University Lutheran Chapel (University of Minnesota) to be sold

[FrPeters]

Funny thing about the methodology stuff... the people I know who are reading the current trend in church growth and development (people in my own circuit) did not ever read the Lutheran dogmaticians so it is highly unlikely that they are reading the methodology stuff.  They are not reading this stuff critically but, in many cases, because they are desperate to grow the church and they are ready to do whatever they think will make for quick, measurable growth.  I am not faulting their desire -- does anyone on this forum NOT want the church to grow?  What I am faulting is that they have read just enough Lutheran doctrine to be dangerous -- they have the pat phrases (law/Gospel, means of grace, etc.) but they don't know what these mean or how to apply them.  When we discuss these and I bring up questions, inevitably I hear "I never thought of that before..."  This does not prevent them from using it because they figure if they get the sermon right, it makes up for everything else being wrong.  So where is the critical thinking here?

I was at the Senior College at the very time of the split and found it to be overall supportive of the Seminex direction.  I did not encounter direct things in class but unmistakable subtleties.  At the same time, what I did encounter there was a tremendous pressure to think, to read, to push yourself by having the original sources and not content with a cursory knowledge and shallow conclusions.  This itself was one of the great blessings of CSC -- and it cannot be diminished even though it was obvious where the sentiments of the faculty lie...

[Dave Benke]

At the same time, what I did encounter there was a tremendous pressure to think, to read, to push yourself by having the original sources and not content with a cursory knowledge and shallow conclusions.  This itself was one of the great blessings of CSC

This is most certainly true.

Dave Benke

[mmeyer]

I'm probably hi-jacking this thread - but it makes sense (to me) to place it in this topic.  Every now and then - my name and possible motives pop up on a gossip site concerning my status as possible Campus Ministry Facilitator for the Mn South District.   I have tried to keep mostly silent about this - but I will feel better if I clear the air a bit (and also probably vent a spleen as well).

Here is an edited version of what I posted on another site....

So FOR the record – here it goes:

There was a time that a person in the district asked me about their idea of Campus ministry facilitator. They told me they wanted to restart or plant more campus ministries in Mn South. I listened to their ideas – gave a few of my own (among them was, sending out student interns which would work WITH the local parish pastor to bring students to Word and Sacrament ministry – which was met with HOWLS of derision from your side because it violated their idea of vocation – well, that is, until Rev. Bart Day said essentially the same thing on a KFUO interview – which I have the clip copied).

After their presentation – and question of whether I may be interested in the position – i asked a simple question – “Would my salary be bumped up with the added work and responsibility?” And this is a direct quote – “Well, do you like your work? There will just be more of it.”

No salary bump – no cushy office space and leather chair – just me in my same 40 yr old desk and metal chair in my office at the room at the Campus Lutheran Chapel – AKA “Hosanna Highland”.

Nothing has been mentioned recently. I’m guessing that their plans have been altered after the convention. At this point, I’m planning on just finishing the rest of my contract while contemplating my next vocation.

I asked for the record to be corrected by your side (the "confessional" Lutherans) more than once – but they never, ever changed it. I have worked very hard to keep silent and just go with the flow – considering the source(s). But now it’s time to correct the record, although I doubt it will make any difference. I am so disappointed in how this has all been handled in so many ways.

For the next 2 1/2 yrs, I am the campus pastor serving the people of Minnesota State – Mankato and surrounding area. My building is in the process of being sold – and I have no idea of what my future holds.

Monte Meyer
Campus Pastor – MSU-Mankato

[Michael Slusser]

I'm probably hi-jacking this thread - but it makes sense (to me) to place it in this topic.  Every now and then - my name and possible motives pop up on a gossip site concerning my status as possible Campus Ministry Facilitator for the Mn South District.   I have tried to keep mostly silent about this - but I will feel better if I clear the air a bit (and also probably vent a spleen as well).

Here is an edited version of what I posted on another site....

So FOR the record – here it goes:

There was a time that a person in the district asked me about their idea of Campus ministry facilitator. They told me they wanted to restart or plant more campus ministries in Mn South. I listened to their ideas – gave a few of my own (among them was, sending out student interns which would work WITH the local parish pastor to bring students to Word and Sacrament ministry – which was met with HOWLS of derision from your side because it violated their idea of vocation – well, that is, until Rev. Bart Day said essentially the same thing on a KFUO interview – which I have the clip copied).

After their presentation – and question of whether I may be interested in the position – i asked a simple question – “Would my salary be bumped up with the added work and responsibility?” And this is a direct quote – “Well, do you like your work? There will just be more of it.”

No salary bump – no cushy office space and leather chair – just me in my same 40 yr old desk and metal chair in my office at the room at the Campus Lutheran Chapel – AKA “Hosanna Highland”.

Nothing has been mentioned recently. I’m guessing that their plans have been altered after the convention. At this point, I’m planning on just finishing the rest of my contract while contemplating my next vocation.

I asked for the record to be corrected by your side (the "confessional" Lutherans) more than once – but they never, ever changed it. I have worked very hard to keep silent and just go with the flow – considering the source(s). But now it’s time to correct the record, although I doubt it will make any difference. I am so disappointed in how this has all been handled in so many ways.

For the next 2 1/2 yrs, I am the campus pastor serving the people of Minnesota State – Mankato and surrounding area. My building is in the process of being sold – and I have no idea of what my future holds.

Monte Meyer
Campus Pastor – MSU-Mankato

I, for one, appreciate the update, Pastor Meyer.

Peace,
Michael

[Dave Benke]

I'm probably hi-jacking this thread - but it makes sense (to me) to place it in this topic.  Every now and then - my name and possible motives pop up on a gossip site concerning my status as possible Campus Ministry Facilitator for the Mn South District.   I have tried to keep mostly silent about this - but I will feel better if I clear the air a bit (and also probably vent a spleen as well).

Here is an edited version of what I posted on another site....

So FOR the record – here it goes:

There was a time that a person in the district asked me about their idea of Campus ministry facilitator. They told me they wanted to restart or plant more campus ministries in Mn South. I listened to their ideas – gave a few of my own (among them was, sending out student interns which would work WITH the local parish pastor to bring students to Word and Sacrament ministry – which was met with HOWLS of derision from your side because it violated their idea of vocation – well, that is, until Rev. Bart Day said essentially the same thing on a KFUO interview – which I have the clip copied).

After their presentation – and question of whether I may be interested in the position – i asked a simple question – “Would my salary be bumped up with the added work and responsibility?” And this is a direct quote – “Well, do you like your work? There will just be more of it.”

No salary bump – no cushy office space and leather chair – just me in my same 40 yr old desk and metal chair in my office at the room at the Campus Lutheran Chapel – AKA “Hosanna Highland”.

Nothing has been mentioned recently. I’m guessing that their plans have been altered after the convention. At this point, I’m planning on just finishing the rest of my contract while contemplating my next vocation.

I asked for the record to be corrected by your side (the "confessional" Lutherans) more than once – but they never, ever changed it. I have worked very hard to keep silent and just go with the flow – considering the source(s). But now it’s time to correct the record, although I doubt it will make any difference. I am so disappointed in how this has all been handled in so many ways.

For the next 2 1/2 yrs, I am the campus pastor serving the people of Minnesota State – Mankato and surrounding area. My building is in the process of being sold – and I have no idea of what my future holds.

Monte Meyer
Campus Pastor – MSU-Mankato

Thanks for the update - I for one looked at your title/moniker and thought you were Marie Meyer and was going to be highly incensed at your hijacking another thread with your endless women's ordination theme (oops, channeling Peter there - how did that happen?).  But it's nice that it's you, and nice that you keep us informed. 

Dave Benke

[sgehrke]

The University Lutheran Chapel was reduced to a pile of rubble today.  Its cornerstone currently lies upside down in the grass amidst piles of crushed bricks, as ULC was not allowed to keep it by the MNS Board (the developer did allow ULC to remove the stained glass windows and altar before the sanctuary was knocked down today - something they weren't required to do by the terms of the sale).  It's unfathomable to me that this could have occurred in less than a year after its proposed sale was publicly announced, and that this action could be taken in opposition to the expressed wishes of the pastors of the district in convention and essentially so by the District Convention.  There is something very wrong with the District system that it gives a small group of people such power to destroy in less than a year what it took many people before them over 60 years to build.  The district will net less from this sale than ULC proposed to offer them, and ULC will have to raise more money to rebuild elsewhere than they offered, so this action has made no financial sense either.  Students will be arriving to campus soon, with no permanent place to worship this fall.  How this has improved LCMS campus ministry from what it was last year is entirely lost on me.

I apologize in advance for lack of followup, I will have limited internet access the rest of the week. But it seems that some on this forum are interested in the issue and would like to know what happened today in Minneapolis.

[peter_speckhard]

Why weren't they allowed to keep the cornerstone?

[sgehrke]

No idea why the district wanted the cornerstone, but ULC was explicitly told the district wanted it (this is second hand info).

[peter_speckhard]

No idea why the district wanted the cornerstone, but ULC was explicitly told the district wanted it (this is second hand info).

Well, that makes sense. "We want it," is a different thing than, "You can't have it." The way it was described as just lying upside down in a pile of rubble because the district said ULC couldn't have it made it sound like the district would rather it went in the garbage than go to ULC. If they're keeping it for historical purposes or something, well, again, that makes perfect sense.

[LutherMan]

http://steadfastlutherans.org/?p=21841

There is a pic of the cornerstone laying upside down amongst the rubble along with vids of the demolition...

[swbohler]

Although WHY the district would want it (to the point of denying it to the congregation) is another question.

[Robert Johnson]

No idea why the district wanted the cornerstone, but ULC was explicitly told the district wanted it (this is second hand info).

Well, that makes sense. "We want it," is a different thing than, "You can't have it." The way it was described as just lying upside down in a pile of rubble because the district said ULC couldn't have it made it sound like the district would rather it went in the garbage than go to ULC. If they're keeping it for historical purposes or something, well, again, that makes perfect sense.

Maybe they want it as a trophy.

[mmeyer]

Some of your comments are as bad as the other LCMS gossip sites.  Why not just find out the truth instead of this stupid speculation.  You can do better.  Be sad about the loss of the building - but don't descend to this speculative nonsense like BJS or the other confessional gossip websites. 

[swbohler]

Some of your comments are as bad as the other LCMS gossip sites.  Why not just find out the truth instead of this stupid speculation.  You can do better.  Be sad about the loss of the building - but don't descend to this speculative nonsense like BJS or the other confessional gossip websites.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Meyer, the MNS district has refused to explain/discuss such things, preferring to keep them in executive session of the BOD. 

[Mike Gehlhausen]

Some of your comments are as bad as the other LCMS gossip sites.  Why not just find out the truth instead of this stupid speculation.  You can do better.  Be sad about the loss of the building - but don't descend to this speculative nonsense like BJS or the other confessional gossip websites.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Meyer, the MNS district has refused to explain/discuss such things, preferring to keep them in executive session of the BOD.

Actually, that is Pr. Monte Meyer.

Mike