How sad! How very Sad!

A number of brethren think they have something to go off by themselves. Without going to a convention of Synod they have devised a scheme that invades our system of seminary training and the brotherhood of us pastors.

My sorrow and disappointment is akin to that of Moses when 250 Israelites, well-known members of the community banded together to challenge the system. (Numbers 16) I do not expect the Lord's glory to appear in fury at 1333 S. Kirkwood Road or the chapels of our seminaries, but I submit that we have a crisis that cries out to every pastor who sees the disorder of these titled brethren, who are playing with another fire.

If I were a seminary professor I would feel insulted in the face of these curriculum aces, and kindly ask for suggestions.

If I were a regular pastor, attending the local pastoral circuit conference, taking my turn for essay and exegetical work, - where could I find the time to get a different kind of pumping at, say the next airport?

If I were an elder on the calling committee, I would be surprised that there are a number of pastors who are of the super-pastor category.

If I were editing the annual, I would devise some sign of recognition to the names of the elite, perhaps with a parenthetical exclamation point (!)

This crass violation of pastoral collegiality is in a class related in I Cor. 3, "Now what is Apollos? Or what is Paul? They are servants." ."We are God's co-workers." In six of his epistles Paul names the co-pastor and the writer.

There is one word in the business plan set forth by the executive leader: It is the word "savvy." Along with all the other convoluted, circuitous ramblings of a high pressure, success guaranteed ministry, beyond the heights of Pentecost itself, is the notion that the proscribed methods of the Holy Spirit need some up-to-date tinkering. As Paul says, we are not peddlers, hucksters and shrewd manipulators.

As he said to those who came with credentials, that if given in a contest, he would wipe them all out, of course he says, "I'm speaking as a fool." II Cor. 11, 16 ff. II Cor. 2, 17.

Implied in this text (II Cor. 2, 17): There were some who were experimenting with a fast-cut Gospel, which here, Paul is repudiating for poor procedure and telling me that the Business Plan of PLI is to be resisted. There will be those, as it was on Day One, that the church had to endure such type of hucksterism. Brethren, it's not "savvy" we use, but the Holy Spirit sent by Christ's promise.

So these self-appointed experts are constructing their podium to hassle the church of God with smooth prophecies and glorious visions, yet to be revealed, how they do not know, but like "new math" of yesterday they say, "happen it will." This mischief is engendered in part by devilish confusion to give not what people need, which they don't know, but that which they want. These high-toned generalities, - you wonder how they can say so little with so many sanctified words. Such self-assured circular talk betrays the shallowness of their theology and the daftness of their self-importance.

My personal piety as a Christian does not make me feel that Jesus, who has sent the Holy Spirit, has somehow engaged in devices and schemes to get me to be and do what I do and live. As one lady told me, "I am getting tired of sitting in church and getting to feel like a statistic, or part of some king of quota strategy." You see brethren, the razzle and dazzle of super-pastoring is a hollow trick of the devil.

Recognize that this phenomenon is a product of our time. Prosperity! The times are good. The wave of elation is to transfer it to the church. Do this and that, they beckon, and if we don't know now, we're going to find it. Come to PLI! Meet us at the airport!

Where is the Catechism in all this? The table of duties? Let every professor, pastor and congregation submit in their own way a motion to the next convention a resounding NO! Let the regular, ordinary, run of the mill pastor get up some charismatic gumption and deny himself to be nominated for this five year special.

I call on these brethren to serve Synod, and from their treasury of things new and old, submit their schemes and savvy to the journals of our seminaries and the Lutheran Witness.

The selective "training" of pastors by an RSO is nonsense, is to be resisted and die from non-enrollment. They think they will conquer the world through stratagems. It is not the business of an RSO to take on the education of our clergy. Next thing will be the teachers. Disorder is knocking at the door. Self-appointed boosters of their talents is on the face of it an outrage.

Setting forth Psalm 37, 37 in the preamble as a kind of logo flag is an odd beatitude to launch this strange enterprise. In context it is one in a series of blessings spoken to enthuse any or every sanctified Christian. "Mark the blameless man and behold the upright for a man of peace will have a posterity." Simply stated it says that a Christian can be assured of a peaceable future.

In view of the exclusiveness and distinction of these proposed clergy, better would be Mt. 10, 16. "You see, I am sending you like sheep among wolves. So be shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves." (GW) Combine that with John 15, 19 "If you had anything in common with the world, the world would love you as its own.I chose to separate you from the world."

Your manifesto is a slithering of generalities, that obscure concepts of ministry, that assume gifts that the Holy Spirit has reserved for revelation to your organization. The general, plain available talents from Ephesians 4 as spoken in our ordination, are too simple. The aura of confidence gives a false vision, a promise of ecclesiastical conquests. Brethren, hard times are coming, when the president declares gay-pride month. Prosperity is our menace to vigilance. Puttering with smooth schemes and programs to statisticalize the Holy Spirit is a snake to be stepped on, not picked up. Your yen for vaunted vision, purportedly sprung from Psalm 37 is a pit to be pitied.

Enthusiasm for the kingdom and to the petition, "Thy kingdom come," is the uniting aspect of our enterprise from Christ. With all my sense of pastoral and brotherly communion, I look upon you brethren, making a misstep from which, I pray, you will not let the other foot down. The world will see through the travesty of a church exercising its convictions through low level manipulations.

Regimenting pastors into classes, bypassing circuit pastoral conferences is tragic. Paul's example of calling such a conference at Mellitus for the Ephesian brethren describes his agenda, "I did not shrink from telling you the whole plan of God." I did not stow anything away. You have it all. Let this quarrel from "Chloe's people" be put to rest with the apostolic, magisterial question "Is Christ divided?" I Cor. 10ff.

Writing these lines is an effort that consumes time, energy and substance. The issues contained in the above paragraphs have tormented my sleep these many nights. I ask you brothers, who have left the wholesome constraints and privileges of the parish pastor, to be one of us in the soul of the circuit conference. For bursts of energy and visions of progress: submit them to one another. The words of the communion prayer of thanks instruct me to speak and to extend the right hand of fellowship, "and in fervent love to one another."

The fever for success is found in the ashes of distress.

Beloved brethren of PLI: every brother named in the annual is equal to claim his coin from the treasury of your vision.

P.S. Since writing the above paragraphs, I have learned that Church Extension is giving startup money. On the phone they would not say how much. This mischief is a violation of the purpose of its stated existence, namely, the building of churches, not programs and pastors. As an expression of protest I am considering withdrawal of my investment.

April 02, 2000