More Contact with the Northwest District on Gay Activist Situation, by Pr. Rossow

I took some time today to call President Schumacher in the Northwest District Office. There is an on-going problem at Bethlehem Lutheran Church – Renton, Washington (LCMS). The biography for the music director on the congregation’s website lists as a part of his experience, artistic direction of the Gay and Lesbian Choir of Seattle.

Each time I have called the office I have not gotten through to the president but I have received confirmation from him that he received my follow-up e-mail. Again today I left a message with his secretary and sent another follow-up e-mail.

We are pleased that the link to the music director’s personal website has been taken down (which promoted more gay and lesbian activities) but the website still lists his past gay and lesbian activities. This would be like a congregation listing experience at an abortion mill in its biography for a parish nurse. In addition, it is just not right to have a gay/lesbian activist playing the organ while the congregation approaches the altar to receive the body and blood of the Lord, or having an openly gay supporter serving in any capacity in the church. Paul puts it this way:

1 Corinthians 5:9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—

And he says:

1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

I do not understand why this is allowed in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod? We have contacted President Kieschnick’s office. We were told his approach is to leave it to the local District President. At what point does he step in? It has been two months now since we brought this to both of these presidents attention. I was reading another website where the Atlantic District President assured the readers that President Kieschnick is solid on matters of morality. It doesn’t appear that way on this matter.

I will keep you posted if I hear of any action on this. In the meantime I encourage all of our readers to contact the Northwest District office concerning this matter. You can find their contact information by clicking here.

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