I’ve been reading a few people on the internet complaining about negative comments directed toward David Strand. I’ve also talked to a few people who say that they think that David Strand has been subjected to unfair comments on Facebook.
Now, I haven’t actually read any unfair comments, but . . . . really? This is what people are complaining about? David Strand, the man who claims he is singlehandedly responsible for killing Issues, Etc., may have had to read some mean comments from the sophomores at Great Oaks Community College or whatever. And I condemn all unfair comments directed at all people throughout every land.
But until you’ve had the leadership of the LCMS raining holy hell down on you because you dared to speak the truth about the conflict in Synod, don’t bother me with it. Okay? My husband had to comfort me day after day while I bore unbelievably unfair criticism from many in Synodical leadership. David Strand may have the Facebook crowd after him but at least President Kieschnick has his back.
You should see some of the vitriolic, hateful and condescending remarks that were either publicly or privately conveyed about me and my work — by leaders of Synod, no less. Not the Audio/Visual Club at Lutheran High School of Greater Dubuque or whoever is supposedly being unfair to David Strand. Sure, I got some nasty comments from Valpo students. But President Kieschnick unfairly disparaged me and my work in the pages of a major national newspaper. I’d prefer the college kids any day.
I’m a working-from-home mother of a 7-month-old baby. I’m a laywoman thousands of miles from St. Louis. It has been unbelievably difficult to withstand the pressure from a major corporation.
I consider these comments to be par for the course — journalists can’t be too thin-skinned. And normally I think that making a big “woe is me” deal out of how mean people are is silly and a waste of time. But if you’re the type to get all worked up about the slings and arrows the Facebook crowd is wielding, could you remember me in your prayers, too?
Filed under: Updates
“I’m a working-from-home mother of a 7-month-old baby.”
That’s about three jobs right. there. in that one sentence.
Thanks for everything you’re doing.
I’ll feel sorry for David Strand the day after I read his public apology to Wilken and Schwarz for firing them without warning and his attempting to make severance a “bribe for silence”!
IOW, probably not very soon!
Mollie, Thanks for speaking up! We know Jerry down
here in Texas. We also know that ***usFirst’s copious use
of “the 8TH” and Matt. 18 is strictly for the opposition; they
[How did I do that?] (well, to finish…)
They wouldn’t think of being bound by either themselves as you
know!
Let’s try to get Issues Etc. up and running apart from LCMS.
We may be ‘apart from LCMS’ ourselves sooner than we know.
Personally, I think you should post some of those hateful remarks from the leaders of synod that you received directly. It would be quite interesting to see what they had to say and who had to say it.
Eric,
I don’t know if it would help matters at all. But I am about to post my correspondence with one District President. It’s from last month, he sent it to a ton of people, and I figure I gave him more than enough time to respond to my questions.
I’ll get it up later.
Mollie
Go for it, Mollie. You tell it like it is.
There are a lot of us out here who have your back. We may not have any “Synodical power” (whatever that means), but WE ARE THE CHURCH!
Sorry for the shout.
Mollie,
Thanks for carrying the cross!! I truly hope that some “Good News” comes out of the meetings today and tomorrow. And remember, in my opinion, Jesus has your back, that’s better than GK!!!!!
Well, I still think it would be interesting to learn how the synod leaders conduct themselves.
Mollie,
As a mother of a seven month-old (and a four year-old), I think what you’ve done for our church formally in the WSJ and informally on this blog and elsewhere is amazing. I’ve never before stopped to consider your feelings. I just thought of you as a woman on a mission. Thank you for taking it on the chin for all of us. Our church needs laity like you to stand up for what’s right. I don’t want to lose our beloved Missouri Synod. I want conservative, liturgical, confessional churches to be around when our children are grown.
Regarding Mr. Strand, I pity him a bit. It seems he is not a man but merely a puppet. Sad. I’m waiting with great anticipation to see what happens with the BCS.
God bless you, your princess of a husband, and your baby. I hope and pray you are able to endure it all and persevere in your work.
Susan M
Mollie,
The leadership of the synod can’t hang with you because they don’t have the truth on their side and aren’t as intelligent as you. As they try to do harm to you, keep the faith, and remember that you are in the good company of folks like Todd and Jeff. Remember that you have got a lot of people who care deeply about you and the words you are writing. Lastly, don’t forget that Jesus Christ is for you, and that will never change.
Mollie,
Today my favorite stay at home mother (of a 3 year old and 11 month old) came home from the public library with a big color book for the wee beasties to read. On the front was a giant of a man, (looking something Fred Bauie [sic], only much taller and actually mean) and armed to the teeth in war-gear. Standing tall as his knees was a boy, holding a sling.
It reads something like this: “So the stay-at-home mother of a seven-month-old took five smooth stones from her diaper bag, and she cried out from the right coast, ‘What have you to do with me, ye uncircumcisethed phillistine dog? I come in the name of the LORD God!’ And the giant fell, and mighty was his crash.”
That gives me an idea…hmmm…
Dear Mollie:
Thanks for setting an example of faithfulness and courage for us, clergy and laypeople alike. Your steadfast confession has given a lot of people hope. You are doing the Lord’s work, and the fact that you are catching you-know-what from you-know-who is evidence. Semper sub crucem! And shame on these cads who would try to bully a lady. Remember the example of Sts. Perpetua and Felicity.
You are in my prayers, and in the prayers of many others, I’m sure.
Isaiah 40:31!
Susan M and Uncle Sam I agree with you 100 per cent. I hope Mollie will tell it all and we want to know how bad they treat people. The way they treated Pastor Todd and Jeff may be just the tip if the iceburg. The truth needs to come out.
Synod is $4 billion corporation when you include the foundation. LCMS inc. is a hard nosed business. Sadly, it maintains an outdated form of management style which was solely based upon the power of the boss. What you experienced Mollie is the arrogance that comes with that power. How dare you, just a mother, confront the synod leadership! Shame on you.
As an insider, I watch on a daily basis how people do whatever they can to make their boss happy to preserve their job, instead of understanding the Lutheran nature of anything.
I remember when Dr. Barry was elected and suddenly so many around here were “conservative” and scrambling to figure out what the word “confessional” meant.
Issues dealt with theology. The IC leadership is confused by theology and can only appeal to their power of the purse, which they are emptying at lightening speed.
Small consolation, Mollie dear:
We’re all being served a big excrement sandwich right now.
You just got first bite.
No, wait: Wilken & Schwarz got bites one and two.
Seems there’s plenty to go around.
Think about it, though: a work-at-home mom with a baby. A layperson, not employed by the church: What a target!
You’re much appreciated, lady. What they hurl at you, they hurl at all of us.
Mollie, you have my prayers. It was your article in the WSJ and your interview on the White Horse Inn that woke me up royally to the reality of the LCMS. What I saw were the “dots”, and you connected them for me. Please don’t give up, remember what the Psalmists always asked, “What can man do to me?”
As I always say, there is nothing freer in the LCMS than a lay woman. And nothing more dangerous than an angry lay woman on a mission.
Take heart Mollie, your confession is inspiring and historic! Bless you.
Thanks for all that you do. Praying for you. Don’t let the turkeys get you down.
Hi Mollie,
I was disappointed to read that Pres. Kieschnick lead (or mislead) the newspaper editor to believe that you, an LCMS member and journalist, had painted a “false and misleading picture” of the LCMS as a “deeply divided church”. When he wrote his response to your Radio Silence article, the COP and BOD members had identified some months earlier “Failure to recognize the severity of the division in our Synod” as one of twenty issues thought to be causing the greatest discord in the Synod. It’s very troubling to see a Synod President stoop to the level of discrediting your article with defaming remarks. I wonder why he seemingly can’t acknowledge facts that are obvious to others. Isn’t it interesting that COP and BOD members haven’t come forward to repudiate Kieschnick’s response to the newspaper editor?
Grace and peace be yours in abundance! (1 Peter 1:2b)
Paul,
Unfortunately, I think it’s called “consider the source” — and I’m not referring to Mollie/Mollie’s journalism!
Mollie, I agree with everything you just said. You will most surely be in my prayers.
Having to withstand criticism from the LCMS which may have negatively impacted your work is just plain wrong. Synodical leadership should have been the ones to be careful in their handling of this issue. So what a few kids made some comments about David Strand.
Let’s be mature here.
Just a side note, I give you a lot of credit for the work you’ve taken up in handling the Issues issue. You’ve been a true leader.
I pray for you, Molly, and the Synod and its leaders.
What I am appreciative of are the facts that have been presented, such as the resolutions saying that the Synod is divided.
What has been hard for me is discovering this division. And I’ve discovered it following an error that suggests those in charge could have done better. They haven’t said much to improve their position since.
Meanwhile, those who are opposed to what happened have been slinging all sorts of words (both truth and opinion) at them. I became involved, and even threw some of my own ill-advised words that I regret. But, as the mudslinging continued, it became hard on me knowing that I would have to sort out what is truth and what is opinion. And I begin to grow weary of the opinion. I, for one, desire full transparency.
About the facebook comments: there are many responses to this blog whose comments are worse than those on facebook. And this blog informed us that those comments have been used against us who are looking for answers. Let’s see: read that bad comments are being used to misrepresent us, so how should we respond??? With Bad Comments!
I’m sorry, that does not make sense to me.
Focus on Christ. Focus on the truth. Exercise patience and self-control along with firmness of resolution. This advice makes me a,
-Lowly Hypocrite
Mollie: You are suffering for the sake of Christ as he said would happen in scripture. I want you to know that I appreciate what you have done. While the few in leadership positions have unleashed their anger on you, you are like a modern day Luther who is pointing them to the truth. Similar to the reformation, the church is trying to use its power and authority to torment you. Remember two things: Over 7,000 people are inspired by you and want you to hang in there. 2. While the confrontation about Issues, Etc. was necessary, I do not belive it will bring the authorities to their knees to the point the put it back on the air. It is time for the 7,000 Issues, Etc. plus supporters to get off their confessional rears and put their money where their mouth is. If 7,000 petition signers would donate $10 per month to restarting Issues, Etc. the resulting $840,000 would pay KFUO’s entire yearly operating budget or the program could be started independently outside of the influence of St. Louis. Time could be purchased on another station in St. Louis and KNGN Lutheran Radio in McCook, NE would be greatful to have a role in producing and/or distributing the program. May His will be done!
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12)
Mollie, thanks for helping us to be the “voice” that some are trying to silence by silencing Wilken. I’m disturbed that you are being treated as such by synodical leaders, but I fear it is what to be expected when the deeds being done are more suitable to darkness than light. If people were dealing honestly and walking in the light, then they would not be ashamed of their deeds being exposed. Stand strong! VDMA!
Molly, I’ve liked your writting since I first started reading Get Religion. This recent work on Issues and the Synod has been excellent and stands as a proof of your skill at the vocation of journalist. You managed an article in the WSJ no less, when all the Synods high paid Director of Communications could manage were late and inconsistant form copy emails. The Synod is not the Church, and if the leadership chooses to run it like a secular business instead of a Christian enterprise, they better fully expect tough, pointed (albiet polite) questions from the members who are paying their freight.
Good Work Molly!
Prayers for you and your family
Mollie we are both with you as were at the church service , the brat festival and the march at the lavender vatican. It was chilly but we all have warm hearts for you and Todd and Jeff.
Just tonite I got a lot of thanks from several people for websites and articles. Especailly the one one written by Klement Preus.. You are in our prayers and thots as well as all those that want the Issues BACK.
Never say never and we won’t quit.!
Mollie:
Thank you.
You are doing a great job.
May our Lord be with you always!
Jon
As a member of the ELS, I want to tell you all that for the very first time in the five years I’ve been a confessional Lutheran I finally understand why the confessionals in the LCMS don’t just leave Missouri. I see your passion. Issues, Etc. may be the catalyst, but this really isn’t about a radio show, is it? It’s about being truthful about what you do and don’t believe. You can’t get fed up and leave because you all are the Missouri Synod. I urge you all to stay and fight for your church. I promise you that there are many in the WELS and ELS praying for Missouri.
Mollie, I echo all the kudos to you for your sacrifical work that you do for the body of Christ!
When did Mr. Strand take credit? I missed that. When I called his office on that dark day, the nice lady on the phone told me that “Mr. Srand did not make the decision.”
I’m not worried though, because the truth will come out, sometime.
Mollie,
Thank you for allowing our Lord to employ you in the faithful service of His Bride. You have Truth on your side. Through God’s gift of your journalistic talent you are helping to wake a sleeping giant. But, though your services in this present controversy are invaluable, you are doing an even greater work in Christ as a faithful mother:
“Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD keeps the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep. Lo, children are the inheritance of the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a reward. As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the sons of the young. Blessed is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” [Psalm 127]
Thanks be to God for mothers. Keep up the good work on both fronts!
Thank you Mollie!!!!! You are a blessing to us all. Stay strong. God will bless you! You are in my prayers to stand strong and I thank God for you for speaking for what is right. What a rock and example you have been.
Hang in there Mollie. We need your voice. You are in our prayers.
Praying that the Lord who has so generously equipped you will continue to strengthen you in standing up for the truth of the gospel! God’s richest blessings in Christ to you and your family!
[This is not to anyone in particular.]
Surely some ill-chosen words have been issued on both sides. But would it not be helpful, if poor words were used, to confront the one who spoke them, including a direct quote, instead of simply broad-brushing everyone on one side as slanderous without any proof whatsoever.
Just wanted to say that.
God bless your baby, Mollie.
Mollie,
Praying for you here! Keep up the good writing!!! I like what Pr Cwirla said about us lay women. Most freedom – they don’t always listen to us but… as was pointed out either last spring or the one before it on IE there is a role for us, even in theological issues. Sometimes we have to speak up and point the way back to the truth!
Thanks for the voice!
A “sort-of” Work-at-home mom/homeschooler of 3 (hopefully someday more) ages 6, almost 4, and one.
Blessings in Christ to all of you.
Jenn in Vegas
In the words of Knight George,
“My scolding is no scolding; but I am simply calling a turnip and turnip, an apple and apple, a pear a pear.”
and
“I trust that I am justified in mocking those who mock my God and His Word and work. Elijah too mocked the prophets of Baal.”
further:
“I wonder whence this new scrupulousness is born which calls all that is said against an opponent abuse. What do you think of Christ? Was He abusive when He called the Jews an adulterous and perverse generation and an offspring of vipers, hypocrites and children of the devil? Paul, too speaks of dogs, vain babblers, seducers, unlearned. In Acts 13:10 he rages against a false prophet in such a way that he might seem to be insane. He says: “O full of all guile and villany, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all truth!” Why does he here not rather modestly flatter this fellow in order to convert him instead of thundering in such a way? The truth, which one is consicous of possessing, cannot be patient against its obstinate and intractable enemies.”
Mollie Ziegler Hemmingway,
YOU ROCK! Somebody’s gotta say it… Keep up the great work, sister!
Karen
Dear Mollie,
I pray you find deep and lasting comfort in the arms and words of your beloved and listening Christian husband. As you care for, feed, laugh with, and delight in your seven month old (a “glorious ordinary”) – and especially as you meditate on the loving promises of Christ – may you find an island of sanity in this ocean of craziness.
When you stood up, you became a VISIBLE target, and as long as you care deeply about people and truth, the assault will hurt. (By the way, I’d be worried if you’d impressed our “young scholars” from Valpo. Upsetting them could be viewed as validation that theological truth was not compromised for the sake of self-aggrandizement).
I deeply regret your pain, yet I am selfish enough to be thankful for what you did. Your vocation always includes potential peril, so I admire your ability to use your gift to express what you did, when and where you did it.
The Wall Street Journal is a great source of information, yet more than informing us, your article encouraged us, Mollie. You have made an enormous contribution to furthering an essential theological debate that needs to take place. Truth and love both involve sacrifice, and truth is never served by avoiding it.
Ever grateful to be forgiven,
Florence
Mollie,
It angers me that you have been subjected to such unfair treatment and harrassment… from people who should know better no less.
In another time and another place, these men would have been lynched for daring to treat a lady in such a manner.
The things going on in Synod now and how these people are behaving is unbelievable to me.
I recently heard several stories of how Jerry Kieschnick had harrassed, harrangued, and bullied several people, bringing one DP to the point of tears, and telling a person at a board meeting that “I will destroy you… I will bury you if you do that again” to something done in a board meeting.
The man is apparently an old style brawler and fighter. And he sounds like a very typical power hungry tyrant. And me? Well… I spent way too many years in the miliary : ) My inclination? Punch him right in the nose… hard!
When I was in the Navy, it may have been rare, but was not unheard of to hear of men who were thrown “overboard” for behaving toward other people in such a way.
I remember reading how St Nicolas, during the 1st Ecumenical Council, slapped Arius. : ) He was removed from the council for it… but I bet it … felt good : )
I don’t ordinaraily advocate violence, but it seems to me that it is high time to get some of these men’s attention in a more forceful way. And a good punch in the nose seems appropriate to me :)
Where I grew up, men who bullied women, whether physically or verbally, were treated as cowards and shunned. They did not garner any level of respect.
Just my two cents worth. Keep up the great work!