President Kieschnick has answered well

By Wayne Graumann 

As we begin the approach to the 2004 Synodical Convention, July 10-15, in St. Louis, it is time to remember how our gracious Lord has blessed our Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod through the leadership of our president, Jerry Kieschnick. As we recall the words of 1 Peter 3: 15-16, we are led to say that President Kieschnick has answered well to the hope that is within him:

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

 When our nation was attacked in the atrocities of 9/11, President Kieschnick answered well. His witness in national newspapers on behalf of the LCMS offering the good news of Jesus and the peace we have in the Good Shepherd to our hurting nation spoke the word of hope that the Gospel offers.

·        When he personally visited and touched our hurting Lutheran brothers and sisters in Christ in New York shortly after that dreadful attack, President Kieschnick answered well. His steady and confident presence and his support of Lutheran leaders in that city offered needed encouragement and spoke the word of hope that the Gospel offers.

·        When he sat with other spiritual leaders with the President of the United States shortly before his address to Congress and the American people, President Kieschnick answered well. His words of encouragement from the Bible to President Bush spoke the word of hope that the Gospel offers.

·        When he offered a mission vision for our LCMS called, “Ablaze,” President Kieschnick answered well. Working to ignite evangelistic zeal amongst us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, has spoken the word of hope that the Gospel offers.

·        When he sat with other spiritual leaders and leaders of business, industry and government as President Bush signed into law the Partial Birth Abortion Ban, President Kieschnick answered well. Making the leadership choice of life and light amidst death and darkness for the most defenseless of our citizens spoke the word of hope that the Gospel offers.

·        When he visited international mission partners and churches, President Kieschnick answered well. Listening, encouraging and supporting he spoke the word of hope that the Gospel offers.

·        When he visited local congregations, district gatherings, ILLL and LWML gatherings, Concordia University system gatherings and other church-wide partner in mission and ministry gatherings, President Kieschnick answered well. Everyone who has heard him speak or who participated in question and answer sessions with him knows that he repeatedly has spoken the word of hope that the Gospel offers.

When he recently called upon us as a people of God to be in repentance and prayer during Lent, President Kieschnick has answered well. Pointing us solely to Jesus, he has spoken the word of hope that the Gospel offers.

 President Kieschnick deserves our support in the leadership role he has so ably undertaken. This is only by the power of our Almighty God and to His glory alone! It is grievous to note that some have misunderstood the Gospel approach of our Synod President. Although he is a positive and strategic mission oriented leader, there are those few who tend to twist his words and actions to suit their own agenda. But one thing that no one can doubt is that President Kieschnick is secure in the hope, love and life of our Savior Jesus and that he shares that hope everywhere he goes and lives that hope in the way he leads.