Lutheran Concerns Association Threatens Lawsuit

 

By Jonathan J. Coyne  

     In a letter dated May 6, 2005, numerous high-ranking elected leaders of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) urged LCMS laity and clergy not to resort to lawsuits as a way of dealing with differences. Their letter quoted I Corinthians 6:7, “The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you have been completely defeated already,” and it pointed out that there are no grounds for a lawsuit in the LCMS.  

July 27, 2005

     Sadly, on July 27, 2005 the Lutheran Concerns Association released a letter announcing it had begun the “task of coordinating the process of a legal lawsuit…” Ironically members of the Lutheran Concerns Association had met with LCMS President Kieschnick and his advisers earlier on that same day to hear Kieschnick’s plea for meetings to talk to one another rather than litigation.  The Lutheran Concerns letter says concerning the possibility of dividing the church, “At this point division may be the only answer.” Concerning the time this law suit will demand, they state, “It is evident that the case will take many months and in fact may not be resolved by the 2007 LCMS convention.” Readers are left to speculate about the cost in dollars, time and, most importantly, souls. Time and money spent in litigation clearly weaken the mission and ministry of the church.

Cut the Baby in Half!

     This current turn of events calls to mind the account in 1 Kings where Solomon is acting as judge for people in dispute. Two prostitutes with one live baby and two stories between them appear before the king. Both women had babies at nearly the same time. One child died, leaving its mother disconsolate. Both claimed the live baby as their own. Solomon calls for a sword and declares that the baby will be cut in half, giving half to each woman. The “real mother” cries out that she would rather see the baby with the “other woman” than dead. In this way Solomon determines which woman is the caring mother and which woman is simply jealous and willing to do anything to steal the child.

     Those bringing suit against the LCMS strike me as wanting to see the “baby” dead, divided and dismembered. The LCMS, like every denomination of Christ’s one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, regrettably has factions and differences of opinion. Until very recently, these issues were always settled through the various systems employed by the LCMS at that time. Like any human system, there have been times when dispute resolution worked well and other times when it didn’t. Up to now we have avoided litigation and potential division because ALL pastors and congregations of the LCMS have agreed in the past that they want the LCMS to be united in the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Let’s return to this attitude!

     No LCMS member would ever contend that any President or any administration has been perfect. However, through all of the times of peace and in all of the moments of struggle, one thing has never happened—pastors and congregations banding together with the express intent of suing the church.

“Obey Your Leaders”

     I for one do not want to see the LCMS split. A lifelong LCMS member, I have lived through controversy and struggle, unity and joy, all mixed into one. Yet even in the moments when I have truly wondered about the leadership of others, I have found that God’s Word provides the ultimate answer: “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account” (Hebrews 13:17). In other words, though I may have issues with the leaders of my church, I am to recognize that their authority comes from God.

How You Can Help

     If you believe the Scriptural admonition that Christians should not sue other Christians, please express your support to LCMS President Gerald  Kieschnick at 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122-7295. Also, please send a note to our brothers and sisters at Lutheran Concerns Association, 5809 Ropes Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244, asking them to stop their divisive lawsuit. Finally, pray for them to repent of these actions and keep the unity that God provides.