Dr. Gerald Kieschnick Installed as President Third Time

 In his installation on September 8, 2007 President Gerald Kieschnick noted that this is the third time he has taken on the President’s duties.

He stated, “I stand before you a wiser man, more fully understanding and aware of the challenges, opportunities, duties, and responsibilities of the office. One would think that with the passing of six years the comfort level would have increased to the extent that the sense of urgency of the task would wane. I assure you that such is hardly the case.

“While having grown as accustomed as humanly possible to the duties and responsibilities of the office, I have also become more keenly aware of the awesome scope and very real pressure of life and leadership in the public eye as president of the LCMS.”

Challenging Times

President Kieschnick stated his conviction that “the hand and heart of God is upon our beloved Synod at a time in history that is unparalleled in our country. . . .  Living in this post-modern pluralistic time in the history of our country presents formidable challenges and far reaching opportunities for the people, congregations, districts, agencies, entities, institutions, and auxiliaries of our Synod.

“Add to those realities the fact that our Synod is no longer faced only or even principally with the task of being an orthodox Christian church body . . . .  but is also and primarily faced with the task of being an evangelical Lutheran church body in the presence of a rapidly growing population largely indifferent or even outwardly hostile toward the claims and confessions of faithful Lutheran Christians today.” 

These times “are forcing Christian church bodies like the LCMS to refocus on the principal reason for their existence and to redefine the strategies necessary for the accomplishment of Christ’s mission of reaching the lost, in time and for eternity.”

Dreams

He invited others to dream with him of:

· “a church body that remains faithful to God’s holy, inspired, inerrant, infallible revelation of himself in Holy Scripture.

· a church body that is forward looking and fruitful in its mission and ministry endeavors

· a church body that dares to proclaim the truth of God’s Word to those who are longing for life yet wandering through life a ‘like sheep without a shepherd.’

· a time when the proclamation that ‘Christ’s Love is Here for You’ is accomplished articulately and unapologetically on every Spirit-given occasion with great sensitivity, humility, boldness, and courage.”

 Mission Future

“My dear friends in Christ,” said President Kieschnick, “the future of the LCMS is happening right now. The Lord is unfolding the future before our very eyes. It is a future of mission like this church body has never seen before.  It is one where:

· Lutheran Christians are sharing the hope of Christ that is within them with other people so they can encounter Christ!

· 2000 new congregations are begun, where the mission of 2000 existing congregations is revitalized and where the Gospel is shared with 100 million people around the world.

· The people of God reach out in love and care and compassion to the hurting people of the world in times of disaster and in all times of need.

· People of every tribe and every nation are brought before the throne of God ‘under the one head, even Christ’ through Word and Sacrament to offer Him all glory, honor and praise.”

President Kieschnick concluded,  “As president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, I am privileged and deeply humbled to serve with you and among you. For the sake of Christ and the saints of today and tomorrow, I accept under God’s grace the challenge of leading this church body unashamedly forward in the mission God has placed before us. For this task and for the glory of God the Father, I ask your prayers, your support, and your walking in unison with me in response to the love of Christ and in dedication to the love of Christ.”