Hopping Down the Subsidy Trail.
The Source:
Correction!
I was reading the tea-leaves wrong. The free staff minister is denied but the free vicar is still a definite option.
6) No New Mission Enhancement Funding. The BHM Executive Committee determined that no new mission opportunities would be able to be considered for funding in FY2009-2010. All new requests have been put on hold. For the South Central District this means that the request from Holy Word in Austin, TX, for Home Missions funding for a Staff Minister to coordinate Hispanic ministry is not being considered for funding.
Field Reports: Mission Establishment
7) Christ the Rock – Round Rock, Texas. Pastor Matthew Doebler. Christ the Rock began in 2006 with a three-year Mission Establishment (former Level 2) funding agreement. The funding expires on June 30, 2009. The DMB has forwarded a one-year funding extension to the BHM. However, at this time, it is highly unlikely that the one-year extension will receive funding. The mission has taken some cost-saving measures, reduced some support staff, and has worked hard to secure some special offerings. The expectation is that the ministry will continue to move forward, but perhaps not as quickly as would be possible with additional funding.
14) Vicars in Mission Settings. The DMB submitted three vicar requests to the BHM to receive consideration under the Vicars in Mission Settings program. At this time, the hope is to assign 22 vicars through this program. One of the three requests from the South Central District was prioritized in the top 22 requests—Holy Word in Austin, TX. I could not be more delighted with the slate of requests our district submitted. I believe our district has the potential to have three to five strong contenders every year. The BHM will be reviewing the ViMS selection criteria and any changes or new information will be available in the October 2009 DMB report.
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GJ - One observer told me that he thinks Patterson will get a free vicar anyway. Stay tuned. The official document above definitely denies the free staff minister but hopes for the free vicar for Patterson - once again.
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "The Easter Bunny May Not Get His Free Vicar: Gurge...":
How silly! Of course Bwana Patterson will get a free vicar. He must go on another safari doing the Work of the Lord.
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "The Easter Bunny May Not Get His Free Vicar: Gurge...":
So a safari hunting WELS pastor has his hands out for 2 free staff members. World missionaries are being sent home so Patterson can vacation in Africa? This doesn't seem to add up...does this guy have any ethics??
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "The Easter Bunny May Get His Free Vicar After All:...":
Once again the question is where are your offerings going? Are they going to do the Work of the Lord as intended, or are they being diverted to entertain someone? This question warrants an honest answer.
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "The Easter Bunny May Get His Free Vicar After All:...":
As Bwana Don likes to say, "the Lord works in mysterious ways." That includes maneuvering behind the scenes. It is simple really.
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "The Easter Bunny May Get His Free Vicar After All:...":
or his other famous words..."leave it at the foot of the cross..or in this case at the hoofs of a zebra" 
