Delegate Newsletter -- No. 16

WHY I SWITCHED SIDES IN THE SYNODICAL DEBATES

• When I graduated from the seminary I was known as a “young Turk,” a title given to zealous ultra right wing political operatives.
• I was associated with some of the people still known today in the Synod’s ultra right wing (today they call themselves confessionals, although all of us are confessional Lutherans), some of them hold places of authority in the LCMS. This means that I attended meetings where strategy was planned. I understand the methods and strategy of the people who claim the title “confessionals”.
• I was active in grass roots meetings of this ultra right wing political movement that evolved into many interconnected groups. Some of these groups are Lutheran Concerns, Reclaiming Walther, Consensus, Confessional Lutherans, CAT41, Lutherans United, etc.
• I was an avid reader of Christian News, Affirm and other right wing publications. (You have been receiving publications, videos and materials from these groups for some time, and believe me they are interconnected with a purpose—one group’s purpose is to constantly disparage President Kieschnick and also disparage his mission and ministry objectives by saying all manor of evil things about him. Another group’s purpose is to put on a “kinder, gentler” face while raising concerns about President Kieschnick. Still another group has the purpose of trying to undermine President Kieschnick with a convention strategy meant to cause delegates to be afraid and to doubt the abilities of President Kieschnick. They hope that the end result is that delegates will not vote for President Kieschnick’s reelection, but instead one of their own candidates.)

AND I SWITCHED SIDES

• Because I felt a “different spirit” emerge in the movement, a spirit dedicated to power and control rather than truth.
• Because I saw legalisms in pastoral practice replace gospel teaching.
• Because I witnessed gossip and innuendo used as tools to destroy reputations.
• Because mission and evangelism were viewed with suspicion, and growing churches were suspect of false doctrine for no other reason than the fact that they were growing.
• Because I could no longer stomach the “ends justifies the means” methods of the movement.
• Because the phrase, “speaking the truth in love,” was used to justify actions that contained little love.
• And, because participation in the movement was spiritually killing me.

My name is Wayne Graumann. I am a parish pastor. I am a conservative Bible believing pastor who zealously believes that without Jesus there is no salvation. Let’s join together in telling those who oppose President Kieschnick and who are working to centralize control in the Synod that we have tired of their methods and their attempts to mold the Synod into their narrow world view, which is contrary to Synod’s historic position. Have the guts to stand up to this powerful political machine and say, “Enough is enough!” Be willing to lend your support to mission and service in the name of Jesus for the gospel centered future of our beloved Missouri Synod. Elect leaders at our upcoming convention who will support President Jerry Kieschnick’s efforts to set our synod “Ablaze” with the love of Jesus, reaching out to those around us who live in darkness. Now is the time to say “no” to those who would divide us and who would continue the endless turmoil that their activities have brought upon us. Now is the time to say, “yes,” to President Kieschnick, the Ablaze mission effort, and a slate of candidates for election who will be team players with President Kieschnick for the gospel future of our Synod.

Finally, I hate the fact that we have “sides.” As a parish pastor, I want nothing more than to simply go about the Lord’s work in my congregation and community. I look forward to the day when we will talk with each other in the LCMS with honesty and integrity without all the innuendo and infighting and focus on Jesus and His love. I think President Kieschnick has it right when he calls us all to repentance and prayer. In repentance and prayer, let us stop fighting one another and do battle with the one true enemy, Satan himself. Let us make the proclamation of Jesus our first and only priority under the servant leadership of President Kieschnick and a team supportive of his vision for the church. One Mission, One Message, One People.

 Rev. Wayne Graumann is the Senior Pastor at Salem Lutheran Church in Tomball, Texas