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2008-07-31T07:40:00.001-07:00

Issues, Etc. Bannergreat free widgetsWidgetbox

Oppertunity

2008-05-29T08:32:00.000-07:00

Now that you have heard the good news about Issues Etc. returning, maybe you will want to roll up your sleeves, and get a little more involved locally. Two organizations are designed for that--Brothers of John the Steadfast (BJS) http://laymenetc.typepad.com/ and the Confessional Lutherans for Christ's Commission http://www.theclcc.org/.

BJS encourages starting confessional reading groups in your congregation and CLCC seeks to help people reach others in their congregation with the message that Christ's Commission calls for learning the faith, not just saying "Jesus loves you." Before long BJS will be printing a journal written at a popular level, chock-full of good stuff and CLCC plans to equip local people to host workshops and seminars on different topics in their circuit and region. Check out their websites.

If you would like to get even more involved locally, connecting with other confessionals in your district and having theological chats with them, every district has a dedicated site for discussion. Go to http://www.LutheranInfo.Net. On the right half of the page, you will see subscription information. Fill it out so you can be on your district's list. These are open lists and are therefore mostly for discussing theology, although synod and district politics do get brought in. Once you are on, send out a note to the list, announcing you are there and you are looking forward to discussion. Everyone who is on the list (and has an active address) will receive that post and will be able to respond. Most of the district lists have moderators, but most of them are also looking for more discussion. Help them get it started. Each district already has a few people on the list, but these lists have been there since 2001, and many have been dormant. They need to have some dust blown off of them. The recent events in the LCMS should be more than enough to blow that dust off (actually, blow the doors off).

Resurrection Etc.

2008-05-28T14:31:00.000-07:00

http://www.piratechristianradio.com/

Statement from the Synod

2008-04-24T04:51:00.000-07:00

http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=13379#statement

I don't know about you, but all I heard was "We did this without good planning, and then had a secret meeting about it afterwards. Oh, and by the way, we did it because of money so please stop talking about it.".

Keep your eye on the blogs listed to the right for thoughtful responses to the latest statement.

News Story

2008-04-19T11:23:00.000-07:00

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/columnists.nsf/keepthefaith/story/E7FFE1FEE85BBB0186257430001179AF?OpenDocument

A Response:
http://adelphoitouchristou.typepad.com/savethelcms/2008/04/more-press-for.html

News Story

2008-04-15T05:52:00.001-07:00

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/religion/story/2AA6C162EE5AE3EA8625742C001087AA?OpenDocument

more photos: http://thewretch.blogspot.com/2008/04/why.htm

Server Problems

2008-04-14T07:13:00.000-07:00

It seems that Petition Online has been having intermittent server errors over the past few days. Today is the worst day so far. Please keep trying and check back to sign. We have over 7000 names and we'd love to have yours! :)

Life News & more from the WSJ

2008-04-04T05:24:00.000-07:00

http://www.lifenews.com/state3084.html

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120727003307788443.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

I'm out of town and have limited access to email. Please check the links in the sidebar for breaking news (especially Save the LCMS).

Roundup

2008-04-01T18:41:00.000-07:00

Swiped from Christopher Esget

For those of you who haven't followed the "Issues" scandal carefully, here is a summary of the latest information and news:

President Kieschnick responded to Mollie Ziegler Hemingway's article in the Wall Street Journal. President Kieschnick states that KFUO was losing a lot of money, but goes on to say that the LCMS had "its most positive and unified convention in years." He cites as evidence of our unity Ablaze!(tm). Pastor David Petersen commentson Kieschnick's response, pointing out that Ablaze!(tm) is an excellent example of our disunity. He summarizes, "[Kieschnick's] presidency is the most divisive we've ever known."

Mollie Hemingway was interviewed by Michael Horton of the White Horse Inn regarding her article. Click here to download the audio directly (mp3).

The LCMS Foundation was keeping 40% of money raised for Issues, Etc. - much higher than the 10% industry standard. Additionally, the head of the Foundation, Tom Ries, is alleged to have been antagonistic toward the program because it was critical of Joel Osteen.

At least some members of the Board for Communications Services were not consulted, and do not approve of the decision. The BCS did not vote to cancel the program, and under church governance rules, the decision was illegal.

"Save the LCMS!" puts the supposed financial losses at KFUO and Issues into perspective. The alleged losses are approximately 0.25% of the Synodical budget.

BCS Executive Director David Strand's statementregarding the popularity of the show did not include downloads or podcasting. Adding in those numbers paints an entirely different picture. Here is a chart just of the downloads. Sources say that Strand knew that his numbers were inaccurate.

While Synodical HQ is saying that they couldn't afford the alleged $250,000 that Issues, Etc. cost, it has been learned that Kieschnick sought and was granted a $5,000,000 (five MILLION dollars) line of credit for Ablaze!(tm). This after he already is alleged to have spent $3,000,000 in donations earmarked for human care.

This runs far deeper than a bureaucratic decision regarding a radio program. The "issues" revealed here go to the core of our purpose and identity as a church. Secrecy, falsified or misleading statements, a failure to keep the Gospel message the main thing, mistreatment of faithful servants - none of these things should even be named in the house of God. If you are concerned--and you should be--what can you do? Please see the conclusion to Christopher's previous post here.

3/31 News

2008-03-31T09:58:00.000-07:00

President Kieschnick responds to the Wall Street Journal.

Responsive posts:

Views from a former BoC member.

A Synod Divided.

UPDATE for 3/28

2008-03-28T11:18:00.000-07:00

Return to the Issues, Etc. Petition

A hearty THANK YOU to everyone for showing your support for "Issues, Etc.". Todd and Jeff have been touched by your kind words and encouraged by your moving testimonies of how God has used "Issues" to ignite your hearts with the Gospel.

In addition to signing the petition, we encourage you to make your concerns known by emailing the following individuals:
The Rev. Gerald Kieschnick, president of The Missouri Synod - president@lcms.org
David L. Strand, Executive Director of the Board for Communication Services - david.strand@lcms.org

Read about "Issues" in the Wall Street Journal.

Objective news regarding the cancellation is difficult to locate. The 3/27 statement from Mr. Strand's office is misleading. Below are some sites you may visit to keep up with the buzz:
www.adelphoitouchristou.typepad.com/savethelcms (asking tough questions)
www.bringbackissues.blogspot.com
www.weedon.blogspot.com
www.revcwirla.blogspot.com
www.augsburg1530.wordpress.com (for protest/vigil information)
www.wittenbergtrail.ning.com (a Lutheran forum/community)

A Vespers service will be held in St. Louis at Emmaus Lutheran Church on Sunday, April 13th at 5pm. A Bratwurst dinner will follow. PLEASE REGISTER if you plan to attend.

If you would like to help support Todd Wilken and Jeff Schwarz financially, you may do so by sending a check to:
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
P.O. Box 247
Hamel, IL 62046
Put "Wilken/Schwarz Fund" in the memo line.

Please contact the admin at issuesetcpetition@hotmail.com if you accidentally sign the petition more than once. Include your signature #s in your message. All couples and families, please submit one signature per line. We understand your desire for privacy but please include either your last name, or your congregation & location when signing, as seemingly phony or incredible signatures will be voided.

Update for 3/30

2008-03-30T18:47:00.000-07:00

Did Synodical Executives Have the Authority to Cancel Issues Etc. ?