Issues in Lutheran Education | A Professional Conversation For Lutheran Leaders

Justification by faith is "misleading" according
to the great and wise in Missouri and WELS.

Issues in Lutheran Education | A Professional Conversation For Lutheran Leaders:

Is the funding model of WELS Lutheran elementary schools sustainable?

Posted on January 15, 2013

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Sustaining and advancing the Christ-centered mission of WELS schools is a critical issue…perhaps today more than ever, regardless of the level – elementary, high school, or college. The recent recession, rising health care costs, struggling church finances, and a host of other economic realities impact our ability to fund what we hold so dear – a CHRISTian education. There are no easy answers, but engaging in dialogue is critical. Certainly this 700-word blog won’t do it justice.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to study the funding model of WELS elementary schools as compared to other Christian elementary school systems – Catholic, LCMS, and Association of Christian Schools International. While the other school systems had a tuition-driven model, the typical WELS funding model and philosophy goes something like this:

• The church and school are viewed as one ministry. Therefore, our accounting and cost structure reflects this understanding.
• The lowest possible tuition is the most compassionate and ministry-minded approach because more lower-income families will be served.
• The church subsidizes school costs that tuition/fees do not cover.

Did this approach work? I believe it was a very effective funding model for Lutheran elementary schools for a good share of the 20th century. Is it working today? If your school’s funding model is sustainable – excellent . . . and you can stop reading.

However, if you are struggling to adequately fund your Lutheran elementary school, I would ask that you consider the following:

If it costs $4500 per student to run your school and you charge $1500 per student, then:

• The church is subsidizing $3000 per student regardless of family income, family need, etc.
• Subsequently, those families in greatest need are not getting as much financial aid as they could, because we are subsidizing all families equally, including those families with financial means. What is intended to be a compassionate and ministry-minded approach in reality can hurt the ones we want to help the most.
• Since the church is subsidizing tuition regardless of need, then:
  • The church oftentimes struggles financially and is not able to carry out other ministry due to financial restraints.
  • The school struggles financially because the church endures tough financial times. Subsequently, the school is challenged to deliver excellence in Christian education.
• Since the church is subsidizing tuition regardless of need, then:

Our current approach hopes school families make up the difference in the offering plate. Is this happening?

Some families “join” the church for cheaper tuition. Is this proper motivation for active and thriving church membership?

Perhaps we have created generations of Lutherans with an entitlement mentality – church membership equals greatly reduced tuition.

In addition, as schools desire to reach out into the community, oftentimes interested parents will not consider our schools because tuition is so low. They don’t believe their child will receive an excellent education with such a low tuition. (I’ve experienced this phenomenon.)

So, what are we to do? School leaders could consider the following:

• Know the true cost of education per student and communicate this clearly with parents.
• Consider a model that includes parents taking more of a responsibility in bearing the true cost of Christian education while still having complete unity of church and school in mission. (Admittedly, this is a tough financial time to introduce the practice, although it is commonplace in other Christian school systems.)
• Provide a robust scholarship program within the church to help those in greatest need.
• Continue to celebrate the value of a CHRISTian education.

Most parents today expect our Lutheran schools to be highly effective. Research-based features of effective schools are a topic for another time. However, in order for WELS elementary schools to deliver academic excellence and provide an outstanding student experience, the funding model must support parents’ growing expectations. Greater reliance on tuition income is one consideration, in addition to focusing on recruitment and retention, looking at alternative sources of income, considering the feasibility of combining several close WELS schools for enhanced efficiency (in light of changing demographics), etc.

Honestly, I wish we could turn back the clock and enjoy a fully church-supported education system. However, I fear that most churches with schools are struggling mightily, and economic realities are creating a new normal. In order for us to preserve (by God’s guidance and his doing) the legacy of WELS Lutheran elementary schools, I believe we need to think differently in terms of sustainability. I’ve just scratched the surface. May God bless our efforts during these very challenging and promising times.

Written by Dr. Daniel Johnson. 

Dr. Johnson is the president of Wisconsin Lutheran College. He has also served as as a principal in WELS elementary and area Lutheran high schools.

'via Blog this'

***

GJ - Add to this, the diaper changing academies (day care, aka Poo U.) compete against others with a lower price, but must pay lots of salaries to the insiders for state-mandated staffing.

From One WELS District President - Intrepid Lutherans - Yellow Journalism

Prexy Peter would probably call the Galatians commentary "Yellow Journalism" -
if he has even read it. I doubt it.
He has probably been through Fuller/Trinity Divinity/Willow Creek brainwashing.

The Prexy Press

Peter J. Naumann     home   605-845-7242

620 W 9^th Street    cellular  952-807-3424

Mobridge, SD  57601-1622  PJNaumann@gmail.com

                                                                                                               

Epiphany - 2013

As you have noticed, we haven’t  been sending many updates between conferences.  That is for several reasons.  The two biggest are: Pastor Schroeder’s Together letter which summarizes very well just about everything that I would report from any meetings that we have in Milwaukee.  There isn’t much that follows that you haven’t already seen in this week’s issue.  The other big reason is that the Call reports are readily available on the synod’s Connect little corner of the world.  The reports are also linked to Together.  So, why duplicate? 

But this time we should send an extra  note of thanks.  You heard from Pastor Schroeder that CMO came in very strong this year.  You can see that on the other files attached.  Thank you all very much for your efforts and thank your generous members as well.  This together with other good financial news has enabled extra funds for much needed repair work at the schools and to authorize a couple more home mission starts. (May one of them be Williston, ND!)  Our district was first in performance again, as it has often been in recent years, and we jumped up a couple levels to fourth in per / communicant CMO.  (Maybe we’ll make it to $100 / communicant yet.)  Seriously, thank the people and then more so thank our gracious God who has given us ample supply and moved our hearts to use a goodly portion for his work.  May many teachers and ministers be well trained and many souls reached and strengthened through their work. 

Thank You, Lord Jesus

Call Report  1/15/2013

Pastor Vacancy  (vacant since) [call #]   

                Morning Star, Carstairs, AB [2] Dustin Blumer called 

                Jon Hein to the Commission on Congregational Consulting - WELS [1 - halftime] (1/7/13)

Teacher Vacancies 

                Saint Martin, Watertown, SD Gr 3f (6/30/12)  [ ]

                Bethel, Sioux Falls (10/28/12)  [3] calling 1/27/13 

                Saint Paul, Rapid City, Gr 5-6 (6/30/12) [3] calling 1/27/13   

                Great Plains LHS, Wttn, SD, principal  (6/30/12) [2] calling  1/19/13   

                Great Plains LHS, dean of students (1/2/13) [1] calling  1/19/13   

Holding Calls away  

                Ben Schmeling to Beaver Dam, WI

                Ben Schmeling to Clinton Township, Michigan

                Gerhardt Juergens to Cambridge, MN

Call Accepted 

                Bethel, Sioux Falls, SD, Ben Tomczak

                Mike Schultz - hymnal director

                Great Plains LHS, Watertown, SD President, Dave Maertz

Calls Declined  

                Tim Berg to Morning Star, Carstairs, AB

                Steve Bremer to GPLHS, principal

                Rebecca Kramer  to Bethel, Sioux Falls, SD

                Richard Muchka declined to Rapid City

Synod Pastor Vacancies  About 40 regular pastors are needed as 1/7/2013.  There will be 37 graduates in May. 

SAB Sale and Move     The committee continues to work on selling one or both of our properties.  There is one firm offer on the Mayfair Road site, and perhaps another coming. 

Every Member Visit (EMV)     You have the materials and the plan for this.  Hopefully, some have used it or plan to soon.  We pray every congregation participates in some manner.  We plan to use it at Glenham & Mobridge in February. 

Various Conference of Presidents Business last Week

John Braun from NPH     gave us updates on three things.  First, the plans for the 500^th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017.  A new catechism is planned in connection with the anniversary.   The other event coming in 2015 is the 100^th anniversary of the Forward in Christ magazine and it’s predecessor  The Northwestern Lutheran. 

Continuing Education for Called Workers     We had a fair amount of discussion on this topic.  Others had questions about the need for it and the expense of the new pastor mentoring program.  Questions, concerns, and suggestions will be taken to the whole committee and to Richard Gurgel. 

Intrepid Lutherans     I don’t read this yellow publication or any others of its ilk.  There are better things to do and to read.  The main concerns were about its promoting the false justification views of one of the principals and infractions of the Eighth Commandment. One said that, sadly, such muckraking tabloids will always exist.  As I’ve told many graduates to the district, I would hope we could find far better materials to read and ways to spend our time. 

 

Pornography     There continues to be great concern for the many people - members and clergy alike - who have fallen prey to this material and sin.  As we know, internet pornography is a special temptation.  If one believes the figures that are given, many, many people are involved. May it not be true of us.  Concerning the whole subject of 6^th Commandment sin it is good to remember Prov 6:32-33 and 1 Cor 6:18 among others.  It would be best for anyone taken by such activity to seek help, beginning with prayer to God, through repentance and faith.  Spend more time in the Word.  Then think about, “Whatever is true, noble, right, pure …” (Phil 4:8).  And, be assured, there are brothers, sisters, and professionals ready to help. 

WELS Convention  Please note the proper date, here and below: July 29^th to August 1^st.  This will be a day shorter.  The convention will convene Monday morning and the opening service will be that evening.  Adjournment and the closing service is planned for Thursday. 

If your congregation is a delegate or alternate, please identify firm delegates soon. 

District Constitutions     Two memorials are coming from the COP to the convention.  One would make district councils optional.  The other would allow districts to eliminate the legislation committees. 

Youth Discipleship     Because of the good turnout last summer CYD is planning to hold these rallies every other year. 

WELS Debt Elimination     Our indebtedness should be under $9,000,000 by convention.  Together with the Jubilee offering and regular payments, we have made good progress on eliminating this debt.  When it is fully paid, there will be $1,600,000 more annually for other forms of ministry.  The suggestion was made that we have a debt retirement drive in 2015 to pay it off completely.  Stay tuned. 

Names, Names, Names     If you have someone in the military, be sure to let Milwaukee know. If you know of people moving to western North Dakota, contact Jake Hannemann for Williston; Jordan Ertl for Minot; and Ryan Wolff for Dickinson.   Services are being held in each town.  We hope to send a request to the general board for a new mission exploratory effort in at least Williston this winter, it not one or both of the other locations. 

Statistics & CMO Pledges     Please be sure to submit all this to the synod via Connect as soon as you are able.   Thanks! 

Walking Together Video     Did you all see this short (4:15 min) presentation of what our synod is and does.  It is in the “toolbox” of last fall’s WELS Connection DVD.  It is a very interesting, short overview of the synod’s work.  Use it where and when appropriate, perhaps especially in annual meetings as 2013 CMO pledges are set. 

(You can find the video on the synod’s site: WELS.net  > Connect Resources (bottom left of page) > Resources (on right side) > Walking Together > Walking Together video (under the pic, in the links.)

Calendar

January 22-23, 2013             Rocky Mountain Conference, Missoula  

February 5, 2013             Western Conference at Morristown

2/13/2013                         Ash Wednesday

3/31/2013                         The Resurrection of Our Lord

4/9-11/2013                         Spring Pastor Conference, Rapid City

5/18/2013                         MLC graduation and assignments

5/23/2013                         WLS assignments

7/29-8/1/2013                         WELS Biennial convention at New Ulm

9/24-25/2013                         Western Conference at Gillette

10/2-3/2013                         D-M/NE Teacher’s Conference (in Colorado)

Thanks for all you do

May the Lord abundantly bless you, yours, and your ministries!

***

GJ - Prexy Peter fails to mention that one motivation for the Intrepids was to provide a counter-lobby to back Mark Schroeder.

Under Steve Spencer, it has always been a Mark Schroeder shop, but apparently people took the original statements seriously and began to think on their own.

This has a great advantage for Schroeder and the DPs. Now that the flowers have bloomed, they can cut them off, as Mao used to say.

They can also denounce them as trouble-makers and scare anyone else from thinking and studying the Word without expressed, written permission.

They want to play justification by faith as one person's opinion, which is what I heard about everyone else who has ever objected to the absurdity of UOJ. 

Episcopalian Article Offers an Interesting Parallel to Pastor Bickel's Article: VirtueOnline - News

VirtueOnline - News:

SC: Bishop Charles VonRosenberg has history of passive aggressive behavior 
He is not what South Carolina Episcopalians think he is or what they want

Special Report

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org 
January 18, 2013When moderate to conservative Episcopalians in the Diocese of South Carolina who have decided to remain in The Episcopal Church get their new bishop in the person of Charles Glenn vonRosenberg, they will be in for a rude awakening. He is not what he appears to be, according to some who know him well.

VonRosenberg was the Bishop of East Tennessee before retiring and moving to live on Daniel Island, a community in Charleston, in the Diocese of South Carolina. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has called him out of retirement to head up the rump Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina following the departure of Bishop Mark Lawrence along with the bulk of the diocese from the Episcopal Church.

Three former members (one holds a Ph.D.) of the Church of the Ascension, the largest Episcopal parish in the Diocese of East Tennessee, have very distinct recollections of vonRosenberg.

"He is classic passive aggressive," says Hank Bahr, 63, an insurance consultant and lifelong Episcopal layman who knows VonRosenberg well.

Bahr was on the vestry and later became Director of the Knoxville chapter of the American Anglican Council (AAC) when VonRosenberg was bishop back in 2006. The parish was arguably the most conservative parish in the diocese. That clearly worried VonRosenberg.

"We were reading VOL at that time and it hit many of us that the Episcopal Church was not the church of our parents. The Episcopal Church was changing. It had left us orthodox Episcopalians behind."

So Bahr decided, along with a small group of 5 or 6 others, to start a chapter of the AAC. They wanted to get folks thinking and talking about what was going on in the Episcopal Church along with the changes that were happening in and to the beloved church into which he had poured more than 40 years of his life. It was never his intention to leave the Episcopal Church, but to be a voice of orthodoxy within it.

"I started an AAC chapter and became its president. Von Rosenberg was not terribly friendly with the AAC. In fact, he became downright unfriendly as time wore on. The fact that I was on the vestry of Ascension and Director of the AAC in East TN did not go over very well. At the time, the Church of the Ascension was considered the most conservative parish in the diocese. We wanted to be an orthodox island of hope in a sea of liberals, but VonRosenberg did not encourage this even though he positioned himself as a conservative bishop on the issues.

"When we published some figures revealing that the state of the diocese was actually going down, figures which we got from the diocese's own website, VonRosenberg accused me of manipulating and falsifying the numbers. In a letter to me on June 9, 2006, even after repeatedly showing him the figures from his own website, he stated, 'I request that you cease unfair attacks on your Christian brothers and sisters in this diocese and beyond.'

"Charles made it clear that there were to be no AAC meetings on the premises of Ascension. The small group of us was stunned when we heard the news.

"On May 22, 2006, I sent out a letter to several communicants of three churches in the diocese stating the Orthodox view of the then current events of the Episcopal Church. That was it. I was not asking for any action. I just wanted people to know what was happening in The Episcopal Church.

"As it happened, on May 29, 2006 a parish wide meeting had been called to discuss the current events as it affected the Church of the Ascension. When vonRosenberg appeared, he immediately sat down and took over and started talking about problems at Ascension. Suddenly, I was being attacked by fellow parishioners. I was stunned. There were no problems in Ascension. He was mad because I had sent out a letter asking for a conversation (a favorite expression of then Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold). Suddenly, it was not about the content of the letter I had sent out, it became an attack on me for asking questions.

"I was stunned, blown away. I could not believe my ears. People shouted at me and VonRosenberg just listened and kept the microphone going around for more folks to go after me.

"Following the meeting I knew my time was up at Ascension.

"When I read in an ENS press release that his tenure in East Tennessee 'was marked by a measured approach and a focus on reconciliation and relationship,' and that he 'worked to acknowledge diversity and build a spirit of openness in the diocese,' I nearly threw up. That was not what happened. I was there. I experienced VonRosenberg first hand.

"The release said he also was 'noted for putting a priority on pastoral sensitivity and responsiveness, especially to clergy, their families and churches.'" That was sure not my experience, said Bahr.

The activist layman said he and his family then left Ascension to help start Apostles Anglican Church in Knoxville, first under AMIA and now under Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan. "We have never looked back. The parish is growing by leaps and bounds and we couldn't be happier."

Bahr added, "VonRosenberg's modus operandi worked. He steered the meeting away from discussing the truth about what was going on in TEC to an ad homonym attack about me. It was a brilliant move. He is TEC's man and South Carolina is his reward."

Another former Ascension leader confirmed Bahr's observations. 

Ron Henry, Chair of the Ascension Network Commission in '04-'05 and Senior Warden in '06, had a similar experience with Von Rosenberg. 

"Bishop Von Rosenberg visited with the Network Commission in the spring of '05 and made it clear that any association with the networks (AAC or ACN) was not allowed by the Episcopal Church and by the Diocese of East Tennessee. He didn't publically threaten the Commission, but he made it clear that he would not tolerate the presence of a Network parish in his Diocese. When asked how the conservative voice was to be heard in the Diocese of East Tennessee, he said the Networks were not the way to go about it. We tried several times to pin him down, to no avail. When asked if an article could be published in the Diocesan Newsletter, he said no, if it pertained to the Networks. In a private meeting afterwards, he threatened to remove me from office, and the whole Vestry, if we tried to take Ascension into a Network.

"In the May '06 meeting mentioned earlier in this article, we had planned to have a round-table discussion with the Bishop, the Senior Warden (me), and the Interim Rector, Mervyn Dunn. The Bishop was told of the agenda ahead of time. When the meeting started, Von Rosenberg took the microphone and began asking those in the audience to express their concerns. It was soon obvious that the Bishop and the liberal parishioners had planned to hijack the meeting, and it quickly became a 'Get Hank and Ron' event. 

"It was the most un-Christian experience I had in my 20 years at Ascension, and the Bishop led it. There was no effort on his part to reconcile the two views; instead, he led a lynching. It is my opinion that in spite of his words to the contrary, Bishop Von Rosenberg is a company man and will do as 815 says in South Carolina."

Dr. Susan Ridgell (Ph.D.), who served on the vestry at Ascension for seven years and later as senior warden, said she was not surprised that Charlie VonRosenberg had been tapped to serve as TEC's Bishop of South Carolina. "He has been faithful in upholding TEC's progressive direction in recent years, or at least that was my experience of his years as Bishop of East Tennessee. TEC can count on him to be a loyal company man," she told VOL in an e-mail.

"My surprise was that Charlie was described as having led, in East Tennessee, '... a measured approach and a focus on reconciliation and relationship,' according to a recent ENS press release. The same presser also claimed he was 'noted for putting a priority on pastoral sensitivity and responsiveness, especially to clergy, their families and churches.' 

"I personally experienced his lack of such qualities with the more orthodox oriented communicants at the largest church in the East Tennessee Diocese (Church of the Ascension).

"A number of such church members were coldly dismissed again and again at a large, standing room only parish meeting at Ascension on May 29, 2006. During the meeting, those who were liberally minded about the church's direction were given much time to speak against those with traditional views. The Bishop presided over the meeting and smiled as those who were liberal, raised their voices and said unkind things. Many of us were dazed, as it was so difficult to comprehend that the Bishop could not only allow such behavior, but actually show that he approved of it, facilitate it, and lead it.

"During that meeting, I asked the Bishop numerous times, during an extended Q&A session, how traditionally minded church members could express their views, since he said he would entertain discussion of traditional views but would not approve of the AAC's operation in the Diocese. Again and again, he refused to answer my question, until he finally addressed the question with this: he told me that he would make sure that the Diocesan website would soon include a place for traditionally minded opinions to be expressed."

I was incredulous, Ridgell told VOL. "A website? That's how we will have discussion and work toward reconciliation?" He replied, "Yes, you can freely express your opinions on the website." 

Ridgell said that to her knowledge, the website did not ever include such an option. "Many of us deeply yearned for conversation about the conflicts, sought true reconciliation, and to openly discuss traditional views without being disrespected; to answer this plea with 'send it to the website' was an insult, to say the very least."

Bishop vonRosenberg convened a public forum on the topic of the theology of same sex relationships during 2005. Ridgell wrote, "It was held at the Episcopal School of Knoxville, and was attended by several hundred people. There were about five or six progressives on the forum, and one token traditionally minded person. It was a stacked forum, and the message was clear: get with the progressive program, or consider that you are not in line with the theological thinking in the Diocese. It was a sad day."

Ridgell noted there were many sad days like this. Von Rosenberg was a master manipulator. "I did not want to leave the Episcopal Church. I loved it, and for many reasons. But it left me. I grieved, and at times, I still grieve. So much hurt. I still have friends at Ascension, and because I have business colleagues who I respect but who believe differently, my comments here are the truth, and they were my experience. We can only hope and pray that, as our British friends say, 'the truth will out.'"

Ridgell concluded by saying that Bishop vonRosenberg wanted to lead a progressive Diocese, which East Tennessee has become during the last ten years. It may be a fit for TEC and those who are happy to remain in TEC in South Carolina for him to lead them. "Please don't be misled by thinking that he builds relationships with those with whom he disagrees, or that he is a reconciler and sensitive to those who believe differently. This was simply not my experience with him, nor was it the experience of many in the East Tennessee Diocese who hold traditional beliefs."

'via Blog this'

If They Only Knew They Were Slaves, II

"I'm from the district office - and I'm here to help."

Ichabod – I can relate to your article:

"If Only They Knew They Were Slaves"

http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2013/01/if-only-they-knew-they-were-slaves.html

I was at one time, of a CRM status; or, at the least promised so, by the then LCMS Michigan District President, in 1996. When I refused to agree to sign the Michigan District legal papers that they were attempting to shove down my throat; that CRM promise was apparently jerked out from under me. Essentially I was "stabbed in the back" with Judas-type precision. [Apparently, I was unaware at the time, that there were “conditions” to my resignation; and “signing my life away” was one of them]

It wasn't good enough that I voluntarily agreed to resign, (when I determined, staying, was not worth the anguish for my family and me), with the promise to be able to be duly called in the future as an LCMS parish pastor, elsewhere. That was not good enough for the Napoleon-run district. It was also not good enough that I allowed the congregation which had called me, to work out the severance package, in a congregational meeting. Hence, by the ill-will treatment by District, I was not only greatly "slighted," but District's action was a "kick in the face" gesture to the local congregation, that they weren't autonomous (enough) to deal with my resignation and severance disposal.

Consequently, in that last congregational meeting that I was present; I told the congregational assembly, that if they didn't learn to start making their own decisions, rather than relying upon the pushy LCMS Michigan District, that they would not be a congregation in 50 years. This was back in 1996. Since then, I have learned, that this (same) congregation has dwindled to an attendance of 40 - 45 a Sunday; the parsonage is rented out; and, they co-share a pastor with the neighboring LCMS church, 5 miles away. Also, I learned that the average age is 60 and above.

It wasn’t good enough, that when I was pastor, that the attendance would range from 90 to sometimes 120 for this rural congregation. It wasn’t good enough (for the small minority of church pillar alligators) that I resisted their plea to hack off what they considered to be “the dead wood,” – those church members who would gladly meet with me, the pastor, upon visitations to them. It was these same members who had problems (challenges) sitting in the same pew with some of the alligator holier-than-thous. It wasn’t good enough for those alligator holier-than-thous to be told by their pastor [me] that Scripture says: [Paraphrase] “that if anyone comes in Christ name; and, if they are received as such; that Christ, is being welcomed.” No – instead, they wanted to shove this “dead wood” out!

Please note, that I only share the (above) as feedback and input to this article posting. What I relate may help some present-day parish pastors; CRM status, or not. I don't care to think back (too long) at one of the most grueling, difficult and sad periods of my life. Not experiencing the support of the then District President, was a very distinct "downer" angst and slap in the face, who told me at Concordia's call night, (3 ½ years prior) that he had wished to send me to a better place. Then when push came to shove, he abandoned me, when he had been (apparently) aware of the congregation’s problems, challenges and history. His actions of abandonment were designed to make me the scapegoat, rather than coming along-side and assisting to work out the challenges, involved.

However, having stated the above, I will be quick to add here, that according to the Scripture of 2 Timothy 3:1-5, I have avoided these people that have brought so much hurt to my person and family. At the same time, I must add, that it has taken (me) years to be able to forgive (from the heart), not only the district president and his lackey VP; but, 3 circuit pastors who were used by them in their anti-loving and anti-Scriptural "posse hanging process."

Since all this has taken place; I've run into a few of the (then) "alligator" church members, and have kindly spoken to them, wishing them well. I have forgiven them, from the heart, also; although, realizing at the same time (according to 2 Timothy 3:1-5) that no reconciliation is possible. [Louis Smedes book, “The Art of Forgiving” helped me deal with this particular life’s tragedy and move on; realizing that forgiving does not necessarily translate into reconciliation].

I could say more, but will decline. But, I will hasten to add, that present day pastors have my prayers, as they are clearly subject to all types of congregational (church member) snares who, in private, do not bat an eyelash to visit circuit and district "officials" behind the parish pastor's back, playing second fiddle (in the process) to the evil one, himself.

Nathan M. Bickel

www.thechristianmessage.org

www.moralmatters.org

***

GJ - I know many similar stories, essentially the synod pulling the rug out from under the pastor in a deceitful, cowardly, and duplicitous fashion. Because district officials obtain their positions through flattering some and sand-bagging others, they are one in spirit with congregational counterparts. They bond especially well with adulterers.

Mrs. I used to ask, "Why are the district officials so fond of adulterers? There must be some reason."

The congregations that go along with these practices will pay the price, becoming sicker and smaller. The districts and synods think they are in business, but if they ran a business so poorly, they would be fired as incompetent managers.

The Holy Spirit says, through Paul, that ministers are only to be judged by their faithfulness to the Word, as stewards of the mysteries of God.

If Only They Knew They Were Slaves

CRMs, waiting, waiting.

I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves. 
Harriet Tubman

Many men, stuck in CRM status, are pining for the day when they get a divine call. They cannot offend the District President, whose power stems from his death-grip on the call lists.

They do not know they are slaves.

Until recently, thousands of Lutherans felt trapped in congregations. They had no choice - either stay in ELCA or join something almost the same. Or they could not leave that brass plaque behind, the one memorializing a loved one, placed beneath the stained glass window. 

They are also virtual slaves, because the cell door is unlocked. In fact, there is no prison. They can claim the unique freedom we have in this country, to assemble and create their own congregation.

They might call a pastor who is still sighing in that slave-ship called Holy Mother Synod. They might make a layman their pastor.

But what if they end up with a bad pastor? The synod protects us by certifying men for the ministry.

Like the one who murdered his wife in Milwaukee and went on to serve another call in the UP?

Or the one the Minnesota DP certified, even with his record as an unrepentant sex offender?

Or the man who walked out on his wife and their five children, left with his mistress, and got a call in the sister synod? (No, not Stephan. He had more than five children.)

"But we want someone who is highly trained in the Scriptures."

Like the ones who read justification by faith passages in the Bible, like the entire fourth chapter of Romans, and say, "The whole world is forgiven"?

Or the ones so well trained that they mock the Book of Concord while calling themselves "Confessional Lutherans"?

The missionary, DP, or seminary professor arrested for a DUI?

He should be an orthodox Lutheran - like the ones who get free tuition from the synod for grabbing a drive-by DMin at Fuller Seminary and then put on the fast-track as leaders?

A highly trained seminary graduate who joins Eastern Orthodoxy the day after graduation - or Rome after having a congregation for a few years?

Yes, you might get one as bad as those who are certified, protected, and promoted by Holy Mother Synod. But that is not always the case.

"What about land, buildings? A synod mission starts out spending a million dollars now. We don't have that."

A congregation may have to rent space, just like Joseph did when he stayed in Bethlehem. 

Jesus said - "The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head," and yet He managed. 

The Apostles did not have a building fund that allowed members to pay a mortgage forever and give up the equity to the Church if the mission folded.

The Savior and the Apostles relied on the efficacious Word of God. They did not go to the Temple and beg for certification. They did not wait for a call from pot-bellied bureaucrats with belt-sizes bigger than their IQs.