In a release from the Texas District Office, President Jerry Kieschnick
explains why he must distance himself from Christian
News and "Jesus First." President Kieschnick is the
statistical front-runner for the LCMS presidency with more than 600
nominations.
He writes: "In the 10 years I have served as President of the Texas
District of the LCMS, I have been transparent and frank in stating my
theological positions and ministry perspectives."
President Kieschnick takes issue with Christian News about trying to
portray him as supporting woman ordination. What Kieschnick does not say is
that under his picture, Editor Rev. Herman Otten, clearly stated that
Kieschnick does not support woman ordination. Otten's question is, why is
Kieschnick aligned with and supported by those who are favorable to woman
ordination, namely "Jesus First."
Is this what President Kieschnick means by "open an frank?"
There was little question that Kieschnick is not concerned about loosing
support from the five delegates committed to Christian News. So why
send out the release? Does he fear that Otten may convince "Jesus
First" delegates not to vote for him?
He then writes about "Jesus First," "Obviously, I disagree
with and do not approve of the editorial decision of a newsletter that
includes such articles that appear to boast about openly violating the
positions of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Nevertheless, some in our
Synod receive the false impression that, since Jesus First supports my
nomination and publishes such articles, I must condone the actions indicated
in such articles."
Yes, Otten did bell the "Jesus First" cat and Kieschnick is
trying to step back. But isn't it all a little too late? Most of President
Kieschnick's nominations came from the LCMS clergy who support "Jesus
First."
Can District President Kieschnick name just one specific doctrinal problem
with "Jesus First" other than to speak about "articles that
appear to boast about openly violating the positions of The Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod"? He just can't tell us what the problem is. He
speaks with clarity in regard to Otten, who is not on the clergy roster, but
with far less "open and frank" words about "Jesus First"
writers who are all on the LCMS clergy roster.
President Kieschnick has had many months to reject the nomination of
"Jesus First." On December 30, 2000, this writer met with Dr. Muchow
who adamantly rejected the "Jesus First" nomination as "poor
churchmanship." He said he was sending a letter to the entire LCMS Board
of Directors rejecting the embarrassing position in which "Jesus
First" had placed him. He hopes to keep serving as Chairman of the Broad.
Why does it now take President Kieschnick five more months to come to a
similar though more vaguely stated conclusion?
This writer recently met with a highly placed and experienced official in
the LCMS. His observation was that if Kieschnick is reaching for the
uninformed middle, there aren't enough voters there to get elected. Kieschnick
has just "shot himself in the foot."