Friday, April 24, 2015
President Theodore Olsen is called to glory
Funeral arrangements are still being developed. He was a member of Beautiful Savior, Spooner.
Dear friends in the living Savior,
Today the MLC administrative offices received news from Mrs. Joanne Olsen that President emeritus Ted Olsen died this morning at 7:44am, after a brief hospitalization. When funeral arrangements are finalized, the family will inform the administrative offices and we will pass along the details for his victory service.
President Olsen served as a parish pastor in Wisconsin and Florida. He served in various WELS ministerial education schools. He was a tutor at Northwestern Lutheran Academy in Mobridge, SD. He was a professor at DMLC. He served as president of Martin Luther Preparatory School in Prairie du Chien, and finally as the first president of Martin Luther College.
The Lord blessed his ministry at MLC as he evangelically guided the college during the amalgamation of DMLC and Northwestern College. The fruits of his labors here at MLC remain visible in a college that remains committed to Scripture and with a single focus on preparing gospel ministers for service in the WELS. We thank Jesus for this faithful servant of the Word. Now the apostle Paul encourages us to Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. We grieve with the family at the suddenness of Ted's death and the pain of separation. Yet we rejoice with the family in the Spirit-given confidence that those who die in Christ are alive in Christ. Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. May Christ's Easter triumph comfort and sustain Joanne and the entire Olsen family. May we at MLC honor his memory with a renewed commitment of faithful study and adherence to the inerrant Word, and a passion for the assigned task to prepare servants of the Word to go forth and proclaim the saving message of new life in Christ. Thanks be to God, he gives us the victory in our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the comfort and confidence of the living Savior,
M. Zarling
http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=5bc022e089bd092f413025e42&id=6f15c07171
Dear friends in the living Savior,
Today the MLC administrative offices received news from Mrs. Joanne Olsen that President emeritus Ted Olsen died this morning at 7:44am, after a brief hospitalization. When funeral arrangements are finalized, the family will inform the administrative offices and we will pass along the details for his victory service.
President Olsen served as a parish pastor in Wisconsin and Florida. He served in various WELS ministerial education schools. He was a tutor at Northwestern Lutheran Academy in Mobridge, SD. He was a professor at DMLC. He served as president of Martin Luther Preparatory School in Prairie du Chien, and finally as the first president of Martin Luther College.
The Lord blessed his ministry at MLC as he evangelically guided the college during the amalgamation of DMLC and Northwestern College. The fruits of his labors here at MLC remain visible in a college that remains committed to Scripture and with a single focus on preparing gospel ministers for service in the WELS. We thank Jesus for this faithful servant of the Word. Now the apostle Paul encourages us to Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. We grieve with the family at the suddenness of Ted's death and the pain of separation. Yet we rejoice with the family in the Spirit-given confidence that those who die in Christ are alive in Christ. Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. May Christ's Easter triumph comfort and sustain Joanne and the entire Olsen family. May we at MLC honor his memory with a renewed commitment of faithful study and adherence to the inerrant Word, and a passion for the assigned task to prepare servants of the Word to go forth and proclaim the saving message of new life in Christ. Thanks be to God, he gives us the victory in our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the comfort and confidence of the living Savior,
M. Zarling
http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=5bc022e089bd092f413025e42&id=6f15c07171
***
 |
| The ideal WELS member was envisioned long ago. |
GJ - WELS Church and Change leaders (synonymous with the WELS administration) forced the merger of Dr. Martin Luther College and Northwestern College. Naturally, the clergy resented it but did not fight it with any fire. Temporary smoldering is their forte.
The NWC alumni group was "not allowed" to vote on the merger.
A mail in poll showed that the majority responding did not like the idea.
The Michigan District of WELS shot down four different resolutions aimed at approving the merger. DP Robert Mueller then spoke on the floor of the WELS convention in favor of the merger.
Gurgle promised the merger would not cost more than $8 million, but they spent $30 million. Once again, the clergy smoldered for a short time.
John Lawrenz thought he could be finally more than a high school principal by being the first MLC president. He was largely in charge of the merger. When word got out, his presidency lasted for about a month. Some clergy finally worked themselves into a fury - why reward the NWC graduate who stabbed them in the back? His presidency faded faster than the truth in a WELS PR release.
Lawrenz really wanted to be on the Mequon faculty, but the closest he ever got was the porta-seminary in Asia. Fellow Church and Change pioneer Steve Witte followed him as president of the little seminary that couldn't. Does anyone imagine they teach anything close to Lutheran doctrine?
