Pundits are saying that state governments need to downsize permanently. Tax revenue has plummeted and shows no sign of improving. Synodical income is bound to follow that trend nationally.
WELS Perish Services has been getting huge fees - $30,000+ - to sell boilerplate to their own congregations. Where were the Circuit Pussycats and Doctrinal Pussycats during these grand thefts? I just answered my question. They were purring about being in a purr-fect synod and showing claw to anyone who raised an eyebrow, let along an objection.
Before the regime change, one pastor was ousted when he asked about how WELS was spending the money.
"Failure to supervise" is a serious offense in the court system. The laity and church officials have a fiduciary responsibility to take care of money which is not their own.
More importantly, they are "stewards of the mysteries of God." No one has a license to set aside the Word of God in favor of synodical decisions. ELCA hailed its overwhelming vote to overturn Romans 1, as if voting revealed a new truth. The leaders called it "taking a risk," although they clearly favored one outcome only.
The economic debacle has proven that material value is only a number for the moment. I talked to a stock broker before the housing meltdown. He loved housing stocks and held his nose about Walmart stock. Home-builders are clawing for the edge of the quicksand pit, hoping to stay alive. Walmart remains a strong, profitable company. He also liked bank stocks, which collapsed soon after. I listened and invested in more training.
The truth of God's Word is eternal. The Book of Concord never hesitates to mention the treasures of the Gospel. I am continually amazed that Lutherans have been willing to sell their heritage for a bowl of lentil soup, served cold by the Reformed.
Synodical esteem reminds me of the price of home-builder stocks a few years ago - another bubble easy to puncture. Strachey wrote about an ambitious minister in his Eminent Victorians. Cardinal Manning devoted his life to his own career and squashing his competition (Cardinal Newman). Now Cardinal Manning's hat is hanging on a peg, his fame resting on the devastating portrait painted by Strachey. The painting posted above is not flattering either.
Wouldn't it be better to pass on the incorruptible treasure of the Gospel and be forgotten, than to short-sell the treasure in order to gain the temporary esteem of corrupt men?
