Who Will Be the COP Majority's Second Choice in 2004?

By: Rev. Jack Cascione
On the surface, support for the reelection of President Kieschnick by at
least 25 of the 35 LCMS District Presidents appears to be a forgone
conclusion.  Yet, every candidate has his liabilities.

The LCMS was a lot more peaceful place before 911, when the Synodical
President decided to publicly support Atlantic District President David
Benke's public prayer with Moslems.  Benke now claims that Moslems worship
the true God.

As President Kieschnick now says about the LCMS, "This is not your
Grandfather's church."  To this "Jesus First" sounds a loud applause.  But
is Kieschnick's strident approach worth the kind of financial and numerical
losses the Synod is now suffering?

What was the point of stirring up all the coals?

This writer witnessed President Kieschnick's presentation to the Michigan
District Convention and subsequent vote refusing to include in a resolution
titled "To Clearly Confess the True God . . ." the phrase "as confessed in
the Athanasian Creed," by 55% to 45%.

It then became clear that President Kieschnick could indeed be defeated in
the 2004 LCMS Convention.  What had previously been a convention marked with
two days of nearly unanimous votes was suddenly divided on the identity of
God.

Should the unthinkable happen, who will the COP majority and "Jesus First"
have in the wings just in case Kieschnick doesn't get a majority on the
first ballot at the 2004 LCMS Convention?

It must be newly elected Chairman of the Council of Presidents, and Michigan
District President William Hoesman.

In terms of poise and presence, William Hoesman is easily the preferred
candidate.  William Hoesman doesn't confront and argue with his opponents,
he just wins.  From the view of the COP, a Hoesman Presidency would turn the
LCMS temperature down about 25 degrees and accomplish a lot more with less
resistance.

We will all know who the second choice is for the libs after the nominations
are counted, because each congregation can nominate two men for president.
Reclaim News predicts the second choice for those who support Kieschnick
will be William Hoesman.

July 10 , 2003