And So It Begins: 2013 LCMS Politics

[Dave Benke]

As we close out 2012 and move into the year of the 2013 Convention, it strikes me that very little is happening on the "political" front of the Synod. This is quite unlike earlier Conventions when both sides were publicly gearing up quite early. Apart from one small blurb from Daystar, nobody seems to be pushing candidates for offices. Of course, I am limited to what I happen to see on the internet so there may be more going on than I know about.

This, in my opinion, is a very good thing. Hopefully, this means a more irenic and less politicized 2013. If so, it will be a very happy new year indeed.

We will pray for the hope of a de-politicized national convention, Chaplain. 

I have received via direct mail and email two candidate-pushing efforts to date - one from Affirm and one from the United List.  Both were pushing the same candidates.  In that sense, then, the sound of political partying may be that Buddhist-emulating noise that comes from one hand clapping, a light whiff in the breeze. 

Dave Benke

[Daniel L. Gard]

As we close out 2012 and move into the year of the 2013 Convention, it strikes me that very little is happening on the "political" front of the Synod. This is quite unlike earlier Conventions when both sides were publicly gearing up quite early. Apart from one small blurb from Daystar, nobody seems to be pushing candidates for offices. Of course, I am limited to what I happen to see on the internet so there may be more going on than I know about.

This, in my opinion, is a very good thing. Hopefully, this means a more irenic and less politicized 2013. If so, it will be a very happy new year indeed.

We will pray for the hope of a de-politicized national convention, Chaplain. 

I have received via direct mail and email two candidate-pushing efforts to date - one from Affirm and one from the United List.  Both were pushing the same candidates.  In that sense, then, the sound of political partying may be that Buddhist-emulating noise that comes from one hand clapping, a light whiff in the breeze. 

Dave Benke

Rats. So there is more going on than I know about. Oh well.....that is one advantage to being isolated on Fantasy Island. Still, I remain hopeful.

[Dave Likeness]

As we prepare to enter the year 2013, the people
of the LCMS are now in "Harrison Heaven."  There
will be no organized opposition to unseat the current
Synodical President.  He has calmed the troubled
waters by building a bridge to the 19th century and
the faith of our forefathers.  He has translated one
of C.F.W. Walther's books, "Church and Ministry"
for re-distribution for 21st century consumption.

The LCMS is battle weary from the past decades
and welcomes the reassurance  that we are in
good hands.  The Koinonia Project will take a
minimum of 10  years to solidify that 85 percent
of Synod which President Harrison seeks to unite.
Once again we will become your Grandfather's
church. It is Time.

[D. Engebretson]

The Koinonia Project will take a
minimum of 10  years to solidify that 85 percent
of Synod which President Harrison seeks to unite.

10 years is a long time for an impatient culture that is accustomed to instant results on quick, on-demand services.  I wonder if there will be enough patience to do the hard work that such a project requires, or will there be accusations of stonewalling and ignoring concerns because things don't progress more rapidly? 

[Harry Edmon]

President Harrison has described the Koinonia Project as a process similar to the development of the Formula of Concord.  Given it took 7 years to put together that document, I do not see 10 years as unreasonable.   But you are correct about our culture.   It will take discipline to stay the long course for a theologically sound result.

[Dave Benke]

As we prepare to enter the year 2013, the people
of the LCMS are now in "Harrison Heaven."  There
will be no organized opposition to unseat the current
Synodical President.  He has calmed the troubled
waters by building a bridge to the 19th century and
the faith of our forefathers.  He has translated one
of C.F.W. Walther's books, "Church and Ministry"
for re-distribution for 21st century consumption.

The LCMS is battle weary from the past decades
and welcomes the reassurance  that we are in
good hands.  The Koinonia Project will take a
minimum of 10  years to solidify that 85 percent
of Synod which President Harrison seeks to unite.
Once again we will become your Grandfather's
church. It is Time.

An interesting thought-process, Dave:  Back to the Future.

I also subscribe to the "battle-weary" theory as well.

My concern is that along the way in the ten year process and whatever repristination twoard the 19th century is taking place, the denomination is going to run afoul of the overall cultural slide away from local congregations as the source of religious community.  The slide away from churches as the source of community has been going on for a long time, as other claimants have risen to grab a more fragmented community sensibility.  The other major deterrent to a ten year process is the age of the members in the denomination, and with their death the serious deterioration in congregational compensation viability. 

So the more urgent process will be survival - of congregations, of the system that produces church workers, and of the denomination.  The one thing that could accelerate the deterioration is more battling and biting.

On the positive side, all movements toward mercy that connects to witness, of activity to reach the young in an engaging way, and of clear evangelical and catholic theologizing will give a distinctly different and promising flavor to the Missouri Synod future.

Dave Benke

[Daniel L. Gard]

It strikes me that a peaceful and unified convention will go a long way toward implimenting the Koinonia Project. In doing so, it will be a huge factor in our Synodical life together with all of the mutual support that entails.

Despite the many things I disagreed with the prior administration, I did admire JK's ability to chair a convention. For the most part, he was fair and even handed from the podium. I really expect that from MH as well.

[Jeremy Loesch]

Jacob, Matthew, Corinna, Caleb and I just returned from a parade in our neighborhood and we passed out 77 flyers trumpeting Gard in 2013: Back from Gitmo!  We need him high on Zion's Wall.  Can you handle the truth!  Join the Gard!

It was a successful campaign stop.  I got some firm commitments from neighborhood kids, especially after hearing that Chap. Gard promises free ice cream, catechisms, and LSBs to everyone. 

Gard 2013 cannot be stopped!

(Gard 2013 is a properly registered 529 superpac and this message is not endorsed by Chap. Gard or anyone he knows.)

Jeremy

[Daniel L. Gard]

Pastor Loesch, you are now officially on the Totally Sanctified List (TSL) described earlier on this thread. It will cost you a lot of money to get off that list. Cash only.

[Donald_Kirchner]

The Koinonia Project will take a
minimum of 10  years to solidify that 85 percent
of Synod which President Harrison seeks to unite.

10 years is a long time for an impatient culture that is accustomed to instant results on quick, on-demand services.  I wonder if there will be enough patience to do the hard work that such a project requires, or will there be accusations of stonewalling and ignoring concerns because things don't progress more rapidly?

Will there be accusations of stonewalling and ignoring concerns because things don't progress more rapidly?   

http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=4cd64d7a7ba58bdc6c27bcc68&id=d861ded512

[Dave Benke]

The Koinonia Project will take a
minimum of 10  years to solidify that 85 percent
of Synod which President Harrison seeks to unite.

10 years is a long time for an impatient culture that is accustomed to instant results on quick, on-demand services.  I wonder if there will be enough patience to do the hard work that such a project requires, or will there be accusations of stonewalling and ignoring concerns because things don't progress more rapidly?

Will there be accusations of stonewalling and ignoring concerns because things don't progress more rapidly?   

http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=4cd64d7a7ba58bdc6c27bcc68&id=d861ded512

Ah, the ACELC.  Affirm, United List, ACELC - a three-digit hand claps in its own silent breeze.  And yet, somehow the sensation is that noise wants to be made.

So reading this completely circular effort, we in the ecclesiastical supervision business are told that there is no reason to wait for a bill of particulars about what troubles Missouri doctrinally or what solutions pertain.  This has already been laid out with great clarity in triplex by...........(one-handed applause, please) the ACELC.   

What are we waiting for?  We don't need no stinking ten years.  Ten MINUTES is all we need.  And with those ten minutes what you and yours can do is to download all the overtures for the 2013 convention prepared in advance for you by.........(one-handed drumroll) the ACELC. 

As they are passed in July 2013 the Koinonia Project can be termed completed, and ecclesiastical supervision begin in earnest, carrying out the will of Missouri as determined in convention but as pre-determined by..................(you know the rest) the ACELC.

So - we're done, and look!  We didn't even have to start!

Dave Benke

[Tim Schenks]

The Koinonia Project will take a
minimum of 10  years to solidify that 85 percent
of Synod which President Harrison seeks to unite.

10 years is a long time for an impatient culture that is accustomed to instant results on quick, on-demand services.  I wonder if there will be enough patience to do the hard work that such a project requires, or will there be accusations of stonewalling and ignoring concerns because things don't progress more rapidly?

Will there be accusations of stonewalling and ignoring concerns because things don't progress more rapidly?   

http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=4cd64d7a7ba58bdc6c27bcc68&id=d861ded512

Ah, the ACELC.  Affirm, United List, ACELC - a three-digit hand claps in its own silent breeze.  And yet, somehow the sensation is that noise wants to be made.

So reading this completely circular effort, we in the ecclesiastical supervision business are told that there is no reason to wait for a bill of particulars about what troubles Missouri doctrinally or what solutions pertain.  This has already been laid out with great clarity in triplex by...........(one-handed applause, please) the ACELC.   

What are we waiting for?  We don't need no stinking ten years.  Ten MINUTES is all we need.  And with those ten minutes what you and yours can do is to download all the overtures for the 2013 convention prepared in advance for you by.........(one-handed drumroll) the ACELC. 

As they are passed in July 2013 the Koinonia Project can be termed completed, and ecclesiastical supervision begin in earnest, carrying out the will of Missouri as determined in convention but as pre-determined by..................(you know the rest) the ACELC.

So - we're done, and look!  We didn't even have to start!

Dave Benke

Pres. Benke,

Seeing your above post, what are your thoughts on the statement from Pres. Harrison's "It's Time" document about the Koinonia Project?

"In fact, given the current status of things, it might even be best if this group were to form of its own accord, and thus without the accusation or even suspicion of machination."

[Dave Benke]

The Koinonia Project will take a
minimum of 10  years to solidify that 85 percent
of Synod which President Harrison seeks to unite.

10 years is a long time for an impatient culture that is accustomed to instant results on quick, on-demand services.  I wonder if there will be enough patience to do the hard work that such a project requires, or will there be accusations of stonewalling and ignoring concerns because things don't progress more rapidly?

Will there be accusations of stonewalling and ignoring concerns because things don't progress more rapidly?   

http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=4cd64d7a7ba58bdc6c27bcc68&id=d861ded512

Ah, the ACELC.  Affirm, United List, ACELC - a three-digit hand claps in its own silent breeze.  And yet, somehow the sensation is that noise wants to be made.

So reading this completely circular effort, we in the ecclesiastical supervision business are told that there is no reason to wait for a bill of particulars about what troubles Missouri doctrinally or what solutions pertain.  This has already been laid out with great clarity in triplex by...........(one-handed applause, please) the ACELC.   

What are we waiting for?  We don't need no stinking ten years.  Ten MINUTES is all we need.  And with those ten minutes what you and yours can do is to download all the overtures for the 2013 convention prepared in advance for you by.........(one-handed drumroll) the ACELC. 

As they are passed in July 2013 the Koinonia Project can be termed completed, and ecclesiastical supervision begin in earnest, carrying out the will of Missouri as determined in convention but as pre-determined by..................(you know the rest) the ACELC.

So - we're done, and look!  We didn't even have to start!

Dave Benke

Pres. Benke,

Seeing your above post, what are your thoughts on the statement from Pres. Harrison's "It's Time" document about the Koinonia Project?

"In fact, given the current status of things, it might even be best if this group were to form of its own accord, and thus without the accusation or even suspicion of machination."

It's recruiting, which is machinating, or in churchly terms, schismatic activity.

Dave Benke

[Daniel L. Gard]

"Pablum promoted by posturing pretenders". A well-done alliteration at least. Excellent form over content. 

[Dave Benke]

"Pablum promoted by posturing pretenders". A well-done alliteration at least. Excellent form over content.

Thanks for the formkudo. 
I get that stuff from Vachel Lindsay:
"Booth led boldly with the big bass drum/
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?"
Kind of says it all.

Content-wise, the first presentation of my papers on  baptismal theology and the practice of engagement was at Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Indiana.  The title then was "The unio mystica and mission - a baptismal approach."  The host, as I remember, was the inimitable Gene Bunkowske.

So either I did not receive the appropriate critique, or .......it was meaty content right from the get-go, not the ideological pablum of disengagement, and was recognized as such by a premier seminary.  Take your pick.

Dave Benke