The largest transfer of wealth in LCMS history is already underway. Whether it secures our future or vanishes into decline depends on the choices we make in the next twenty years.
Interesting how we Boomers are suddenly a “generous generation.” That’s a pleasant shift from the usual blaming Boomers for everything wrong in the church. We’re still in the pews and we were taught how to give.
With the idea of Texas and the south being our center going forward we need to focus on making those districts solid. The Texas District and the Southern District are complete dumpster fires. Florida-Georgia probably isn't much better but they don't make the headlines. Written by a member of an English District congregation in GA so I should know more but I do not.
When my father moved from North Dakota to Florida, he was advised by his pastor to be aware that just because a Church sign says "LCMS", does not mean the Church is actually LCMS.
The generosity of the barons has been a buoy for the ELCL even now, a century after the passing of that age, so I think this is a wise idea for you guys. Teach a man to fish, and all that.
I ask you what will be done to guarantee the orthodoxy of the LCMS, going forward. I think of faithful Episcopaliansn Presbyterians, and even those who made bequests to what are now ELCA congregations. Their bequests are now being used by apostates and heretics. Even the LCMS had its Seminex and currently the Concordia Texas fiasco. How do faithful Christains guard against their bequests ending up in the hands of heretics?
Large bequests can be structured with theological handcuffs so that if there is any deviation from what was agreed, the money returns to a family trust (with a penalty to include the growth generated). You can also build in validation checks along the way so that you don't realize 20 years down the track that the gift is being abused.
Interesting how we Boomers are suddenly a “generous generation.” That’s a pleasant shift from the usual blaming Boomers for everything wrong in the church. We’re still in the pews and we were taught how to give.
With the idea of Texas and the south being our center going forward we need to focus on making those districts solid. The Texas District and the Southern District are complete dumpster fires. Florida-Georgia probably isn't much better but they don't make the headlines. Written by a member of an English District congregation in GA so I should know more but I do not.
When my father moved from North Dakota to Florida, he was advised by his pastor to be aware that just because a Church sign says "LCMS", does not mean the Church is actually LCMS.
The generosity of the barons has been a buoy for the ELCL even now, a century after the passing of that age, so I think this is a wise idea for you guys. Teach a man to fish, and all that.
I ask you what will be done to guarantee the orthodoxy of the LCMS, going forward. I think of faithful Episcopaliansn Presbyterians, and even those who made bequests to what are now ELCA congregations. Their bequests are now being used by apostates and heretics. Even the LCMS had its Seminex and currently the Concordia Texas fiasco. How do faithful Christains guard against their bequests ending up in the hands of heretics?
Large bequests can be structured with theological handcuffs so that if there is any deviation from what was agreed, the money returns to a family trust (with a penalty to include the growth generated). You can also build in validation checks along the way so that you don't realize 20 years down the track that the gift is being abused.