A Pastoral Letter to Pastors of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod from President Jerry Kieschnick

November 30, 2002

Dear Brothers in Christ:

Thanksgiving blessings to each of you in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!

During the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, Terry and I are blessed to be able to spend some time with our parents, children and grandchildren. Like you, we look forward to such opportunities and cherish these special times with loved ones.

It is our hope and prayer that your holidays are filled with an appreciation of God's good and gracious gifts, particularly as you share them with friends, family and fellow believers in Christ.

ON THE ROAD AND IN THE AIR . . .
Terry and I have been on the road and in the air much of the time these past 15 months, attending many District pastoral and professional church-worker conferences, District pastors' wives gatherings, District boards of directors meetings, Synodical meetings of many kinds, and participating in a variety of congregational celebrations and events.

In almost every instance, we have been warmly received and, while mindful of the existence of disagreement and controversy in the church, we have nevertheless returned to St. Louis with a renewed confidence about and optimism for the future of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.

Most recently, during the week prior to Thanksgiving, I attended a series of simultaneous meetings in Irvine, Calif., including the LCMS Board of Directors, Council of Presidents, Board for Communication Services, Business Managers Conference, Mission Leaders Conference, and the Fall Leadership Conference of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF). It is a blessing to be able to participate in such a variety of gatherings of elected and appointed leaders of our Synod.

THE WONDERFUL CAMPUSES OF CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
While in Irvine, the members of the Board of Directors were privileged to pay a visit to the campus of Concordia University there, under the leadership of President Jack Preus.

I am continually impressed, not only with the high quality of the fine educational institutions of our Synod, but also the high quality of the young (and sometimes not-quite-so-young) people studying for professional church work and other Christian vocations. What a blessing the educational institutions of the LCMS and the people availing themselves of their services truly are!

As a matter of fact, I have now had the privilege during my more than 32 years of ministry in the LCMS of visiting all ten Concordia College/University campuses and, of course, both Seminaries. Specifically, during the past fifteen months, I have visited the following campuses:

Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne--President Dean Wenthe
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis--President John Johnson
Concordia University, Ann Arbor--Recently retired President Jim Koerschen
Concordia University, Austin--Newly installed President Tom Cedel
Concordia College, Bronxville--President Viji George
Concordia University, Irvine--President Jack Preus
Concordia University, Portland--President Chuck Schlimpert
Concordia University, River Forest--President George Heider
Concordia University, St. Paul--President Bob Holst
Concordia University, Seward--President Orv Walz

That leaves only two universities yet to be officially visited:

Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon--President Pat Ferry (I was at Concordia, Mequon, in the summer of 2000 for a Parish Nurse Conference.) Concordia College, Selma--President Julius Jenkins (I was at Concordia, Selma, in the early 1970s, taking a seminary extension course en route to completing requirements for the Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield/Ft. Wayne. My Volkswagen Beetle broke down on the road back to Biloxi, Miss., necessitating my hitchhiking back to Biloxi..."fond" memories!).

While it is obvious that tremendous diversity exists in and among our Concordias, it is also obvious that college/university/seminary faculty, staff, administration, students, graduates and parents have a wonderful spirit of dedication, commitment and joy in the task of preparing leaders for church and world.

When you have the opportunity, please take a moment to express your thanks to the fine folks who are a very important part of the Concordia University System. And please remember all twelve institutions in your prayers. We truly have a treasure in our Concordia University System!

AN ALMOST CONSTANTLY ASKED QUESTION . . .
As I travel around the Synod, one of the questions I almost constantly hear is, "What's happening in the Yankee Stadium case?" While the LCMS Bylaws prevent me from discussing the specifics of this case because it is currently in the process of appeal, I can comment in general terms about the dispute resolution process of our Synod, described in detail in Chapter Eight of the Bylaws of the 2001 LCMS Handbook.

When a member of the Synod is suspended from the roster of the Synod, that member may appeal the suspension to a Dispute Resolution Panel, comprised of three members of the specially trained cadre of 140 District reconcilers (four from each of the 35 Districts). This panel is chosen via blind draw by the Secretary of the Synod. The decision of this panel may be reviewed by an Appeal Panel of three District Presidents, who may remand the case to a Review Panel of five members from among the District reconcilers, also chosen by blind draw in the same manner as the Dispute Resolution Panel.

Each "level of appeal" has a time limit within which its work must be completed. If each level of the process were to expend the maximum amount of time allowable, the process of appeals could take nearly a year from its inception. The amount of time for appeals could be extended should any party submit a question to the Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM) or the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR).

The responsibilities for reviewing a significant portion of the process of suspension from the roster and for reporting to the 2004 Convention any recommendations for amendment to that process was assigned to the Council of Presidents by the 2001 LCMS Convention. The specific portion of the process that "has been questioned by Districts, congregations and Circuits" (2001 Resolution 7-19), and now by the Synodical Convention itself via the referenced resolution, is Bylaw 2.27 g. This Bylaw outlines the responsibility given the Synodical President of dealing with charges filed against a District President, charges that could result in the District President being removed from the clergy roster of the LCMS.

The need for a thorough review and amendment of this Bylaw, which was first approved by the 1998 Convention of the Synod and is being used for the first time in the history of the LCMS in the current case under appeal, is highlighted by the fact that, at this very moment, formal charges have been filed against three District Presidents, with the threat of formal charges against two more Presidents.

While District Presidents are in many ways held accountable for the administration of their office, it is of great concern to me and of equal or even greater concern to the members of the Districts who elected them, that charges are being filed against their District Presidents for allegations that appear not to be sufficiently egregious to result in the removal of these dedicated and faithful leaders from the roster of the Synod.

In addition, numerous questions have recently been posed to the CCM about many aspects of the suspension and dispute resolution processes, along with many questions regarding ecclesiastical supervision in the Synod. For further lengthy details, see the CCM minutes at http://www.lcms.org/ccm/.

Since one of the Constitutional objectives of the Synod is to "provide protection for congregations, pastors, teachers, and other church workers in the performance of their official duties and the maintenance of their rights" (LCMS Constitution, Article III.9.), we must do everything possible to assure the members of the Synod that this process is as fair and objective as humanly possible and that it is neither intentionally nor unintentionally misused or abused.

It is also critical for the workers of our Synod, including each and every one of you, to receive adequate protection from charges filed against them by other members of the Synod or, as specifically allowed in the referenced Bylaw, by "any person." This is especially important when such workers seek and act in accord with appropriate counsel from their respective ecclesiastical supervisor on matters of doctrine and/or practice and nevertheless sustain formal charges that could result in their removal from the roster of the Synod.

Many of you are probably quite aware that in the LCMS such formal charges are increasing, rather than decreasing, in frequency. This is of growing concern to me and to many in the Synod, especially when charges are filed, as is often the case, without the complainant first following the very important steps of Matthew 18:15-16.

CALLING UP FOR REVIEW THE ACTION OF AN INDIVIDUAL OFFICER OF THE SYNOD . . .
Though I am not permitted by the Bylaws to comment on the details of the Yankee Stadium case currently under appeal via the dispute resolution process, I am permitted to comment on the process that began this past July of calling up for review the action of the Second Vice President of the Synod, Dr. Wallace Schulz, in suspending the Atlantic District President, Dr. David Benke, from the clergy roster of the LCMS (see CCM minutes of August 20, 2002, at http://www.lcms.org/ccm/min082002.pdf ).

As of the date this email is being written, Vice President Schulz and I have not yet met regarding this issue. I am carefully and respectfully honoring his request that any reference to the delay in our meeting together should include the information that such delays are related to questions presented to the CCM, first by the Secretary of the Synod (see CCM minutes of August 20, 2002, at http://www.lcms.org/ccm/min082002.pdf ) and subsequently by Dr. Schulz himself (see CCM minutes of October 21-22, 2002, at http://www.lcms.org/ccm/min102102.pdf ).

An excerpt from the August 20 minutes should suffice in summarizing the formal opinions of the CCM concerning these questions:

"Under extraordinary circumstances, such as when an issue is of synod-wide concern and having an immediate and ongoing negative impact on the Synod, the President may choose to exercise his discretion in fulfilling his duties under Article XI. The President's right and/or responsibility to call up for review an action of an investigation officer carrying out the responsibilities of Bylaw 2.27 c flows from his constitutional responsibilities and powers. Similarly, his right and/or responsibility to report to the Synod via pastoral letter flows from his constitutional responsibilities and powers under Article XI."

Now that those questions have been answered by the CCM, Vice President Schulz and I are scheduled to meet together in early December. Should Dr. Schulz choose not to alter or reverse his action as an individual officer of the Synod in suspending District President Benke, I will be required to exercise my responsibility as follows:

"If the matter cannot be resolved, the President shall refer it to the Synodical Board of Directors, the Commission on Constitutional Matters and/or the Synod in convention as the President deems appropriate to the issues and party/parties involved. (This provision in no way alters the President's constitutional duty to report to the Synod those who do not act in accordance with the Constitution and do not heed his admonitions, as prescribed in Art. XI B 2.)" (Bylaw 3.101 B.5.).

REASONS FOR HOPE AND OPTIMISM . . .
This matter has certainly deepened previously existing divisions within the LCMS. It has cemented strongly held beliefs on both sides of the basic question of participation of LCMS clergy under extraordinary circumstances at civic events in public places. I fully respect the opposing positions of those who disagree on this question. Such disagreement was clearly predicted by the report of the CTCR to the 2001 Convention of the Synod:

"There are also 'once-in-a-life-time' situations. It is virtually impossible to anticipate all such situations or to establish rules in advance. Specific answers cannot be given to cover every type of situation pastors and congregations face. These situations can be evaluated only on a case-by-case basis and may evoke different responses from different pastors who may be equally committed to LCMS fellowship principles. The LCMS has always recognized this."

Yet I remain hopeful and optimistic as we move into the future. In its meeting this past week, the Council of Presidents adopted the following statement:

TO RESTORE HARMONY AND TRUST WITHIN THE LCMS FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST'S MISSION:
Because Jesus Christ is our peace and has made us one, the Council of Presidents renews its commitment to lead the Synod in addressing:

1. The need to work toward agreement in doctrine and practice.

2. The need to provide safe places for responsible theological and doctrinal discussion on the basis of the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.

3. The need to avoid party spirit, rancor and name calling, and to treat one another in Christian love.

4. The need throughout the Synod for God's people to seek that humility which leads to genuine repentance and forgiveness.

5. The need to support the President and all other elected officers of the Synod in every effort to focus our church on the Great Commission and to work toward harmony in the Synod.

As all members of the Council work within their areas of ecclesiastical supervision, I believe that they can and will work together, as responsible elected leaders of the Synod, with "the President and all other elected officers of the Synod" to assist in focusing our beloved Synod on the One Mission that Christ has given to His people on earth. This mission is the business of rescuing the lost, assuring the eternal lives of those for whom Christ died. That mission is accomplished by communicating One Message, the Gospel message of Jesus Christ and sins forgiven through His atoning death on the cross as the only way to that eternal life. As we concentrate on the mission and the message, by God's grace, I believe we will truly become One People--the people that Christ intended us to be.

We have a long way to go in this regard. The problems and divisions before us are serious. But I trust that with the resurrection power of God at work in us and through us, we will emerge from this time of challenge emboldened and strengthened to be Christ's servants in mission to the world.

TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH CHRIST'S LOVE...IN TIME, FOR ETERNITY....
Among the many highlights at the LCEF conference in Irvine was a presentation by Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Williams, who works for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Houston and who is a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church there. In addition to sharing powerful words about the courageous leadership it takes to be an astronaut flying the space shuttle, Jeff shared his personal testimony about becoming a Christian.

In very moving terms that are not possible to capture in this letter to you, Jeff shared how his and his wife's marriage was failing in the late 1980's, how they began to search the Scriptures for a solution, and how one of our LCMS congregations introduced them to Jesus Christ, resulting in the saving of their marriage.

That, my dear friends in Christ, is only one example of the wonderful work being done in the name of Jesus Christ throughout our church body. That's what the LCMS is and will continue to be all about, Transforming lives through Christ's love . . . in time, for eternity! May God richly bless you as you lead your congregation in that eternally life-changing endeavor!

God's grace, power and peace be with you all! And may your celebration of the special seasons of Thanksgiving and Christmas truly be blessed!

Your brother in Christ,
Jerry

Transforming the world through Christ's love...in time...for eternity. John
3:16-17

Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President
The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod

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