LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 5

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

5

(though not simply at his direction) for ecclesiastical supervision in
their respective districts.
I found in Pastor Esget several very attractive features:
(1) His congregation is in the very top 1 to 3 percentage points of performance (Baptisms, adult confirmations, school growth, etc.) in the
entire East-Southeast Region (Maine to Alabama). (2) His congregation faithfully practices the Synod’s doctrinal practice of closed
Communion. In 2013, the Synod in convention voted at 77 percent
that I, as Synod President, should see to it that this doctrinal practice is
carried out and that I should encourage district presidents to work with
their congregations where needed. I need regional vice-presidents to
assist me in this effort. (3) Pastor Esget serves a congregation in the
area of Washington, DC, and many of his members serve in government and related entities. This is helpful in our current circumstances
with respect to religious freedom. (4) Pastor Esget is a longtime and
committed advocate for pro-life causes, serving on the Synod’s prolife task force. (5) Pastor Esget is a superb teacher and a genuinely
nice and gentle human being.

I believe the issue of licensed lay deacons brings all of these issues
to a head, and that’s why some districts are very concerned. It’s about
mission, yes, but also about autonomy. Let me state clearly that all
of our district presidents are men of integrity and character, committed to the Scriptures, Confessions, and the church’s mission. The
Koinonia Project has been very helpful for the Council of Presidents,
and as we move further from 1974, things will continue to improve.
Simply put, the Synod was not designed to be a confederation of districts. The Synod is a church body unified in doctrine and
practice. We have extensive freedom in practice as Christians. “For
freedom Christ has set us free” (Gal. 5:10). Yet, we voluntarily sacrifice a bit of that freedom for the sake of our brothers and sisters. “Do
not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love
serve one another” (Gal. 5:13). And we also realize that some practice may not be my particular preference but is still within the realm
of acceptability. God help us.

A Word of Public Thanks for the Other Vice-Presidents

We have acted on the very significant visitation resolution from
the 2013 convention. Between Vice-President Mueller and me, we
have visited nearly all of the districts in the last three years. We’ve
spent time with the district presidents and their wives. We’ve sat in
on district board of directors meetings. We’ve met circuit visitors and
many more. Herb and I split the districts and took the regional vicepresident to each visit with us.
It has been grueling to get all this done, but it’s been worth it. Wow,
do I know the Synod so much better! Our districts are run well. We
have great laypeople doing great work. I’m thrilled with all the
efforts of so many districts to care for and improve the well-being
of church workers. The concern for mission has been inspiring. The
efforts at outreach to non-Anglo populations are amazing. The hospitality has been stellar everywhere. And above all, these visits allowed
us to hear the frontline concerns of our folks, to share a wealth of
information with one another about Synod and district, to hold one
another accountable to the mission, and to “build one another up” in
the name of Jesus. Thanks be to God! I’m thrilled about all the times
I’ve heard about district presidents, district vice-presidents, circuit
visitors, pastors, and people visiting church workers, congregations,
communities, prospects, etc. Dr. Robert Preus taught us long ago at
the seminary: “If your people see you in the pulpit and in their living
rooms, you’ll never have any problems.” It’s a truism, but it’s true.
Visitation is the way of Jesus. It’s the way of St. Paul. It’s the way of
the church and of every pastor. “Let’s go!” (Mark 1:38).

First Vice-President Herb Mueller is a man in whom there is no
guile. I’ve never had the pleasure of working with a person who is
more full of faith, hope, and love, nor with a harder worker.
Second Vice-President John Wohlrabe is a retired Navy chaplain
with a ThD from Concordia Seminary and a plethora of faithful pastoral experience in the mission of Christ (mostly aboard Navy vessels!).
Third Vice-President Daniel Preus brings a soft-spoken kindness
and fidelity, marked more often than not with patience.
Fourth Vice-President Scott Murray brings a calm determination
and wise counsel, from a pastor who serves another of the very topperforming congregations in the entire Synod.
Fifth Vice-President Nabil Nour was born in Nazareth where Jesus
lived. He’s a preacher and a pastor with a zeal to share the Gospel.
He is very wise, and he’s helping me with Hebrew, which he speaks
fluently!
Confederation?
For a very long time (60 years at least), there have been competing views of the nature of our synodical union. I have been observing
these issues for a long time. After visiting nearly all the districts this
past triennium, and being at this job for some six years, I’m convinced
that we have a real challenge. When theological differences began to
grow and really take hold in the Synod (really from the 1940s), some
districts over time found it advantageous to keep their distance from
“St. Louis” and the more conservative Midwest. Because of the nature
of the calling process, various districts over time took on a more moderate character and others a more conservative character on issues like
communion practice, worship, etc. Today, we have districts that may
not have had a graduate from one of our two seminaries for as long as
a decade, highly preferring one seminary over the other.
We have what I would characterize as a generational tendency on
the Council of Presidents (though it’s not absolute). The more senior
men view the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions more descriptively.
For example, when the Lutheran Confessions state that “no one should
preach or teach without a regular call” (AC XIV), this statement is
viewed as being “descriptive” of a faithful practice within a sixteenthcentury context, but not necessarily for today. The younger men tend,
on the other hand, to view the confessions more “prescriptively.”
Thus when the Confessions say some five times that no one is to be
communed who has not been “instructed, examined, and absolved,”
(e.g., through confirmation instruction), this is viewed as being a prescribed biblical practice.

Can We Visit about Visitation?

Chairman Michael Kumm and Synod’s Board of Directors
In 2010, I came into office with an amazing Synod Board of
Directors. I cannot be prouder of the service they have rendered and
continue to render to the church. From the beginning—with the support of Treasurer Jerry Wulf—we resolved to eliminate the internal
indebtedness to funds designated for other purposes. We also resolved
that the BOD would not be involved in political infighting. Over the
years, we have dealt with some horrendously challenging issues (e.g.,
Concordia University, Ann Arbor). The Lord has blessed, and the
Lord continues to bless!
Special Thanks to Village Lutheran Church
Almost six years ago I received a call (nonsalaried) to serve as
an assistant pastor at Village Lutheran in Ladue, Missouri. This has
been a tremendous blessing to me and my family. It has allowed me,
in spite of the travel schedule, to stay more closely connected to the
local parish. And working for Pastor Kevin Golden keeps me humble!
2016 Convention Workbook