'Jesus First' Organizing To Reelect Kieschnick

By: Rev. Jack Cascione
In the following letter participants to an organizational meeting of "Jesus
First" are encourage to address the problems of a "toxic" and "fearful"
LCMS.  In a previous issue of "Jesus First" there was an endorsement for a
new definition of the Trinity published on pages 33 and 34 of Waldo
Werning's book, titled, "Health and Healing for the LCMS."

"'Jesus First' Organizing To Reelect Kieschnick"

FROM THE STATIONARY OF JESUS FIRST

"JESUS FIRST PACIFIC SOUTHWEST DISTRICT

December 2, 2002

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

It has been 18 months since I contacted you last regarding the work of Jesus First.  There are a variety of reasons for that, including the fact that for all of that time I was the only pastor we had here at Abiding Savior, the Ft. Wayne and other folks in the Synod, angry about the articles I wrote prior to the last convention, have been harassing me for 18 months with no end in sight, and my health has not been the best.

However, the time has come to get back to work.  We managed to get an evangelical pastor elected as president of Synod last convention.  Given the events of the last two years, Jerry's administration has been criticized, limited by, and marginalized by folks whose goal for our church is to have pure doctrine and plenty of parking.

The climate in our Synod is toxic.  Jerry Kieschnick informed us this week that at least 3 of our District Presidents are about to be charged with false doctrine by their own constituents.  In my own personal attempt to speak with the Ft. Wayne Board of Directors, I have learned that there is little courage but lots of fear living in our church.  Folks are happy to share their problems with Synod, but it is rare indeed to find a man who is willing to let his name be used in the sharing of that story.  The women do a whole lot better than the men do.

You know that our adversaries are working hard to get Jerry defeated at the next convention.  The battle has already begun.  In my opinion the only battleground we have to be concerned about now, is the one over the election of delegates.  We have got to be certain that the pastoral and lay delegates from our circuits support this mission-minded, future oriented, Gospel centered direction Jesus First Leadership has outlined for us.

So, lets (let's) gather together at Abiding Savior, this coming Monday morning, December 9th at 10 am.  Lunch will either be something we can go out and get, or if it is your wish, we will have it brought in.  Please, if you can, clear you calendars, drive the miles, get here so we can begin toplan and strategize how we can get a new Presidium, new Boards (Board) of Directors, and several mission minded resolutions passed which can sent (send) us back on track toward being a church that places Jesus First.

Blessings to you all,

Tom Rogers"

December 6, 2002