What If?
Reasons for Hope

By Bruce A. Cameron

What if we came to the 2007 Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Convention and—instead of facing each other across battle lines real and imaginary—we were facing the same direction, with the same purpose and the same excitement about the same gifts and the same mission from the same Lord?

Perry County , Missouri , 1841

There are precedents for divided Christians coming back together. C. F. W. Walther—the theologian and churchman who is still teaching our pastors how to preach the proper distinction between Law and Gospel—made his first impact in America as a healing voice bringing together a fractured community.

In the middle of dissention, contention and accusations (especially against the clergy) for the arrogant way their emigration had started in Germany and the disastrous way it began in America, Walther addressed the community. He did not defend the past, but pointed the way forward. He said they had been wrong in many things, but they were not wrong to place their trust in Jesus Christ.

As one witness put it:

It was shown with convincing clarity that in spite of our mistakes we still had the Lord Jesus, His Word, His true Sacrament, and the Office of the Keys in our midst; that the Lord had also heard His people, His Church. More was hardly needed to take the pressure off our conscience and to revive faith in the             hearts of those who had all but despaired.

Could the same solution work for us? What if . . . ?

Houston , Texas , 2007

Many delegates may come to next year’s Convention discouraged at prospects for unity and disheartened by the news and opinions they have heard. Nevertheless, we will have to deal with issues, address questions and decide directions.

I, for one, am not convinced that the charges of false doctrine leveled against the 2004 synodical Convention for decisions about lay ministry, women’s leadership, and how we deal with other churches, public events and with accusations against one another, are justified. I am, however, convinced that we should discuss these issues. We can do so without fear or discouragement.

We still have the Lord Jesus, His Word, His Sacraments and the Office of the Keys. The Lord still listens to the prayers of His people, His Church. We have the grace needed to take the pressure off our consciences and to revive faith in the hearts of those who have all but despaired.  

Reasons for Hope

I run into people who are angry at the direction the Synod is going; others, angry at accusations that have been made; others, discouraged at the prospects of getting through all the anger to discover the message and solution that will provide us a way forward. On the other hand, I hear from people who are excited--about the prospects and mission opportunities before them or about our new hymnal (just as excited as people are about their praise band, Gospel choir or other music of their community). I know people who are greatly encouraged by the caliber and attitude of the church workers coming out of our universities and seminaries.

  I have a personal reason for hope. As a writer for Jesus First, I hear from people who disagree with me, colleagues who would never vote as I do at a district Convention (to say nothing of ever voting for me). And yet, I have to say I have been treated as a Christian brother by those who disagree with me. Several times this year individuals and groups have invited me to meet with them, drain many cups of coffee and explore not only the issues that divide us, but also the faith that unites us.

This too is part of the heritage of the Missouri Synod. We share a united and unbroken commitment to the Lord, the Gospel, the Scriptures and the message of the Lutheran Confessions. On this basis, by God’s grace, let us pray for and work toward a Convention united in one message that moves us forward as one Synod in the one mission that the Lord gives to us.

Rev. Cameron is pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Sparta, IL.