Someone posted a few comments critical of Synod President Mark Schroeder's leadership of WELS. With the possible exception of Church and Change, most WELS members and pastors are favorably impressed with the SP's performance.
I thought the critical comments missed the mark completely. As one 19th century Lutheran sociologist (Stuckenberg) wrote, "Authority is not taken. It is given." Too many individuals and congregations have handed over all authority to their synod and a handful of leaders.
A few individuals I know through this blog have done the opposite. Without having any titles, they have contacted various Lutheran leaders and asked them about doctrinal issues. People with some authority have also taken action instead of waiting for one person to do everything for them.
Many have provided information for all Lutherans through the information they have sent me for publication, often after many hours of research. The posts with the highest number of comments are usually those supplied by a vast network of informed Lutherans.
Freddy Finkelstein started his own blog. I hear many encouraging comments about ff's blog and Brett Meyer's posts on Icabod.
The faithful teaching of the Word and our study of the Confessions will yield God's results in God's time. It will also bring the cross.
One couple I know from long ago said, a few years back, "Gurgel doesn't want to hear from us again." They made a point of expressing their disapproval of his unionism. The ex-SP left office because he was urged to do so, encouraged by the downside of refusing to leave. Likewise, the previous Arizona-California DP was advised to leave office, and he did.
