" This comment is for "j" whoever you are. You speak of people who send their children to the "Lions Den" aka St Paul. Do you not know that all of the Enderle children go to St Paul school? "

" I grew up in the Lutheran church and a lot was put on the Pastors to be the standard of being a Christian. Yet, we are all to be the standard, if our faith is in Christ, then we all are new creations whether God has given us to be a Pastor, white collar worker, laborer, homemaker, wealthy or poor. On the Day of Judgement, no Pastor will be beside you for you to point to and say 'but he said this' or 'but I was a member of his church'. We are all personally accountable before God and personally responsible before God to know His Word and to be obedient to Him through His Son Jesus. We are therefore accountable for all our actions - every idle word. Please let this be a wake up call for all of us to read our Bible's. We (Christians) need to be like the Bereans and check what we have heard in the pulpit with what the Bible says. Emotion, pride, and feelings can not compare to the truth in the Word of God, which Christ was the Word of God made flesh. Where then is finger pointing of any kind? If feelings have been hurt, pray for a heart of forgiveness. If there is error, it will be revealed if the body of Christ is in the Word and obedient to the Word. Pray for each other with a heart of forgiveness that can only come through the power of the Holy Spirit. Don't ignore someone at the grocery store, the Devil loves that and the Holy Spirit is blocked from doing his work in you. Don't be a party to or give an ear to useless arguments or vain gossip whether about church, work, family, whatever the situation.

Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live;
and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 1 Corinthians 8:6 "

" Thank you, Pastor Enderle, for the wonderful service on Sunday! It's a great place to be! "

" Someone has way to much time on their hands. Telling the truth is not bearing false witness. I would ask the St. Matt's members to please keep your negative comments to yourself. I'm glad all the negativity made it's way out to Kirby. "

" Over and above our own body, spouse, and temporal possessions, we have yet another treasure, namely, honor and good report [the illustrious testimony of an upright and unsullied name and reputation], with which we cannot dispense. For it is intolerable to live among men in open shame and general contempt. Therefore God wishes the reputation, good name, and upright character of our neighbor to be taken away or diminished as little as his money and possessions, that every one may stand in his integrity before wife, children, servants, and neighbors. And in the first place, we take the plainest meaning of this commandment according to the words (Thou shalt not bear false witness), as pertaining to the public courts of justice, where a poor innocent man is accused and oppressed by false witnesses in order to be punished in his body, property, or honor.

Now, this appears as if it were of little concern to us at present; but with the Jews it was quite a common and ordinary matter. For the people were organized under an excellent and regular government; and where there is still such a government, instances of this sin will not be wanting. The cause of it is that where judges, burgomasters, princes, or others in authority sit in judgment, things never fail to go according to the course of the world; namely, men do not like to offend anybody, flatter, and speak to gain favor, money, prospects, or friendship; and in consequence a poor man and his cause must be oppressed, denounced as wrong, and suffer punishment. And it is a common calamity in the world that in courts of justice there seldom preside godly men.

For to be a judge requires above all things a godly man, and not only a godly, but also a wise, modest, yea, a brave and bold man; likewise, to be a witness requires a fearless and especially a godly man. For a person who is to judge all matters rightly and carry them through with his decision will often offend good friends, relatives, neighbors, and the rich and powerful, who can greatly serve or injure him. Therefore he must be quite blind, have his eyes and ears closed, neither see nor hear, but go straight forward in everything that comes before him, and decide accordingly.

Therefore this commandment is given first of all that every one shall help his neighbor to secure his rights, and not allow them to be hindered or twisted, but shall promote and strictly maintain them, no matter whether he be judge or witness, and let it pertain to whatsoever it will. And especially is a goal set up here for our jurists that they be careful to deal truly and uprightly with every case, allowing right to remain right, and, on the other hand, not perverting anything [by their tricks and technical points turning black into white and making wrong out to be right], nor glossing it over or keeping silent concerning it, irrespective of a person's money, possession, honor, or power. This is one part and the plainest sense of this commandment concerning all that takes place in court.

Next, it extends very much further, if we are to apply it to spiritual jurisdiction or administration; here it is a common occurrence that every one bears false witness against his neighbor. For wherever there are godly preachers and Christians, they must bear the sentence before the world that they are called heretics, apostates, yea, seditious and desperately wicked miscreants. Besides the Word of God must suffer in the most shameful and malicious manner, being persecuted blasphemed, contradicted, perverted and falsely cited and interpreted. But let this pass; for it is the way of the blind world that she condemns and persecutes the truth and the children of God, and yet esteems it no sin.

In the third place, what concerns us all, this commandment forbids all sins of the tongue whereby we may injure or approach too closely to our neighbor. For to bear false witness is nothing else than a work of the tongue. Now, whatever is done with the tongue against a fellow-man God would have prohibited, whether it be false preachers with their doctrine and blasphemy, false judges and witnesses with their verdict, or outside of court by lying and evil-speaking. Here belongs particularly the detestable, shameful vice of speaking behind a person's back and slandering, to which the devil spurs us on and of which there would be much to be said. For it is a common evil plague that every one prefers hearing evil to hearing good of his neighbor; and although we ourselves are so bad that we cannot suffer that any one should say anything bad about us, but every one would much rather that all the world should speak of him in terms of gold, yet we cannot bear that the best is spoken about others.

Therefore, to avoid this vice we should note that no one is allowed publicly to judge and reprove his neighbor, although he may see him sin, unless he have a command to judge and to reprove. For there is a great difference between these two things, judging sin and knowing sin. You may indeed know it, but you are not to judge it. I can indeed see and hear that my neighbor sins, but I have no command to report it to others. Now, if I rush in, judging and passing sentence, I fall into a sin which is greater than his. But if you know it, do nothing else than turn your ears into a grave and cover it, until you are appointed to be judge and to punish by virtue of your office.

Those, then, are called slanderers who are not content with knowing a thing, but proceed to assume jurisdiction, and when they know a slight offense of another, carry it into every corner, and are delighted and tickled that they can stir up another's displeasure [baseness], as swine roll themselves in the dirt and root in it with the snout. This is nothing else than meddling with the judgment and office of God, and pronouncing sentence and punishment with the most severe verdict. For no judge can punish to a higher degree nor go farther than to say: "He is a thief, a murderer, a traitor," etc. Therefore, whoever presumes to say the same of his neighbor goes just as far as the emperor and all governments. For although you do not wield the sword, you employ your poisonous tongue to the shame and hurt of your neighbor.

God therefore would have it prohibited that any one speak evil of another even though he be guilty, and the latter know it right well; much less if he do not know it, and have it only from hearsay. But you say: Shall I not say it if it be the truth? Answer: Why do you not make accusation to regular judges? Ah, I cannot prove it publicly, and hence I might be silenced and turned away in a harsh manner [incur the penalty of a false accusation]. "Ah, indeed, do you smell the roast?" If you do not trust yourself to stand before the proper authorities and to make answer, then hold your tongue. But if you know it, know it for yourself and not for another. For if you tell it to others, although it be true, you will appear as a liar, because you cannot prove it, and you are, besides acting like a knave. For we ought never to deprive any one of his honor or good name unless it be first taken away from him publicly.

False witness, then, is everything which cannot be properly proved. Therefore, what is not manifest upon sufficient evidence no one shall make public or declare for truth; and in short, whatever is secret should be allowed to remain secret, or, at any rate, should be secretly reproved, as we shall hear. Therefore, if you encounter an idle tongue which betrays and slanders some one, contradict such a one promptly to his face, that he may blush thus many a one will hold his tongue who else would bring some poor man into bad repute from which he would not easily extricate himself. For honor and a good name are easily taken away, but not easily restored.

Thus you see that it is summarily forbidden to speak any evil of our neighbor, however the civil government, preachers, father and mother excepted, on the understanding that this commandment does not allow evil to go unpunished. Now, as according to the Fifth Commandment no one is to be injured in body, and yet Master Hannes [the executioner] is excepted, who by virtue of his office does his neighbor no good, but only evil and harm, and nevertheless does not sin against God's commandment, because God has on His own account instituted that office; for He has reserved punishment for His own good pleasure, as He threatens in the First Commandment, -- just so also, although no one has a right in his own person to judge and condemn anybody, yet if they to whose office it belongs fail to do it, they sin as well as he who would do so of his own accord, without such office. For here necessity requires one to speak of the evil, to prefer charges, to investigate and testify; and it is not different from the case of a physician who is sometimes compelled to examine and handle the patient whom he is to cure in secret parts. Just so governments, father and mother, brothers and sisters, and other good friends, are under obligation to each other to reprove evil wherever it is needful and profitable.

But the true way in this matter would be to observe the order according to the Gospel, Matt. 18, 15, where Christ says: If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. Here you have a precious and excellent teaching for governing well the tongue, which is to be carefully observed against this detestable misuse. Let this, then, be your rule, that you do not too readily spread evil concerning your neighbor and slander him to others, but admonish him privately that he may amend [his life]. Likewise, also, if some one report to you what this or that one has done, teach him, too, to go and admonish him personally if he have seen it himself; but if not, that he hold his tongue.

The same you can learn also from the daily government of the household. For when the master of the house sees that the servant does not do what he ought, he admonishes him personally. But if he were so foolish as to let the servant sit at home, and went on the streets to complain of him to his neighbors, he would no doubt be told: "You fool, what does that concern us? Why do you not tell it to him ?" Behold, that would be acting quite brotherly, so that the evil would be stayed, and your neighbor would retain his honor. As Christ also says in the same place: If he hear thee, thou host gained thy brother. Then you have done a great and excellent work; for do you think it is a little matter to gain a brother? Let all monks and holy orders step forth, with all their works melted together into one mass, and see if they can boast that they have gained a brother.

Further, Christ teaches: But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. So he whom it concerns is always to be treated with personally, and not to be spoken of without his knowledge. But if that do not avail, then bring it publicly before the community, whether before the civil or the ecclesiastical tribunal. For then you do not stand alone, but you have those witnesses with you by whom you can convict the guilty one, relying on whom the judge can pronounce sentence and punish. This is the right and regular course for checking and reforming a wicked person. But if we gossip about another in all corners and stir the filth, no one will be reformed, and afterwards when we are to stand up and bear witness, we deny having said so. Therefore it would serve such tongues right if their itch for slander were severely punished, as a warning to others. If you were acting for your neighbor's reformation or from love of the truth, you would not sneak about secretly nor shun the day and the light.

All this has been said regarding secret sins. But where the sin is quite public so that the judge and everybody know it you can without any sin avoid him and let him go, because he has brought himself into disgrace, and you may also publicly testify concerning him. For when a matter is public in the light of day, there can be no slandering or false judging or testifying; as, when we now reprove the Pope with his doctrine, which is publicly set forth in books and proclaimed in all the world. For where the sin is public, the reproof also must be public, that every one may learn to guard against it.

Thus we have now the sum and general understanding of this commandment, to wit, that no one do any injury with the tongue to his neighbor, whether friend or foe, nor speak evil of him, no matter whether it be true or false, unless it be done by commandment or for his reformation, but that every one employ his tongue and make it serve for the best of every one else, to cover up his neighbor's sins and infirmities, excuse them, palliate and garnish them with his own reputation. The chief reason for this should be the one which Christ alleges in the Gospel, in which He comprehends all commandments respecting our neighbor, Matt. 7, 12: Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.

Even nature teaches the same thing in our own bodies, as St. Paul says, 1 Cor. 12, 22: Much more, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary; and those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. No one covers his face, eyes, nose, and mouth, for they, being in themselves the most honorable members which we have, do not require it. But the most infirm members, of which we are ashamed, we cover with all diligence; hands, eyes, and the whole body must help to cover and conceal them. Thus also among ourselves should we adorn whatever blemishes and infirmities we find in our neighbor, and serve and help him to promote his honor to the best of our ability, and, on the other hand, prevent whatever may be discreditable to him. And it is especially an excellent and noble virtue for one always to explain advantageously and put the best construction upon all he may hear of his neighbor (if it be not notoriously evil), or at any rate to condone it over and against the poisonous tongues that are busy wherever they can pry out and discover something to blame in a neighbor, and that explain and pervert it in the worst way; as is done now especially with the precious Word of God and its preachers.

There are comprehended therefore in this commandment quite a multitude of good works which please God most highly, and bring abundant good and blessing, if only the blind world and the false saints would recognize them. For there is nothing on or in entire man which can do both greater and more extensive good or harm in spiritual and in temporal matters than the tongue, though it is the least and feeblest member. "

" Stay focused Pastor Enderle! "Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work (I Thess. 5:12-13). You are a faithful and dedicated pastor worthy of honor! During this time, we pray for strength.....

The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father's God, and I will exalt him.
Exodus 15:2


The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.
The LORD is the strength of his people,
a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Psalms 28: 7-8

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Pastor Enderle, you are a good and faithful servant. Look at all you have done in the Lord's name! You have spiritually touched so many lives and brought so many people to know the Lord. Many of our members and visitors continue to come because you have touched them in the sermon or as you are greeting them. You are so personable, which is refreshing! You are a good, strong leader of a growing happy congregation. Your congregation is like none other. Visit our church just once and most want to come back and do! We are doing so many good things within the community and for each other! No matter what anyone says, you are a successful, strong and obedient servant. You are just an average guy who loves the Lord! You get your hands dirty with the rest of us with church projects. I don't know of any other pastor that does that. So many people look up to you...not just because you're tall....because you are a good leader. Kids want to look and dress like you! What does that say about you! You are absolutely wonderful. Keep your head, you have nothing to be ashamed of. I pray for strength for you, Pastor and that you realize all you have done in the name of Jesus! It's easy to throw stones anonymously. I commend and respect that you've tried to mend the broken ties, but you can only do it with two willing parties! You, my friend and my Pastor, have a spiritual gift. You are an asset to this church, community and congregation. "

" Are you reading the same blog I am reading??? Comments from "Growing Church, Please Post This Comment, Stone Throwing (2), Disturbing, St. Paul's is a wonderful Church", etc. are accusations and anger coming from St. Matthews? Are you reading the same blog? It looks to me like there are also "outsiders" that is wondering why St. Pauls members are acting in this way. It appears to me that St. Pauls has not moved on. Your negative comments reinforce this. Perhaps the synod should be watching St. Pauls a little more closely. Your pastors are promoting sin, which I'm sure is against the doctrine. "

" If you read the posts on this blog---all the anger and accusations are coming from St Matthew members. Please leave St Paul out of your problems. Feel free to argue amongst yourselves. St. Paul's has moved on from the problems that were caused by the previous Pastor. Still amazes me how one man can cause so many hard feelings. "

" THAT WOULD BE AWESOME! "

" Come on people---please move on with your lives. Sounds like all members at St Phillip's can't to let go of the hard feelings. How about this---leave the Synod. I'm sure there out to get you too. "

" I had a poor experience at St. Pauls, but I am not writing about all of the details about it out of respect for the Christian Church. I expect the same respect for my church and my Pastor. I love my Pastor and other members of my congregation. To the Pastors and Members of St. Pauls...Please respect my church and Pastor and STOP the gossip and accusations. It really gives the "unchurched" something to talk about. These postings are teaching the "unchurched" the lessons that go against the Bible and the teachings. They are teaching: unbrotherly love, unforgiveness, conditional love, jealousy, ungodliness, bitterness and pride. Is this a message that the church wants to convey? If so, I'm disgusted. Our enemy is the "unchurched"/athiests, not each other. Please STOP this. Have respect for our church, Pastor and congregation. "

" On a sunny Sunday afternoon, two young church members were going door to door to invite people to visit their services. When they knocked on one door, it was immediately clear the woman who answered was not happy to see them.

She told them in no uncertain terms that she did not want to hear their message, and before they could say anything more, she slammed the door in their faces.

To her surprise, however, the door did not close; in fact, it bounced back open. She tried again, really putting her back into it, and slammed it again with the same result - the door bounced back open.

Convinced these rude young people were sticking their foot in her door, she reared back to give it a slam that would teach them a lesson. Just then, one of them said quietly: "Ma'am, before you do that again, you really need to move your cat."

:-)

To my brothers and sisters at St. Matthew and St. Paul:
Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34 "

" Your congregation loves and supports you, Pastor Enderle. We love you and will pray for you! We have the utmost respect for you, your teachings and your family.

THE EIGHT BEATITUDES OF JESUS

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Gospel of St. Matthew 5:3-12 "

" I commend you, Pastor Enderle. Keep up the good work! Your congregation has nothing, but the utmost respect for you and your work! We couldn't ask for a kinder Pastor. We will pray for you! Jesus continually teaches us about brotherly love throughout the Bible.

THE EIGHT BEATITUDES OF JESUS

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Gospel of St. Matthew 5:3-12 "

" Perhaps these two churches should separate completely. I have a friend who sends her children to St. Paul's, but they attend St. Matthew's. Maybe instead of building a church, they should start with a school! "

" I hardly doubt one man can be to blame for all of the unfriendliness at St. Paul. I attended as a child with a friend prior to Pastor Enderle pastoring this church and never felt welcome. I tried to attend as an adult and still felt unwelcome though we went several months. I found the Pastors to be there to do a job (very unpersonable). Pastor Enderle was not one of them. With all due respect, I honestly thought that the installation of the third Pastor was to make up for things St. Paul is currently lacking, such as friendliness. To help guide "their sheep" in a more positive way. I found many in the congregation to act as though they were better than everyone else and it was a show of who could look better than the next. I never felt welcome nor did I feel like I could ever be a member of their "church family." I'm wondering if that is even what they could call each other. One man is not causing all of this dissension, it's the rest of us that cannot let it go. No...I'm afraid that church was not friendly prior to or after Pastor Enderle being there. I speak from experience and ended up with an entirely different denomentation. Perhaps that is what they were looking for with the other 86 members...to seek a totally different denomenation. How sad. One man is not causing all of this sin to happen. Accusations of breaking the commandments (stealing), speaking poorly of a Christian brother...when will it stop? How would you explain your behavior to Jesus Christ? Would Jesus shine his light upon it? I don't think so. We all have to answer to our Master. How will you answer? This almost seems like to work of the devil, not one man. Please...to the two churches....do not let the devil come between you. The Bible speaks of forgiveness, but if one or both of you cannot forgive, what message are you sending to your congregations? Look at all of these postings. That's obviously the message of the Pastors. Personally or through their congregations. Just STOP! You are letting EVIL win! When will you see that! "

" Wow, I cant belive that the members of St.Pauls are still bashing their sister congregarion. I have gone to St. Pauls since I was in kindergarden. I have recieved more spiritule healing and preservation in the five services that I have attended at Kirby than I every could imaging to obtian from St. Pauls. At St.Pauls we are taught that we should only converse with those who are the same faith and shun the rest. So, if my grandparents are catholic I should not speak to them for fear that my faith will be put under a rock! These are the areas, along with many others, that will remain black and white and there will never be any room for gray. The members of St. Pauls are to busy painting a picture of Pastor Enerly as a hungry, rabid wolf waiting in the bushes ready to devour any of St. Pauls mindless sheep. This is the kind of conduct that is not being adressed by St. Pauls members or of anyone in the WELS synod. This also bring up the subject of hate mail that Pastor Enderly was reciveing when he was STILL a pastor at St.Pauls. This has nothing to do with Pastor Enderly but rather the prejudice that St. Pauls has for change in any form. I feel sorry for anyone that will send their children into Lion's den-aka St. Pauls "

" Are the current members of St Paul concerned about the salvation of the members they lost or are they concerned about the revenue they bring into the church? If you're concerned about salvation - then pray on it! Stop slinging insults. What good does that do? However, I'm guessing that is not the primary concern! "

" Sounds to me like the members of St Paul grew accustomed to being the big fish in a small pond. Now that there is an option for WELS Lutherans, they have their nose out of joint. St Paul members have enjoyed being the "conscience" of this community. Perhaps, they should start being a little bit more concious of their own behavior. "

" I don't know that one man can be held responsible for this. It appears to me this issue is being carried on by a group of people who have a lot of nasty things to say. All this talk of Pastor Enderle... I would like to know what the current pastors of St. Paul are doing to deter this negative behavior. Are they turning a blind eye or are they trying to foster a better relationship between the two congregations? "

" Membership at St. Paul in Tomah is hardly dwindling. In fact attendance has remained steady. In addition the church has just called a third Pastor. It is unfortunate how one man can cause so much dissension between two churches that were very friendly before he got here. Please explain that to me. "

" Could God's Word (Exodus 20:16) and Martin Luther's explanation from the Small Catechism be any clearer? Could anything more fitting be said regarding this discussion? "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor" (What does this mean?) "We should fear and love God that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, or give him a bad name, but defend him, speak well of him, and take his words and actions in the kindest possible way." The love we owe each of our neighbors we also owe to neighboring churches... "

" St. Paul in Tomah is a wonderful growing church. The problems that were caused by the former Pastor and his followers that transfered out to Kirby is all in the past. I do know that the Wisconsin Synod officials are keeping a close eye on St Matthew's Pastor. I hope things at St. Matthew's don't end up as bad as this Pastor's last two parishes. "

" Keep bad mouthing St. Matthews, (and Pastor
Enderle by name, no less) and St. Paul's membership will dwindle some more. Read the INTEREST all these comments are incurring. A pastor cannot lure members away from their church if indeed they are happy to begin with. "You go where you're fed!" "

" It is wonderful to know that there are other members of St Paul who view the growth of a sister congregation as a positive thing! Regardless as to where they are coming from, THEY ARE STILL COMING! "

" All this talk of stealing "sheep".
These are not animals. They are human beings capable of making decisions, with the Lord's help, through thought and prayer!
If a shepherd loses 86 sheep, don't you think he should sit down and try to figure out why? "

" Perhaps St. Paul should focus on what they are doing wrong to let their "sheep" stray instead of focusing on what Pastor Enderle is doing to "steal" the sheep. Perhaps the focus should be on what happened with those 86 members. People typically don't leave churches because of a particular Pastor unless they felt harm by them. I would bet most of those 86 felt some harm was done by the Pastors or the school or members themselves. The focus should be on what St. Pauls can do better to lead their sheep home. Accusations made by the St. Paul members only harms what is being done in the church and it sheds poor light on St. Pauls. I've heard folks in the community question whether or not some of the members are even Christians the way that they are speaking of a sister congregation. In what light are other denomenations shed within the St. Paul church? The "bad" attitude by the membership would make me want to stray too. From an outsider....it REALLY looks bad. "

" According to the membership records. St Paul's has granted 86 membership transfers to St Matthew's. Numbers don't lie. Please stop stealing the sheep of St. Paul's Pastor Enderle! "

" I am a long time member of St. Matthews and am not pleased at what has happened in the last few years at our church. Just about all of the "new" members are former members of St. Paul's in Tomah. I have been so disappointed in the decisions our church council has made concerning the building of this new church. I have put some thought to transfering my membership to St. Paul's. I disagree with the person who said that there were negative comments made to our church and Pastor, because all of the comments are true. As a senior citizen, I thought I had seen it all. I hope for the best at St. Matthew's, but we are heading down the wrong path. "

" Whatever appears to be going on....Pastor Enderle must be doing something right. Look at all of the controversy this has caused. New/Old members, brand new church, bringing/keeping the community connected to Christ. It looks to me that a job well done appears to be in order. As a member of this community, this has made me interested in seeing what all the "fuss" is about. Is it the cliche, Enderle speaks of.... the first time you're a visitor the second time you're a friend? I'll be checking it out. "

" This is how St. Paul's treats a sister facility? Yikes! I would hate to see how St. Paul members/the church would treat other congregations (ie. Baptist, E-Free, Catholic, Methodist etc.). Is this what is being taught at St. Paul's? Are you really Christians? I really question their values/ethics. To others that may be looking to join St. Paul's....you may want to read the postings first. YIKES! "

" As a member of St. Paul Ev Ltheran Church, I am embarrassed and appalled at the negative comments concerning the growth of St. Matthews.
What kind of christians wouldn't want to see a SISTER congregation grow? That means more people are coming to Christ instead of straying. How can you blame Pastor Enderle for "stealing your lambs" when it's evident that St. Paul is growing also since we just installed a THIRD pastor.
St Paul has always had the perception of being the "snooty" church in town and unforunately with all the negative remarks concerning another church, I don't see that changing anytime soon. So SAD! Go St Matts!!!!!! "

" I live in the area, and I read the article with a great deal of interest. It was a nice article about the "Kirby" church. I found nothing arrogant about it at all. I don't think that the "casual reader" would be picking this apart like the rest of you. "

" It is quite disturbing that the Pastor at St Matthew's forgot to give credit to the Lord for the blessings given to St Matthew. Although he sure remembers to credit himself in this article. How arrogant this must seem to the casual reader. "

" OF COURSE you would find it hard to believe. That is exactly the response I have come to expect. Instead of reflecting on behavior and dealing with these issues in a Christian manner, members continue to lash out in a negative fashion. I believe this casts a dim light out into the community.
Remember, only God can truly look into ones heart. "

" The only stone throwing that was done was by the members who transfered to St. Matthews from St. Paul's. Things couldn't be better at St. Paul's now! The only problems at St Paul were caused by the former pastor and his followers---By the way the writer who makes the "stone" comment I find it hard to believe you are a member of St. Paul. Your comment is typical St Matthew spin. "

" The gossip by "fellow Christians" surrounding the rejuvenation of a dying church is quite disturbing. To think that the new members of St. Matthew are there because they were lured or "stolen" is preposterous! Many of these people have found their way to this church, not because it is liberal, but because they have found an unpretentious, warm, welcoming congregation and pastor within the WELS Synod. It is no wonder so many from St. Paul feel threatened. For far too long, many people have tried to make positive strides within the church and school community. These people are not only shut down, but labeled as trouble makers. I have heard many members agree that there are problems within the church and school. "Don't try to fix them because nothing will get done." These people are only staying because "my grandparents...or my parents went to church here." That is very sad.
You would think that these people (who are passing judgement on others) would be thankful fellow Christians within the WELS Synod are attending church regularly, receiving communion, and strengthening their faith in the Lord. Isn't that the most important thing?
As a member of St. Paul, I am thoroughly embarrassed. Please stop throwing stones. "

" I couldn't agree more with the last writer----the pastor at this church has led his flock away from WELS Lutheran Doctrine and continues to try to add to his numbers by trying to convince members of St Paul in Tomah to join his liberal church. "

" Please note to the readers of the journal that this growth is only due to the fact that Pastor Enderle has recruited members of St. Paul's congregation in Tomah. These are not new members by any means!! These members wanted a more liberal church when they belonged to St Paul's and when Enderle left St.Paul's congregation he recruited them to join his church. The correct term is sheep-stealing not growth. "