What, Where, Why, and Who, is Reclaim News

Rev. Jack Cascione

As Reclaim News increases its subscriber list, a number of readers are not aware of where it comes from, who writes its articles, what are its religious viewpoints, what is its affiliation with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and what are its goals.

Reclaim News is directed primarily to lay people.  Reclaim News has thousands of subscribers and daily continues to add more addresses to its subscriber list.  The readership is well into five figures but the precise number is unknown.

In meetings or conferences in Missouri, Indiana, Washington, California, Wisconsin, Nevada, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, etc, people walk up and say they are reading Reclaim News.  I am continually amazed at how many people are reading Reclaim News, have it forwarded to them from someone else, or have printed copies placed in their hands by other readers.


Who are we?
There is no organization and nothing to join.  Reclaim News at Reclaimnews@earthlink.net is the sole property of Rev. Jack Cascione. Reclaim News is not funded by Redeemer Lutheran Church.  My salary is paid by Redeemer Lutheran Church, 30003 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores MI. 48082.  However, Redeemer Lutheran Church accepts all donations to support the ministry of Redeemer Lutheran Church, as do most churches for their own ministries.

With a list of emails addresses into the thousands it is impossible to tell who is subscribing.  Therefore, everything sent out is intended for all readers.  There are no separate, private, or "special" lists of readers or categories of "insider" verses "outsider" communications.

At the Las Vegas Theological Convocation I was asked if Reclaim News is receiving any financial support from any particular organization, foundation, congregation, or individual.  The answer is, "No."  Reclaim News has a network of support staff, but no one is paid a dime.  The work of the congregation is first; hence there are times when articles and replies are delayed because the congregation comes first.


What does Reclaim News want?

We want to maintain the doctrine, teaching, and practice taught by C. F. W. Walther, the founder and first President of the LCMS.


What have we been doing?

From 1978-1981 this writer served as the Director of Seminary Relations for Concordia Theological Seminary under President Robert Preus and from 1981-2004 as the pastor of four LCMS congregations, including 14 years at Redeemer Lutheran Church.

From 1982 to 1989, this writer worked to prevent the ordination of women clergy in the LCMS.  After being sued in civil court by Dr. Alvin Schmidt for bringing charges against Schmidt for promoting women pastors, President Ralph Bohlmann encouraged the LCMS Board of Directors to Schmidt $40,000. Bohlmann then engineered the removal of Robert Preus as President of Fort Wayne.  This led to the election of Al Barry in 1992.

In the 1992, this writer actively campaigned for the election of Al Barry as Synodical President.  Barry was called to his eternal home in the winter of 2001.  The so-called conservatives of "Balance" and "Affirm" were more interested in controlling the Synod that preserving its doctrine and practice.  The only thing these "so-called" conservatives controlled was preventing the nomination and election of younger men to leadership positions in the Synod, including the office of first vice-president.  In 1995, only a few hours before his death, Doctor Robert Preus explained to this writer that these "so-called" conservatives were more interested in control than theology.  "Balance" and "Affirm" are now embroiled in a lawsuit among themselves for control of Balance and ownership of "Affirm."

In 1995, this writer campaigned for a resolution to keep the name "Lutheran" on LCMS congregations.  A number of LCMS District Presidents want to open new congregations without the name "Lutheran" so they can grow faster.  The 1995 LCMS Convention adopted a resolution to keep the name "Lutheran" on LCMS congregations 67% to 33%.

In 1998, this writer published a book and mailed to all the delegates of the 1998 LCMS Convention titled, "Reclaiming The Gospel in the LCMS."  "Reclaim News is names after this book. The goal of the book was to prevent LCMS pastors from writing their own creeds, inventing their own Gospel, and having their members confess it in their worship services.  The promoters of Church Growth, contemporary worship, and Pastoral Leadership Institute (PLI) often engage in writing their own creeds.  The LCMS only recognizes three creeds.  The 1998 Convention passed a resolution 83% to 17% to maintain the practice of only confessing the three ecumenical Creeds in LCMS Worship Services.

In 2001, this writer attempted to preserve congregational autonomy and Voter Supremacy in LCMS congregations.  Pastors promoting Pastoral Leadership Institute (PLI) present themselves as CEO's presiding over a corporation, who rule the congregation through a Board of Directors or Church Council. Their voters only meet once or twice a year and lose ownership of their congregations.  On the other hand, there are many pastors (hyper-euro-Lutherans) who believe that their "sacrament of ordination" gives them divine right to rule their congregations like cardinals.  In 2001, this writer led a campaign to promote Walther's "Church and Ministry" as the official teaching on how LCMS congregations should be governed by laypeople.  A book was sent to all convention delegates titled, "How to Start or Keep Your Own LCMS Church." Walther was the founder of the LCMS in 1847.  His promotion of congregations governed, run, and ruled by supreme voters' assemblies was and must be the structural basis for all LCMS congregations.  The 2001 Convention voted for Walther's "Church and Ministry" 73% to 27%.


What about the Future?

At the 2004 Convention, Reclaim News seeks to maintain the correct teaching on the doctrine of the Trinity and the identity of the true God.  The LCMS is in danger of giving up God while the Council of District Presidents siphons off 80% of the funds they receive in order to maintain their own District bureaucracies.  A number of LCMS district presidents and publications, such as "Jesus First," have endorsed Dr. Waldo Werning's false doctrine on the Trinity.  Werning also teaches that in Christ, God did not die on the cross.  Many LCMS District Presidents and the Synodical President are also in favor of LCMS pastors participating in civic worship events with Moslem clerics.  The love of contemporary worship is leading many LCMS District Presidents to create a contemporary god.  Many pastors are inventing their own worship for their congregations and are necessarily inventing their own god.

Reclaim News only sends out one article at a time.  Christian News publishes 24 pages in each edition.

The Internet is a limited tool.  It will never replace the printed page.

Christian News republishes many of the Reclaim News articles.  You can order Christian News, 48 issues a year, for $25.00 a year, by emailing cnnews@fidnet.com or calling 573-237-3110.  It is cheaper to buy Christian News than it is to buy a computer.

If you would like to submit an article to Reclaim New please email it to reclaimnews@earthlink.net

Thank you for subscribing to Reclaim News.

January , 2004

[ 2004 LCMS Convention ] [ Articles ] [ Table of Contents ] [ Authors of Reclaim ] [ Reclaim News Releases ] [ Subscribe ] [ Links ] [ Lutherquest ] [ Submit an Article ] [ Search ]