Tampa Delegate Mueller Calls for Unity When Considering Candidates

Mueller Writes Open Letter to Fellow Delegates

In his July 11th letter, Delegate Chuck Mueller, Jr., identifies a “drift” away from Synod’s constitutional Article III and Article VII work as the as the culprit bringing anger, apathy and a loss of support for our “covenant of love” in the LCMS. He calls for change and engagement of all voices of Synod as an answer. Read the entire letter and download Congregation’s Matter recommended list of Tampa candidates.

CFW Walther

Guest Essay: The Congregation’s Rights

We all expect, even demand our “rights” – right to life, liberty, civil rights, human rights, women’s rights, rights of the unborn.  As Americans, we have a “Bill of Rights.”   As followers of Jesus and members of the LCMS, we have rights within our Synod.  That is, until someone tries to take them away. “The Congregation’s Rights” in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod also demands our attention.  Our Synod has a history of drifting away from our foundations, a tendency in our history to lift up the human organization of Synod, or the clergy, or Synod leadership above the congregation. Sometimes there’s a group – or an individual – pushing us down that road away from an advisory Synod.  It is happening now.  We need to push back. Executive Summary Before the Synod was formed in 1847, the Saxon immigrants under Pastor (later “Bishop”) Martin Stephan had a polity in

The Local Church Out of Focus

Why “Congregations Matter”?

Congregations matter.  For several years we have been silent, letting our Synod drift into the trouble we see at every hand. We have been focusing on local matters and serving the Lord in the harvest field.  As we have worked, our Synod leadership has lost its focus.  Synod’s first responsibility is to serve congregations and assist them in their work for the Kingdom of God.  That’s not happening now. Silence Doesn’t Mean We Agree We have been silent — and our beloved Synod has drifted off course.  Our Synod’s elected leadership is not focused on their historic roles. Instead, more and more power and decision-making responsibility is in the hands of fewer and fewer — and there is less and less opportunity for other voices to be heard. Our current leadership will not listen to our elected District Presidents.  Our Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM) is supporting our Synodical President in his