ULC Responds to Memorandum from MNS Treasurer

Click here to read the notes from ULC regarding the Memorandum they received from the MNS District Treasurer. 

President Harrison Speaks . . .

Earlier today, President Harrison posted the following statement regarding the sale of ULC on the Witness, Mercy, Life Together blog:

Concerning the Sale of University Lutheran Chapel

Friday, September 30, 2011

Dear Friends in Christ,

In the course of the September meeting of the Council of Presidents, Minnesota North President Don Fondow and I requested of President Lane Seitz a meeting with himself and the Minnesota South District Board of Directors. Of the several concerns raised by the then-impending sale of the University Lutheran Chapel property, President Fondow and I were in agreement that it was unwise to disregard the resolution of the joint pastors’ conference requesting that any decision to sell the property be made at the Minnesota South District Convention. We were seeking to share this and other information directly with the board. President Seitz quickly offered us options for the meeting and was polling his board for an agreeable date. However, President Seitz later informed me that the individual authorized by the Board to sell the property had signed documents to that end at very nearly the same time as President Seitz was working to find an agreeable date for us to meet with the board.

The Life Together which we enjoy is fragile and often fractured. This action makes it even more so. There is no question that the Board had the right to do what it did with the property. Unfortunately, this action is difficult, even impossible to separate from ongoing dissensus in the district about what it means to be Lutheran, very similar to our larger challenges as a Synod. We have a long way to go in this regard. God help us.

I wish to state my hearty thankfulness for ULC. I have met more delightful and engaged Lutherans from this campus ministry around the country than any other. They are occupied in all manner of professions and active in church. We need many more campus ministries just like ULC. The army of clergy and now deaconesses who have come through ULC is astounding.

I would urge that all who are concerned about ULC turn away from judging motives, as difficult as that may be. This action comes as no surprise to anyone close to the situation. It’s time to turn toward ULC’s future, a future I support.

It is also time to have more brotherly conversations around the Word of God and to implore the Lord of the Church to grant greater harmony in what it means to be Lutheran. Together, let us hear and heed the apostolic word: “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:9–10).

Pastor Matthew C. Harrison, President
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

I am grateful that President Harrison released this statement.  I know many will be critical, believing that he should have let DP Seitz and the MNS BoD have it with both barrels, showing them their sin, admonishing them, and calling for their repentance.  And, maybe those critics will have a point.  Maybe his statement could have been a little stronger.  But, I actually think this is about as perfect a statement as he could have made right now, and just further reveals why we are blessed to have him at the helm in our synod right now.  Like it or not, he simply can't "gas off" about how he personally feels about this situation, but must choose his words carefully, keeping in mind his larger goal of addressing our synodical divisions and working toward greater unity around the clear and compelling Word of God when the Koinonia Project gets going.  Plus, this statement is just further evidence that we are blessed with a synodical president who has a true pastoral heart and is a fine churchman.

Besides all that, I think President Harrison makes it clear in this statement where he does stand, even though it may not be in as strong a fashion as many would prefer.  I mean, the opening paragraph makes it clear that he has concerns about the sale of ULC and desired to express those concerns, along with MNN DP Fondow, directly to the MNS BoD.  He comes out and says that both he and DP Fondow thought it was unwise for the MNS BoD to proceed with the sale, disregarding the resolution passed by the joint pastors' conference to bring this matter to the MNS District Convention next summer.  And, in the next paragraph, he acknowledges that the MSN BoD's decision to proceed with the sale has made our life together more fragile and fractured, and that it is impossible to separate this action from the ongoing dissensus about what it means to be Lutheran in that district (and in synod).  In other words, that President Harrison is not a fan of this move is very clear, and is made all the clearer by his positive statements regarding ULC, pointing out that we need many more campus ministries like this one, which has been such a blessing to our synod over the years.

And, even as he urges us not to judge motives, he recognizes how difficult that will be, since "this action comes as no surprise to anyone close to the situation" (i.e. those who have a different understanding of what it means to be Lutheran have been trying to sell ULC for years, and precisely because ULC has stood for a Lutheranism to which they are opposed).  Thus, yes, we do need to have more brotherly conversations around the Word of God and implore our Lord to grant greater harmony among us regarding what it means to be Lutheran.  President Harrison nails it here, for he makes it clear that this action by the MNS BoD to sell ULC is not really about money or expanding campus ministry, but about competing understandings of what it means to be Lutheran.

And so, I'm very pleased with the statement.  The Old Adam in me would have rather had President Harrison write:  "DP Seitz and the MNS BoD are doo-doo head, non-Lutheran, jerks!"  But, the New Man in me recognizes this as the pastoral and churchman-like statement it needed to be.  Plus, I doubt that this is over.  We may very well hear more.   

Just my take.     

"You Spin Me Right Round, Jesus!"

Just like Moses?  Um, no.  Holy Ghost Hoedown?  Not so much.  Putting your hands in the air like you just don't care.  Exactly.

Blasphemous?  Certainly.    


Jesus wept.

HT: Gottesdienst Online.

Homily for the Feast of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs

Here is the homily I preached last night as we observed the Feast of Sts. Cosmas and Damian:

THE FEAST OF SAINTS COSMAS AND DAMIAN

28 September Anno + Domini 2011 (Observed)

Luke 21:9-19 (Wis. 3:1-8; Rev. 14:1-5)

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Saints Cosmas and Damian were twin brothers and physicians.  They were also Christians.  They went from place to place providing medicine to those in need, and didn’t charge for their services.  They were well loved by the brethren. 

But, word came to the authorities during the reign of Diocletian that these brothers and physicians were Christians, and they were ordered to renounce Christ or suffer the consequences.  Refusing to renounce Christ, suffer they did.  According to tradition, they were shackled in chains, burned, stoned, hung on crosses, and shot with arrows.  Amazingly, they survived all of that.  Even more amazingly, they still refused to renounce Christ.  Finally, the authorities, perplexed that these men wouldn’t die, beheaded them.  And in so doing, they thought that they put Saints Cosmas and Damian to death.  They didn’t.  Instead, they set them free and ushered them into the bliss of paradise, where they live to this day. 

Our Lord builds His Church upon blood – His own blood, shed on the cross for all sinners, and the blood of His martyrs, which is shed to bear witness to His salvific life, death, and resurrection.  During the severe persecution of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, when Christians were being tortured and put to death in great number, Christ’s Church grew.  The blood of these martyrs, including Saints Cosmas and Damian, was like miracle grow for the church.  In Christ’s kingdom, suffering produces glory, weakness is strength, humility is power, the last are first, and death leads to life.  That’s how things work, and the world shall never understand this. 

Our Lord is still building His Church upon blood.  Do not think that martyrdom is a thing of the past.  Just this week, we have been reminded that the persecution of Christians is still happening around the world.  An Iranian Christian pastor is facing execution for refusing to renounce Christ and pledge his allegiance to Allah, the mythical and false god of Muslims.  By the time I preach this sermon, this brother in Christ may have already been put to death, which will mean entrance into the bliss of eternal life for him.  And if that does happen, look for the Church in Iran to grow, even as it continues to grow throughout the world where Christians endure suffering and are being persecuted and killed. 

You know where the Church is not growing?  Here in America or anywhere in the West, where ease of life and freedom of religion are prevalent.  It is, rather, declining, and at a rapid rate.  And this, dear friends in Christ, is the cross we are called to bear.  We are not threatened with death for refusing to renounce Christ, but we are persecuted all the same, tempted by the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh to pay little mind to our faith and to join the crowd in satisfying our own sinful and fleshly desires.  The conditions are ripe for a great turning away from the faith when ease of life and freedom are prevalent, and the devil is Johnny-on-the-spot to help facilitate this falling away, even raising up many who claim to speak for Christ to accomplish his will, leading them to make the Church more worldly so that one can barely tell the difference between a pop concert and worship in many places today, and so that one can hardly tell the difference between the messages preached by the plethora of false prophets on the scene and the messages of self-help, motivational speakers.  The devil has been wildly successful in getting many to buy into his lies, so that they see the Church as just another place of entertainment and Jesus Christ as nothing more than a life-coach or cheerleader who roots you on so that you can indulge your selfish desires, fulfill your fantasies, and live your best lives now. 

This, dear friends, is our cross, our persecution, our call to martyrdom, for while we may not be asked to renounce Christ or be put to death physically, that same temptation and threat is cast upon us, so that we are asked to renounce true faith in Christ and join the crowd, which leads to spiritual death.  We have not yet been forced to resist these temptations to the point of bloodshed, but they are no less real and no less threatening.  For, in the end, that Christ builds His Church upon blood is not merely about the blood itself, but about the confession, the witness, the testimony that blood makes.  We are called, even without the threat of physical bloodshed, to withstand the temptations all around us and make the good confession of the faith, and, rest assured, we will be persecuted for doing so. 

And like Saints Cosmas and Damian, and all those who have been slain for Christ through the years right up to the present day, we shall not be free from the darts of the devil, the sinful world, and our own sinful flesh, which often falls prey to the temptations and joins the crowd, until our hearts stop pumping blood throughout our bodies.  Until then, we have but one avenue for sustenance and strength as we wend our way through the wilderness of this sinful world, and that is Jesus Christ our Lord, who graciously and mercifully feeds us with the sweet honey of His Word, and prepares a Table for us in the midst of our enemies, that we may feast on His very Body and Blood.  There is our strength.  There is our food.  There is our peace and joy, amidst the many sorrows and sufferings we must yet endure this side of glory. 

Fix your eyes on Jesus, you Cosmases and Damians, you beloved martyrs, repenting daily of your sins and clinging ever to the Lamb of God who has taken your sins away.  You will be hated.  You will be persecuted.  You will suffer much in this world.  You will even be delivered up by parents and brothers and relatives and friends.  Yes, even those who are supposed to be your supporters and allies will be your persecutors at times, as our brothers and sisters in Christ at University Lutheran Chapel have sadly had to learn recently.  But, you have had the Divine Name written on your foreheads and have been covered in the blood of the Lamb.  You are part of the 144,000 beautifully pictured in Revelation, the redeemed of the Lord.  You belong to Christ.  He will sustain you.  He will keep you.  He will not allow a hair on your head to perish, for He will strengthen you to endure.  And your endurance will soon gain your lives, and you will dwell with Saints Cosmas and Damian, and all the saints and angels, in glory unspeakable.  

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.   

MNS District Signs Purchase Agreement

No wonder no one from the MNS District BoD could be reached for comment since they voted unanimously (remember that, would ya - UNANIMOUSLY!) to list the ULC property for sale two weeks ago.  They already had themselves an agreement in the bag, as evidenced by the notification ULC received from the District Treasurer today that a purchase agreement was executed with Doran Development, LLC.  That purchase agreement was executed FIVE DAYS AGO, on September 23, just 10 DAYS AFTER the resolution was passed UNANIMOUSLY to list the property for sale.  The fact that the pastor and congregants at ULC were not notified of this executed purchase agreement for five days is just the latest unchurchly, unChristian move on behalf of this BoD, which is made up of Lutheran pastors and laity.  There have been many such moves along the way in this long, sad saga - Pr. Kind and ULC not being informed about the formation of the Campus Ministry Task Force way back when, being locked out of the conversation and decision-making time and again, as these Lutherans thought it proper Christian behavior to enter into Executive Sessions, rather than deal with their brothers and sisters in Christ face-to-face, the notification by District President Seitz given to Pr. Kind in a 5 a.m. email the day after the BoD passed the UNANIMOUS decision to list the property, and the hiding and unwillingness to comment these last two weeks.  The whole thing, from beginning to end, has been handled not like Christians should handle things, but rather as if these Christians were nothing more than a corporate board, representing a secular business.

Also, it has been reported that President Harrison requested a meeting with the MNS BoD before they made any more decisions, but it seems that, with this action, they have thumbed their noses at him and went ahead with their plans.  I guess even the Synodical president does not merit their respect and consideration.

Take a look at the resolution and the memorandum linked above.  Is there any evidence in either of these documents that they were produced by Christians?  They just read all legal- and business-like.  But, that really gets at the heart of the problem here, as Pr. Kind mentioned in an interview on Issues, Etc. a couple of days ago, namely that there is a difference in theology evident here.  The members of the MNS BoD have bought into a different theology, one that is foreign to our Lutheran theology, which is evidenced not only by their actions throughout this tragedy, but by the grand plans they have for the future of campus ministry in their District, which will involve raising up students to be "ministers/missionaries," so that they can, you know, carry out the so-called Great Commission, because we all know that it is fulfilled when students "share their faith" (you know, "make Gospel contacts," and all that jazz) with other students.  Who needs a chapel with a pastor sent by Christ to serve the Word and Sacraments?  That just ain't "missional" enough.  We need to come up with a strategy, produce some pie charts, focus on the numbers, create a new bureaucratic position, sell out our brothers and sisters in Christ, and really get to the business of saving souls for Jesus.  We'll watch a few "Campus Ministry videos," consult a few "consultants," do some super-duper demographics studies, and come up with a new and improved "missional" scheme.  And, in this "missional" scheme, the end justifies the means, so if there are a few casualties along the way, even if they're "friendly casualties," so be it.  A chapel where our Holy Lord has visited/continues to visit His people becomes nothing more than an asset that can be sold away in this "missional" scheme, and the fact that this so-called "asset" was GIVEN by the faithful so that Christ would be Present with His Holy Word and Sacraments on the University of Minnesota campus is a point lost on those so focused on this scheme.  I guess what I posted on my Facebook page a few days back is true:  "Missional" = Reaching the lost by forsaking the found.

As Fr. Peters said in his post on this, SHAME on the MNS DP and BoD!  Shame on them for the way they've behaved throughout this fiasco.  Shame on them for acting like sneaky corporate executives, rather than Christians.  Shame on them for forsaking our theology and buying into the church-growth crap that considers Word and Sacrament Ministry expendable and replaceable.  Shame on them for thumbing their noses at our synodical president and at the many people in our synod to whom they have refused to respond.

Please keep Pr. David Kind and the congregants and students our Lord serves through him in your prayers.  And, consider sending them a donation.  They're going to need it to relocate or rebuild in the near future, as their Holy House of Prayer will be bull-dozed to make room for housing soon.

And, as Pr. Weedon reminded everyone, please keep the MNS DP and BoD in your prayers, too, that they would be led to repent of their actions in this mess.

This whole thing just sickens me, as I know it does many others.  But, our Lord will work good even out of this mess for His faithful.  I pray that ULC will emerge on the other side of this ridiculousness stronger than ever before.  Lord, grant it, in Jesus' Name.  Amen!       

Kyrie, Eleison!

St. Michael Liturgical Conference

What an absolute joy it was to attend the 14th Annual St. Michael Liturgical Conference at Zion, Detroit yesterday.  We were treated, as always, to a stunningly beautiful Divine Service, during which our gracious and merciful Lord dispensed His divine gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation to us via His Holy Word and Sacraments.  Fr. Mark Braden (Zion, Detroit), who has one of the most beautiful voices known among Lutheran clergy, served as Celebrant; Fr. David Petersen (Redeemer, Ft. Wayne), who is thought by many, myself included, to be one of the best preachers we are blessed to have in our synod, served as Preacher (always a cherished experience to hear the Word of God preached by Fr. Petersen); Fr. Eric Forss (Immanuel, Howell) served as Deacon; Fr. Joel Basely (Emmanuel, Dearborn) served as Subdeacon; Dcn. David Muehlenbruch (Bethany, Ft. Wayne) served as Master of Ceremonies; and Bp. David Stechholz (Bishop/President of the English District of the LCMS) served as Officiant.  The Divine Service had all of the pomp and circumstance (or smells, bells, and whistles, as some say), complete with the employment of Crucifer, Torch Bearers, and Thurifer, that many modern Lutherans sadly thumb their noses at, but that this Lutheran absolutely adores.  As I said, stunningly beautiful!

We also gathered together to pray the Divine Office at Sext before lunch and Solemn Vespers at the conclusion of the day, both of which were also stunningly beautiful.  Fr. Braden's homily at Solemn Vespers was especially edifying; I hope it will be posted at Zion's website in the days to come.

The Keynote Address was given by Fr. Charles McClean (Immanuel, Alexandria, VA - where Fr. Chris Esget serves), whose theme was:  "The Conduct of the Services:  Revisited" (Fr. McClean studied under, and was a colleague of, Fr. Arthur C. Piepkorn; both men have produced guidelines to liturgics and rubrics that contain a treasure trove of information for Lutheran pastors as they conduct the Divine Service and Daily Offices, which are made available by Redeemer Press in a single volume).

So great to meet Fr. McClean and to hear him speak in person.  He began his presentation by taking a nostalgic trip down memory lane, sharing stories from his childhood about what life was like in his home parish in Baltimore, and sharing stories about his relationship with Fr. Piepkorn, and how he believes that some today paint a picture of Fr. Piepkorn that doesn't accurately reflect the image of the man he knew well, especially regarding his work on liturgics and rubrics, which, according to Fr. McClean, was not something Fr. Piepkorn produced in some dictatorial way, but as a humble servant who honestly wished to provide a guide for reverent conduct of the Divine Service by Lutheran pastors.  Very interesting to hear Fr. McClean speak about these things, as I've often heard the kind of criticisms of Fr. Piepkorn he referenced.

Fr. McClean stated that his goal, which was the goal of Fr. Piepkorn, and which, in his opinion (mine, too), should be the goal of every Lutheran pastor, is to conduct the Divine Service (and Daily Offices) in such a way as to create "an unmistakable atmosphere of the deepest reverence."  Reverence should be non-negotiable for Lutherans, who believe, teach, and confess that their Lord Jesus Christ is Himself Present.  Fr. McClean referenced the excellent book written by Fr. John Stephenson on "The Lord's Supper" in the "Confessional Lutheran Dogmatics" series, where Fr. Stephenson makes it vividly clear, using Holy Scripture and our Lutheran Confessions, that Lutherans believe, teach, and confess that, during the Divine Service, we are "admitted into the realm depicted in Revelation 4 and 5."  And, since we believe, teach, and confess this, our practice ought to bear this out.  Fr. McClean wondered aloud, as I and so many others have often done, how the practice we see in so many LCMS congregations today, especially in the administration of the Holy Eucharist, can be reconciled with what we believe, teach, and confess.  Do Lutherans who confess their belief that what we receive is the very Body and Blood of Jesus, but whose practice is irreverent and nonchalant, really know what they're confessing?  For that matter, do they really believe what they're confessing?  And, even if they do believe what they're confessing, are those who witness their irreverence and nonchalance brought to believe what they're confessing?  I mean, we Lutherans believe that the purpose of ceremonies is to teach the faithful what they need to know about Christ.  What are we teaching the faithful to know about Christ when we are irreverent and nonchalant in our administration of Christ Himself in the Sacrament?    

Fr. McClean noted that the abuses we now see surrounding the Holy Eucharist among Lutherans (open communion, using other elements, irreverence, etc.) were simply unheard of fifty years ago.  That is not to say that there weren't abuses here and there, but that such abuses were rare.  Whether or not this or that pastor and congregation employed this or that ceremony during the celebration of the Holy Sacrament, nearly all were reverent in their conduct, for they believed what they confessed, that they were dealing with the very Body and Blood of Jesus.  Can we honestly say the same thing when looking at the landscape of today's LCMS?  Hardly!  In fact, as soon as someone plays the "Reverence Card" these days, they are met with scorn and ridicule by those who have come to believe that reverence is in the eye of the beholder.  Fr. McClean lamented what he called the "Baptistification of the Missouri Synod," which has caused us to truly lose sight of what we say we believe, teach, and confess, namely that Jesus IS Present among us in the Divine Service.  I share his lament.  It truly is a sad thing to see many Lutheran pastors and congregations showing no more reverence to the Most Holy Sacrament than those who do not believe that Christ is Present.

Besides reverence, Fr. McClean spoke about the importance of continuity.  I was reminded of the presentation given by Dr. David Scaer at last year's Liturgical Seminar in Kewanee, IL, where he spoke about the need for Lutherans to retain and maintain catholicity, not only in confession, but also, and most especially, in practice.  This is something that needs to be reiterated time and time again in our day and age, when catholicity is pushed aside to make way for innovation, especially when it's most often not even innovation, but the borrowing of practices done by those who don't share our Lutheran confession of the faith.  Like it or not, you cannot faithfully read our Lutheran Confessions without having the catholic principle come screaming through.  Lutherans have never been (until recent times, sadly) innovators, but those intent on remaining in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.  Our Lutheran forefathers had absolutely no interest in starting a new church, but simply corrected the abuses which had crept into the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.  In fact, they go to great pains in our Confessions to make this clear, for they were being accused by Rome of doing this very thing.  Thus, they made sure to make clear that they were not abolishing the Mass or the beautiful traditions and ceremonies of the catholic church (except those that had been brought in by Rome and militated against the Holy Gospel).  Again, given what we see being done all around us by those bearing the name Lutheran today, can we still make this confession with a straight face?

During his Keynote Address and during the Q&A Workshop we had with him, Fr. McClean also spoke about verses populum vs. ad orientem (he's an ad orientem proponent), church architecture and decor, private confession and absolution, and provided some interesting historical tidbits regarding the Common Service and the changes which have been made to it over the years.  A couple of real gems that I shall soon not forget:

"You can't chant the praises of something you know nothing about" 

(speaking of the importance of pastors going to private confession).

"This is such a beautiful house. Is this where God lives?" 

(a comment a VBS student made to his pastor in his home parish in Baltimore years ago - Fr. McClean was speaking to the importance of having sacred space confessing itself to be sacred through Christian architecture and decor).

In addition to learning at the feet of Fr. McClean, we were blessed to attend three other Workshops throughout the day:  "The Proper Use of Incense," led by Fr. Braden; "Chanting the Gospels," led by Kantor Daniel Reuning of Redeemer, Ft. Wayne; "Rubrics for the Laity," led by Mr. Allen Kerkes, Organist in Residence at Zion, Detroit.  Interesting and informative, all.  I especially enjoyed Fr. Braden's presentation on incense, during which he touched upon not only the use and rubrics, but also the meaning and history, of incense in the Liturgy - learned much I didn't know in that one.

It was a wonderful and edifying conference.  So glad to have had three members of our congregation attending with me, all of whom expressed their deep appreciation for having attended.  It was great to see so many familiar faces and do some catching up or simply share greetings and well wishes (Prs. Petersen, Braden, Voltattorni, Zeile, Basely, Dave and Mary Ellyn Lambert, Jennifer Balaska, and many more), and I had the pleasure of meeting several new brothers and sisters, including Dr. Michael Anderson, fellow Polycarpian, whose online writings I have long cherished, and Pr. David Gallas, whose genius is behind many of the Issues, Etc. promotional videos.

Yes, indeed, it was a great day!  Already looking forward to next year . . .

From President Harrison

In case you missed these . . .

Pres. Harrison's September Message - "Bringing Children to Know Jesus":



Pres. Harrison's Sermon at the Opening Service of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, with the Installation of Dr. Lawrence Rast as President:

Entertainment Worship Conference

For those of you interested in learning how to turn worship (which, ahem, means "to prostrate oneself in reverence" - the pastors in the video should have learned that at seminary) into a really cool, hip, rad, me-centered, entertaining emotion-fest, this might be the conference for you (Lutherans should steer clear, though):

This Just In: This Fisk Character Is Good!

Lutheran Satire Vid: Save ULC! Edition

Wouldn't it be great if Lutherans quit trying to find "magic beans" and just stuck with the means of grace?

More Media Coverage of the ULC Sale

And the written article that goes with the video can be found here.

Last line of the article:  "There was no response to a phone call and email to the board."   

Cannot Be Reached For Comment

I was going to blog about this earlier, but got busy and haven't been at my computer all day.  And, now I guess I don't really need to, since Fr. Peters beat me to the punch in his post, "Some Transparency Please" (great minds, and all that).  He is right.  Synodical leaders who will not speak up and give their take on unpopular decisions they make, especially when many in our synod are angry and grieving, lose their integrity, and make our synod look horrible to the world looking on (of course, maybe these leaders think there are just a few people upset and not worth their time to answer - they did think only 39 people listened to Issues, Etc., after all).  There have been a few newspaper articles written about the decision made by the MNS District BoD to sell University Lutheran Chapel, and each one notes that representatives from the MNS District could not be reached for comment.  It's just maddening.  And sad.  And pathetic.  And so very unchurchly!  And, as Fr. Peters notes, it just breeds suspicion and mistrust.  It's how the corporate world does things, not the church.

And don't patronize us by telling us that we just don't understand how things work, that sometimes unpopular decisions need to be made, and that there is some fancy-schmancy protocol that must be followed.  Puh-lease!  I'm a pastor.  I can't imagine making an unpopular decision that affects the congregation I serve and then going incognito.  I bet the same synodical leaders who refuse to speak up would think me to be a rotten, unloving, stubborn, arrogant pastor, were I to do so.  How in the world is it different with them?

I've also begun hearing people pleading with our synodical president to speak up on this issue.  I think they're right.  It's time.  If nothing else, he should exhort the "leaders" in the MNS District to explain themselves and answer the criticisms they're receiving.  But, I think he should also speak out himself.  I have absolutely been loving how open and transparent he and his staff have been since they took the helm of our synod, and you would be hard pressed to find a more ardent supporter of this administration than me, but not hearing from them when such a controversial issue is rattling our synod is bringing back eerie memories for many, myself included. 

For those who cannot be reached for comment, maybe a read of John 3:20-21 is in order.      

SynodoBot

You've met Synodocat.  He's the "brains" of the synodical operation.  He meets with church consultants, reads all of the relevant pop-Christian books, loves Contemporary Christian Music, believes worship should be a fun-filled, emotional, celebratory "experience," adheres to the principle that the end always justifies the means, which leads him to spend much of his time in "Executive Sessions" seeking input from his cronies and from lawyers on how best he can carry out his plan to make the synod more relevant and appealing to the unbelieving world (i.e. creating a church for those who don't like church).  Synodocat is convinced that God needs his help and the expertise he has acquired from church consultants and lawyers to move the synod along in the right direction.  The Holy Word and Sacraments are okay, but they're just not enough to get the job done.  Every time Synodocat snaps his fingers, people go to Hell, after all, and he believes that it is his solemn duty to teach the synod to love the lost and to vigorously go about the task of winning souls for Jesus.  Synodocat makes it a point to emphasize the fact that we do not have time for incessant, internal purification, and creates newfangled words like "missional" to describe his vision for the synod ("missional" appears to be a catch-all word encompassing everything we do to make the church more appealing to lost souls, that we may win them for Jesus; when you think "missional," think "whatever it takes").  On paper, Synodocat holds a quia subscription to our Lutheran Confessions, but, in practice, he holds a quatenus subscription.  Heck, the truth is that Synodocat hasn't read the Confessions in years, since he's too busy reading and learning from the Rick Warrens and Kent Hunters out there (wait, aren't Rick Warren and Kent Hunter a little dated?  Exactly!).  Synodocat believes that to be a "missional" synod, everyone must be a "minister" and a "missionary."  Synodocat loves the so-called "Great Commission" (Matt. 28:16-20) and believes it is fulfilled whenever a Christian (i.e. a "minister"/"missionary") tells someone about Jesus, an interpretation which results largely from ignoring verses 16-18 of that famous passage, which, in turn, leads to a misunderstanding of verses 19-20 (well, that, and the fact that Synodocat has learned to interpret the passage from modern "evangelicals").  As Synodocat fulfills what he believes to be his Divine Purpose in moving the synod down the path of his vision, he enjoys the many perks that come with the job (free lunches, awards and accolades, lodging in luxury hotels, a large expense account, and a six-figure salary, just to name a few - these perks are blessings from God for fulfilling his "sacred duty").  There is much more that could be said about Synodocat, but this short intro should suffice for our purpose here, which is to introduce you to SynodoBot.

Synodocat does the thinking, SynodoBot does the enforcing.  Synodocat is the "brains," SynodoBot is the "muscle."  So, for example, let's say Synodocat makes a decision to, I don't know, cancel the most popular radio broadcast on the synodically operated radio station.  Synodocat cannot be bothered to execute this decision, so he sends SynodoBot to do so.  Synodocat needs to maintain deniable plausibility, so SynodoBot is called upon to break the news to the employees of that radio broadcast and to the synod at large.  Or, let's take a look at another example:  Let's say Synodocat wants to sell the chapel and other property used by one of the synod's most faithful and effective Campus Ministries, so that he can use the money from that sale to put into place the plan he has developed for campus ministry in his district, a plan that meshes well with his idea of "everyone a minister/missionary," since it involves raising up students to be "missionaries" on many campuses throughout the district, and so forth.  Again, Synodocat cannot be bothered to execute this decision, so he looks upon SyndoBot to do so.  Synodocat may send an email at 5 a.m. to the faithful pastor who serves at the Chapel to be sold, but it will just be to announce that SynodoBot will soon be enforcing the decision made in "Executive Session."  SynodoBot will take over from there, and Syndocat will be unavailable for comment until that decision is executed, making sure not to answer his phone and to set his email up to deliver automatic responses.  This may not seem like the most churchly way of doing things, but, remember, the end justifies the means, and when the end is to create a new and improved, relevant and appealing synod/district, where the "mission" is to win souls for Jesus by doing "whatever it takes" (i.e. "being missional"), well, you can't be bothered with being churchly.  I mean, there are people dying without Jesus out there!  This is no time to worry about being churchly!  So, Syndocat devises the scheme and SynodoBot executes it.  It really is a genius system.  Here's a pic to illustrate the system at work:

      

How To Be a Biblical "Scholar"

Fisktacular

ULC to be Sold (or, Synodocat Strikes Again!)

Back in April, Pr. David Kind and the members he serves at University Lutheran Chapel (ULC), located on the campus of the University of Minnesota, learned that the "Campus Ministry Property Task Force" of the Minnesota South District (MNS) had formulated a plan to sell the ULC property (along with the property at Mankato State University).  The plan was formulated behind closed doors, as neither Pr. Kind nor representatives from the ULC congregation were privy to its development, even though they were promised that they would be.  When they learned of the plan, they brought it to light and began a "Save ULC" campaign.  Oh yeah, an important detail not to be missed is the fact that the plan was unveiled on Holy Tuesday, which brought back many eerie memories for those of us who were shocked and dismayed at the sudden cancellation of "Issues, Etc." on Holy Tuesday a few years back.  You can read more about this in a blog post I put up here back in April. 

In May, the MNS Board of Directors (BoD) passed a resolution to have the District Treasurer hire a commercial real estate broker to determine the true market value of the ULC property and report back to the BoD, and to have the congregation at ULC research its ability to purchase the property from the MNS at the fair market value, which they currently rent.  The fact that this property was GIVEN by generous donors so that there would be a congregation located on the campus of the University of Minnesota, where students and Lutherans in the area could receive the gracious gifts our Lord delivers via His Holy Word and Sacraments, seemed to be lost on the MNS BoD.  I mean, those faithful donors did not GIVE to this cause as a real estate investment, but to support the Ministry and Mission of Christ's Church.  But, whatever.  Fine.  If ULC needed to raise the money to purchase the property that was, again, GIVEN, they would go to work at doing so.  And so, they did.  They initiated a campaign to raise the money for this purpose.

But, alas, it matters not.  The MNS BoD is seizing on the opportunity to cash in now.  They have a developer interested in the land (that was GIVEN by generous donors - wait, did I already mention that?!) and believe they can sell it for $3.2 million, so the beautiful chapel where our Lord has served His sheep from font, pulpit, and altar will just have to be demolished, and Pr. Kind and those he serves will just have to find someplace else to gather in the Name of our Lord.

How are such decisions reached, you ask?  In the same manner the infamous "plan" was unveiled - behind closed doors.  The president of the congregation at ULC tried to attend the MNS BoD meeting yesterday, but the BoD immediately went into Executive Session.  "Um, yeah, we're going to be talking about the future of your congregation and, like, you know, we don't want you there to hear what we have to say, because, like, we're going to have to make important business decisions that, like, you probably won't be too hip on, so, you know, you're not invited."

How utterly shameful that a BoD of a District of our Synod invokes the very unchurchly way of "doing business" behind closed doors.  To hide in Executive Session is nothing but cowardly and no way to do things in the church.  But, the shameful and unchurchly way of "doing business" doesn't end there.

How is it that Pr. Kind and the members he serves are informed of the decision made by the BoD to sell the property?  By an email sent to Pr. Kind by MNS District President Lane Seitz at 5 a.m. this morning.  Yeah, that's right.  An email.  At 5 a.m.  "Um, yeah, we're going to need you to go ahead and start making other arrangements soon, because, um, we've decided to go ahead and sell the property where you're located.  Um, yeah."  How utterly cowardly and, again, unchurchly.  So much so that if a District President doesn't understand how cowardly and unchurchly this is, he really shouldn't be serving as a District President.  But, I digress.

It has been pointed out that there is still hope for ULC, since the resolution passed yesterday (which you can read here) by the MNS BoD was to sell the property by the end of the calendar year for no less than $3.2 million, but not to a specific developer/entity.  In other words, this is not a done deal and the ULC could raise the $3.2 million and make an offer to purchase the property (that was GIVEN!).  But, the writing on the wall sure seems to indicate that there is a developer already waiting in the wings to purchase the property.  And so, it sounds to me like the resolution crafted in "Executive Session" by the BoD was intended to be vague, so that when the District Treasurer, who, according to the same resolution now has the power to broker a deal that meets the requirements of the resolution without further BoD approval, makes the deal, it can be said, "Well, we gave you folks at ULC a chance to make an offer, but you couldn't come up with the $3.2 million fast enough, so we had to take this other deal."  I know, I know, I'm not putting the best construction on things.  Yeah, well, the construction I am putting on things is based on how things have been done to this point, right up to the "Executive Session" yesterday and 5 a.m. email this morning.

This whole fiasco is beyond disappointing.  It is downright disgusting.  A thriving congregation and campus ministry should not have to endure such shenanigans.  They should be supported and encouraged, not threatened and discouraged.  And, since the MNS District Treasurer made clear at the District's Pastor's Conference in May that the District was not in a financial crisis, this move on the part of the BoD is all the more disgusting, since we are left to conclude that this has more to do with opposition to the "style" of ministry being done at ULC right now - you know, that nasty traditional stuff, what with the Holy Word and Sacraments and all - than with money.  Indeed, the plan for campus ministry imagined by the "Campus Ministry Task Force" of the MNS District revealed back in April was one of those non-Lutheran, "missional" things, where students become "missionaries" to "reach the lost" and "win people for Jesus" - you know, like the modern "evangelicals" do things.  Um, students are not missionaries.  They are students.  Campus Ministry is not something for them to do, but something our Lord does for them.  Really, this is all basic stuff.  That those who call themselves Lutherans do not realize this is as absurd as it is amazing.  But, that they are willing to sell the property where congregants and students have been, and continue to be, extremely well served by our Lord is evidence that they don't get it.

But, enough.  I would go on, but I've probably already said too much and am afraid of what I might say if I continue on.  For more information on this ridiculous fiasco, you can visit the ULC website (where there is an option to donate to the cause of saving the chapel), or read posts on the Steadfast site here and here.   

Someone on facebook mentioned that the whole "Executive Session" thing reminded them of the scene from "The Godfather" below.  I concur.

Is Battle Cat Twirling Wrong?

Comparison Fail: Joseph Smith and Martin Luther