29 December 2013

Don't Believe the Photos

The majority of the photos on the Lutheran Church in Great Britain website show pastors who are not members of the LCiGB. One of the most prominent photographs includes a pastor who does not want to be associated with the LCiGB in any way. Apparently the LCiGB wants people to believe that the church is inclusive and growing by using these photos. I have no doubt that the photos are used without permission as well. 

02 December 2013

Licensed Clergy Regulation - Lutheran Church in Great Britain


Isn't it amazing that the Bishop, Dean and Chair of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain forced a congregation to fire a pastor (which resulted in Employment Tribunal) almost six months before the Trustees of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain passed the very first rules about Licensed Clergy on 3 March 2012.


See the Lutheran Church in Great Britain website for the all the rules and regulations written by the Dean, his wife, the Bishop and the Chair.




(Licensed Clergy approved by Council on 3 March 2012) 

27 November 2013

How does one loose their citizenship?

Ask the Dean. 

What do you call...

What do you call a nurse / singer with limited theological education and a track record of destruction? A Bishop (at least in the LCiGB). 

26 November 2013

Not for sale? Is this true in the Lutheran Church in Great Britain?

"Salvation is not for sale. Human beings are not for sale. Creation is not for sale."


This was the message from the General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (see below for full message and link to the Lutheran World Federation website). Apparently, the Secretary of the LWF is not familiar with the Lutheran Church in Great Britain or the practices of Dean Xruch, Linda Xruch, David Xin, or Bishop Xana.

It seems most things are for sale in the Lutheran Church in Great Britain - maybe even the office of Bishop. 

Even if the Lutheran Church in Great Britain claims with the LWF that Salvation is not for sale or that Creation is not for sale - Human Beings are for sale or, at least, some Human Beings are not worth as much as others.

- Africans appear to be not worth as much as people with white skin or of Asian descent. Despite the fact that all the growth of the LCiGB and the majority of the members of the LCiGB are African - not one African is on the Trustees and the Africans who have been ordained have been told they are not really ordained.

- Some pastors are worth more than other pastors because some Pastors (really a Dean and Bishop) have broken almost all the new rules they wrote yet they are untouchable. But a pastor who broke none of the rules was deported because the Dean and the Bishop demanded it.

- Children are not worth as much as adults, because the Dean and Bishop made sure that to young children were deported, torn from their schooling, their home, their church and their friends. 

One wonders how a church that elects a Bishop with less than 25 votes can even be recognized as a church by the LWF. Especially when the Lutheran Church in Great Britain refuses to follow the Lutheran Confessions or even basic human rights.







Lutheran World Federation Website


God’s Free Gift of Grace in Market-Driven Times

As the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017 approaches, the question intensifies about the relevance of the theological insight that surfaced in those remote days. What is the meaning for today’s people of the message that we are justified before God not because of who we are and what we do, but because of who God is and what God does?
This question about the relevance of reformation after 500 years of history was the subject of intense reflection among members of a special committee of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) tasked with developing a conceptual framework for LWF’s approach to the Reformation anniversary.
“Not for sale,” was a phrase strongly emphasized in the final report of the LWF Special Committee on “Luther 2017 – 500 years of the Reformation,” which was approved by the LWF Council in June 2013. The phrase links directly to Martin Luther’s strong and firm stance on what had become subjected to trade, yet it actually escapes the control and dominion of human beings and cannot, therefore become goods to be exchanged in commercial relationships: God’s abundant and overflowing grace that forgives and calls people into new life. What God has given for free through the works and merits of Jesus Christ can’t be subjected to trade and profit making!
With this earnest word of protest, the joy and the freshness of the gospel shone anew on a multitude of people that was otherwise desperate for the evidence of God’s favor and mercy, which they needed to apprehend for their broken and ambivalent lives.
Framed this way, the vitality of this core perspective of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as it unfolded in the 16th century, acquires breathtaking actuality. It challenges the constant and ongoing attempts to subjugate, control and trade what ultimately cannot be defined as a commodity, and should therefore never be subjected to trade. It questions the uncontested and prevalent market idolatry that is so fundamentally reshaping the value system of individuals and societies, undermining social cohesion and challenging financial and ecological balances.
The afore-mentioned special committee offered three specific dimensions to illustrate the relevance of that medieval “not for sale.”
  • Salvation is not for sale: While there won’t be any value in reediting old disputes of the 16th century between Catholics and Lutherans, which in any case have been substantially reframed after the signature of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification in 1999, the Reformation anniversary still offers a great opportunity for deep self-examination in view of ongoing trends that continue pushing religion into the market place. Indeed, people’s questions and expectations have shifted in many respects today, yet the longing for wholeness among millions, their aspirations for a dignified life and the painful intuition of multitudes that only miracles can secure their prosperity, continue to nurture a flourishing religious market. The message of justification by faith alone is not self-evident and should never be taken for granted, even among churches in the Reformation tradition, as they too have their struggles in letting God’s justice prevail over our human sense of justice. Salvation and wholeness, healed relationships, life in dignity, the longing for prosperity—none of these are for sale.  
  • Human beings are not for sale: Recent research publicized on the conditions of foreign labor force in big construction projects raises the appalling question: is slavery really over? Or did it not find other, more subtle ways to continue with its  unacceptable practices of trading with the labor force, organs, children and women—human beings altogether? For hundreds of thousands, human trafficking continues to be a nightmare. The liberating Gospel of Jesus Christ speaks to these realities and to these people too, laying a foundation of solid values that affirm a clear stance: human beings, their rights and their dignity are not commodities to be traded. They are not for sale.
  • Creation is not for sale: Admittedly, when Luther spoke out in the 16th century he did not think much about creation as something to be seen in the context of God’s redeeming action. In those days, ecological challenges were not at the same scale or scope as they are today. During my recent travels to African LWF member churches I have become aware of the tremendous pressure for safe water, as well as of the ongoing selling or leasing of huge extensions of communal land. Water and land—goods which pastoralist communities were holding in common—are now moving into the market place. They have become commodities, pushing the communities to migration and urban slums. The Reformation reference to “not for sale” could become a strong contribution to the public and global discussion by reminding the human family about the very fact that there are dimensions and aspects in life and this world, which—for the sake of both eternal and earthly life—must never become commodities.
There is a liberating power in the message of justification by faith alone. It has the potential to reach far beyond the hearts of believers and the walls of the church. Yet, it will require the churches to be intentional in their pastoral and diaconal service so that the stories and experiences of women, men, youth and children as they undertake their life journeys are heard, and the freeing message can be received that not everything is to be sold.
Rev. Martin Junge, LWF General Secretary
October 2013

24 October 2013

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20 October 2013

New Bishop - "involved in the struggle against injustice, discrimination, racism and dehumanization."


Bishop-elect Lind (who is already a Bishop so should just be called Bishop), was elected to be the new Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain. According to the post on Facebook:

"Calling it “an exciting task” ahead, Bishop-elect Lind said his work will be that of “listening and encouraging.” He could also contribute his many years of experience in the renewal of the eucharist, the pilgrimages and the theology that is involved in the struggle against injustice, discrimination, racism and dehumanization."

Bishop Lind is in the right place to fight injustice, discrimination, racism and dehumanization which have been displayed by the the Lutheran Church in Great Britain over the last several years since Bishop Jana JerumaGrinberga and Dean Tom Bruch took over the church. 

Let us pray that the injustice, discrimination, racism and dehumanization of the LCiGB is replaced with Christian love, compassion and mercy.

Let us pray that the injustice, discrimination, racism and dehumanization of the LCiGB is replaced with real racial and ethnic equality.

Let us pray that the injustice, discrimination, racism and dehumanization of the LCiGB does not continue with the abuse of Charity Law, Courts, Law Officials and Social Workers.

Let us pray that the injustice, discrimination, racism and dehumanization of the LCiGB is replace with a desire for forgiveness, dialogue and the mutual upbuilding of the body of Christ.

Let us pray that the injustice, discrimination, racism and dehumanization of the LCiGB so often reenforced with the abuse of scripture passages is replaced with Christ like behaviour. 

Let us pray that the injustice, discrimination, racism and dehumanization of the LCiGB is replaced is replaced with restorative justice to those who have been deeply wronged and hurt by the actions of the former Bishop and Dean.

Let us pray that the injustice, discrimination, racism and dehumanization of the LCiGB is not continued by another campaign and agenda by the Dean and his hand selected Trustees.

Let us pray that the injustice, discrimination, racism and dehumanization of the LCiGB and a slavish commitment to use rules, regulations and laws to intimidate, abuse and hurt people is replace with mercy and love.

Let us pray that the injustice, discrimination, racism and dehumanization of the LCiGB is replaced with leaders who practice the teachings of Jesus.


17 October 2013

A Sister Church?

According to the Report presented by David Lin and Linda Bruch concerning the 2012 finances of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain, 'A generous donation of £31,904 was received from a sister church abroad which covered in full the necessary legal costs incurred the previous year.'

1. 'Necessary legal costs' - Who are the Trustees, the Bishop and the Dean trying to fool? Not one pence of the £31,904 was necessary. Not one pence of the £31,904 was helpful.  Not one pence of the £31,904 was useful.  Not one pence of the £31,904 was needed.  Not one pence of the £31,904 was anything but a vindictive witch hunt that hurt many members of the LCiGB.  Not one pence of the £31,904 helped a child, fed the hungry or clothed the naked. In fact, every pence of the £31,904 hurt children and faithful families.

2. Why is the generous donation of £31,904 from 'a sister church' an anonymous church? Why hide the identity of the generous sister church? Every other generous 'sister church' donation is named and properly thanked. What are the Trustees hiding now?

- Is the 'sister church' really a church?
- Could this have been given by an individual? A wealthy Ecclesiastical Leader perhaps?
- Or maybe from a wealthy friend?
- Was the 'sister church' the same church that has a Bishop 'willing to stand for election" to be the next Bishop of the LCiGB?
- Is the 'sister church' getting a controlling stake in the LCiGB with the generous donation?
- Is the money coming from members of a London congregation who assisted the LCiGB Trustees with the 'Independent Appeal Panel' used to destroy a faithful pastor's career?
- What are the Trustees hiding now?  

24 September 2013

How many LCIGB pastors could afford this retirement?


What Happened to Jana?

Dear brothers and sister in Christ

“Grace to you and peace. 2We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly 3remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, 5because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.” (1 Thessalonians 1)

Over the last week I have been thinking and praying about our meeting last week, and the serious issues that are facing St Anne’s and the people that are working so hard to resolve them.

First of all, may I say a huge thank you to all of you for your thoughtful and caring work, and for your faithful service to St Anne’s in its various guises and roles. We all of us are committed to resolving the remaining problems, and to ensuring that the essential work of the Gospel can continue, can grow and develop in this place, and among this community which is dear to us all.

Secondly, speaking as a financial illiterate, it seems to me simplest, wherever possible, to draw a line under what has happened and not to try and disentangle every last strand, and to allocate blame and responsibility for every mistake that has been made. I think that all of us are sorry where we have been careless or wrong – I know that I carry my share of the blame for not ensuring swiftly enough that the governance of SALC/SAMS/SABL was working well, and I apologise to all of you for that. 

Obviously the challenges now are to clear up the various governance issues that Tim F has identified, as well as tackling the financial deficit

I have no desire to interfere where it is not needed, but am very willing to help if it is needed, either with my memory of previous admin, with fundraising, appeals, prayer, or anything else that might be of assistance.

Every blessing to all of you
+Jana
 30 April 2010


Less than a year later she was interfering and blaming. Less than a year later she was claiming expertise in finance, charity law, immigration and more. 

Was it to cover up what she had done?
Now the church building is closed. A faithful pastor and his family were left in poverty and deported. Why? What had to be hidden?

18 September 2013

Examples of Bullying from the Church of England

Examples of bullying behaviour

This list of behaviours is not exhaustive but gives a clear indication of the sorts of actions that constitute bullying or harassment
  • removing areas of responsibility without discussion or notice
  • isolating someone or deliberately ignoring or excluding them from activities
  • consistently attacking someone’s professional or personal standing
  • setting out to make someone appear incompetent
  • persistently picking on someone in front of others
  • deliberate sabotage of work or actions
  • deliberately withholding information or providing incorrect information.
  • overloading with work/reducing deadlines without paying attention to any protest
  • displays of offensive material
  • use of e-mails to reprimand, insult or otherwise inform someone of their apparent failing, either to the individual or to third parties
  • repeatedly shouting or swearing in public or in private
  • spreading malicious rumours to third parties
  • public humiliation by constant innuendo, belittling and ‘putting down’
  • personal insults and name-calling
  • aggressive gestures, verbal threats and intimidation
  • persistent threats about security
  • making false accusations
  • aggressive bodily posture or physical contact
  • talking/shouting directly into someone’s face
  • direct physical intimidation, violence or assault 


    Do the tactics in bold remind you of anyone who has been in leadership in the Lutheran Church in Great Britain?

12 September 2013

Dean Bruch and Bishop Jana Jeruma-Grinberga Made the Decision for the Synod

Interesting bit of history. It is all too clear from public documents that Dean Bruch and Bishop Jana Jeruma-Grinberga forced a change in governance on the Lutheran Church in Great Britain. The change has effectively out all power in the hands of Dean Bruch and Bishop Jana Jeruma-Grinberga and their hand chosen Trustees.


The Lutheran Church in Great Britain was incorporated on 30 September 2009.

The Synod of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain voted and approved the action in 2010.

Browse the Lutheran Church in Great Britain's own documents -

http://www.lutheranchurch.co.uk/page/synod

Here is the report from the Charity Commission:

The Regulator for Charities in England and Wales
Charity Commission
1137050 - THE LUTHERAN CHURCH IN GREAT BRITAIN DUE DOCUMENTS RECEIVED
Activities
THE LCIGB IS A FAMILY OF LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS WORSHIPPING IN GREAT BRITAIN. WE ARE MEMBERS OF THE LUTHERAN WORLD FEDERATION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE DETAILS OF YOUR NEAREST CONGREGATION, PLEASE SEE OUR WEBSITE WWW.LUTHERANCHURCH.CO.UK OR EMAIL US AT ADMIN@LUTHERANCHURCH.CO.UK AND WE WILL BE GLAD TO HELP YOU.
Financial summary
Contact
THE VERY REVD TOM BRUCH CHURCHES TOGETHER IN ENGLAND 27 TAVISTOCK SQUARE
LONDON
WC1H 9HH

Charity trustees
MS ANNETTE HIGGINS
THE VERY REVD THOMAS BRUCH THE VERY REVD LAGLE HEINLA MR RAKESH PATEL

MR DAVID LIN
MRS LINDA BRUCH MRS SARAH FARROW

Date of registration
23 Jul 2010
Other names
LCIGB (Working Name )
Governing document
Tel: 020 7383 0301
Email: DEAN@LUTHERANCHURCH.CO.UK Website: www.lutheranchurch.co.uk
Financial year end (FYE)
Income
Spending
Accounts received
Annual Return/Annual Update received
31 Dec 2012
£71,111
£60,199
18 May 2013
18 May 2013
31 Dec 2011
£62,525
£80,152
18 May 2012
18 May 2012
MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 30 SEPTEMBER 2009

Organisation type
STANDARD REGISTRATION
Registration history
23 JULY 2010 REGISTERED
Charitable objects
1 TO PROMOTE AND ADVANCE RELIGION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEMENT OF FAITH IN SUCH WAYS TO SUCH PEOPLE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THEIR AGE, CONDITION OR RELIGION, IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OR THE WORLD, AS THE TRUSTEES FROM TIME TO TIME MAY THINK FIT. 2 TO RELIEVE SUFFERING AND HARDSHIP AND TO PROMOTE AND PRESERVE SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING BY THE PROVISION OF FUNDS, GOODS OR SERVICES OF ANY KIND INCLUDING, BUT WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE PROVISION OF COUNSELLING AND SUPPORT TO SUCH PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES, WITHOUT REGARD TO THEIR AGE, CONDITION OR RELIGION, IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OR THE WORLD AS THE TRUSTEES FROM TIME TO TIME MAY THINK FIT.
Classification
What
• RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES
Who
• CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE
• ELDERLY/OLD PEOPLE
• PEOPLE OF A PARTICULAR ETHNIC OR RACIAL ORIGIN • OTHER DEFINED GROUPS
• THE GENERAL PUBLIC/MANKIND
How
• MAKES GRANTS TO ORGANISATIONS
• PROVIDES HUMAN RESOURCES
• PROVIDES BUILDINGS/FACILITIES/OPEN SPACE • PROVIDES SERVICES
• PROVIDES ADVOCACY/ADVICE/INFORMATION
• SPONSORS OR UNDERTAKES RESEARCH
• ACTS AS AN UMBRELLA OR RESOURCE BODY
Area of benefit
WORLDWIDE
Where the charity operates
THROUGHOUT ENGLAND
Note: This report is compiled from public information that the Charity Commission holds on the Register of Charities on 12 September 2013.
© Crown Copyright 2013 


Letter calling for Synod to Approve Change - dated: 28 December 2009, yet the documents had already been submitted and approved to Companies House although no one had the authority to take such action.





According to Company Check:
http://companycheck.co.uk/company/07034897

Business Overview

Lutheran Church In Great Britain Limited is an Active business incorporated in England & Wales on 30th September 2009. Their business activity is recorded as Activities Of Religious Organizations. Lutheran Church In Great Britain Limited is run by 9 current members. and 1 company secretary. It has no share capital. It is not part of a group.

The latest Annual Accounts submitted to Companies House for the year up to 31/12/2012 reported 'cash at bank' of £11,930, 'liabilities' worth £1,738, 'net worth' of £13,548 and 'assets' worth £14,942. Lutheran Church In Great Britain Limited's risk score was amended on 26/09/2012.

Company Register

Status Active - Accounts Filed
Registered date 30/09/2009
Company number 07034897
Type Private Ltd By Guarantee w/o Share Cap
Country of registration GB

Previous Names

No previous names.

Company Accounts

Category Total Exemption Full
Date filed up to 31/12/2012
Next due date 30/09/2014
Year end date 31st December
Auditor Name Not provided

Annual Returns

Date filed up to 30/09/2012

Paperwork is more important than food


The Lutheran Church in Great Britain receives a grant from her rich relatives every year. The rich relatives are the Lutheran Council of Great Britain who suddenly changed their name without conversation to the "working name" The Council of Lutheran Churches.

These grants were for "refugee churches" originally but have only come to moderately and rarely support the pastors of Lutheran Church in Great Britain congregations. During the past few years grants were given to the Bishop Jana Jeruma-Grinberga congregation. The congregation that Dean Burch and Bishop Jana Jeruma-Grinberga regularly referred to as the most well-off congregation in the LCiGB. 

More disturbingly, the leaders of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain will not grant any money for a pastor that does not fill out the paper properly. As the application states:

"NB. Unless a congregation submits an application that meets the criteria, it will not receive a grant to subsidise the salary of its pastor(s) even if one has been received in previous years."

What does this mean? It means that a pastor and family who is not being adequately paid, who has previously received subsidies because the leaders of the LCiGB no how poorly paid the pastor is, refuse to help if the paper isn't filled out or is late. Just another example of the total lack of Christian Charity and Compassion and the absolute control that Dean Bruch and the Treasurer hold on the entire church. 

In documentation and actions, the Dean and Treasurer find that paperwork is more important than a pastor and family having adequate food or shelter. Since the Dean and Treasurer are married and they choose who serves in leadership at the Lutheran Church in Great Britain, they have the "votes" to continue policies that are devoid of Christian compassion.

25 August 2013

Thomas Paul Bruch and Jana Jeruma Grinberga

More information about the leaders:

http://companycheck.co.uk/director/910592734/VERY-REVD-THOMAS-PAUL-BRUCH

http://companycheck.co.uk/director/914111527

http://companycheck.co.uk/company/07034897

04 June 2013

The Former Bishop's Congregation

The former Bishop's London Congregation was forced to move out of it's historic home. Why?

Was it because of her leadership when she was the pastor?
Was it because of her attempts to negotiate a lease?
Was it because of her administration the finances, accounts and maintenance of the congregation?
Was it because she resigned (or was it retired?) as the pastor of the congregation when the lease deadline was looming?
Did she retire as Bishop (before the completion of her term) to avoid something?


Marvelous Words but a loveless, perfunctory, formal religion

The following quote is from a sermon preached by "Bishop" JJG on 1 Corinthians 13
and Luke 18:31-43 ( reference http://www.anglican-lutheran-society.org/AGM%202011%20sermon.pdf ):

"In our lives of faith, which should in turn bring faith and hope to our families, churches and
communities the love of Christ is made manifest. This is true in the small things just as much as in
the big issues. In our interactions with the bus driver and the bank clerk, in our dealings with those
who hate us; in laughing and in loving, as well as in mourning and in conflict, in the seemingly hopeless situation of Palestine; whether in London, Jerusalem, Helsinki or Stuttgart, Christ in his charity
lives in and through us. "

She also told the story of a friend who came to England as part of the Kindertransport. The friend was adopted by 2 sisters who were "regular churchgoers; well-meaning, presumably, but their charity was cold indeed. They treated her with contempt, and forced her to go to church with them; punishments for misdemeanours were harsh; and there was little sign of love or affection. My friend’s experience of Christianity was of a loveless, perfunctory, formal religion; and as a result, she developed a thorough allergy to the Christian faith."

First a marvelous call to action that the love of Christ should be expressed in all of our interactions - big and small - with the charity of Christ in us and through us. God demands that even "in our dealings with those who hate us" "as well as in mourning and in conflict" that our interactions "Christ in his charity lives in and through us." Too bad those are the "Bishop's" marvelous words but do not describe her actions towards anyone who has questioned her, failed to bow to her unreasonable demands and inflated sense of authority and warped vision of obedience.

The story of the two sisters who adopted the little girl from a foreign land describes the "Bishop's" actions better than the her preached words - for JJG has treated those whom God had entrusted with contempt, she has harshly punished for misdemeanours and she has shown little love or affection - especially for children. JJG's practice of Christianity would make most feel "Christianity was... a loveless, perfunctory, formal religion; and as a result, ...develop a thorough allergy to the Christian faith."


23 May 2013

Synod 2013

The Lutheran Church in Great Britain's Synod 2013 was the The Very Rev Dean's show again.

Notice:

- No one in the ENTIRE LCiGB was available to serve on the Trustees except the same one's who do whatever TB says.
- There are still no people of African descent serving as Trustees.
- There is no Annual Report of the Trustees on the Website. Why? Because people will know how small and dysfunctional the LCiGB really is.
- What is posted? A document that uses selective truth and proof texted scripture to prove that the Trustees have no interest in following God or the Gospel but are beholden to TB's solicitors and accountants.
- There is no recognition that the Bishop JGB is no longer Bishop. Why did she resign?
- There is no recognition that the LCiGB has single handedly forced one of the LCiGB congregations to loose their church home, sell the organ and move to an undesirable location.

The LCiGB would rather spend tens of thousands of pounds on solicitors and accounts to allow TB to bully congregations, pastors and others rather than live the Gospel.

Don't forget, the LCiGB is also getting kicked out of its office's in Central London.

22 April 2013

Latvian Lutheran Church in London

The Latvian Lutheran Church has severed ties with the Lutheran Church in Great Britain. After cooperating and sharing worship space for more than 40 years, the London Latvian Lutheran Church has found a new home.

15 April 2013

Trying to Impress

Thomas or Tom Bruch is the current Dean of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain and the former General Secretary of the Lutheran Council of Churches ( now called the Council of Lutheran Churches).

The Lutheran Church in Great Britain  and Lutheran Council of Churches are both members of the Lutheran World Federation.

The Lutheran Church in Great Britain  also partners with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America  and has recently partnered with Time for God.

Although being recognised by Lutheran World Federation and Church Together in England this does not mean that the The Lutheran Church in Great Britain is credible or should even exist.

If one compares the statistics given by The Lutheran Church in Great Britain in Annual Reports and on the The Lutheran Church in Great Britain website to the statistics that the The Lutheran Church in Great Britain has given to the Lutheran World Federation it is apparent that those responsible for providing statistics to the Lutheran World Federation grossly overstated the membership of The Lutheran Church in Great Britain.




04 April 2013

The Way to Become Bishop in the LCiGB


The former Bishop was only elected by 25 votes - total. If each church received one vote for clergy and one lay member then there would be at least 12 churches in the The Lutheran Church in Great Britain. However - each Trustees of The Lutheran Church in Great Britain is able to vote. The largest congregation in The Lutheran Church in Great Britain was given three lay member votes and one clergy vote.

Of the 25 votes for Bishop:

At least FOUR came from the congregation she was serving at the time.
Up to SIX came from the Trustees (of which most where members of her church).

So Bishop Jana was elected by 25 people of which close to 50% were members of the congregation she was serving.

But she has stepped down - quietly without announcement.

Who will replace her?

The current Trustees - each of which have a vote - have been hand selected by Dean Tom Bruch. SIX VOTES. (Do not forget one of the Trustees is his wife.)

Dean Bruch has ensured that all the African clergy are not really considered ordained so they will not be able to vote.

The majority of the Trustees of The Lutheran Church in Great Britain are members of the same church as Dean Tom Burch. The Dean has ensured that the current council of that congregation support him 100%. They take all of his administrative and legal advice and only have a "visiting pastor" because of Tom Bruch. The congregation (his) is allowed three or more votes.

NINE VOTES

IF and it is a BIG IF, there are actually 25 people allowed to go to the 2013 Synod (which is by invitation only and subject to new rules written by Tom Bruch):

25 - 3 = 22 (Dean Tom Bruch has successfully removed three clergy from voting).

So Dean Tom Bruch needs 22 votes and has hand selected at least 9 votes. I am sure he has also rewritten the rules to make sure that most of the other clergy in The Lutheran Church in Great Britain will be unqualified.

So Dean Burch might be elected Bishop - so what? Over the last few years he has almost shut down every congregation in the LCiGB. Even if The Lutheran Church in Great Britain gets "Bishop Thomas Bruch" he will be never be considered a real Bishop by anyone who looks into The Lutheran Church in Great Britain or Tom Bruch.

23 March 2013

GROSS MISCONDUCT

According to the cte.org.uk website:


EUROPEAN AFFAIRS

Jana Jeruma-Grinberga is the European Officer for CTE. Jana is the Bishop of the Lutheran Church UK and brings extensive experience and knowledge of Europe into the work of CTE.
CTE has not traditionally engaged with European issues and relationships, but an increasing sense of the importance of relationships across Europe, including those between the churches means that this area of work is growing in significance.

According to the Church Times:

"Readings followed from Ruth and 2 Corinthians, both read by co-presidents of Churches Together in England, the Lutheran Bishop, the Rt Revd Jana Jeruma Grinberga, and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Revd Vincent Nichols."


Bishop Jana resigned. She is not the Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain.

According to the Rules and Regulations of the LCiGB, she should immediately be charged with GROSS MISCONDUCT for: "2. deceit or dishonesty affecting LCiGB affairs;"

Of course the Rules and Regulations only apply to those the Dean and Bishop are attacking.

21 March 2013

Racism?

In the Lutheran Church in Great Britain, if a pastor has been ordained it does not mean the pastor is ordained.

Some pastors who have been ordained by Bishops of the LCiGB have been told they are not really pastors yet. These pastors who have been ordained, taking services, celebrating communion, baptizing and who have been called and installed as pastors of LCiGB congregations have been told by the LCiGB Trustees they are not yet pastors. Why? The LCiGB require SOME PASTORS BUT NOT ALL PASTORS to meet new rules that were adopted AFTER they were ordained.

Why is this important?

1. Ordination in the Lutheran tradition means only one thing: You are an ordained pastor. You cannot be a pastor unless you have been ordained and their is not half ordination. Once again the LCiGB is abandoning the Lutheran Confessions.

2. By questioning if a pastor is "really" ordained it causes insecurity, distrust and questions of faith for faithful members. Is my child really baptized if the pastor isn't really ordained? Is communion really communion?

3. This LCiGB exercise is aimed at pastors who are not European. The only pastors who have been "called in" to meet with the LCiGB and told they must meet the new rules are non-European pastors serving congregations where the majority of the members are African.

4. This is another goal of the Dean and current Trustees.

06 February 2013

By Invitation Only

The 2013 Lutheran Church in Great Britain Synod date has been announced. Please note: if anyone other than approved Synod members want to attend a member must email the LCiGB and request an invitation to be sent.

This gives an interesting meaning to the Lutheran Church in Great Britain belief statement:

"This Church affirms the call of the Gospel to unity, reconciliation and healing. We therefore commit ourselves to the pursuit of all that makes for unity within the One Body of Christ."

Apparently "unity, reconciliation and healing" are by invitation only.

If Ladbrokes or BetFred has the option, the best bet would be that the Lutheran Church in Great Britain will NOT publish this year's Trustees Report on the website. After all, "Voting Members have been sent the relevant details."


26 January 2013

Congratulations for Paperwork!

From the Lutheran Church in Great Britain:

Congrats to London Chinese Lutheran Church (LCLC) for completing the incorporation with Companies House and registration with the Charity Commission - a step forward for better governance and stewardship. LCLC is a member congregation of LCiGB and is host of this year's Synod in April. Well done to the church leaders! ♡
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Of course the LCiGB is excited because pleasing government and paperwork is the most important priorities of the LCiGB.

Too bad it's not the Gospel, God, Christ, or anything else.