On Feb 20, nominations for Synod President will close. If Matthew C. Harrison finishes in the top three nominees, Harrison’s nomination total will be illegitimate. His total may include nominations he gained via misuse of his Presidential office and unconstitutional advice.
The March 24th deadline is here. Each congregation must register their pastor and a designated lay person with the Synod for them to be eligible to cast their congregation’s two votes in this June’s Synodical Presidential election! Are your congregation’s electors registered?
On late Friday afternoon, February 8, 2019, Matthew C. Harrison publicly admitted interfering in Synod’s Presidential nomination process. What did Harrison do wrong? He tainted Synod’s nomination process by giving wrong advice to pastors about who could nominate him, and he did so at Synod expense.
President Harrison sent handwritten postcards on January 3rd and 4th from the President’s Office at Synod expense to the pastors of select congregations. Because he advised them to circumvent their Voter’s Assemblies if they could, are his nominations valid?
Many observe that the LCMS experiences polar swings in leadership each decade. We need a leader who will bring unity to our Synod by fully embracing both our confessional and our missional values.
Despite all the happy talk, it is clear that not all is “joyful” in the LCMS. Several district conventions, representing hundreds of congregations, adopted overtures asking the 2019 Synod convention to remedy some of the monumental leadership failures of President Harrison and his United List allies.
In a St. Louis Post-Dispatch article, the LCMS is accused of institutional mobbing against church workers who dare to speak up about problems and increasing divisions in our beloved Synod. Harrison dismissed the article, characterizing it as “sadly bizarre” and “disconcerting.” Does his response prove the point?
In an address delivered in August in Chicago to national leaders, Pastor Timothy Klinkenberg gave a positive message for our Synod answered with a standing ovation. Tim Klinkenberg is a leader for our Synod’s future.
In an address delivered in August to LCMS national leaders, Pastor David Maier gave an inspiring speech answered with a standing ovation. It was clear to all in attendance David Maier is ready to lead our Synod.
The Constitution and By-laws of the Synod describe a very important working relationship between the Synod President and District Presidents. Sadly, during the past eight years, President Harrison broke that relationship. It’s time for a change in Synodical leadership.
