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?
Nomination results for Synod President have just been announced. Fewer than half of the nominations submitted by congregations supported Matt Harrison for re-election, despite his unconstitutional postcard advice to pastors. A strong majority of the nominations called for new leadership: either Pastor David Maier or Pastor Timothy Klinkenberg.
In a welcome speech intended to energize his supporters and gain nominations at the Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne (CTSFW) Symposia Series, President Matthew Harrison raised the fears of his audience with the specter of Fort Wayne being “on the ropes” in the near future without him as Synod President. Really? Nothing could be further from the truth.
Last week, Congregations Matter became aware of irregularities in the voter registrations of five congregations affecting the vote of seven churches. Let’s make sure all registered votes count!
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.
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.
