President Benke,
.... But it is not about winning – it is about the Church.
I do hope that whatever is said or done before and during the next convention on either side of the issue will not primarily appeal to emotions. Rather, the delegates will need to reflect theologically and consider the future shape of the Synod based upon facts and not flashy, well done technological shows. In other words: Wittenberg not Hollywood. I suspect that this will happen and that video wars will not be as productive as some might think. I doubt that the old “if you are not for this or that then you are not missional” line is going to be helpful.
I do wish we had found time to chat when we briefly met in Ft Wayne at the last TAALC convention. Much of what is needed in the conversation, is discussion that does not lend itself to Blogs and papers. Some things that need to be seen and shown, require gentle and open exploration in love. In EVERY case, EVEN difficult decisions by DPs where their "instincts" were reluctance, the conversation brings out the reality that compels pastoral spirits. The historical perspectives, and theological including confessional studies have been done. But more than this, they were examined and openly discussed in small groups, often in circumstances that called for practical answers.
During my time first as a congregational leader, in encouraging faithful responses by the Church, and then being dragged into the processes apart from my own desires, a few realities prevailed. They can not be changed. Because they are real and true. Neither videos, seminars, nor conventions can change those realities.
1. Interestingly enough
the very proof that God does what He will whether we get it right or wrong, or use CG methodologies or lock our doors,
is where this starts. Those reluctant to support SMP et al, will often make this point theoretically in caution against trying to "be missional." The proof is tangible and I can take you there. It starts with God doing what He will do. It is not about "being missional." I used to make the statement, "I am only witnessing to you that God is going there. The only question is whether you wish to come along?" That played a bit too harsh but it was true.
It starts with one sheep, a few believers gathered in His name, and the miracle of faith among broken and sinful people. You have to start there, because I will continually ask the question, "
I don't care how you do it! Send the Sem president, graduate your star student early and send him, find a nearby pastor and ask him if he can make it, send a bus!!! I don't care !!!, but I need to know -
Who will you send Friday night at 7 pm to this place? They need an answer, they thirst for His Word and Sacraments. and they are calling you ... not figuratively ... you personally Mr. DP or Sem prof or whoever... if you don't believe it give me your cell number and I will have them call YOU in the next five minutes " and "It's not my job" is no answer at all.
2.
The people of God in our pews go out every day in their vocations and cross paths with those who thirst for the Gospel. They witness in their lives and conversation to these simple lost. In our Bible Study today the question was asked why Jesus sat and ate with the sinners. That's where He goes! And our people follow Jesus, just like Matthew did.
3. As has happened for two thousand years, as these encounters occur
the lost are brought to the church. They are sent to the congregations, the well trained pastors doing what they are called to do. The Evangelical Lutheran Church without Walls(LCMS) has on average about 17-25 members. They have had in attendance at "worship" as many as 300 on given weekend. Those people are almost all sent to normal "regular" congregations with "sem trained" pastors, to become members . One argument I had with a pastor who was reluctant to support SMP type answers ended with me blurting out, pretty much, "Dear God my friend! do you not know where The XXX family, Mr. YYY, and miss ZZZZ in your congregation came from?!!!! We sent them to you!!!" And then told him more about his members than he knew, because the simple people of God in Item two, crossed paths with those in item one.
4. While that is the vast nature of these acts of God,
there are the constant and regular exceptional fringes always in motion. Sometimes it is a weekly gathering in the Fireside Room in the Mega church gathered for God's Word. Sometimes it is at lunch.... A long multi year conversation over sandwiches in the Atrium of GE (let me tell you the story if such a bench at Verizon some day.) The example we used at CWOW is the image of a picnic table and a pitcher of ice water. You pour it on the table. Most of the water and all the ice stays on the surface. That is the regular way. But ALWAYS some of the water falls off the edge or through the cracks in the boards to the ground. That's all we are talking about. And basicly the desire is to return that to the table. Our plea is for the water, the one sheep, on the ground.
I'll stop there because we need to truly sit down in love and just chat theology, practice and Church. Blogs don't lend themselves well to that I am coming to think. But here is my closing.
I don't care how you (the Church or whoever) do it. But I proclaim "you are called to DO IT!!" (send a pastor) I never desired to become a pastor. The blessings of the call have brought joy for sure, but it was never my plan, my desire, my short cut (10 years on top of 35) I am Jonah! I still want to retire and sip martinis on the Med Cruise ship. But God sort of got my attention with the Big Fish. So I said yes.
One warning - the gatherings are usually few - a dozen here, a dozen there, and
the pay is almost always near nothing. But I have no problem whatsoever if you can send a in residence trained $100,000 debt laden young man to take the call. If he can do it Praise God! I wish he could.
Now finally, you do not know these men well at all. You probably never will. But I am going to say, while they humbly submit and will not raise their own standard, some things of truth. Here's one example. There is one SMP student with modest educational credentials. That is deceiving. He actually taught MD's how to do heart surgery for a while. I would let him operate on my heart. Some have been saved as he "helped" the surgeon get it right. He ran his own profitable business for decades. Hired and fired "educated men and women." He also was instrumental in the churches of LCMS. Was key in shepherding one congregation from major civil war and disaster to health again, and has raised up a dying mission that was close to shutting down to an envied call today. If you speak with him, about all you get is, "hey, I'm just a challenged dude, who doesn't know much except Jesus loves you." It is the only time I know him to tell a lie. But the truth of the statement overwhelms the lie.
Many of these men, especially when you speak of those in their 60's have degrees and credentials and papers and certifications, They don't have room on the wall for their sem degrees and ordination papers ... except!!! you may never know this, since their walls became so filled that they took them down and replaced them with a simple cross. These are the type men you degrade as unqualified.
Matt 21:23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority? ... 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” This is easy. Who will you send?
"We do not know" is not an answer.
In the words of an old German matriarch in Westcliffe CO, over 100 years ago in letter to Walther - "You will send us a pastor ... thank you." And he did...
That's an answer! It is the only answer.
TV
