Brandon Booth
MollieStatement from LCMS President—April 21, 2008:
This one just makes me laugh. The fact that the firings took place during Holy Week was just reason #3,487 that it didn’t go over well. Here’s my summation, “It was totally cool to cancel this voice of confessional Lutheranism and throw its host and producer out on the street. But we probably should have waited a few days.” But let me know what you all think.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ, Savior of the world and Lord of the universe, through whom alone we receive forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation!
A decision to discontinue “Issues, Etc.” on KFUO AM Radio was made March 18, 2008, Tuesday of Holy Week, for fiscal reasons described in statements issued after the decision became public. At the April 21, 2008, meeting of the Council of Presidents (COP) of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, financial details precipitating this decision were discussed in executive session by Mr. David Strand, Executive Director of the LCMS Board for Communication Services (BCS), with specific fiscal information provided by the Vice-President-Finance—Treasurer of the Synod, Dr. Thomas Kuchta. The decision was made solely by Mr. Strand after consultation with the chairman of the BCS, Mr. Dennis Clauss, with whom I subsequently spoke over the phone regarding this matter. KFUO Radio is a ministry under the umbrella of the Board for Communication Services.
Prior to its implementation, Mr. Strand also informed me as president of the Synod of his decision. I regret that I did not counsel Mr. Strand to postpone implementation of the decision until sometime other than Holy Week. It is obvious that the timing and process connected with the discontinuation of the program have contributed to the disappointment expressed by listeners and supporters of “Issues, Etc.” in and beyond the Synod. Human Resources policies, compliance with applicable employment regulations, the process of implementation of reduction in force, accompanying severance and outplacement considerations, etc., do not allow the sharing of details about this matter. I am deeply saddened by the anxiety, worry, and consternation experienced in the Synod by those directly and indirectly affected by the decision.
Some have interpreted the decision to discontinue “Issues, Etc.” as being theological or political in nature or purpose. Such interpretations have no basis in fact.
As president of the Synod, I respectfully request and pastorally encourage all in the Synod to be patient and charitable regarding this matter, putting the best construction on actions and decisions connected therewith. I pray for the day when the financial resources of our Synod do not necessitate the reduction in force of radio personnel, the return of missionaries from the foreign mission field, or any other such difficult and painful decisions. And I pray for peace and harmony in our beloved Synod.
Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
“Transforming lives through Christ’s love … in time … for eternity …”
John 3:16-17
Filed under: Updates
“As president of the Synod, I respectfully request and pastorally encourage all in the Synod to be patient and charitable regarding this matter, putting the best construction on actions and decisions connected therewith.”
The best construction possible is that there are a number of financially inept people running the synod that keep forgetting to answer their email.
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. . . .
Now wait a minute. Doesn’t the 8th Commandment have to do with lying? How can the COP admonish pastors to refrain from telling the truth, but not challenge our Synod President to not lie?
“putting the best construction on everything” is an admirable notion but way too often pulled out by people who are also pulling the rug out from under you.
So himself is “saddened” that people had the temerity to feel anxious and concerned. We’re not happy and clappy, and when we’re not, things don’t go according to plan, do they, Rev. K?
Others have commented and will comment much better than I have or can. I’ll only say that one of the most telling things about this whole sordid mess is that “talk radio for THINKING Christians” has been axed.
There are those who don’t want us to think, but to feel. Thus the references to “our beloved Synod.” Oh ferheavenssakes! A Synod is there to coordinate what congregations can’t do individually. It’s nothing to be “loved.”
At least we know the lavender hill gang are paying attention to what we’re writing. And I imagine they’re confused that phrases like “our beloved Synod” aren’t turning us from thought to emotions, and bringing us back into the sheepish fold to do as we’re told.
“The decision was made solely by Mr. Strand after consultation with the chairman of the BCS, Mr. Dennis Clauss, with whom I subsequently spoke over the phone regarding this matter. KFUO Radio is a ministry under the umbrella of the Board for Communication Services.”
Translation: It is politically expedient for me to distance myself from this unpopular decision…which I’m all for!
“Prior to its implementation, Mr. Strand also informed me as president of the Synod of his decision. ”
Translation: I’m still in charge and ultimately responsible for all things because the “buck stops here!”…but I’m not responsible for this politically unpopular decision…which I’m all for.
I regret that I did not counsel Mr. Strand to postpone implementation of the decision until sometime other than Holy Week. It is obvious that the timing and process connected with the discontinuation of the program have contributed to the disappointment expressed by listeners and supporters of “Issues, Etc.” in and beyond the Synod.
Translation: I wished I could have crucified these guys and cut the heart out of confessssion Lutheranism on a day less “Good Friday-ish.” Opps! Remind me to do these things on Fat Tuesday or April Fool’s Day. We don’t want any more martyrs.
Human Resources policies, compliance with applicable employment regulations, the process of implementation of reduction in force, accompanying severance and outplacement considerations, etc., do not allow the sharing of details about this matter.
Translation: Like Bill Clinton, it is never my fault. By the way, when Jesus said, “This ‘is’ my body”, what did He mean by “is”?
I am deeply saddened by the anxiety, worry, and consternation experienced in the Synod by those directly and indirectly affected by the decision.
Translation: It ticks me off when people aren’t afraid enough to shut up about this.
Some have interpreted the decision to discontinue “Issues, Etc.” as being theological or political in nature or purpose. Such interpretations have no basis in fact.
Translation: The bigger the lie, the more easily they fall. Don’t you dare believe the obvious.
As president of the Synod, I respectfully request and pastorally encourage all in the Synod to be patient and charitable regarding this matter, putting the best construction on actions and decisions connected therewith.
Translation: Be warned! I will slap you with violating the 8th if you don’t shut up. Look at the COP letter! It is even more threatening. We are united against you and you will comply or be assimilated. We are the BORG!
I pray for the day when the financial resources of our Synod do not necessitate the reduction in force of radio personnel, the return of missionaries from the foreign mission field, or any other such difficult and painful decisions. And I pray for peace and harmony in our beloved Synod.
Translation: We will continue to put your money toward “Suck” signs and away frommissions and programs like Issues. But it is not our fault because you are not sending in more money for missions and Issues and other confessional programs which we will not support!! You big dummies. Don’t you know…IT’S ALWAYS YOUR FAULT!
Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
“Transforming (assimilating) lives through Christ’s love (The BORG in Christ’s name)… in time … for eternity …”
John 3:16-17
The Presidents letters sounds like something straight out of George Orwell’s “1984.
Lost-in-translation… Thank you for your translation of the “new speak”.
I’ll say it. I despise our “leadership.”
Again…more law, more law, more law.
Here’s my best construction: Quichenick has no business being in charge of Synod.
“Some have interpreted the decision to discontinue “Issues, Etc.” as being theological or political in nature or purpose. Such interpretations have no basis in fact.”
I think that’s supposed to mean something like, “There, I’m now calming your fears and out of respect you should take me at my word and drop it.”
Have you Missouri Synod congregational members thanked your convention delegates for electing this Violet Vatican™ gang?
It is very upsetting to me that our synodical president thinks he can claim the synod’s financial situation necessitates not only the cancellation of our best national radio gospel outreach, but also the return of missionaries from the field - all while projects such as Ablaze!, “Fan into Flame”, and other such nonsense have cost the synod millions of dollars in losses. By comparison, Issues, Etc. was but a drop in the bucket, yet it was more effective at transmitting the pure Gospel and Lutheran doctrine to the world than any of these other ridiculous programs of synod.
The Council of Presidents denies any responsibility for oversight on their part, saying that in their application of the Fourth Commandment they see that they (and by implication, we) should all just trust the judgment of those the synod put in charge for handling KFUO. Kieschnick and the Council of Presidents also take us for idiots in claiming the decision had no political or theological reasons behind it. Then they slap us with the Eighth Commandment in an obvious attempt to shut everyone up and bring shame upon those who complain that we are not being given satisfactory answers.
These responses to this evil, divisive action of our synod are totally unsatisfactory. The Eighth Commandment calls us to put the best construction on things, not to be stupid.
Perhaps he will consider a cut in his own three digit salary since the Synod is in such grave difficulty. Perhaps we should cut 10-25% of the staff at the purple palace. Perhaps Kieschnick will stop charging the LCMS for his wife’s plane tickets, meals, and so forth when he is traveling on Synod’s business. Why couldn’t he kick some of that Ablaze money to Issues?
K - 8th commandment issues - Truth rules! You want us to believe that it was by chance that Strand cancelled the one program that defended a traditional version of Lutheranism that our grandfathers would have recognized and supported when you yourself repeatedly tell us this is not your grandfather’s church? You really want us to believe Issue’s wasn’t targeted as a Confessional program when your own administration recently said in so many words that if our congregations don’t get out their checkbooks and support your vision of Ablaze that services (did we hear Issues implied???) would be cut?
I’m going to tell you the truth in the frame of the 8th commandment. I won’t judge you as a person nor will I judge your faith. But you are one poor leader. And your credibility is very low.
My critical thinking professor in undergrad used to talk about the concept of “deep disagreement”: in which the parties to a debate disagree so fundamentally, on all the important assumptions, that argument is not possible.
It is obvious to some of the LCMS believers that Biblical, confessional doctrine, that what Strand identifies as “complex Lutheran apologetics” is the basis of our outreach. This is the truth—this is why we believe what we do. Why should anyone convert to our religion, if we are willing to change that religion to reflect their current position? There is nothing to hide or softpedal about Lutheran doctrine: it only benefits everyone to explain, educate, and evangelize with the full, confessional, truth about our beliefs. And frankly, no one can or has been able to say that those beliefs are not focused on Christ and Him crucified. That would be a valid rebuke for the confessional camp, and if that were true, we would repent.
However, this is not the assumption of the people issuing these statements. They are far from this assumption. So I think that many of the words being used in this discussion do not have the same meanings on either side of the debate. Definitely, priorities are quite different!
It appears that three pastoral conferences can be ignored and accused of breaking the 8th Commandment. It appears that any questioning of motive is a breaking of the 8th commandment. It appears that any questioning of policy, procedure, or program is breaking the 8th commandment.
We throw around the 8th Commandment so easily. What does it mean? “We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way. ”
Although I suspect that we have not kept this commandment perfectly but neither have those in our leadership. The abrupt manner in which this was all handled lends itself to wonder whether there was misconduct. KFUO is not a factory or worldly corporation where lay offs can happen suddenly and without warning. As the COP and the SP have said “KFUO is under the umbrella of the BCS.” It is part of the church and when you dismiss a church worker in such a fashion it has left fertile ground for speculation. I find that not defending your neighbor, putting the best construction on things, or speaking well of them.
It has been reported on this site that at the COP meeting that the Synodical Treasurer did not see that Issues was the reason for the financial woes of KFUO. We are hearing this second hand and cannot be certain that it was actually said by the Synodical Treasurer. However it fits with the other information of financial records that have been released and the fund raising efforts of the Reformation Club and the Issues Etc. 300. Although we cannot call it a lie and be in keeping with the 8th Commandment, it is still nonetheless not being completely transparent.
The Synodical leadership is putting the responsibility for keeping the 8th Commandment upon those of us who have complained, who have commented, who have written articles, and who have been angry and hurt over this issue. Now we are hit with the law and called to repent. I do not accept in full their accusation. It means that they become the judge of when and how someone is in keeping with the 8th Commandment. The leadership of Synod bears some responsibility in this breaking of God’s law as well. They have created an atmosphere where there is nothing but suspicion. They have created an atmosphere where it is becoming increasingly more difficult to be the best construction on their actions.
The best construction that I can place on this whole matter, if we accept the financial reasoning from th synod, is that we have people in leadership who are miserable at public relations. They have created a firestorm in this synod once again that could have been avoided by giving these gentlemen two weeks notice and time to inform the audience and other stations of the coming change. They could have continued to devout time on the KFUOAM server for the archives and podcasts. They could have celebrated this ministry and mourned its loss in a godly fashion. Instead they have chosen to hide behind administrative cover, executive session, and corporate flow charts of responsibility. It is no wonder that people find it hard to be charitable and difficult to put the best construction of this fiasco. Did I just break the 8th Commandment? No. I am making an observation of facts.
So please stop telling me that I have broken the 8th Commandment when you have not aided in me doing so by your actions. Pointing out that something was mishandled and calling for clear irrefutable evidence that your actions were justified is not breaking the 8th Commandment. It is my Christian duty.
It is interesting that our Synodical officials are watching every word that is being written by those on these sites. Every word said in anger, every accusation, every quick reply has been observed. If they have felt as though they were unfair or unjustified then defend yourself, speak up, clear the air and let’s rejoice in the forgiveness and grace of God. Again they have not done so but have hidden themselves and have easily taken offense. It appears that they do not want people to discuss these matters. They do not want conversation about the direction of our synod or decisions that have been made. They simply want us to go away, be quiet, and accept what we tell you. Oops! I guess I just broke the 8th Commandment again. No. I am just stating the facts.
“I think that people are making a mistake in viewing these statements as either stupid or implying the audience is stupid. These aren’t statements about facts, reason, or logic, but about power.
I read somewhere that Communist doublespeak wasn’t really about propaganda but mind control. If the state can make words mean what they want, and facts to be what they want, and history to be what they want, then people lose the will to resist. There is no solid ground, no frame of reference to build opposition from. While Ms. Schori has a limited sphere of control (probably just Sunday mornings), many people compartmentalize their thoughts to the point that the Episcopal switch goes on when the subject comes up.
It’s a waste of time to counter Ms. Schori and folks like her with facts, reason, or logic because it’s about power. To assert is to make reality provided enough people say nothing. It doesn’t matter if Bp. Schofield was canonically deposed; it doesn’t even really matter if the canons can be twisted to support that interpretation. All that matters is that the verdict was delivered and folks went about their business as usual. The net of doublespeak draws tighter with every statement that goes unchallenged.
Submitted by Alexander Scott at 4/8/2008 8:56:17 AM”
In an effort to calm our fears, he has simply raised more questions. I think it’s time for a public audit of KFUO, so we can truly see where the monies came from, where they went, and just how much Issues, Etc. “lost” (if any).
They can issue ‘official’ statements until the cows come home.
Truth is, actions speak louder than words.
So does lack of action — look at the last 5 weeks.
You guys who have written are all so smart. Really. Thinking Christians. (The kind, by the way, that scare the powers that be!) I can’t say enough, “Thank you” for standing by in this together. It is so, so, so encouraging to know that there are indeed many who share the same confession. You all are a great encouragement to my husband and me.”
Now - This decision has no basis in fact for being political or theological in nature? Then just how does one understand Strand’s statement that Issues is being replaced with a show that has a “broader appeal”? Is this not theological??? Does this not mean “nonoffensive”? (As in don’t say homosexuality is a sin? As in don’t say that baptism indeed saves? As in just don’t bring up that stuff that other denominations disagree with? Just stick with, “Jesus loves you no matter what”?) That’s not theological??? And Pres. Kieschnick has not uttered one word of true regret that Issues has been axed. He’s talked around that, expressing disappointment for our angst, disappointment in the synod’s financial woes. But not once, not once, has he expressed true regret that the content of Issues cannot continue to be heard by the world. That’s not theological/political???
As I’ve said before, Pres. Kieschnick is a slick politician in every sense of the word. We can only rely on truth to overcome his political moves. ONLY?? We have truth on our side! We have to get the truth in front of people. Can we somehow send letters to the same people who will be receiving Pres. Kieschnick’s letter? We can raise the money–we’ve shown that.
Again - we bear the sword of Scripture. I need to be reminded of that today as my emotions are getting ablaze. May God keep us steadfast in His Word, not looking to our own emotions or cleverness. Thanks again, everybody.
Power is the driving force of their action and the quest for more power will not stop with this. The quest for power can be their undoing. Human nature is such that the more power they get the more they want.
Remember Martin Stephan and his quest for power over the Saxon immigrants and his unfrocking and removal and we may see history repeating itself in Synod today. Keep the faith friends and we know truth will win.
‘And I pray for peace and harmony in our beloved Synod.’
This is my favorite line. I laugh every time I read it.
You ***pids at HQ should have figured this out before you fired Todd and Jeff…What’s scary is, they probably did.
In other words, let me shoot it straight — IT’S YOUR FAULT! Don’t try and pass it off with this stupid, pseudopietistic crap.
ACCOUNTABILITY!! Please!
“The decision was made solely by Mr. Strand after consultation with the chairman of the BCS, Mr. Dennis Clauss, with whom I subsequently spoke over the phone regarding this matter.”
What a load of fertilizer. You are the boss. If your underling reports his decision to you before he implements it and you don’t stop him from implementing it, it is, de facto, your decision. You are the boss!
This awful decision is bad enough. The Clintonian weasel-words are intolerable.
Obviously, the Synod President would like this all to just go away. The fact that he is still issuing statements full of obfuscation, self-justification, weasel words and inappropriate application of the law means that he is still feeling the heat.
Mollie: Augburg in 1530 was a damn uncomfortable place for those who took a public stand for the Gospel. Thank you for your courage and your ability to stand the heat and stay in the kitchen.
You are a true child of the Reformation. God bless you!
“I THINK IT’S TIME FOR A PUBLIC AUDIT OF KFUO, SO WE CAN TRULY SEE WHERE THE MONIES CAME FROM, WHERE THEY WENT, AND JUST HOW MUCH ISSUES, ETC. “LOST” (IF ANY).”
This is a good idea. Strand will never permit it, but it is a good idea. Perhaps someone should suggest it to Thomas Kuchta, synod’s VP -Treasurer. He seems like the one honest man in all of this.
Yes, thank you Mollie.
Boy, are they intent on not giving any answers or what?
I pray for repentance and honesty in our beloved synodical leaders.
I’m with the idea of Pres K. taking a salary cut to support honest mission work. I would and I don’t make a 1/3 of what he does.
His wife gets synod to pay for her tickets to go with and do mini sermons in the middle of his??!!?? I can’t get my husband’s company to pay for me to go with? I can barely get them to let me stay in his hotel room and certainly not to drive his rental car they paid for - I have to get my own!
I’m so tired of people treating me like a little 3 yo kid who understands nothing - heck, that isn’t even true, my 3yo understands Christ Crucifed for him for the forgiveness of his sins.
What does this mean? This 8th commandment thing? I can’t write publicly (or better yet - Mollie can’t) about public actions but they can Lie? I don’t feel threatened by them telling me to mind the 8th commandment. When I sin there Christ died for that too - I’m not seeking to sin (well, sinful me I am but…that’s not what I’m talking about). I’m not intentionally making things up about synod. If I accidentally slander someone I’ll repent but Christ died for it all. you know, when you accuse someone of slander don’t you have to prove that what they’re saying isn’t true? Or at least don’t they have to prove what they’re saying is true? Hasn’t Mollie (and all the rest) been doing that?
Of course, I’m laity, I’m a stay at home mother - not contributing much to synod - nothing that isn’t my husband’s, and I’m just a part of 1/3 of 1%.
Jenn next to nothing in the eyes of the powers that be - Forgiven in Christ in the eyes of God! I’ll take that any day!
Jenn,
You & most laypeople don’t have to worry too much about the continued beating with the 8th Commandment. There’s not much the synodical leadership can do with you. All this 8th Commandment talk is a warning to pastors & districts to shut up & toe the line.
Jenn,
Not only does Jerry’s wife ride “free” on the corporation, but she’s the first wife of an SP whose husband didn’t pay her way himself or let her stay home.
Not surprisingly, this administration has more money problems than any other…SP “can’t live” on his three digit salary; he’s got ‘no money’ for legitimate missionaries (but millions for non Lutheran consultants) and “no money” for a radio program that probably paid for itself if the books weren’t cooked.
You are right, revgeorge. I was annoyed when I was told that I wasn’t considered to be a member of sinod, just a “member of a sinodical congregation. But it is a layer of protection.
All the same, I hope some of you guys will be in the front lines with Mollie.
Mollie,
I’m surprised they didn’t wait till Good Friday to kill off Issues, Etc.
They could have calculated that nobody would notice till Monday afternoon.
I suppose it was kind of them to remind us in advance of one more thing Christ died for!
Just a thought, would it be viable to have a clearing house of some sort that would compile financial commitments from people to support this ministry. Once the goal of funding this ministry was reached present it to the BCS and the office of the president. If this was truly supported by all those who miss this program we might force the hand of those who might not want to support this ministry for other than financial reasons. There has to be a way to get this program back on the air.
I think its about time to put Bishop Stephan in the boat and push him across the Mississippi!
Please don’t send him over here. Please!
I suggest that when the 2010 Convention meets in Houston, President Kieschnick just be invited to stay there and retire to his hometown.
amen
They keep saying Rev. Wilken and Jeff Schwarz had to be fired for financial reasons.
I read the most recent synodical budget last week and I think I remember reading that they wanted to fill around 15 unfilled positions and add about 18 synodical jobs at headquarters. Please correct me if I am wrong.
I am sure they just plan to give those jobs to Rev. Wilken, Jeff Schwarz, and the missionaries they have called back. Maybe some of their wives will be offered jobs as well. After all it would a much better use of the talents and gifts of these people.
But Pastor Wilken is so smart I’m sure he could get a much better paying job as a consultant or something. Hey, maybe then the LCMS could hire him to consult the leadership on how to serve rather than lord it over its membership.
I can no longer support the cowardice, mismanagement and theologic vacancy of our presidents and church leadership. I have no hope in church presidents and I know that is how God would have it. I have no hope in Pastor Wilken and Jeff Schwarz either, but I do have hope in the Christ they proclaim through the media.
I have decided to try to put the LCMS leadership back into the deep dark corner of the cellar of my subconscious where they were before this whole fiasco began. There is nothing I can do about them so I will let God handle the case.
I want to refocus my resources and energy on Confessional Lutheranism and its truthful message instead. I want to find ways to support Pastor Wilken and Jeff in a new radio ministry if that is Christ’s will. From a practical standpoint, I may put less in the offering plate at my church and send more to Lutheran ministries that are not tied to synod or district. Hopefully my church will send less to synod and district as well. This will probably make little difference, but it is what my conscience demands.
LWH,
Good comments!
It’s kind of fun to think of Todd Wilken as a confessional consultant.
But I’m with you — I’d rather see Todd and Jeff back on the radio. I, too, will be refocusing my $ toward them and other faithful ministries, and away from LCMS district and synod
…and I am encouraging others in my church to do the same.
i’m dissapointed with the way people are acting on this site… that Lost in Translation piece was one of the most slanderous and mean-spirited things I’ve seen in a long time…
there are better ways in dealing with a problem then congregating in back-ally websites…. cbyer-back patting inappropriate behavior… is this really how reconcilliation can be done? Is this Christ centered behavior.
This is not a vote in favor of what Synodical leaders have done with Issues… I miss it… but two wrongs never make a right
Dear disappointed,
I am sorry if you are offended, but this is how some soldiers do battle. War in defense of truth can be a very ugly thing. You may not want to visit these sights if they are upsetting to you.
I agree that two wrongs never make a right. At the same time people express themselves in different ways. Some people even admit to doing wrong and then seek forgiveness. Sometimes you just have to be absurd when you are pointing out absurdity.
There is nothing in the statments of COP or SP that is helpful or honest. One thing that really stands out to me is the veiled (or not so veiled) THREAT of Kieshnick , the essence of which is “shut up and send money or I will start calling missionarys home, etc.” I know that the COP was under intimidation. Our own DP would never have agreed unless threatened and has plans for some other route. What some see as cowardice, may indeed be prudence in order to be there for the war by surviving this battle. Please keep our DP’s and Pastors in your prayers that they will be protected from “the hachet” as someone else said. Remember that our warfare is “not against flesh and blood”. These are hard times for the Church everywhere. But Christ is still Lord of the Church.! It is well noted that the Church and her members have always grown stronger under persecution. May that be true in all of us.
Dear Disappointed, we are ALL disappointed but since we cannot air our differences without being told to wait for the facts or don’t get involved in the politics of the church or don’t blame those whom you have not spoken with personally we remain hurt, confused, deceived on occasion and have been called names. Those who demonstrated at the IC have been put down as radicals and insignificant though we were silent and respectful for the two hours we stood in the cold asking a simple question. Why? Yes there are some who have posted that have gone over the edge of decency, for sure. But there are many who are posting that have knowledge and information that many of us did not before and we are investigating those claims as best we can. Maybe there is no malice in all of this, but then again the evidence seems to suggest otherwise and we have a right to look at it and ask questions. If we want to lay down and let our beloved synod go up in flames the best way to do that is just to quit talking and watch it happen. No one will listen then when we collectively cry “We tried to warn you”.
I’d like some specifics from ‘disapointed’ on those other ways of doing things.
Maybe he means we could speak to the parties directly: Strand, Kieschnick, the various boards and councils?
That’s a great idea. We could email and phone and send letters.
Maybe the really enterprising among us–say maybe a professional journalist–could write an op-ed for a national publication and state what the issues at hand are, or at least seem to be.
If that doesn’t get a good dialog going, maybe we could gather in silence outside the International Center and hold up signs that ask ‘why?’, and someone from inside would come out and talk to us. Mano a mano.
How’s that sound for better ways? Because I agree, disappainted: all this talking amongst one another is really next to pointless, isn’t it? I mean, it’s not like we have any power over anything (a fact becoming more apparent every hour of every day…)
I’m not saying that there haven’t been constructive means taken… and my post, though in review could easily be taken as such, was intented to do so. I just worry that we enable a “foothold” for Satan to do his work when we let our passion for what we see as right possibly go too far… In this I am not saying that I am without fault, I know I’ve been as guilty as any other at times… I just cringe at what appears to be outright hatred of other brothers of the faith.
If I have offended or wrongly accused then I sencerely appologize…
I guess my plea would be better stated as: when we do disagree with other sons and daughters of Christ, which Keishnick and other are, we do so with a sense of gentleness and intent in reconciliation….
May all of us go forward by the Grace of God in Christ! God’s blessings to all as you continue to bring the joyous message of Christ Crucified and Christ Risen!
correction to previous post…..
It should say, “and my post, though in review could easily be taken as such, was NOT intented to do so.” Sorry for any confusion.