$25,000 Ablaze Grant for This?!

While the still un-named decision makers in the synod were making their plans to cancel Issues Etc. because of financial concerns, Jefferson Hills Church in Imperial, Missouri received a $25,000 Ablaze grant to help them with their Satan Hates advertising campaign. The money was used to take out billboard advertising that would point people to a website called SatanHates.com. The site then directed people to Jefferson Hills latest sermon series called "Twisted" that launched on Easter Sunday. Below are pictures of the billboard campaign.

It's Now Time to Put On Your Thinking Caps

There are many problems here. Almost too many to mention in one blog post. But let's begin naming them by remembering what President Kieschnick said in his KFUO interview on March 18, 2008 (the same day Issues Etc. was cancelled.) In that interview he was making the case for why churches in the synod need to change and more importantly he assured us that our message must stay the same. Here is an audio clip from that interview.

1. After listening to Kieschnick assure us that the message must not change please visit this page on the Jefferson Hills site and ask yourself, "Is this the Lutheran message?"

2. After listening to Kieschnick assure us that the message must not change please visit this page on the Jefferson Hills site and ask yourself, "Is this what our confessions teach about baptism?"

3. Now visit the blog created by the pastors of Jefferson Hills Church and look at the churches that they say influence them and the books that they recommend.

4. After listening to Kieschnick assure us that the message must not change please listen to Jefferson Hills' 2008 Easter Sermon entitled "Things Are Not What They Seem and apply the Issues Etc. Christ-Centered Cross-Focused sermon diagnostic.

After you've done those four things you'll be asking yourself why this church is even considered to be a Lutheran congregation? But more importantly you'll get a much clearer picture of what Ablaze is all about and what Kieschnick's vision for the future of the LCMS really looks like.

Remember that the synod claims that they cut Issues Etc. for financial reasons while paying $25,000 to help THIS congregation grow.

Comments

[FreeSpeechLutheran]

So these signs are more than disturbing. What a way to glorify God.

My questions are these:
1. Is there a website working to get Issues Etc. back on air?
2. Will the Issues Etc. "issue" be addressed at any upcoming LCMS board meetings, where this decision can be overturned?

I really need to become more educated about the "governing" ways the LCMS operates. I would appreciate links to a handbook of some sort, or other "governing" information.

[FreeSpeechLutheran]

They should've just saved time and thrown $25,000 into the fire.

[paula]

OY. Where to begin.

There is SO MUCH wrong with that message it'd have to be a blog post, or several blog posts, of their own.

But suffice it to day he did an admirable job of setting up the division between the purpose driven inspired 'gospel' bringing evangelists who want to turn the world (and the LCMS) upside down, and the stick in the mud traditionalist confessional 'pharisees' who supposedly want to keep it all to themselves...

*sigh*

And his little hat tip to Mark Driscoll with his use of the slang when referring to excrement...

"ow I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them." Romans 16:17

[paula]

freespeechlutheran --

http://bringbackissues.blogspot.com/

[FreeSpeechLutheran]

thanks for the link, Paula, have a good week!

[FreeSpeechLutheran]

did they have to name it "Ablaze" too? Couldn't we call missionary work something else??

[James McHenry]

I have to agree with Satan. This church does suck!

[Leistico]

even the local St. Louis media knew something just wasn't right about this
http://www.ksdk.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=141359

[Brad]

IF I wanted this as a church ... unbelievable that this passes as a LCMS church.

[Elephantschild]

The Jefferson Hills blog has the final hit-counts generated by the billboard campaign posted. 7,500 hits.

[Rev. Shane R. Cota]

I just saw this. I am horrified once again. I have no confidence whatsoever in the leadership of this synod. None.

[Chris]

I stumbled on this.. and yes I do agree that I question.. the effectiveness and the missed opportunity of sharing the Gospel... HOWEVER! I pray that we are praying for God driven leadership and uplifting our leaders and churches ..including speaking the truth in Love.. and NOT countering negativeness with negativeness... blessings in all of our journeys of reaching the lost and guiding our leadership!