More Advice on Polluted WELS

Matthias - I think you have seen the major flaw in our synod polity. The SP, indeed, has very little, if any, REAL power or authority. Indeed, in my opinion, if a group wanted to marginalize a confessional man, the best thing they could do was support him for SP! It is mostly a ceremonial position. For all the talk about him being the "pastor" of the whole synod, he really can't be, since, by tradition and rule, he can't really discipline anyone. I mean, he COULD, maybe, perhaps, remove a DP, but that would be tantamount to declaring open rebellion in the synod and a full-blown civil war. Frankly, and I have been very open about this for many years, I believe it is actually way past time for such a war. "Choose this day Whom you will serve . . . " Again, in my opinion, Pres. Schroeder is a good man, an honest man, a man of integrity, and a confessional Lutheran. I know many others disagree with this view, including many of my oldest and dearest friends, and I understand their viewpoint, even if I don't agree with it. Whether we like it or not, it comes down to politics, and that always comes down to "numbers," i.e. how many support one side or the other. The SP needs to be able to say to the CoP that a majority, or at least a very healthy minority, support dumping junk like Time of Grace, Grace in Action, this leadership conference, etc..... If he can't say this - and back it up with names - the DPs have no reason to follow him, practically speaking, that is. Like most things in life, this is a war or battle for the "minds" of those filling the pews and plates. Thus far, men like Jeske, et al, have been doing a much better job of winning the hearts and minds of the pew-sitter. I believe the SP can and should use the power of FiC and email, and Facebook, and blogs, to - as Reagan did - go over the heads of the DPs and directly to the people. However, this too would signal a real civil war in the WELS. Therefore, the first thing that must happen is that all need to recognize the war began already decades ago, and it is only now getting "hot." I don't know if anyone in leadership positions have the stomach for this right now. It may take still more time, before this can be admitted openly. Until then, I still think the confessionals among us should contact the SP directly and offer him our "swords" so to speak. If he cuts off our own heads with it, so be it. But let's try anyway.

Matthias - (with a nod to Dr. Jackson for giving more bad advice.) There is one other option: The DP may be deposed by the District Council, i.e. the combined CPs of the District, and the VPs. Again, this has never happened as far as I know. But it COULD and in some cases SHOULD have happened, and still can. The collected CPs must, as the saying goes, "grow a pair," and put the DP to heel. However, the CPs, too, are elected by "popular vote," and again, in most cases, are men whom the others in the Circuit do not fear and have no concern they will meddle in their parish. In point of fact, the entire system is rife with favoritism and family/school ties. Term limits would help, but even that would not solve the problem. Very small "synods" of no more than 100 churches/pastors would be much, much, more helpful. These, then, in a "confederation," for some united purposes - but very limited and with NO full-time officers - would be even better. With church bodies, bigger is not only NOT better, it is very much worse. The bigger, the worser!

Pastor Spencer - All you say may be true, but the longer the confessional Pastors wait to actively and openly confront the heterodox the fewer confessional Lutherans they will find in the pews to support them. Either they will have left for a true confessional church or they will have been led astray and deceived by years of subtle lies and deceptions. Besides when it comes to conventions the called workers control, the lay person is marginalized if only by numbers. The called workers of the WELS need to step up to the plate. It is well past time to choose whom you will serve - is it God or mammon? What few have the stomach to admit is that the rot is deep and entrenched. To root it out will destroy the WELS as it is now - but is that truly a bad thing? What blessings will our Father in heaven provide to us, to you, from such a trial? My fear is we will never know - but rather we will find out that our most of our shepherds are but hired hands who have taken to their heels when the wolves have come.

Shepherds of thy Fathers sheep - Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. Easy to say, hard to do. It means putting the Lord first before family, friends, classmates, it means trouble and hardship, persecution from those you thought near, it means putting God above and before all things. Easy to say, hard to do.

The Synod in convention is the biggest farce and fixed "democracy" ever. The steering committee is appointed with two DP's. The floor committees are stacked with pastors and teachers who will steer the vote the way it is supposed to go. Best way to move up in the synod is to get "appointed" as a chairman of an important floor committee.