The question was whether the LCMS would continue to practice
congregational-voter assembly led polity or decide they needed corporate or
Episcopal hierarchy in LCMS congregations. Debate over Walther's "Church
and Ministry" was clearly the most controversial theological issue for
the 2001 LCMS Convention since 1973.
Doctor Dean Wenthe of Fort Wayne received 582 votes, Doctor Gerald
Kieschnick received 600 votes, but C. F. W. Walther, 114 years after his
death, received 791 votes or 73.1% for his "Church and Ministry,"
remaining the official position of the LCMS. In effect, Walther is still
guiding the Synod's congregations from the grave.
Had Dr. Wenthe wrapped himself in the flag of congregational polity, voter
supremacy, and the priesthood of all believers, he most likely would have
received 60% of the vote.
"Jesus First" never endorsed Resolution 7-17A, nor did
"Balance." Neither Seminary journal nor "Logia" have told
their readers why voters' assemblies, voter supremacy, and Walther's
"Church and Ministry" are what the LCMS needs. We doubt that Dr.
Kieschnick ever imagined that Walther's understanding of congregational
structure and polity was still so popular in the LCMS.
The more the lay people heard and read about Walther's book, the more they
liked it. In the future, candidates for Synod wide or District offices may
recognize that waving the Walther flag is like mom and apple pie in the LCMS.
Perhaps the more practical issues of the ELCA's adoption of Episcopal
hierarchy and Catholic Apostolic Succession overshadowed the ELCA's more
dangerous problems with Justification, the doctrine of inspiration,
compromising the Lord's Supper with Reformed congregations, and women clergy.
If 73.1% for Walther's "Church and Ministry" said anything, it
said, "We don 't want Popes, we don't want to be owned or run by anyone,
and we don't want to be like the ELCA."
With his proposed amendment from the floor, Kieschnick sounded like he
wanted to get closer to the ELCA when the Convention wanted to go the other
way. May we offer one piece leadership-training-advice for Dr. Kieschnick,
"Never play with the other guy's rules. Play your own game."
Is it possible that the message will get through that Walther's
"Church and Ministry" still plays in Peoria? In fact, it is a
sellout. Is it possible that the Synodical President and the District
Presidents will recognize that banging the Walther pot may be just the tune
lay people in the ELCA want to hear?
"Hey ELCA members, come on over, our lay people have real voters'
assemblies and run and operate their own churches." It sounds so good to
say, "We aren 't as legalistic as you are."
While the ELCA says "Bishop" "Bishop"
"Bishop" Missouri is saying, "lay people" "lay
people" "lay people."
The Wisconsin Synod had a campaign called "Come to the WELS." How
about a Missouri campaign titled "Freedom in the Gospel" or
"Lay People R Us." When LCMS laity say, "My church" they
mean it!
I listened to confused well-meaning LCMS pastors testify to Committee 7 and
speak from the Convention microphones explaining why the delegates should not
support 7-17A. Young pastors and recent seminary graduates sat next to me and
told me in the hallways that Walther's "Theses on Church and
Ministry" were flawed.
Rather, it is their doctrine and Church and Ministry and their seminary
training that are flawed.
It was Doctor George Wollenburg who recognized that the LCMS couldn't let
congregational polity and voter supremacy remain "Cascione issues"
and let Walther become a Sicilian folk hero. The Convention justly gave
Wollenburg a standing ovation when he left the lectern for the last time.
There have been too many pastoral CEO's with briefcases and marketing plans
who are telling their congregations how to worship, what to sing, what to do,
how to think, and what to believe. It is not their right!
There are too many Stephanites with miters and staffs who want to resurrect
19th century German Episcopal hierarchy in the name of God over 21st century
LCMS congregations. I'm not going back to the Catholic Church.
The lay people like Walther. None of the other Lutheran Church bodies could
compete with Walther in his day. It is time for Missouri to play the Walther
card again and encourage the congregations to rejoice in the freedom of the
Gospel they almost lost.