Dear Pastor

I am but one of the many Pre-Seminarians attending Concordia College Ann Arbor, but what I am about to say is being said by many of the Pre-Seminarians.

We are getting very discouraged because of what is going on in the Michigan District and even more discouraged by what is happening here at Concordia.

The campus pastor here is a member of Jesus First, and thus is preaching and teaching their ideals to many students here. When we as Pre-Seminarians attempt to say something we are just told that we are just students.

At the opening chapel of the school year, the campus pastor referred to Jesus as our "Power Surge." And even chapel has been re-named "Spirit Break." I am unable to discuss this with the pastor of the church that I grew up at due to his being part of the Jesus First group too.

I am also currently looking at which of the two seminaries to attend. I realize that both seminaries have their faults, but Ft. Wayne seems to hold the closest to the three true creeds of the LCMS.

I am very concerned about where the LCMS is heading in the next few years. Any assistance that you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

---

Dear Ann Arbor Student:

I modified your email so that you would not be identified. Yours is not the first report of aberrations at LCMS Colleges. Bronxville is reported to have made its chapel non-denominational a few years ago after a student protest. Concordia Ann Arbor and St. Paul are both highly influenced by "Jesus First."

You may be more satisfied with Fort Wayne. The Saint Louis faculty is promoting PLI, which has a number of "Jesus First", pastors mentoring and participating in the PLI program.

Have you thought about going to the ELS Seminary at Mankato?

God Bless,
Pastor Cascione

Rev. Jack Cascione is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church (LCMS - MI) in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. He has written numerous articles for Christian News and is the author of Reclaiming the Gospel in the LCMS: How to Keep Your Congregation Lutheran. He has also written a study on the Book of Revelation called In Search of the Biblical Order.
He can be reached by email at pastorcascione@juno.com.

October 9, 2000

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