it's back on God, God's Word and its foundation, and become an institution that mocks God and harms souls.

If you haven't left the ELCA you have some explaining to do.

What do we need this Christmas? Something BRIGHT! I am *thrilled* that all the pieces have come together for a 2020...
Posted by Emily M. D. Scott on Tuesday, December 15, 2020

See event here.

The ELCA's Delaware-Maryland Synod Bishop Bill Gohl attended Dreams and Visions Queer Christmas Pageant last year. (See here)

ELCA Mega Church Pastor Mike Housholder Attacks Fundamentalists in Sermon

10/5/2020

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a dying, pro-abortion, pro-gay, pro-transgender, anti-Israel, sanctuary denomination, that teaches universalism (all people go to heaven), that often refers to God as "she" and refrains from using male words for Him, dismisses many Biblical accounts, does not evangelize but advocates for the most liberal social causes.

Mike Housholder is an ELCA pastor at the ELCA's largest church, Lutheran Church of Hope (West Des Moines, Iowa). Rev. Housholder and Lutheran Church of Hope embrace their affiliation with the ELCA. They even hosted their ELCA synod's assembly 2 months ago. I have not come across one public statement by Pastor Housholder or his mega church, in the last 10 years where he speaks a word of correction, pleads with or calls for repentance of the ELCA for its wickedness. That should tell you a lot.

Earlier this year, in a sermon, Pastor Mike Housholder lifted up an ELCA leader, who was instrumental in bringing approval of same-sex marriage to the ELCA, yet spoke condemnation of people Housholder labeled as "self-righteous fundamentalist(s)."

Cambridge Dictionary defines "fundamentalist" as "someone who believes in traditional forms of a religion, or believes that what is written in a holy book, such as the Christian Bible, is completely true."

Just before addressing the "fundamentalist(s)", Housholder shared a very peculiar story in his sermon, where he relayed an account of his observing an atheist's warmhearted comments in reaction to seeing the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar."

Then bizarrely, Rev. Housholder puts on a grotesque face and mockingly shares how a Christian may "badly" witness to the said atheist (see video below at the 13:30 minute mark). I believe this is an interesting precursor to what followed next, with Pastor Mike Housholder's comments about fundamentalists.

Read the rest of this important article here...

Heretical Pastor Rises in ELCA Leadership

8/29/2020

ELCA pastor Lura N. Groen has been highlighted on Exposing the ELCA many times. She is one of the most radical and heretical ELCA pastors I have come across. (See here and below for a number of things she has been saying. Some of it is blasphemous and vile.)

With that said, Pastor Lura N. Groen has been endorsed and placed into postions of influence and leadership by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Last year, Rev. Groen was "elected to the Discipline Committee" at the 2019 Delaware-Maryland Synod (See page 2 here).

Delaware-Maryland Synod (ELCA) Bishop Bill Gohl is very familiar with Rev. Groen saying, "Pastor Lura Groen, with whom I belong to a weekly pericope Bible study group and who I know to be a (hard) truth-teller..." (See here).

Rev. Groen was a guest speaker, teaching a class at an ELCA seminary.

She was even on a panel discussion with the ELCA's Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton as you can see in the picture above.

Below are some writings and social media content from Rev. Groen. Sorry for the shocking and odious content. How can the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America leadership allow someone, who speaks and believes as this pastor does, to rise in their leadership ranks? How can they allow Rev. Groen and many ELCA pastors like her, to mock the One True God?

The ELCA is culpable and responsible for this. They allow it and give it a platform in their midst.

The true God of Scripture is not the God the ELCA serves. The Holy Spirit does not dwell in it.

Continuing from Rev. Lura N. Groen's article posted above "I Hope You Have Only Good Sex" (see the complete article here), she writes, "This is, for me, an open expression of a deeply faith based sexual ethic. My Christian way of saying the same thing is to hope that each of you has sex in way, and only in a way, that is set free to love God, self, and neighbor. And that every time you have sex you respect the image of God in yourself and in your partner(s). That you treat yourself and every other body involved as holy, a temple, beloved by God, created beautifully, fearsomely and awesomely made."

Some of Rev. Groen's comments get even worse:

Jesus was Queer, anti-establishment, pro-heaux, and rejected heteronormative relationship models. https://t.co/L3er24ndL3
— Lura Groen (@lura_groen) April 30, 2020

Did it work? pic.twitter.com/D6jLnR5Aku
— Lura Groen (@lura_groen) April 28, 2020

God is fat. And She twerks marvelously.

And you know what? You don’t fucking know if She has diabetes. And it’s none of your fucking business. She’s glorious either way.
— Lura Groen (@lura_groen) January 9, 2020

In the next post Rev. Lura Groen shared an article titled "What Promiscuity Taught Me About God's Love." The article was from QueerTheology.com.

I honestly believe it’s our shame that has perverted our sexuality. Shame that had been too often taught by the church.

Trying to control the gender and sexuality God has given people twists it into terrible things.
— Lura Groen (@lura_groen) April 29, 2020

I don’t know who needs to hear this* but:

Feeling your anger can be fucking revolutionary.
— Lura Groen (@lura_groen) July 26, 2019

Sometimes I say fuck, but usually only when I’m talking about holiness, so now you’re prepared.
— Lura Groen (@lura_groen) July 22, 2019

Unpopular opinion: Divorce can be a really good thing, and more people should probably get them. https://t.co/PHyEVaPGNd
— Lura Groen (@lura_groen) July 16, 2019

Now I’m Queer. Not just LGBT, as in let’s expand heteronormative relationship structures to same sex people, but Queer, as in, fuck heteronormative relationship structures, because they’re based in capitalism and white supremacy.
— Lura Groen (@lura_groen) May 1, 2020

LGBT Obsessed ELCA Church

10/13/2018

Reformation Lutheran Church in Columbia, South Carolina says "All Are ALWAYS Welcomed & Affirmed Here!" as they announce their participation in a gay pride parade.

They have been on Twitter for 11 days and written 6 LGBT related tweets.

Reformation Lutheran Church Supports 2018 @SCPrideMovement ! #gaypride #allarewelcome #allmeansall #welcomeandaffirmed @ELCA @columbiasc @SCSynod @Earlewood pic.twitter.com/6hk9C8Vsob
— ReformationLutheranCAE (@ReformationCAE) October 13, 2018

Quick News @Reformation 10/12/18 https://t.co/JTbhbKN2Nl pic.twitter.com/DkUWl4Gwqd
— ReformationLutheranCAE (@ReformationCAE) October 12, 2018

Reformation Lutheran Church Loves @SCPrideMovement
□️‍□Look for us in Friday Night’s Parade.
□️‍□Stop by our Pride Booth at Saturday’s Festival.
□️‍□Join us for a Special Pride Worship Service
at 10 am Sunday. All Are ALWAYS Welcomed & Affirmed Here! #gaypride https://t.co/ICy3jdtgVI pic.twitter.com/3iSDs2nskE
— ReformationLutheranCAE (@ReformationCAE) October 8, 2018

Pastor @PTBupp & RLC member @BryanBurgin trvld to Greenville to hear Jim Dant speak on his book. Your time would be well spent attending this event sponsored by RLC's partner-Openings SC. #diversity #socialjustice #allaarewelcome @SCpridemovement https://t.co/LXGp9UCnqM pic.twitter.com/zWgmTERuUo
— ReformationLutheranCAE (@ReformationCAE) October 5, 2018

God loves you just the way you are. #allarewelcome at the table. https://t.co/qS4g1cgIIM
— ReformationLutheranCAE (@ReformationCAE) October 2, 2018

Hello Twittershpere! Reformation Lutheran Church in Columbia, SC is now on Twitter and looks forward to reading your tweets! #GBLTQ #SocialJustice #lutheran @ELCA @SCSynod @columbiasc @Earlewood pic.twitter.com/1SIvaTpVgx
— ReformationLutheranCAE (@ReformationCAE) October 2, 2018

Bisexual Pride

8/25/2018

This woman is sadly deceived and needs our prayers. Even more so, the teenagers that were subjected to this lies of the devil (as this article highlights) coming from the ELCA and its minions.

Be sure to click "See More" so you can read the whole account.

A Greeting to ELCA Youth at the Gathering

8/25/2018

ELCA Synod Bishop 'hopes to attend" Gay Pride Parade

5/17/2018

This was printed in the ELCA's Metro D.C. Synod's EVENTS DIGEST
May 17, 2018

See here.

ELCA Retweet

5/8/2018

If you had any doubt if the ELCA has taken a side on the homosexuality debate look what the official twitter page of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America retweeted. A tweet about a LGBT organization, the pushes for acceptance and approval of the homosexuality, etc.,

http://www.opendoorelca.org/2018/01/18/reconciling-in-christ-sunday-is-on-january-28th-2018/

The ELCA’s Summer Politics

9/7/2017

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in ever-increasing fashion, is spouting its liberal political beliefs. Let me show examples from this summer:

- Here we have the ELCA and Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton addressing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. (see here)

Lutherans stand firmly against policies that cause the separation of families. #WithDreamers #DACA https://t.co/uHg3E35PUy
— Bishop Eaton (@ELCABishopEaton) September 5, 2017

- A few weeks ago came this ELCA news release titled “ELCA on Gender Identity Discrimination.” (see here) Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton is quoted saying,

"Transgender individuals should not be denied the opportunity to participate in our armed forces. We should honor the courage and sacrifice of all members of our military regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation and join those who serve in upholding the respect and dignity of each person."

- Last month Bishop Eaton was tweeting her displeasure with new immigration policies (see below).

I am still trying to understand an immigration policy that only allows English speaking PhDs in. None of my grandparents would be accepted
— Bishop Eaton (@ELCABishopEaton) August 18, 2017

We are blue collar, white collar, physicians, musicians, artists, parents, citizens, clergy. We are America. Why choke hope of immigrants ?
— Bishop Eaton (@ELCABishopEaton) August 18, 2017

- In June, the ELCA’s magazine Living Lutheran wrote about Bishop Eaton addressing the topic of anti-Muslim behavior. (see here)

Some people applaud the ELCA’s political activism and their liberal views, I do not.

Seeing how the ELCA pushes their leftist political positions, it is time Republicans, Libertarians, Conservatives and Blue Dog Democrats stop feeding this Democratic advocacy organization that is wrapped in a faux Christian veneer.

Radical Group's Goals for the ELCA

12/15/2016

#DecolonizeLutheranism is a group made up of extremely radical ELCA pastors, seminary students and leaders (see here) and has gathered a sizeable following in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. They held their first gathering in Chicago this year which 200 people attended (they cut off registration at this number) and have been featured on the ELCA's Northeast Iowa Synod website. (see here)

Below you will find @decolonizeLutheransim's goals:

Here is a link to the group's Facebook page. Check it out and you will see how radically liberal they are.

ELCA Bishop Speaks at Installation of the First Gay Bishop in the UMC

9/17/2016

Karen Oliveto is the first openly gay bishop in the United Methodist Church. She is married to another woman. The ELCA, never wanting to miss a moment to celebrate homosexual milestones that go against Scripture, and in this case may split the Methodist church, was there and actively participated in Bishop Oliveto's installation.

Bishop Jessica Crist, bishop of the Montana Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America participated and spoke during the introduction and welcoming portion of Karen Oliveto's installation service.

Bishop Crist was the chair of the ELCA Conference of Bishops from 2011 to 2015.

The Bible clearly communicates that homosexuality is a sin. Bishop Oliveto is openly gay. Participation in the installation of a church leader who is living in overt and unrepentant sin is, in the very least, tacit approval of the sin.

See the Bishop Oliveto's installation service here. ELCA Bishop Crist appears at the 36 minute mark.
of the ELCA Conference of Bishops

Bishop Jessica Crist of the Montana Synod of the ELCA welcoming Bishop Oliveto in Montana. pic.twitter.com/hbEK81JaZt
— Zach Nell (@Zach_w4it_Nell) September 17, 2016

Watching HISTORY being made in the #umc with Bishop Oliveto (ELCA Bishop Crist introduces her)! #kareninstall pic.twitter.com/ZGOs6cYPGd
— Kristen Cates (@KCatesMT) September 17, 2016

Pacific Lutheran University's Abominable Play

2/29/2016

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) colleges are not Christian.

Case in point, Pacific Lutheran University, an ELCA college, hosted a production of “The Vagina Monologues,” a vulgar play that focus' on the subjects of sex, menstruation and female genitalia. Pacific Lutheran University students expanded on the play writing some of their own monologues and the PLU creative director for the production explains why saying, “We wanted to get more trans women, more queer women, more women of color to talk about their experiences." (see here)

The article also says that the play is a "familiar Pacific Lutheran University tradition" and a comment here says, "I go to Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA and we have had it every year for at least ten years or so. It always draws a huge crowd."

Is this a Christ honoring play? Only someone who has a false understanding of Jesus would say "yes."

The late Bishop John D’Arcy wrote this regarding the play:"The Vagina Monologues is offensive to women; it is antithetical to Catholic teaching on the beautiful gift of human sexuality and also to the teachings of the Church on the human body relative to its purpose and to its status as a temple of the Holy Spirit. The human body and the human person, in the tradition of the Church, must never be seen as an object.
This play violates the truth about women; the truth about sexuality; the truth about male and female, and the truth about the human body." (see here)

Gustavus Adolphus College is another ELCA school that has subjected their students to a production of "The Vagina Monologues." (see here)

Elca Celebrates Sin

7/14/2015

Last month the United States Supreme Court ruled that there is a federal constitutional right to same-sex marriage. Here is how many leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America responded.

The ELCA's Bishop Robert Alan Rimbo of the Metropolitan New York says of the recent Supreme Court decision making gay marriage legal in the United States, "in the spirit of Jesus, we applaud the court’s decision. We will continue to embrace all of God’s children as they seek to have their loving relationships blessed by people of good faith." (readhere)

It's a new day.
Posted by Women of the ELCA on Friday, June 26, 2015

Love my people.
Posted by Nadia Bolz-Weber on Friday, June 26, 2015

Posted by Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago on Friday, June 26, 2015

Last Friday’s Supreme Court decision striking down bans against same-sex marriage “knocks the power out of long-standing...
Posted by Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod (SEPA), ELCA on Monday, June 29, 2015

Below is a tweet from the ELCA Executive for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations and assistant to the presiding bishop -

#gaymarriage is a thing of the past in the US. From now on only #marriage #SCOTUSMarriage
— Kathryn Lohre (@kathryn_lohre) June 26, 2015

This post on an ELCA Facebook group is from the former president of the ELCA's Wartburg Theological Seminary -

"Duane Larson
1 hr · Princeton, IA
So humbled and privileged that in just a few hours I will preach and preside at the wedding of (two men). A first for this congregation and this community. We expect a packed house. God's timing is superb!"

Rev. Strickland is the Director for Worship of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America -

#lovewins #MarriageEquaility
— Rev Kevin Strickland (@PrKevinELCA) June 26, 2015

The ELCA's Bishop Guy Erwin of the Southwest California Synod retweeted this -

Retweet to spread the word. #LoveWins pic.twitter.com/JJ5iCP4ZWn
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 26, 2015

This ELCA Synod offers resources for churches concerning gay marriage from Reconciling Works (an LGBT advocacy organization) and from a transgender ELCA Pastor Megan Rohrer -

Resources to help start congregational conversations about the #MarriageEquality ruling: http://t.co/rZBbvDQDb1 pic.twitter.com/qxSkp4tJ5N
— SouthwesternTX Synod (@SWTSynod) July 9, 2015

The ELCA pastor that moderates a large ELCA Clergy Facebook page tweeted -

The roll of Christians now is not to defend gay marriage as "allowed", but to celebrate it as beautiful and right and joyous and faithful.
— Clint Schnekloth (@Schnekloth) June 27, 2015

A camp run by an ELCA church posted this -

#LoveWon to the LGBTQ community we won't stop advocating for you remember you are always welcome here #IamLutheran pic.twitter.com/DJLpzQXFPG
— Bay Lake Camp (@BayLakeCamp) June 26, 2015

Drove by a Lutheran church that has raised the rainbow flag. #lovewins
— Nina Chadha (@ninachad) June 28, 2015

In downtown St. Pete and I see a Lutheran church decorated with gay pride flags and signs welcoming same sex marriage #LoveWins
— Mollz Manier (@mollzmanier) June 27, 2015

Some ELCA Gay Pride Parade marchers -

16 Lutheran pastors who marched in #SeattlePride with #opendoorministries #iamlutheran pic.twitter.com/sGhirj91Bq
— Jenna Carodiskey (@gojirama) June 29, 2015

Ready to march in the #Pride parade! #PrideSTL #LoveWins #Lutheran pic.twitter.com/dhJXxtNzMb
— Bethel Church ELCA (@BethelSTL_Org) June 28, 2015

Napa Lutheran church is flying the rainbow flag for Pride! #LoveIsGreaterThan religious dogma pic.twitter.com/4Q0O295i0p
— Sophia Cole (@sofeacola) June 15, 2015

See you at the Pride Parade in Seattle. Immanuel Lutheran will be there!
— Immanuel Lutheran (@ImmanuelSeattle) June 26, 2015

From Gustavus Adolphus College -

Come see the Gustavus booth at the Twin Cities Pride Festival in Loring Park, Minneapolis. The Gustavus booth will be...
Posted by Gustavus Adolphus College on Friday, June 26, 2015

Liberal Equality

9/28/2013

This applies to the ELCA "equality" supporters also. I've got many, many emails and comments from ELCA pastors and leaders I could show you.

Petition for the Iowa Marriage Amendment

2/22/2012

If you're an Iowan who supports traditional marriage please take some time to print and sign the “Petition for the Iowa Marriage Amendment.” The petition says, “We oppose the Iowa Supreme Court’s aggressive efforts to redefine marriage in Iowa.
We the People of Iowa call upon Iowa’s legislators to Let Us Vote on the Iowa Marriage Amendment to restore one man, one woman marriage, by passing it in the 2012 legislative session.” (They are no longer gathering signatures)

For more information about the Iowa Marriage Amendment and the petition see http://www.thefamilyleader.com/action-center/luv-iowa