The Pastoral Leadership Institute, (PLI) is trying to turn crunch time into
dessert time. Doctor Norbert Oesch has invited all of the LCMS Convention
Delegates to join him for dessert at the Missouri Room of the Missouri
Athletic Club on the first Monday night of the Convention.
Will it be just dessert?
First, the Board For Higher Education has refused to grant PLI Recognized
Service Organization status.
Second, after using up nearly $400,000.00 in grant money, (not loans) PLI
has run out of financial support from the Lutheran Church Extension Fund and
the LCMS Foundation.
Third, without Recognized Service Organization status (RSO) PLI cannot
award the 27 hours in credits it promised from the St. Louis Seminary.
Fourth, Concordia San Antonio, PLI's brightest shining example of Pastoral
Leadership, is in default of more than $14,000,000.00 dollars to LCEF and
their pastor who issued Norbert Oesch a call to be the head of the PLI has
resigned from the LCMS roster and is heading for Brazil.
Fifth, PLI has not received any support from the LCMS Presidium even though
Dr. Oesch claimed that President Barry supported the program, a claim Barry
later denied.
Sixth, on the bottom of its stationary, PLI used to claim that it was part
of the LCMS. Now they are compelled to say that they "Service the
LCMS."
Seventh, at the Rockwell Meeting, Oesch stated that PLI
did not teach Walther, yet Floor Committee 7 in Resolution 7-17 will ask the
Convention to reaffirm Walther's "Church and Ministry."
Dessert usually signals the end of the meal. This Dessert sponsored by PLI
may signal their last course for the LCMS.
Two Seminaries are enough. We don't need a third "Seminary without
walls" outside the control of the LCMS Convention.