We reported that Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio received the largest loan ever given to any LCMS congregation by the Lutheran Church Extension Fund.

We also reported in February of 1999, that the LCEF had put the Synod's funds at risk by investing in Church Growth driven building schemes. They built five buildings on 47 acres and the largest parking lot in Lutheranism for more than 20,000,000 dollars but never built an actual sanctuary.

We reported in April that the senior pastor at Concordia, Doctor William Thompson resigned from the ministry and is leaving for Brazil.

We reported that Thompson and President Jerry Kieschnick of the Texas District are both enthusiastic promoters of Doctor Oesch's Pastoral Leadership Institute (PLI). PLI often holds its training meetings at Concordia, San Antonio.

We now report that attendance at Concordia dropped from 2,800 per week to 2,200 per week and has now dropped to 1,900 per week and continues to decline.

Concordia is no longer able to make principle payments on the loan.

How will this shrinking congregation pay off this massive debt they have assumed? How many more LCMS congregations will meet financial disaster by following the Council of District Presidents promotion of PLI and Church Growth planning?

What will LCEF do with the property it may soon own?

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.

May 21, 2001