Many LCMS churches are being sucked into a death spiral that they are oblivious to and it could collapse the Synod without a pragmatic near term response.
The article would be stronger if the unsubstantiated claim about the cause of decline had either been backed up or left out. Has a survey been done asking people why they have left or chosen not to join? Also, I wonder how well the districts do at leading their pastors to understand and work in the changing conditions of our society. We are no longer the post-WW II world.
I believe there is a downward spiral in LCMS because of there involvement with Republicans and President Harrison disingenuous with Christian Nationalists. He excommunicated one church member who really pushing LCMS to join the Christian Nationalists. However when it came to political leaders in congress who are LCMS President Harrison did not excommunicated them. WHY? I also think the arrest of Pastor Stephen Cliffgard Lee in connection with the election faud and involvement in RICO law had added additional problems in LCMS. President Harrison allowed him to do his sermons on Sundays whereby 10,000 signatures were sent to President Harrison to stop pastor Lee from preaching. Now a another problem has occurred to LCMS Pastor Lee is being invited on Christian Radio Stations to explain his role, which he has made it clear that there should be no separation of church and state.
I completely agree that congregations need centralized tools from the synod as suggested. However, as someone who has synod insurance and has spent literally years fighting with Concordia Plan Services to have medication covered, it’s unfortunately also obvious that the synod isn’t currently up to the task.
Okay, Lindsey. Grace and peace to you, too.
I think there are good thoughts here.
Some of this sharing could be done at a district level as well, for example some school personnel.
The Unite Leadership Collective (uniteleadership.org) is certainly aligned in these thoughts! Thanks for the bold thoughts and hopes!
Thank you, Pastor Ahlman. We are glad to see ULC throwing out ideas and solutions to address the gaps that are growing wider.
Upward spiral in effect
The article would be stronger if the unsubstantiated claim about the cause of decline had either been backed up or left out. Has a survey been done asking people why they have left or chosen not to join? Also, I wonder how well the districts do at leading their pastors to understand and work in the changing conditions of our society. We are no longer the post-WW II world.
Hi Jim, which claim about the cause do you regard as unsubstantiated?
I believe there is a downward spiral in LCMS because of there involvement with Republicans and President Harrison disingenuous with Christian Nationalists. He excommunicated one church member who really pushing LCMS to join the Christian Nationalists. However when it came to political leaders in congress who are LCMS President Harrison did not excommunicated them. WHY? I also think the arrest of Pastor Stephen Cliffgard Lee in connection with the election faud and involvement in RICO law had added additional problems in LCMS. President Harrison allowed him to do his sermons on Sundays whereby 10,000 signatures were sent to President Harrison to stop pastor Lee from preaching. Now a another problem has occurred to LCMS Pastor Lee is being invited on Christian Radio Stations to explain his role, which he has made it clear that there should be no separation of church and state.
I completely agree that congregations need centralized tools from the synod as suggested. However, as someone who has synod insurance and has spent literally years fighting with Concordia Plan Services to have medication covered, it’s unfortunately also obvious that the synod isn’t currently up to the task.