You cannot compare the church in the poorer Eastern/African countries and the church in the affluent west - apples and oranges. The needs of the people are very different so they relate to the Gospel message in very different ways. As long as the church remains an institutional organization run like a profit making business with emplyees to pay and members to please, it will produce the same resu...more

You cannot compare the church in the poorer Eastern/African countries and the church in the affluent west - apples and oranges. The needs of the people are very different so they relate to the Gospel message in very different ways. As long as the church remains an institutional organization run like a profit making business with emplyees to pay and members to please, it will produce the same results. Functioning like a business entity means having to rely on business models and practices for growth and expansion. This is in diametrical opposition to the Gospel message - which teaches BEING the church NOT DOING church!less

I left the ELCA when the liturgical music became impossible for the average pew dweller to sing an enjoy. Each Book of Worship seemed to be a further exercise in intellectual religion. It was also a shock to discover the dichotomy between Luther's teaching on infant baptism and the present church's insistence on conferring salvation on the baby based on the parent's faith. Lu...more

I left the ELCA when the liturgical music became impossible for the average pew dweller to sing an enjoy. Each Book of Worship seemed to be a further exercise in intellectual religion.

It was also a shock to discover the dichotomy between Luther's teaching on infant baptism and the present church's insistence on conferring salvation on the baby based on the parent's faith. Luther stated clearly that this was making a mockery of God and should be stopped, yet the church continues to cling to the old Roman Catholic belief and practice.

The ELCA appears to have become a politically correct institution instead of a biblically based religious expression of faith. While appearing to want to be more like their RC roots, they are unable to stand on scripture that is unpopular i.e. homosexuality. Loving the sinner and making the sin socially acceptable in an effort to be INclusive boggles the mind.

When what the church teaches and the bible states are not the same thing, what is a lowly lay person (with a brain) to do? It may take more than re-branding to save themselves from the present hemorrhage of membership.less

Look below the surface. Franklin Graham's presence makes a strong statement in and of itself. He is there representing Christ! Would you rather that he antagonize the communist regime? What good would that do? One has to get in the door in order to be able to DO anything.