Let me explain what has happened since the election of SP Schroeder.
WELS was broke and using money dishonestly from its designated funds to keep things going. Gurgel fired the treasurer for telling them it was wrong to do so. Then Gurgel blamed the treasurer for the problem. And they made up another story, just as fanciful. Gurgel was urged to leave office before the forensic accountants arrived.
The Love Shack was and is packed with Church Growth (Church and Change) leaders appointed in the old regime. SP Schroeder inherited a blooming mess, a synod on its last legs. The districts responded to his leadership by boosting offerings at a phenomenal rate. From all reports, pastors and laity enjoy and respect Schroeder's leadership.
SP Schroeder urged the boards not to call anyone new to any position, due to the financial crisis, which was real and still hangs over their heads. Moreover, he urged them not to try to call a lightning rod who would be divisive.
The Board for Parish Services (Bruce Becker) said repeatedly that they would do whatever they wanted. I believe SP Schroeder made about five requests and then told them he was no longer meeting with DPS on purpose, because they would not listen.
To show their defiance, Bruce Becker and the DPS called Paul Kelm, the most notorious lighting rod, to an expensive position not needed and not even used for the last two years. Does WELS really need one more Church Growth/Church and Change/Becoming Missional guru running around promoting Deformed doctrine?
So the Kelm call was a Purpose-Driven pot of poo flung in the face of the entire synod - "You can pay for our Reformed agenda to be promoted. So there."
The Church and Change wing, which is much more connected and extensive than imagined before, will work to put in their man for First VP, the position Mueller vacated in a huff. They will look for someone who can fool people into thinking he is conservative. Up until now, Patterson would have been ideal. His vicars have the right DNA. He is a district VP, which means in WELS that he is the next District Pope. He has an editorial position with FIC. He has other synodical brownie points. Someone like Patterson will walk into the next convention with a block of votes and a bevvy of subtle kudos from his wiley supporters.
If a Church and Change VP is elected, write off WELS for good. Everything possible will be done to neutralize Schroeder's leadership from that time on. And I would not be surprised to see someone take on Schroeder for the SP office itself. If someone has a block of votes for SP on the first ballot, that is the Manchurian candidate to deliver WELS to Fuller, Willow Creek, and the scrofulous bosom of ELCA.
Another bad event would be a refusal to accept the changes suggested by the study committee. I hate reading boring stuff like that, but I get the impression that they want to tame Parish Services, which has existed and grown in parallel with Church and Change.
