That’s how Todd began the broadcast of Issues, Etc.
I’m blogging here because Steadfast is down.
Also, I’m getting reports from people around the country that they’re having trouble logging on to listen Live to Issues, Etc.
I assume they’re being flooded by listeners right now. I’m on, my mom’s on, and various friends from church are on. And this is horrible to mention but you are missing out.
So far, Todd and Jeff have discussed what they did during their Spring Break and what it was like to get fired.
Filed under: Updates
I can’t wait until the downloads are available on iTunes! I am unable to listen at work!
And as Issues is back, I am retiring my moniker of “I HAVE ISSUES”
HURRAH!
Any clue what’s going on with Steadfast?
“Spring Break” is an unfortunate choice of words for what happened to them, and I wish they’d chosen a term which didn’t make light of a fate other faithful pastors have suffered for the faith, but without the corresponding public visibility and support.
Compared to what’s happened to other pastors removed w/out cause, they “got off” easy.
How about “Easter Break?”
As for other pastors who have suffered for the faith, “can these dry bones live?” Those good men are still needed. And how about the many laypeople who have also been suffering? As long as we are on this side of heaven, it’s not over yet.
I gave up trying to listen live. I decided to wait a day and then listen “on demand.” In the first show, Todd and Jeff remarked on at least a couple interesting things. (1) the burden to try to get the show back on the road because of the public visibility and support (2) the legitimacy gained through the WSJ article, etc.
I can not remember what they mentioned regarding the LCMS Inc spin-machine’s spin on their situation. We should keep in mind that the spin (on Rev Martin Noland and others) has been as contemptible or worse.
My main issue with this kind of description is that it makes light of a serious problem and doesn’t give much cause for hearers to pause when considering how to treat their pastor. Imagine someone who’se got an issue with their pastor and hears this “Spring Break” description – how can they not get the the impression that pushing them out is just giving them a “break” – so now running them off becomes a positive thing instead of an affront to the God who sent that pastor to be His Ambassador to His people in that place.
Maybe they’re putting the best construction on what happened, and not dwelling on it. I’d submit that, if that was the case, then it would be better to abandon the “break” terminology and describe as a rather abrupt change of course, and that ultimately God will pass judgment on those who behaved the way they did for their stewardship or lack thereof.
I’m glad Issues is back. I hope people won’t sit down and say “We’ve done it!” because it will continue to take money to keep it on the air.
Tim,
It’s true that more visibility meant more support here. I was glad to see it. Something finally got to a nerve in Missouri and FTM, the rest of Christendom!
I have my own “issues” over friends removed unjustly. Indeed, “His call was rescinded” commonly is responded to with “What did he do?”
The notion that the [sva] could have been wrong is a distant second thought.
But the publicity and support for Tod and Jeff also gives one hope that people will think twice before going against Scripture (and their own constitutions, often enough) in other situations. May God grant it and may He provide for his faithful so that they also may serve Him!
Tim,
Good concerns. I’m beginning to wonder if it wasn’t meant to be making light on a situation, but more deliberately a tongue-in-cheek, sarcastic remark intended for those who already misuse the terms.
I know one LCMS pastor who was fired, while the powers and their minions called it a “sabbatical.” He’s played along with it and got himself another call; and now tries to keep a low profile.
I know another LCMS pastor who was fired, while the powers and their minions called it a “retirement.” He’s now been an itinerant preacher without a call since 2005.
These powers and their minions clearly mock the entire concept of a “call.”
Issues, Etc has an email address for comments and concerns now: talkback@issuesetc.org We know what to do!
Anon – I sent a comment in, but I presume they see this blog as well.
Believe it or not, the greater tragedy isn’t that these pastors are displaced from their Call, because that’s been the fate of God’s followers over the centuries, up to and including martydom.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ?s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. … Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And
“If the righteous is scarcely saved,what will become of the ungodly
and the sinner?”
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. 1 Peter 4:12
What’s the greater tragedy is what’ll happen to all the people who either caused these firings, or are in positions of authority and power and do nothing to stop this kind of nonsense. Scripture is quite clear that everyone will give account for what they’ve done, and all the political tactics and double-speak that happen when a Pastor is driven from where God has placed him won’t do these perpetrators a lick of good.
Scripture describes this kind of behavior, and where it comes from:
“They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. John 16:2″
Now, if someone doesn’t know the Father, or Christ – that can only mean they’re condemned.
This is pretty scary stuff, and as a topic it should be treated as such.
Being on a college campus, where “Spring Break” has quite another connotation, I rather wish they’d thought twice, too.
Yes, it’s probably meant to be irony or something, but I’ve got two close friends and others not so close, on “break” and it’s hard to find humor in it.
They don’t have the name recognition or support.
More likely, people will say, “What did ~he~ do?
“Sabbatical”,…”retirement”… “dismissal of an employee” (as if a called ordained man was equivalent to a janitor!) …it’s all insulting but who cares?