Power Archives - Congregations Matter

Guest Essay: Are We a Top-Down Or Bottom-Up Synod?

April 2, 2019 Congregations Matter Essays and Articles Leave a comment

From the beginning of our Synod, we struggled with big questions of relationships and governance polity. Should the laity have authority over the clergy? Should the clergy have authority over the laity? Should a “bishop” have authority over the congregations? Questions like those formed the chaotic beginning of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod! This essay will follow the decisions our Synod has made from its beginnings with quotes from C.F.W. Walther and our own LCMS Constitution. Top-down or bottom-up? What is right-side up?

Pastors David Maier and Tim Klinkenberg agree: Synod needs more Truth and Light!

Congregations Need Truth and Light from Synod Leadership

Read Pastor Timothy Klinkenberg’s letter to his congregation about the need for “Truth and Light” in our Synod. Maier and Klinkenberg’s nominations totaling 57.4% of all nominations show of support for a change in leadership far greater than Harrison’s support for re-election. Synod is saying: “It’s time for openness and truthfulness in our Synod leadership.”

Harrison Sent Postcards to Hundreds of Pastors to Nominate Him for Synod President

Did Harrison’s Postcards Taint His Nominations?

January 31, 2019 Congregations Matter Candidates, Synod News Leave a comment

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?

Concordia College Selma was never meant to make it. President Harrison and the Synod Board of Directors voted years ago to close it.

The Fix Was In — Selma Never Had A Chance

November 5, 2018 Congregations Matter Essays and Articles, Synod News Leave a comment

President Harrison, Secretary Sias and the LCMS Board of Directors (BOD) shamefully hid from Synod their true intentions regarding Selma. Newly shared documents and open records from Synod BOD minutes, convention records and the CCM opinions reveal their double-dealing. Selma never had a chance. Could this happen to a Concordia near you?

Give President Harrison and Inch and the 7-02B Task Force to Centralize Control of All Our Concordias

Harrison Plans to Centralize Control of All Our Concordias PART 2

October 24, 2018 Congregations Matter Essays and Articles, Synod News Leave a comment

Harrison’s plan to centralize control of our local Concordias under one President and Board of Regents is a dangerous power-grab. Who gave Harrison and Sias the authority to do this?

Harrison to Centralize Control of All Our Concordias

Harrison Plans to Centralize Control of All Our Concordias PART 1

October 24, 2018 Congregations Matter Essays and Articles, Synod News Leave a comment

In a move that surprised Concordia University Presidents, President Harrison and Secretary Sias will propose the elimination of all Concordia Boards of Regents at the Tampa Convention in 2019. However, President Tom Ries of Concordia, St. Paul, revealed that our Concordia University Presidents are unanimously opposed to Harrison’s plan.

Under Harrison, the LCMS is moving toward a Romanist-style Synod

NJ DP Opposes LCMS Tilt Toward a Romanist-Style Synod

October 10, 2018 Congregations Matter Essays and Articles, Synod News Leave a comment

Pastor Anthony Steinbronn, President of the New Jersey District, opposes the movement of our Synod toward a church Martin Luther opposed 500 years ago, where all authority is centered in one person and others are authorized to maintain control using the traditions of men rather than the Word of God…ALONE.

Florida-Georgia District ask Harrison for Financial Transparency and Local District Supervision

SP Harrison Called to Account by FL-GA Convention

June 26, 2018 Congregations Matter Synod News Leave a comment

During the Florida-Georgia District Convention, the 160+ voting delegates delivered clear and direct messages to third-term LCMS President Harrison. Disappointed by Harrison’s scripted remarks and unpersuaded by deflective non-answers to specific questions, they overwhelmingly rejected his Presidential actions in vote after vote.

United List Candidates Control Synod (Part 2)

June 24, 2018 Congregations Matter Candidates, Synod News Leave a comment

In Part One of the Congregations Matter article about United Listers, concerned LCMS members learned two things. First, the groups that form The United List are well-funded with hundreds of thousands of dollars in their war chests for political purposes. Second, United Listers control Synod. Laypeople and pastors alike can hardly believe this happens in the LCMS.

United List Candidates Control Synod (Part 1)

June 24, 2018 Congregations Matter Candidates, Synod News Leave a comment

If you like the way our Synod is going, thank the United List. United List Candidates are in control. Now in 84% of LCMS elected positions, United List candidates almost totally control the presidium, boards and regents of our Synod. Who creates “The United List”? Just read list of constituent groups. Think about how Synod is going. Ask yourself, “Is their influence good for my congregation?”