Rev. William C. Mack was installed as Missionary-at-Large of Pilgrim Lutheran
Church on Sunday, May 17, 2009. A little over 550 people attended. Rev. Mack,
formerly of Faith Lutheran Church in Oregon, Wisconsin, resigned from the roster
of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) in order to work at Christ the Rock
Lutheran Church in Carlsbad, California.

Christ the Rock is a new mission congregation of the United Lutheran Mission
Association (ULMA). It was formed in January of 2009 after a group of Lutheran
laity left the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) over doctrinal and
financial reasons. In their former LCMS congregation, the laity were expected to
support the principles of the Church Growth Movement (CGM) rather than the means
of grace. In brief, the CGM believes that the Word of God plus sociology, the
efforts of twenty-first century man, and human wisdom equals a church full of
fervent Christians. The laity were expected to support alternative styles of
worship, new methods of evangelism, and huge building projects beyond their
financial resources.

In the installation sermon, Rev. Brock Abbott preached on the appointed Gospel
lesson, John 15:9-17. "In California there is a little flock by the name of
Christ the Rock Lutheran Church. They know and reflect on their eternal destiny.
They have demonstrated that it is their chief concern to remain in the Vine.
They find all their consolation in Jesus and have given proof of this in their
conduct. They have removed themselves from false teaching. By their fruits, we
conclude that they have a blessed relationship with our God in heaven and are
saints and sinners like us. And, they earnestly desire to share their salvation
with others so that many will be set free from sin, death, and the power of the
devil." After the sermon Rev. Mack was installed by Rev. William K. Abbott.

Before the installation service, Rev. Mack taught the Sunday morning Bible class
at Pilgrim. It was attended by almost 200 people. The people were moved by his
life and how he connected it to God's Word. They rejoiced in how the Lord had
led him into the ministry and now to Christ the Rock Lutheran Church. It was a
reminder to all how God chooses the foolish things of the world to shame the
wise so that no one may boast before him. "It is because of God that we are in
Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our
righteousness, holiness and redemption (1 Cor. 1:26-31)." The people were
greatly encouraged by his candor, his love for Christ and his desire to preserve
the remnant and reach the lost. Rev. Mack will be moving to California in the
first half of June and will be permanently preaching there beginning June 21.
You can reach Christ the Rock by calling (760) 525-8556 or through the United
Lutheran Mission Association website listed below.

The United Lutheran Mission Association (ULMA) was formed in 2005 when the
voters of Redeemer Lutheran Church of St. Clair Shores, Michigan, and Pilgrim
Lutheran Church of Decatur, Illinois, unanimously voted to form the Association
after leaving the LCMS. The ULMA is comprised of committed Lutheran laity and
pastors who are zealous for God's Word and getting that Word out. Members of the
ULMA are committed to using mission contributions to effectively and efficiently
support confessional, Lutheran mission work.

For further information you can check out the following websites.

United Lutheran Mission Association
www.unitedlutheranmission.org

Pilgrim Lutheran Church
(217) 877-2444
http://www.pilgrimlutherandecatur.org

Redeemer Lutheran Church
(586) 294-0640
http://www.redeemerlutheranchurch.org

Agnus Dei Lutheran Church
(540) 446-0777
http://spotsylutheran.googlepages.com

Sola Scriptura Lutheran Church
(414) 727-1711
http://www.solascripturalutheran.org

Christ The Rock Lutheran Church
(760) 525-8556

In Christ,
Rev. Brock Abbott