Via Pastor Weedon:
The ND District LCMS Pastors Conference on April 30, 2008 had this resolution:
Whereas the cancellation of “Issues etc.” was an unexpected event that caused much disappointment, confusion and bad feelings throughout the LCMS, and
Whereas “Issues etc.” touched many lives in the United States and around the world by addressing various subjects from the point of view of Confessional Lutheran Theology, and
Whereas the primary reason for the cancellation of “Issues etc.” was lack of adequate funding, resulting in yearly budget deficits, and
Whereas there was no adequate communication given to the fans of “Issues etc.” concerning the financial crisis facing the program, thereby denying the fans of “Issues etc.” a chance to respond with the necessary gifts to keep it on the air, and
Whereas mission work rarely makes money for the LCMS but usually depends on the sacrificial offerings of God’s people, and
Whereas over 7000 people from around the world, representing various Christian denominations, have signed a petition asking that “Issues etc.” be placed back on the air of KFUO, and
Whereas adequate funds to cover the yearly budget deficits of “Issues etc.” could likely be raised from the many who are saddened by the cancellation of “Issues etc.” and would like to see it back on the air, therefore be it
Resolved that the ND District Pastors Conference encourage the Board of Communications of the LCMS to work with KFUO to organize a special fund drive to raise money with the goal of putting “Issues etc.” back on the air at KFUO, and be it finally
Resolved that the ND District Pastors Conference encourage the Board of Communications of the LCMS put “Issues etc.” back on the air at KFUO, along with hiring the two staff members (the Rev. Todd Wilken & Mr. Jeff Schwarz) who lost their jobs, as soon as adequate funds have been raised to cover the cost of the program for the next two years.
I wonder how the BCS is going to handle all of these resolutions . . .
Filed under: Updates
The circular file.
Not to toot our own horn (or cry sour grapes), but CID has passed two resolutions (of from the BoD, one from the Pastors Conference) in support of IE. I don’t have copies in front of me at the moment, but maybe Mollie or Brandon could have the district office e-mail a copy to post.
I wish someone would pass a resolution to get “Giggles, Etc.” OFF the air.
These resolutions are nice BUT they have very little official bearing in the synodical way of doing things.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I don’t believe that the president of synod is bound by any such resolutions nor is there any synodical entity which is bound by the constitution or bylaws to have to respond to such resolutions.
At best, these resolutions end up being little more than “rah-rah” statements — unless they have something specific to do with a particular bylaw.
Thus, I believe that these resolutions would have had some significant weight if they had directed their respective district presidents to register a formal complaint against David Strand (and perhaps Clauss and Kieschnick) as having infringed upon Bylaw 1.5.1.3.
Or the signees of such resolutions should engage in a dispute resolution as indicated in the bylaws — or direct their district president to call for a full audit and investigation in which the Council of Presidents would hear directly from Rev. Wilken, Mr. Schwarz, former BCS and BoD board members who KNOW HOW TO ASK THE POIGNANT QUESTIONS which would expose the misleading reports which the COP members are currently getting.
Yes, it’s nice to see that these districts are trying to show some support, but if they really want to get something done, they’re going to have to learn how to do it right: with consequences attached. Otherwise, these resolutions are pretty much ignored. I wich I could gete excited about it, but I can’t because these efforts are pretty much just shooting into the wind.
P.S. — Trying to “encourage” the current BCS to do anything favorable regarding Issues, Etc., will have about as much effect as “encouraging” the state of New York to give Manhattan back to the Native Americans.
The majority of people in our synod think that things can actually be accomplished by “encouraging.” I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a synodical entity reverse any course of action because they have been “encouraged” do to so. Please, show me some examples – I’d like to know them.
I guess that the encouraging comes from the Scriptures . . . but then, so does “Rebuke them sharply,” (Titus 1:13) or even “What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?” (1Cor 4:21)
Maybe an overture to the synod in convention for a bylaw amendment to include impeachment is in order.
Rev. Brondos, This is what I find so frustrating. It seems like there is no plan here, just a lot of venting. You guys who know the ins and outs of how things need to be done need some way to organize. How can we make a difference when everyone with “know how” is isolate from one another. I’ve read lots of blogs with some intellegent information. How does it all get put together? As it is now, it just seems to me to be shadow boxing. There is a lot at stake here! Perhaps there should be some sort of “clearing house” for people to identify each other, discuss options and plans of action then some implementation.
[...] by Mollie Rev. Joel Brondos, with whom I served on the Board for Communication Services, has some excellent thoughts about these resolutions coming out of districts. They need to have a lot more teeth in [...]
I say we “encourage” them the way Bishop Stephan was “encouraged” to correct some of his behaviors.
When Synod in convention passes resolutions directed towards congregations, it uses terms like “encourage,” “urge,” etc. because the Synod’s relationship to its members congregations is advisory only. But congregations, pastor’s conferences, etc. are not advisory to Synod. As Pastor Brondos says, they can be specific and demanding. Get a majority of them in a circuit together and they can tell a circuit what to do. Get a majority of circuits together (or majority of the all the circuits’ delegates) and they can tell a district what to do. Get a majority of delegates together from enough Districts together in convention and they can tell the Synod what to do. Of course, as already has been noted, the delegates also have to put the right people on the boards and commissions of Synod to get their directives implemented correctly.