How blessed we are to stand with Rev. Travis Pittock in the shadow of Christ and Him Crucified. Apart from that, there’s little in his comments which merits comment.

For reference, the article Rev. Pittock is responding to can be found at the Houston Chronicle.

“Please know that this man (sic Harrison) does not represent the vast majority of our Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.”

Get used to this fact guys, this quoted statement from Rev. Pittock is absolutely true.

I don’t know what universe Pr. Pittock lives in, but it isn’t the one that witnessed the 64th Regular Convention of the LCMS in Houston a few days ago. The BRTF and subsequent committee 8 upon which Pr. Kieschnick hung all his hopes for the future of the Synod was not only a colossal waste of time and money, but brought more painful division and offense to an otherwise united church (see votes on resolutions form the other seven floor committees) that shocked and saddened many first time delegates. Honest and truthful reporters know that the real political “campaign” was waged by Politics First and the regional BRTF meetings prior to the convention. If Rev. Pittock truly represents the “vast majority” of our Synod the only appropriate response is to daily pray the Litany and Psalm 51. Not a bad idea in any case:)

“Please know that this man (sic Harrison) does not represent the vast majority of our Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.”

President-elect Harrison will not represent the entire Synod as its President until September. However he currently represents the choice of the majority of delegates from congregations in the Synod based on the SP election results.

The rev. Pittock’s bleat in the pages of the Houston Chronicle is itself political campaigning of the sort that hit the newspapers in 2001, when the unbelieving citizenry was called upon to endorse an un Lutheran act of syncretism and drown out protest. It worked; it deceived LCMS Lutherans as to what the issues were at that time.
Pittock has fired the opening round of deception now.

PoliticsFirst, with the rev. Kieschnick as ‘front man’ have been running for the power and privilege of controlling lcms inc. since Bohlman was rejected.

[But anyone who was wishing GK a happy "retirement" should be warned by that diatribe. PF aren't going to quietly concede and cooperate.]

The irony, considering the activity of Jesus First and Daystar is that Rev. Pittock is accusing Harrison supporters of running a more effective political operation than they did. I mean how dare the confessionals take away the only thing the liberals are good at. But alas they give us far too much credit. I think that there was a never seen force at work here – you know that secret political operative we find in the Third Article.

“Under the leadership of Rev. Kieschnick, a native Texan, our church . . . became more loving . . .”

If he truly feels this way, I guess Pastor Pittock wasn’t one of those who was labeled as a schismatic for signing “That They May Be One”.

Rev. Pittock said,

The fact is this was a sad political campaign in the church where a politician, Harrison, beat out a real pastor, Rev. Kieschnick, as the spiritual leader of the second largest Lutheran body in the word!

Yes indeed, the sadness of politics has won out in our church body: a pastor, “running” for office. Harrison says in your article that it was not a political campaign. But indeed it sadly was! We’ve always had a saying in our church body, if someone wants to be president of the church that bad; it has to be the wrong person.”

1. Was Pres-elect Harrison’s run for president any more political than President Kieschnick’s first run for president? Both are pastors. Both were nominated or threw their respective hats in the ring for the position. Both were elected at synod conventions. I don’t get how Pastor Harrison is anymore political than Pastor Kieschnick. If his logic is taken out to its logical conclusion, then every president in LC-MS history was the wrong person because they ran for the position. As Pres-elect Harrison pointed out, though, this may be so. The LC-MS has continued it’s unbroken record of selecting sinners to lead the synod. By the grace of God, though, He uses justified sinner-saints to accomplish His ends.

2. If the political process is so distasteful to Rev. Pittock and his so-called majority, then why in the last 9 years didn’t they work to de-politicize the process by which the LC-MS elects its synodical leaders? It’s true that the election of leaders has now been broadened to the congregations, but this is no less political. Why not move to cast lots for the leaders? Oh wait, that would never work because everyone would be suspecting the other party of weighting the dice. Selecting sinners to lead us is messy and political no matter what method is used. Thanks be to God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, the preservation of the Church does not depend on us or our leaders. That is the job of the Holy Spirit through His means, Word and Sacrament, and these means should direct our mission and leadership.

My first reaction at Rev. Pittock’s letter was anger, but as I reflect on what he said, it only makes me sad. His anti-Harrison attitude is cause enough for sadness. His mis-characterization of Harrison’s motives, and blindness to the political power-mongering of the current SP is also saddening. However, the saddest thing of all is that he does himself, his witness, the LCMS, and the entire Church a great disservice by publicly airing his grievances, and so blatantely violating the eighth commandment. Whatever good Ablaze may be doing in his area is negated by so vitriolic a diatribe, publicly expressed.

One is tempted to write him and complain, attempt to set the record straight, and even reprimand him. I’ll leave that to others. He has an ecclesiastical supervisor.

Johannes

@Johannes #10

Ditto what Johannes said, with the same reaction.

May God bestow his grace on Pr. Pittock, that he repent and receive the forgiveness of sins. And find out Pr. Harrison isn’t such a bad guy in the process.

I encourage all pastors who read this to call Rev. Pittock. It may not produce anything, but at least you will have talked. If he remains unrepentant, then it may be time to call his DP. His number is easily found from the Synod’s website. I will be calling this morning.

I just called and left a message.

My reaction? fish and fowl: carp and crow

Johannes :
However, the saddest thing of all is that he does himself, his witness, the LCMS, and the entire Church a great disservice by publicly airing his grievances, and so blatantely violating the eighth commandment. Whatever good Ablaze may be doing in his area is negated by so vitriolic a diatribe, publicly expressed.

Other than here (and other web sources pointing here), has Rev. Pittock’s letter actually been publicly published? I cannot find it anywhere on the Houston Chronicle website. Perhaps the online version is a little behind the print version so that people will buy the hard copies.

I have observed that Kieschnick supporters frequently deplore the politics in the LCMS and quote the dictum, “The office should seek the man.” President Emeritus Ralph Bohlmann often repeated this saying. When the party that is voted out of power objects to politics, one is reminded of te line in Hamlet: “Methinks he doth protest too much.”
However, party politics in our church proves that we are divided. If we were one in spirit, doctrine, and practice, then the office could seek the man. This was the case prior to 1935, when the liberals politicized an LCMS convention for the first time in a successful effort to unseat Pfotenhauer and elect the moderate Behnken. We’ve been politicized ever since.
The only way to un-politicize the LCMS is to restore unity in doctrine and practice. Which is what the Harrison team is pledged to do.
The problem is, the same people who want to do away with politics are not willing to work toward unity. That is, they persist in practicing unionism, open communion, lay ministry, women’s ordination, and rock-band worship in the name of diversity and a misreading of AC VII and FC X.
But you can’t have it both ways. Either work with us in restoring unity, or quit complaining about politics.

“Please know that this man does not represent the vast majority of our Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.”

That may be true; but it’s irrelevant.

We don’t elect our synodical presidents to represent us. We elect them to 1) supervise the doctrine and the administration of officers, employees, districts, and district Presidents; 2) to see to it that all act within the Synod’s Constitution; 3) to promote and maintain unity of doctrine and practice in all the districts of the Synod; and 4) to see to it that the resolutions of the Synod are carried out.

We don’t elect the synodical president to speak for us, we elect him to speak for the Scripture, the Confessions, and synod’s constitution/bylaws.

TW

I have no need to repent. I am one man forgiven! I have only spoken the truth. This is a sad web site…please get a life and get back to ministry! BTW…my whole article WAS not published here. The part about “Christian News” was left out. You might ought to see that…..its real good! But gee, no one calls on Christian news and the rest of these so called “confessionals” to repent for violating the 8th commandment. That is because they are so rooted in hatred they cannot get out! Peace y’all.

((( A later comment by Pastor Pittock asserts that this comment is not from him. The email address differs, and is undeliverable, but the IP address that generated the comment is the same as the later comments from him. Given the uncertainty of his later assertion, I have restored the comments pending further investigation. )))

@TW I thought we elected them to just plain have fun in this world.

It is disgraceful, shameful for any of our pastors to air their disagreements of internal non-doctrinal matters in a public media forum. It creates much harm to the image of our church. I pray the DP has enough courage to discipline him for his actions. This isn’t about which sides you’re on.

Ironically, did anyone every see or hear ANYTHING political or campaigning on Pastor Harrison’s Mercy Journeys daily blog in the months, weeks, days before the election?

I am thankful, Pr. Pittock, that I have need to repent daily, hourly, even by the second, that I may, in repentant joy return again and again to the cross of Christ. Looking forward to talking to you, give me a call at your convenience.

Pr. Pittock :
I have no need to repent. .

1 John 1:8-10

@Pr. Pittock #18

Pastor Pittock,

I, for one, don’t think you have anything to repent of in your letter to the editor. You were expressing your honest opinion about synod, the convention and Pastor Harrison’s election.

If we have more pastors as honest as you, we might be able to start what Pastor Harrison is calling for —an honest discussion about our differences in doctrine and practice. That would be refreshing.

Please encourage other like-minded pastors you know to be honest too. We can’t work toward unity in doctrine and practice until everyone is willing to admit where they really stand.

TW

Thanks Todd, you get the point. Our problem is we rather talk about each other an issues instead of with each other! I appreciate your comments! You are a wonderful man! THANKS!!!! But with what I have seen here, most of us are to afraid to talk….far to long we “brothers” would rather shoot one another down and call each other to repentance than to love one another as Christ has commanded! This is my last response here. To be honest, this website makes me ill with its venom and non loving behavior. There are lost people to be reached and the kingdom of God to proclaim. Good bye, gentleman, and please remember why we became pastors in the first place???? There are lost sheep that need to hear His (Jesus) voice! May God bless you all and have fun!

((( A later comment by Pastor Pittock asserts that this comment is not from him. The email address differs, and is undeliverable, but the IP address that generated the comment is the same as the later comments from him. Given the uncertainty of his later assertion, I have restored the comments pending further investigation. )))

Why not move to cast lots for the leaders?

Because then it would be out of our control.

This is later shown in the fact that in the article it says he looks back to Luther and history for our future? One thing is for certain, we as Lutherans need to look more at the Bible, God’s Word, for our now and future. This constant looking back gets us nowhere.

That’s amazing. I wonder if he listened to the words of Pastor Harrison with which he promised to coerce to nothing, but to lead us by pointing us to the clear Word of God.

If returning to the faith of Luther is not returning to Scripture, then why be a Lutheran at all? I don’t get it.

I think Pastor Wilkens post hits the nail on he head when it comes to how we understand the political process in the LCMS, what its function is, and how much we emulate the world’s attitude. Voting is a means to end and that end is expressed through the Constitution (I’m guessing that where he got his definition). I have always been uneasy when I hear pastors and laymen use political categories when speaking about the Church and the Office. Politics are ultimately about control, the Ministry is ultimately about service (the term “public servant” in the secular arena is so obviously a joke now) through the means of grace handed down to us and exercised through the Office. This is about people’s immortal souls and not about who wins an election. We should be electing someone who sees that the most clearly, otherwise we are doing ourselves and the Church a disservice.

Dear Brother Pittock,
To call someone to repentance for their sin is loving. See Mark 1:15.

Pr. Pittock :
….this website makes me ill with its venom and non loving behavior…

irony?

@Pr. Pittock #24

Pastor Pittock,

We must love one another enough to be honest with one another. Then we can know if we really are of the same mind (1 Corinthians 1:10; Philippians 2:2).

I’d rather have honest disagreement than false unity.

TW

There are two basic problem’s that need to be addressed in Pr. Pittock’s letter. First is a simple factual matter. The LCMS did not grow on Kischnick’s watch. The most that can be said is that we did not decline as precipitously as other mainline churches. Second is an assertion of fact that is probably not knowable. Who know is the majority of people in the LCMS support Harrison or Kieschnick? This would require a large scientific poll. My experience is that most of our lay people would tell you that they don’t know enough about either man to have an opinion one way or the other. The majority, but not all, of the lay people who do know what is happening in synod are Harrison supporters. But this anacdotal, so I could extrapolate the opinion of people nation wide. What I do know is that Harrison received many more nominations than President Kieschnick and that he was elected by more than 100 votes. No incumbent was defeated before on the first ballot, and no incumbent has ever won by so wide a margin. To attribute this to a particular cause has not been established. We cannot say, with factual accuracy why this happened. Wouldn’t it be ironic if someone did research this and found that all the politicking on both sides had no effect?

My previous post should have read “so you could NOT extrapolate this nation wide”…

revfisk :

Why not move to cast lots for the leaders?

Because then it would be out of our control.

Ha! Very true.

@Pr. Pittock #18
One has to ask. I suppose that before you published your letter you did what President K. demanded be done and spoke directly with Pastor Harrison!!??? My thought would be that you did not. I have yet to meet anyone on the liberal side of the LCMS who thought that the rules extablished at conventions pertained to them. Your good friends at Jesus First in their formation brought a greater depth of politics onto the scene along with their fine friends at Daystar! So I would think that you would want to write a similiar type of letter, in a public forum decrying the political nature of Jesus First, Daystar and many others on the liberal side of the LCMS. Please read carefully Fritz Baue’s comment above–#16. Until we are once again united in doctrine and practice according to Scripture and the BOC there will continue to be politics involved.

Brother pastors, please, I encourage you to call Rev. Pittock. Call him and talk to him directly. It probably won’t accomplish anything, but its the thing to do.

Also, is there any kind of link to the Houston Chronicle that we could post up?

Rev. James Roemke :Also, is there any kind of link to the Houston Chronicle that we could post up?

Why do we want to go there? What good would it do? A few people will write to the Houston Chronicle, and, I am guessing that the most “in your face” of these letters will be published, thus only giving more poor witness to the public. I say let it stand, and let it go. Pr. Pittock has expressed his opinion, and that’s that.

I don’t agree with Pr. Pittock, and Rev. Wilken’s advice is a bit hard for me to accept. But we know where Pr. Pittock stands, and what he thinks about BJS. So what? What is the purpose of BJS anyways? Here’s the BJS mission statement:
“The Brothers of John the Steadfast, brings together Lutheran laymen to defend and promote the orthodox Christian faith which is taught in the Lutheran Confessions, provide financial support for Christian new media (e.g. Issues, Etc.), and to support other endeavors selected by its membership that defend and promote the cause of confessional Lutheranism. ”

The exchanges on this thread reminds me of two men, neither of whom understands the other’s language, shouting louder and louder in an effort to be understood.

Let it go, already!

Johannes

@revfisk #25
A bit off topic but close, I’ve often voiced a preference for pulling names out of a hat for calling a pastor as the final action in the calling process; five names acceptable to the calling congregation then pull a name. Don’t we believe that the Holy Spirit is actually involved in all this? or not.

“The fact is this was a sad political campaign in the church where a politician, Harrison, beat out a real pastor, Rev. Kieschnick….”

Pr. Pittock, Matt Harrison is a real pastor and is most certainly not just “a politician.”

Brothers-

I would propose that we use this text Synod-wide to begin healing our divisions. It was shared with me by a fellow brother and also cited by Ted Kober during one of his Bible studies at this year’s convention in Houston. It’s “Grace Upon Grace–Spirituality for Today” written by John W. Kleinig, CPH (2008).

Let me share a few quotations from his book from what I’ve read so far….

“Jesus teaches that we begin, continue, and end our spiritual journey with Him as beggars before God the Father, the heavenly King.” (p. 29)

“As we mature in faith, we move away from pride in ourselves and our own achievements to a gradual awareness of our spiritual failure and Christ’s work in us as we entrust ourselves to Him. We move away from the conviction that we are self-sufficient to the repeated experience of spiritual bankruptcy. We move on from delusions of our spiritual importance to a growing sense of our utter insignificance and the glory of God. We move on from delight in our own power to the painful recognition of our spiritual weakness. We are brought from our self-righteousness to the increasing consciousness that we are sinful.” (p. 33)

“Our repentance is not just an initial act or an occasional event in our journey with Christ; it is a daily event, a lifelong process. Our whole life is a process of conversion from ourselves to God, a dying to self that is complete only when we die.” (p. 34)

“I do not discover the stories of the people around me, and their importance to me, unless I put my own story on hold for a while and listen to them.” (p. 125)

“God uses His Word to open our eyes and to disclose something wonderful. With faithful hearing comes faithful seeing. Careful attention to God’s Word brings enlightenment and insight. The light of His Word gives us a vision of Him and His wonderful dealings with us.” (p. 128)

@Jon Townsend #3

What’s the percentage of the votes…ON THE FIRST BALLOT?

Deal with it, Pittock!

Since I was the first one who said the word Repent:

Pr. Harrison was slandered: “The fact is this was a sad political campaign in the church where a politician, Harrison, beat out a real pastor, Rev. Kieschnick, as the spiritual leader of the second largest Lutheran body in the word! ”

The rest is just bad facts (the church grew?) or opinion. The debate is welcome, but let’s get our facts straight.

Whew, that was cathartic…and pretty stupid of me to be rude. I own up to it.

And having vented my spleen, it is no crime to express one’s feelings, whether it’s Pr Pittock’s or even my crappy verbiage. Like Todd would say, better to be honest upfront then to pretend that we are happy…only to fester.

@Dan at Necessary Roughness #40

I’m sorry, he was libeled, not slandered. Slandered is oral; libeled is written. The point stands.

Pastor Pittock’s letter was awfully political, wasn’t it?

“First and foremost, please understand that the ‘majority’ of Missouri Synod Lutherans are not happy with this outcome. The article states that a good majority of our congregations supported Harrison for president. The fact is this was a sad political campaign in the church where a politician, Harrison, beat out a real pastor, Rev. Kieschnick, as the spiritual leader of the second largest Lutheran body in the word!”

I find it nothing short of amazing that Pastor Travis Pittock tries to describe Pastor Harrison as a “politician” and President Kieschnick as a “real pastor!” I presume he did not see Pastor Harrison’s most humble acceptance speech, and I doubt he has read any of his writings either. To describe Pastor Harrison as a politician is amazing, as it was the people of the Missouri Synod who wanted him to serve in this position. Pastor Harrison was not the politician: President Kieschnick was the one who was quoted as saying “I will be re-elected, I have a plan.” I am repeatedly amazed and thankful for the humbleness of Pastor Matt Harrison, and pray that many of us will learn from his example.

President Kieschnick, in this letter, is cast as the “real pastor”, not the “politician”, yet if we review the nine years of President Kieschnick’s presidency, we see a man focused on bylaws and procedures, rather than a theologian and pastor. To be sure, he had his times, such as in the aftermath of the ELCA’s church wide assembly doctrinal debacle. Perhaps Pastor Pittock doesn’t have time to keep up with synodical news as any pastor’s job is demanding with many responsibilities and expectations to try to meet.

Pastor Pittock is less than honest when he publicly states “First and foremost, please understand that the ‘majority’ of Missouri Synod Lutherans are not happy with this outcome.” He is welcome to speak for himself from his own perspective, but what qualifies Pittock to speak on behalf of “the ‘majority’ of Missouri Synod Lutherans.” Perhaps he didn’t see the numbers of nominations before the convention, where Pastor Harrison had close to twice the nominations of the incumbent President Kieschnick. Perhaps in Texas he did not notice how divisive these past nine years have been to Missouri, as some have been trying to give the LCMS a face-lift it does not need–we are to please God, not men. We are to baptize, teach believers, and reach out to others, not worry ourselves with updating our synod’s image, and trying to turn caring pastors into CEOs. May God have mercy on our Synod! We have been on divergent paths for quite some time, yet we have been convinced to close our eyes and chant “ONE, ONE, ONE” until we believe that somehow we are united (agreeing to disagree–which is really no unity at all!). Pastor Pittock says, “Maybe we need to wake up!” I agree! I believe that God will use Pastor Harrison and others to help wake us up to reality, so we can confront our differences in light of Scripture, not pretend they don’t exist.

“…in the article it says he looks back to Luther and history for our future? One thing is for certain, we as Lutherans need to look more at the Bible, God’s Word, for our now and future. This constant looking back gets us nowhere.” If Pastor Pittock studied at one of our Concordia seminaries, he would know that looking back to Luther is shorthand for looking back to the Bible! Luther was not about himself and his own theories–he was all for Sola Scriptura! “This constant looking back gets us nowhere.” Unfortunately, some in the Synod seem to think that our Lutheran Confessions gets in the way of living out our faith in the future. I wish for them that they would read our Confessions! I think they would be pleasantly surprised! The treasure of CONCORDIA is much more than some quaint historical memorabilia from the 16th century. Until more of our pastors crack the covers of their Book of Concord and look inside, our Synod is in big trouble. We had been sold out to consultants, and told movement away from Lutheranism is the way of the future. Maybe for those who didn’t mean their ordination vows, but for those who truly stand for the teachings of Holy Scripture, this re-imaging of the Missouri Synod has been a big mistake, and a waste of the widow’s mite.

It was a “sad day” for the Synod. “When some are hurting, all suffer.” But it was also a day of rejoicing: “When some rejoice, all rejoice.” We are one in the body of Christ, and so we feel the pain that Pastor Pittock and some others feel. But we also feel the joy of knowing that a new era is dawning, which the majority of our synod requested, and hopefully we can get back on track so pastors can faithfully proclaim the Word and administer the Sacraments. Rather than having a synod bureaucracy scowling at smaller congregations, expecting them to reinvent themselves and become non-denominational mega-churches, hopefully we can go back to being Lutherans again, and focus on the One thing needful.

I must say that I find encouragement in both letters. Huh? Yes I really do. In the letters and responses I see the depth of the love we have for our synod. Was I upset that President Kieschcnick lost? You bet, but I know that the Lord is in charge and President Harrison will also be a blessing to the synod.

One of my friends stated after the election, the savior of the synod is here. My first comment which I wish I had not said was a sarcastic “Oh yeah? I thought the Savior was Jesus. I could have found a better way to respond to his comment.

Just from the past week reading this site I have learned something, and it took me off my high horse. I will not always agree with the “Confessionals” but they are important to the synod. A church that is not grounded in its past is a church that is groundless and set adrift. Many denominations have lost sight of that. I also believe that the more “liberal” movements such as Jesus First has an important role in the synod as well. I pray that working together the synod will continue to move forward.

G’day all! I agree with Andrew. He says it well. I know a lot of you and Pr. Pittock as well. Let me say, you all are passionate. And that is good. It is what makes the LCMS the LCMS. This tension keeps us where we need to be. It is healthy. Without it, we go far to off in one direction. PLEASE LET ME SAY…I know that Pr. Pittock WAS NOT trying to hurt(slander/liable) anyone. He is a man who is very passionate and loves the LCMS. He has done a lot for her! As well as all of you too! He has spoken his opinion, you may agree or not. So…we move on, right? I know that Pr. Pittock is praying everyday for our new president, he told me so! He wants him (Harrison) to prove him (Pittock) wrong! Kinda cool, huh? The theme of this year’s convention was, “One people….Forgiven!” We live in this constant sate of grace in a fallen world. It is not going to be perfect. Yes, we all want the LCMS to remain a shining light of the truth in where the Confession and Word is upheld and shared. Even pastors like Pittock and many others. We need to celebrate our agreements, the fact that we have many good things, and support each other in this harsh world. The world looks at us, and they need too, and they see this? Arguing, eating our very own people alive. Maybe it is time to show them different. I love you all! I do! I am so blessed to be serving with you in this the LCMS. God bless us one and all!

Ummm…Hi…sorry to cause such trouble. I do appreciate all the comments made. I will take them to heart and pray about them. I praise God for the openness of your comments. Until I read the article on July 16 I never knew this organization existed.

Also, the comments above that say they are from me, well they are not. I appreciate someone trying to be me and defend me, but please stop. It was not until I received an email from someone not long ago that I realized this was here. Thank you. And may God bless you and me and the LCMS and Pres. K. and Pres. Elect Harrison.

And thanks also to the brother who told me about what was going on here and for the phone call. That was very kind!!!!

Andrew Strickland :
Just from the past week reading this site I have learned something, and it took me off my high horse. I will not always agree with the “Confessionals” but they are important to the synod. …I also believe that the more “liberal” movements such as Jesus First has an important role in the synod as well.

Andrew, are you truly saying that you do not agree with our confession of faith? Or do you have in mind a meaning for the word “Confessionals” something other than “those who hold to our confession of faith”?

I do not want to misunderstand you.

One more thing….it is a sin to offer offense so I do ask forgiveness for that. Indeed, I did not want to offend anyone. Sometime, sharing opinions can do that. So very sorry for any offense offered.

This is the real T Pittock and I approve of these last few messages. Nod to political TV political ads

Also, reading thought the comments, I appreciate what Rev. Todd said and also Andrew. Nicely said brothers in Jesus!

@Andrew Strickland #46

Thank you, Andrew, for your willingness to look to the broader picture of the whole synod. With the election, not everyone would be pleased regardless of who won. For this reason I was very thankful for how President-Elect Harrison approached his humble acceptance speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5W6OCHL1Yw

We do need to discuss our commonalities and differences with the love of Christ Jesus. Like Pastor Harrison, I, too was thankful for President Kieschnick’s heart for evangelism. I agree with your assessment about a synod being grounded, rather than “set adrift.” Jesus is our only Savior, and Matt Harrison–like Gerald Kieschnick–is just a man. Aside from your confessed sarcasm, you were right. Please join me that God will work through President Harrison and many others in our Synod, and that God will be the one leading us, not we ourselves. Pastor Harrison has expressed his godly desire to be a part of uniting the Synod, centered on Holy Scripture. I have no reason to question his word, and pray that God will equip him and the whole Synod to be whom He has called us to be in this dark world, at this changing time. May God be with President Kieschnick and his family, and all who have willingly served our Synod, desiring God’s direction and seeking wisdom and strength which comes only from Him.

Thank you, Andrew Strickland, for your willingness and concern to be a part of the conversation. Thank you for joining your brothers and sisters in Christ here at BJS in dialogue, as we all seek God’s will in working through the LCMS for His glory. May God have mercy on us all, forgiving us for our wrong thoughts, words and actions, of both commission and omission, and may he “renew us and lead us, so that we may delight in (His) will and walk in (His) ways to the glory of (His) holy name.”

@Paul Becker #4
Hi Paul….how are things? It is good to see you are still in Kingsport. You were at my ordination and I’ll never forget the kind words you spoke to me!!! God bless you brother!

“I personally apologize now for what the next three years will bring from the “leadership” of our national church body,”

Does Pr. Pittock have prophetic abilities as well as the ability to repent for his neighbor’s sins before they commit them?

“but as for me and the church I am blessed to serve, we will follow Jesus, love Him with all our heart,”

Does Pr. Pittock and his congregation really have the ability to follow Jesus, and love him with all their hearts?

Pastor Pittock,

Are you saying that comments #18 and #24 are someone posing as you on this thread?

TW

Rev. Pittock,

Several thoughts came to my mind after reading both of the letters posted here.

God, even in this turn of leadership, is still the ONE in control. Do you believe that? If so, then there is nothing to fear from mere politics.

Second, you make a point (as many in our church do) of asking the question: “Where is the love?” I went back and read both letters again, this time through the eyes of an unbeliever seeking to find a spiritual home and contemplating a Lutheran congregation. If you do that too, which congregation(s), or pastor/pastors, would you want to sit down and talk with about Jesus? When I did that, it became clear very quickly that the pastors in the second letter are more missional, more welcoming, more excited about ministry to non-Lutherans/non-Christians than the pastor in the first letter. Please give prayerful consideration to the Christian WITNESS you gave to everyone who read your letter, and ask if that WITNESS reflected trust in and the love of Jesus Christ.

And, third, what I got from your letter was: anger, frustration, fear, worry, disappointment…. a bundle of unsorted emotions seeking an avenue out. I pray for you, dear pastor, that God in His infinite love and mercy would bring healing, peace and comfort to you. I pray that if it His will, you would find a brother in the ministry with whom you can unburden yourself, pray and find comfort in God’s Word. I do this because I have become deeply concerned about your ability to carry out the office into which you have been called if indeed your soul is as troubled as your letter leads me to believe.

GOD is in control; not Rev. Kieschnick, nor Rev. Harrison. As His baptized child, nothing from this convention is cause for alarm.

May the PEACE that surpasses all human understanding keep your heart and mind forever fixed on Christ, our Savior and Lord. Only in Him can true peace be realized.

@Rev. T.Pittock #47

Perhaps Norm could check the IP address made by the person offering the earlier comments so we know who the imposter might be?

Good Grief!
The things I miss at BJS, when I’m on vacation. I wish we had missions in the Caribbean, I was in Turks & Caicos. I always look for Lutheran Missions, when I’m away. All the way to where we are staying. I watch churches, praying for a Lutheran Mission. Not for me, just because I happen to be in that country, but FOR THOSE WHO LIVE THERE. None in Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas, Punta Cana, Turks & Caicos, Bavaria, England (ELCA), Holland, Belgium, or Friesland, Germany. If I’m lucky, here in the South, along the Snowbird Corridor, I may find one, but not for Divine Service on Sunday. The only one I have attended is in Destin, FL. That isn’t a great track record, I’m thrilled a “True Missional” is in the lead, maybe I can worship with those who live where I travel now.

“Can we go to Church, can we make it somewhere, while we’re here?”.
I’ll tell ya, I know, I KNOW, now that President Harrison is at the helm, I most likely will be able to & be able to share Christ, in other countries, with those who BELIEVE & PRACTICE as I do, here.

I could comment on the Texas letter, but why bother? Give them their due, it’s all they have, & they need to make up for the loss, they seem to think they have suffered. Funny though, I thought we were in this, WALKING TOGETHER, but hey, we never thought we really were, & they knew we weren’t. That first letter, just proves the point. Books will be opened in this, & to be relevant & current, they MUST say President Harrison doesn’t speak for them. If he did, then the last 9 years, were….bad form & that is something they will never do, “I’m sorry & I repent” are the two phrases hardest said, & the higher up ya are, the harder it seems to be. Too bad, theologians are rare, as most of their laity, knows the best bits, better than they seem too.

As much as I could say, why bother? They have proven, not to be worth, my effort, time, talent, gift, or words.

I prefer to compliment these men, from my home state of Wisconsin. NWD, is stellar, always kind of has been. But, seeing that letter, made me very thankful to be Lutheran & from the state of Wisconsin. Texas may not think President Harrison speaks for them, but Wisconsin KNOWS he does.

Did not Pres. K win on first ballots by somewhere just over the 50% mark? Pres.-Elect Harrison has won on a first ballot by somewhere just over the 50% mark—so what is the problem? The LCMS elects its Presidents on the first ballot by somewhere just over the 50% mark–at least in this century. So each President has/will represent/ed the “majority” of the LCMS.

@Jim Pierce #59

The IP address matches .. it appears to me that Pastor Pittock (or someone at his church) wrote all the comments on this thread that are identified as from Pastor Pittock, as well as one additional comment.

I have restored the two comments that I previously deleted; if Pastor Pittock can provide proof that he did not write comments 18 and 24 we may remove them again.

@Rev. T.Pittock #50

Brother Pittock, thank you for your much better words in comments 47-54. I am glad you are willing to rethink your views. And I think that if you take the time to become familiar with President-elect Harrison–through his writings, his speaking, and the good work he has done–you just might like what you discover! This can be a positive step forward for our synod.

@Norm Fisher #62

Thanks for checking the IP addresses Norm. I think this is instructive to anyone who might think they can easily get away with posting as someone else.

Charles Henrickson :@Rev. T.Pittock #50
Brother Pittock, thank you for your much better words in comments 47-54.

I guess now those comments are in the stretch of 48-55, since a deleted comment upthread has been restored. And if that is indeed Pastor Pittock writing them! Will the REAL Travis Pittock please stand up?

Oh, one other thing, this from the *other* letter, the one no one is talking about: It’s “taking the reins,” not “taking the reigns”–although that wins the Ironic Misspelling of the Day Award!

(Also, the title of one of Harrison’s books, for those who may be looking for it, is “Christ Have Mercy,” not “Lord Have Mercy.”)

I feel like I’m in the middle of much of this discussion, and should say something. First, I’m a regular blogger on the Houston Chronicle’s religion website, “houstonbelief.com,” and remained in regular contact with the religion web editor throughout the last convention. Second, I know Pastor Pittock from our time together in the Eastern District – both of us were involved with the District’s LWML. I’m also a big fan of BJS, and of all your regular bloggers. Third, my senior pastor and colleague is now 5th Vice-President of Synod. Last, I owe the fact that I’m now in the LCMS and not the ELCA/ELCIC in part to Pastor Harrison.

I hope, in many ways, that this thread is a symptom of a turning point in the history of our denomination. For nine years we have been told that our Synod is united – except in some small, practical details. I think we are now, for the first time, being able to admit *openly* that we have a lot to talk about. Wounds cannot heal when they are ignored and hidden. The first step to real healing is honest diagnosis of the disease. Pastor Pittock has “lanced the boil” – and I for one, like Pastor Wilken, am forever grateful. Let the conversation begin, and let it be led by Christ Jesus!

@Dutch #60
Texas may not think President Harrison speaks for them, but Wisconsin KNOWS he does.

Bitte, Dutch, please don’t ascribe Pittock’s comments to “Texas”
only to his political cabal!

Inasmuch as we have a new and excellent VP-elect from Houston,
Pittock can’t even claim all of that town.

Dr. Murray and I are both “we got here as soon as we could” Texans,
(but so is everyone else, even if they count 5 or 6 generations of ‘all y’alls’.)

@Charles St-Onge #66

“Last, I owe the fact that I’m now in the LCMS and not the ELCA/ELCIC in part to Pastor Harrison.”

ELCIC = ?
______________________________________________

BTW- what are people so afraid of in this thread? A Banjo Divine Service?

Rick :
BTW- what are people so afraid of in this thread? A Banjo Divine Service?

Don’t fret. They’re just looking for something to pick on.

Dear BJS Bloggers,

I think that Pastor Pittock’s letter is interesting, though ill advised.

In my opinion, his letter demonstrates how effective the Jesus First strategy of “marginalize the opposition” has been. I think Pastor Pittock believed their rhetoric, and so concluded that the majority of congregations agree with the Jesus First agenda and its candidates. Pittock is not the originator of these ideas, just the echo.

From the very beginning of its publications in 1999, Jesus First has talked about the “traditional Lutherans” in the LCMS as only making up about 10% of the membership. They have said that their opponents are a very vocal, but very small minority.

If you defined the opposition to Jesus First in a very specific and limited way, you could say that they were right. Maybe 10% of the membership of the LCMS is fully informed about what is going on in the synod, is fully dedicated to upholding the confessions and constitution of synod, gives generously to synod and missions, and is fully active in every way possible, at circuit, district, synod, and other conferences. Much of the rest of the synod is disconnected or uninterested in some way or another. This is typical for most denominations, so nothing to get distressed about.

If you get to know the REST of the synod, beyond that 10%, you will see that the vast majority of THEM just want to be Lutherans, and usually don’t want to fuss about all the details. BUT — If a leader starts heading the church in a non-Lutheran direction (however they might perceive that), the vast majority will wake up and pay attention to what is going on. And they might nominate and elect a new leader as a result of that “waking up.” This is one of the factors involved in the election of Pastor Harrison, though there are other factors too (see my essay “What Does This Election Mean?” at http://steadfastlutherans.org/?p=11643).

Pastor Pittock is relatively new to the ministry, having been ordained in 2002. The only presidency he has known is President Kieschnick. I don’t know how broadly Pittock knows the LCMS, by region, by ages, by gender, by class, by race, etc. He was probably judging, prematurely, on the basis of his limited experience. Pastors with more experience, especially those who have moved around the country and had a variety of parish types, are better judges of these things.

Although in some ways the LCMS is a “small world,” where you often cross paths with people who know your friends or relatives, it is also a huge group of Christians scattered across the US, with different life experiences and different religious pilgrimages. Any attempt to stereotype us, apart from a rigidly objective, scientific survey on a massive scale, is doomed to failure. Any attempt to guess how we think is fraught with error; which is another reason why you need to carefully listen to people and respect them, even when you disagree.

Yours in Christ, Martin R. Noland

Rick :BTW- what are people so afraid of in this thread? A Banjo Divine Service?

They heard Harrison was going to appoint a Blue Grass Task Force (aka Ban Jovi).

@Jim Pierce #64
Whether or not ‘someone else’ did post is not established,
only that the same computer/network was used for all the messages.

Is the rev. Pittock also saying he did not write the letter to the Chronicle?
It might be hoped that he would retract some of the more “inaccurate”
[stretching "best construction", Dan; I agree with your assessment]
statements there, too, but perhaps that would not be as much fun to publish.

The more temperate remarks (from the same IP address) are appreciated.

[Perhaps the sober designation "libel" awoke the poster[s] to the fact
that he is/they are also “in the shadow of the state pen” in Huntsville?]

@revfisk #50
Sorry mind error, I was thinking broadly as conservative, but came out confessional. Always read what you type oops

@Rick #68
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada – you know, the other country north of the US

@Charles St-Onge #74
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada – you know, the other country north of the US.

Bigger, too, isn’t it?

@Pr. Pittock #18
Pr. Pittock, if you want to send your entire letter to Christian News, cnmail@fidnet.com, we will print the entire letter.
H. Otten

@revfisk #50
Again thank you for the correction, I went over to my bookshelves to find a book and realized I have four Book of Concords, what sane person has four of them? I hope I ascribe to the Lutheran confessions or I am in the wrong house. kidding of course

@helen #75
Ah, but God doesn’t judge by size, does He? )) If He did, we should all be Romanists.

Helen #67,
Meine liebe Freund,
That letter was posted in the Houston Chronicle, it was written by a Pastor in the LCMS, in Texas. To those outside Texas, when someone like that does that, he speaks for those who are there, in Texas, he spoke for you, whether you wanted, liked, or agreed.
All I did Helen, was repond. Not to offend you, but to put it to the question, for what was done, on “your” behalf. He spoke, in public, what else is someone outside Texas supposed to think? Darlin’, it wasn’t you, it was him.
Your beef, isn’t w/me, here in WI. It is with the person, who wrote, as he though he spoke for those, LCMS, FOR/FROM Texas. It was a public proclamation, in a public paper Helen!You need to take this up w/that Pastor, not with me. If you don’t take on him, then he speaks for ya, sort of thing. Place the focus & responsibility where it belongs, & that is w/Pastor P. or whoever wrote pretending to be him, not with little old me.

That doesn’t change the Houston C. article, & to those outside, it looks like he spoke for ya, in Texas. Dont’ take bait, & turn on those who already know ya, by what you write here.

I think it is good, right, & true, that if Pastor P. knows who did write here, if it was not him, Pastor P. should counsel & encourage that person to come forward, and state such. That person, whoever it may be, has quite a plate of crow to consume. Best served w/sugar, I’ve made a culinary artform of crow.

A word about crow.
The more sugar (repentance) you add, the better it goes down. Never eatable, but it will go down, if you plate it right. The key to eating crow, you make sure the one you served it to first, seasons your dish.
Repentance & Forgiveness are how to best plate crow, folks and that takes two.
Just sayin’.

@helen #72
“Whether or not ‘someone else’ did post is not established,
only that the same computer/network was used for all the messages.”

That is true, but the typical computer user isn’t sophisticated enough to spoof public IP addresses and so it is very rare that when matching IPs come up in this sort of situation that two different people were actually posting. It is possible that the person posting as “Pr. Pittock” isn’t really that person at all. That would be bit of a stretch, but it is possible. But, technically you are correct and what you state is actually true for everyone of us posting here. The IP addresses attached with our postings here do not establish our identities. We don’t even really know that you are actually “Helen.” You could be “Bob!” /diabolical laughter

Can anyone please explain to me, why we are giving more creedance than due, to this letter from Houston, rather than lifiting up the letter from NWD?
We Confessionals, have suffered from ill will, the “glass will always be half empty to Confessionals” sort of thing. We are, in this very thread, doing exactly what they have always accused us of! Focusing on the negative & turning on each other! Why, oh why, is this still happening?! We Confessionals, have ALOT OF WORK TO DO, and this is the best we have to say?!
I have seen so much better, from so many here at BJS, let’s focus on the letter from WI, rather than that vitrol from Houston. Let them throw vitrol & rail, that is all they have. We have Christ Crucified, the Solas, & the Confessions, and they won the Day….in Houston!!!!
NWD, may not be the largest, most well spoken District, but they did more than many.

They spoke out, for what is Good, Right, True, and recognize much work is to be done in His Fields.
Why CAN’T WE, HERE?!

@Martin R. Noland #70

Any attempt to stereotype us, apart from a rigidly objective, scientific survey on a massive scale, is doomed to failure.

How does that explain green bean casserole with fried onions on the top at every potluck?

John Clark :
I have become deeply concerned about your ability to carry out the office into which you have been called if indeed your soul is as troubled as your letter leads me to believe.
<
May the PEACE that surpasses all human understanding keep your heart and mind forever fixed on Christ, our Savior and Lord. Only in Him can true peace be realized.

Since the Scriptures state that “he who claims to be without sin deceives himself and has not God’s Word within him” (1 John 1:9) – we should not only be praying for this author’s repentance but also for the flock to which he has been called as the bearer of God’s Word.

Dan,
How can a Lutheran have any holiday, w/o Green Bean Casserole? I have never seen a table w/the family or at Church, w/o that well love/hated staple.

Oh, the shock & horror of a function w/o Green Bean Casserole….oh woe is we!?
lol

Charles St-Onge :@helen #75 Ah, but God doesn’t judge by size, does He? )) If He did, we should all be Romanists.

OR WILLOW-CREEKERS!

@Dutch #85
Give me Green Bean Casserole or give me death. And some jello salad would be good as well.

Dear Brothers in Christ,

As a lay person I have great respect for all of you as pastors. I have been close friends with a few and as a past Elder at Faith Lutheran in Huntsville, known them as men of normal faults.

Also I have been engaged in politics, known Presidents, Senators, Congressmen etc personally. Politics is not a dirty word. It is often played by dirty people who leave the noble and honorable out for personal gain at the expense of the Lords work.

I believe my Pastor, Pittock, is a good man and great young pastor who clearly is passionate. We can disagree honorably and passionately without personal attacks. Where he crossed the line I am sure he regrets and where each of you cross the line I am sure you regret. Our Saviour made it clear that we should forgive as we are forgiven and that we should love one another as Christ has loved us. This is the essential truth.

Politics is a necessary part of this earthly Kingdom in which we are born to struggle in. A healthy and vigorous debate without resorting to crucifying those we dis-agree with will help us avoid becoming Pharisees.

Some of us were not born Lutheran nor do we live in towns where generations of extended families were Lutheran. I am a Lutheran by choice and know that Martin Luther’s critism of the Roman Catholic church and the printing press brought forth a massive increase in the spreading of the Gospel. If the Lutheran church is slow to recognize that massive change both culterally and technologically are our opportunity, or loss, and without losing our “scripture only” approach (tradition be damned) we must move bodly, surely and with faith into the future.

I do not know anything about the new president. I pray he is spirit filled, compassionate and recognizes that young, brash and passionate leaders are what our church needs. We dont need a bunch of stodgy old intellectuals speaking and preaching over the heads of the people. Lets keep what we know is true and well established Christian theology and examine our “traditions”. Lets be relevant and lead in a way that bring people to Christ and let the Holy Spirit take over.

Finally, I ask you pastors to examine you own hearts and see if you haven’t put your own desires for power, control, tradition, comfort, etc ahead of what the Lord would have us do. Alas we are all guilty.

CS,
Oh, please, no!!!!!…..no “jello mold, ewwww!!!!!!

Oh no, let’s just pretend Green Bean Casserole is the Lutheran Food Staple.
“Jello…fruit…veggies….suspended…in Jello…NOOOOOO…….fuzzy white bunnies, fuzzy white bunnies, I see no Jello, I know no Jello, ….just fuzzy white bunnies & Green Bean Casserole…..”

Oh no….food was never meant to be suspended in something that makes hairspray & Elmer’s glue products. No, please, no…..! lol

Dear Dan (@ #83 ),

Okay, you are right, I should have said:

“Any attempt to stereotype us, apart from a rigidly objective, scientific survey on a massive scale, is doomed to failure–or–lots of laughs, as Garrison Keillor has discovered!”

Yours in Christ, Martin R. Noland

Too True Pastor Noland, oh…too funny & true!!!!

Dutch :Can anyone please explain to me, why we are giving more creedance than due, to this letter from Houston, rather than lifiting up the letter from NWD?We Confessionals, have suffered from ill will, the “glass will always be half empty to Confessionals” sort of thing. We are, in this very thread, doing exactly what they have always accused us of! Focusing on the negative & turning on each other! Why, oh why, is this still happening?! We Confessionals, have ALOT OF WORK TO DO, and this is the best we have to say?!I have seen so much better, from so many here at BJS, let’s focus on the letter from WI, rather than that vitrol from Houston. Let them throw vitrol & rail, that is all they have. We have Christ Crucified, the Solas, & the Confessions, and they won the Day….in Houston!!!!NWD, may not be the largest, most well spoken District, but they did more than many.
They spoke out, for what is Good, Right, True, and recognize much work is to be done in His Fields.Why CAN’T WE, HERE?!

@Dutch #81

“Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us,
We tremble not, we fear no ill; They cannot overpower us.
This world’s prince may still Scowl fierce as he will,
he can harm us none. He’s judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.” [Martinus Luther]

Satan shall not prevail over Christ’s church.

The letter from North Wisconsin begins with: “This will be the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod’s finest hour.” I didn’t know our pastors were trained to predict the future. Maybe they’re Millennialists, and they are predicting the next three years to be the beginning of the Millennium!

From how I read it,the second letter seems to be a mix of praising Pastor Harrison, and predicting the future. I wonder what one would make of it, if one wrote it just before AL Barry took office, substituting his name where applicable.

It’s hard for me to read all the praise directed toward Pastor Harrison, because from what I think I know about him, he would have a hard time accepting all this praise being directed to him. I don’t question his skill as a writer and translator, or his ability with Greek, but I think President-Elect Harrison would be uncomfortable with all this focus and attention on him. As was stated earlier, he is not our savior. While I am thankful for Pastor Harrison, and the way God has gifted him to serve the church, I think he would prefer the spirit of S.D.G. – Soli Deo Gloria – To God Alone be the Glory.

As to the predictions, we would do well to keep at least one foot on the earth. I pray that God will work great things through the Synod at this time, through President Harrison and many, many other pastors and leaders and the laity throughout the Synod, but let’s get our eyes out of the crystal ball, and let’s get down on our knees and pray for our President, Vice Presidents, pastors and churches, and for the lost who are dying to hear the Good News of salvation in Christ. Now is not a time for self praise or partisanship, but for confronting our differences, for reconciliation, and for furthering the Kingdom of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. We can still be excited, but let us temper that excitement with the Means of Grace, receiving God’s Word, and sharing His Word of grace with others. As Matt Harrison has reminded us already, we have kept our perfect record of electing sinners to the office of the presidency of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. Let us regularly keep our Simul Iustus et Peccator president-elect in our daily prayers, and our current president as well.

@CS #87
you guys need to go to a Hmong Lutheran potluck! No Green Bean Salad, but all kinds of awesomeness.

@Jim Pierce #81
Not to quibble (O.K. maybe a little… ), but what you say is true in theory, but not necessarily in practice.

There are 2 conditions I can think of that would cause the same public IP address to be associated with the posts as a “normal” condition depending on network setup (i.e., that wouldn’t require any sophistication or “spoofing”).

(1) All posts originated from the same network that sits behind a Network/Port Address Translation box. For instance, the entire church building may be on a private subnet that sits behind a single public IP address – In such a case, anyone posting from anywhere within the building would appear to be coming from that IP address. This is VERY common in home and small business settings. I’m guessing that whether I use my laptop or desktop from home, your logs indicate the same IP address for my posts.

(2) If the ISP or the local network uses some sort of proxy and the posts came through that. I experimented with such beasts about 10+ years ago when I was Network Operations Mgr. at a regional ISP. The sophistication has increased significantly and it is more than possible to make them “transparent” to the end-user. Given the readership and frequency of postings here, as well as the number of ISP’s in any given region, it’s possible that your sample would be too small to see such a situation.

Not saying that IS what happened, just from a technical standpoint what COULD have happened. Network forensics is painstakingly difficult and time consuming. Just ask the RIAA and MediaSentry.

Mr. Bius,

I agree with you that politics is should not be considered a dirty word. Also, your writing in on behalf of your pastor is commendable, as is your very Christian tone.

Your comments, however, reveal little knowledge or understanding of Pr. Harrison and the type of folks who were very excited about his election. You imply that we are old, stodgy, and resistant to cultural and technological change.

I would urge you to spend some time with some of the best communicators in todays church, who make great use of the Internet to reach the lost, as well as catechize Lutherans and Christians of all kinds, throughout the world. Some places to start:

issuesetc.org
youtube.com/user/Revfiskj
tabletalkradio.org
lutherandifference.blogspot.com
fightingforthefaith.com

@Andrew Strickland #93
Sounds good. Can I consider this an invitation to the next Hmong Lutheran potluck? I’ll bring the green bean casserole and jello salad.

@Andrew Strickland #77
That’s okay Andrew–I currently own the first and second editions of Concordia the Lutheran COnfessions, Kolb edition, The Triglotta,Tappert[which I never use] and theBekenntnis-Schriften as well as the Henkel English translation!!

When the Elders of Faith Lutheran Church of Huntsville were preparing to call a pastor, they prepared the attached profile.

http://www.faithhuntsville.org/files/Church%20Files/FLC_Huntsville_Profile_2009.pdf

Please note the bottom of page 1 and the top of page 2. According to this document, the pastor to be called should be comfortable with open communion with the ELCA.

@Dan at Necessary Roughness #83
Dan,

We have banned same from my parish and in place we put corn!!

@Andrew Strickland #93
My last time at one while in Texas there were some things at table that I was not too sure should be eaten–but they tasted great anyway!!!

Ben Bius :

I do not know anything about the new president. I pray he is spirit filled, compassionate and recognizes that young, brash and passionate leaders are what our church needs. We dont need a bunch of stodgy old intellectuals speaking and preaching over the heads of the people. .

Dear Mr. Bius,
I think I understand your point here. To quote a Toby Keith song: “I ain’t as good as I once was.” And I am a lot older now than I was before. But I guess that is all besides the point. More relevant is what Paul says in 1 Cor. 12:21-27.

Andrew Strickland :
@revfisk #50
Again thank you for the correction, I went over to my bookshelves to find a book and realized I have four Book of Concords, what sane person has four of them? I hope I ascribe to the Lutheran confessions or I am in the wrong house. kidding of course

I’m glad to it. Sadly, I do not believe it is something one can take for granted these days among LCMS clergy.

@Rev. M. Dent #94

Rev. Dent,

You are correct. I have done network engineering for several years, it has been part of my small business, too. I could have given a MUCH more exhaustive explanation, but then I would have been “speaking in tongues” for most people.

With regard to your first point, it is possible somebody sitting on the same network with Pr. Pittcock knew to go to this thread and post using his name. Is that likely? I will let you and others decide for yourself, but I highly doubt it. Although I have seen kids create accounts on other internet sites and pretend to be their parents; strange things can happen.

@Ben Bius #88
“I do not know anything about the new president. I pray he is spirit filled, compassionate and recognizes that young, brash and passionate leaders are what our church needs. We dont need a bunch of stodgy old intellectuals speaking and preaching over the heads of the people. Lets keep what we know is true and well established Christian theology and examine our “traditions”. Lets be relevant and lead in a way that bring people to Christ and let the Holy Spirit take over.”

There seems to be some confusion here, Ben. Yes, pastors should be relevant, but our sin problem and need for forgiveness is always relevant. No pastor is capable to bring people to Christ–only the Holy Spirit can bring people to Christ. Our pastors can faithfully proclaim God’s Word, but it is not their youth or their relevance or their preaching style or how they dress that will bring people to Christ. God, the Holy Spirit “calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the true faith.” (See p. 323 in your LSB hymnal, the first column [left side], where it says “The Third Article” and “What does this mean?”). No, I’m not nit-picking here. My point is, we don’t lead “people to Christ and let the Holy Spirit take over.” The Holy Spirit initiates (begins) the process, and he sustains their faith (and our faith) as well.

Why are you convinced that “young, brash and passionate leaders are what our church needs?” God can use any man to proclaim His Word, young, old, and anywhere in between. The pastor is a vessel through whom God gives us His holy Word. The treasure is the message of the Good News itself, more so than the vessel through whom He delivers it. I am not saying we should not value our pastors–certainly we should value and respect those who speak God’s Word to us. I am saying that the Good News of Jesus death on our behalf is the greatest treasure of all, as He alone can make payment for our sins.
Should a pastor strive to not speak and preach “over the heads of the people?” Of course. It’s best to preach on multiple levels, so everyone will get something out of the sermon. But God is not limited to working through the young, physically attractive, passionate pastors with charismatic preaching abilities. The treasure is in the message.

At the same time, as lay-people, we owe it to our pastors to be open to instruction. Are we willing to come regularly to Bible Study so we can grow in our faith? A pastor should be able to give his congregation meat and not only spiritual “milk.” You wrote: “Lets keep what we know is true and well established Christian theology and examine our “traditions”. I hope you realize that our Confessions (the Book of Concord) is so much more than some old, tired “traditions.” We have so much to learn from the Bible, and our Confessions are a key to showing us how Scripture fits together. It is drawn from Scripture itself, not the mere opinions of men. I agree, let’s keep what we know is true, and let’s be willing to learn more teachings from the Bible that are true. Let us grow in the faith and build one another up in the Christian faith. But let our focus be on what God gives us, rather than what we attempt to bring to God. God will gladly accept our sins, which he had nailed to the cross. He gives us Christ’s righteousness in its place, so when the Father looks at us He sees the perfection of His Son. And then, let us respond in giving thanks to God, the source of all that is good.

Ben Bius :
Dear Brothers in Christ,

Dear Mr. Bius,

There are a number of allusions you have made in your post which, perhaps without intention, could be perceived as quite aggressive, and somewhat rude.

It is my experience that within the “confessional” movement in the LCMS, the bulk of pastors were not born Lutheran. A grand number among us are converts to Lutheranism. We do not love liturgy because we grew up with it. Rather, we love it precisely because we found it and, with it, an authentic expression of the Gospel as Scripture and the Lutheran confessions teach it.

Secondly, the patronizing image of the confessional pastor as an old, stodgy man speaking over the heads of the people is a another imaginary straw man. The majority of staunchly confessional pastors I know are young, energetic, compassionate and willing to bend over backwards for a chance to preach/teach the Word.

Thirdly, it is very unhelpful to assert that tradition is something to “be damned.” Our confessions wonderfully keep the traditions away from the essence of the Gospel, but not out of the Church. Without the “first article” good things we call traditions, it is impossible to A. pass on a culture of faith to our children and B. enjoy a semblance of outward unity. When Luther and the Reformers boldly confessed that traditions do not save us, they also said, “we maintain the traditions that can be maintained” just as boldly, because they saw that tradition is a gift from our Lord. Some traditions come and some go. Some traditions are better than others. But the problem is never tradition itself. More often, the problem is when we make the things which are of man equivalent with the things that are of God.

I hope the words I speak are done so in such a way that they may be received as a friendly encouragement. It is good to be zealous, but zeal without knowledge is like fire without light (as Dr. Luther said,) even as knowledge without zeal is like light without fire. I truly ask you, do not assume that all the propaganda you hear about “confessional Lutherans” is true. And especially, do not call a strawman to repentance – he will stay just as stuffy and rigid as he will stay silent.

Peace to you.

@Rev. James Roemke #12
I agree here. I do remember a time, two or three years ago, that a seminary student wrote a small piece about then Pres. Kieschcnick saying something in the effect that he thought he was the wrong guy to lead our synod into the future. As soon as the seminary read his opinion, they pulled aside every 4th year student and asked them if they wrote it. No less to keep the student from graduating and getting ordained. I would like to see the DP in Texas insist that Rev. Travis Pittock write an apology to President Harrison. But why do I get the feeling that is never going happen? I could be wrong though..

Rick #92,
In previous posts, I have always tempered my enthusiasm w/pragmatism. Pastor Harrison, sorry, President Harrison…is not Moses, Joseph, David, Solomon, Luther, Walther, etc, etc, etc.
I think it the hight of unfairness, to peg President Harrison as such. Not because of the man, but because of many factors, not least of which, those resolutions pasted under #8.
You mistake me, & I kind of think ya know it. I was speaking to us Confessionals, who are accused of hopping on the negative & contradictory bandwagon & riding it for all it is worth…or so others say. We don’t, never have, & hope never will. But being gone for 9 days & coming back…seeing this beautiful letter from NWD, with…ah…how many names, here, as opposed to the Houston Chronicle letter…& the responses…looks, well…bad.

President Harrison is not the Great Hope of the LCMS, isn’t now & never will be.

@revfisk #102
Four BOC’s…

I have three…and I’m a pewsitter… the English only portion of the Triglotta (Bente/Dau) from my college class and two Editions of the Readers’ Concordia. (Two were unnecessary, but that wasn’t my decision. The second cleaned up a lot of typos, though)

I have sometimes borrowed Kolb-Wengert, too.

@Walter Troeger #106
would like to see the DP in Texas insist that Rev. Travis Pittock write an apology to President Harrison. But why do I get the feeling that is never going happen? I could be wrong though..

I would like to hear that our “passionate pastor” has done it of his own volition!

I hope he will stick around BJS, now that he’s found it, too. He may learn some things he hasn’t been told before. He might sample some of the blogs listed on the right. (I can recommend Weedon, Gene Veith, and Klemet Preus as people I’ve met and heard. I’m just getting acquainted with several others quoted here.)

Dutch: That was just a reminder that Texas is a BIG state and not all “us1st”. No real problem.

Pr. St. Onge: You’re so right.

Foodies: I went to a church pot luck last week and saw the first “jello with mini marshmallows” that I can remember in Texas. But the beans down here are pinto and they go very well with barbequed brisket, or ribs, or chicken, or lamb, even.

Just to let you know I called the Houston Chronic today and spoke with Ed in Chief. The letter from Pittock was denied and never inn the paper. In fact the letter was leaked through the web department. good news we are the only ones who know of this. They r looking into the leak. Peace all!

Helen :
@revfisk #102
Four BOC’s…
I have three…and I’m a pewsitter… the English only portion of the Triglotta (Bente/Dau) from my college class and two Editions of the Readers’ Concordia. (Two were unnecessary, but that wasn’t my decision. The second cleaned up a lot of typos, though)
I have sometimes borrowed Kolb-Wengert, too.

Wow. That’s pretty good. I think….I have five or six. But only use one. Kolb/Wengert is my original and I have more trouble letting it go than I do with my Bibles! I get a new Bible every year or so…. LOL.

On the question of how many people there are claiming to be Pastor Pittock on this thread, I can’t help noticing that the writer of comments 18 & 24 didn’t even spell Pastor Pittock’s name correctly. The “voice” also sounds completely different to me from the later Pastor Pittock. I would bet money the writer of the first two comments is not the real Pastor Pittock but someone pretending, for whatever reason, to be him.

Cheryl — I apologize to you, Pastor Pittock, and all others on this thread. The name was typed by me and I mistyped the name. I have since gone through and corrected all spelling.

Norm

Ah, well, in that case just forget everything I said. (But I still don’t think the earlier Pastor Pittock sounds anything like the later one.)

And yes, Pastor Rossow, who would have ever imagined a day that the BJS blog would start resembling an episode of Ellery Queen!

Cheryl Magness :On the question of how many people there are claiming to be Pastor Pittock on this thread, I can’t help noticing that the writer of comments 18 & 24 didn’t even spell Pastor Pittock’s name correctly. The “voice” also sounds completely different to me from the later Pastor Pittock. I would bet money the writer of the first two comments is not the real Pastor Pittock but someone pretending, for whatever reason, to be him.

Perhaps we can refer to these manuscripts as “Deutero-Pittock.”

Norm Fisher :Cheryl — I apologize to you, Pastor Pittock, and all others on this thread. The name was typed by me and I mistyped the name. I have since gone through and corrected all spelling.
Norm

I should have read further. So much for that theory!
Shall we try the Historical Critical approach???……….NOT!

Perhaps there was a “Q-source” involved here………..ha, ha, ha!…

Pittosiaster?

@Ben Bius #88

WOW, Well said!!! Much better than I have done.

So… who was I responding to?

I have nothing whatsoever against anonymity. But impostor-comments are just confusing.

TW

@David C Busby #98
This is the kind of stuff we need to be talking about. How are we united in our teaching of closed communion when a congregation will demand that a pastor break that and a district will willingly send a pastor there, and a pastor will willingly take that call?

@Rev. Jim Roemke #122

Rev. Jim Roemke :
@David C Busby #98
This is the kind of stuff we need to be talking about. How are we united in our teaching of closed communion when a congregation will demand that a pastor break that and a district will willingly send a pastor there, and a pastor will willingly take that call?

Excellent question, Rev. Roemke!! I wondered that myself. Why shouldn’t the DP, in this situation, work with the congregation to formulate an exit strategy from the LCMS and aide them in joining the ELCA (or a more conservative spin off from the ELCA)? That would be a much simpler solution to their problem. As an ELCA congregation, they could practice open communion to their hearts’ content. The odd LCMS Lutheran who attends or visits could simply walk up to the altar and receive the bread and wine without getting any guff from anyone. Or drive down the road to an LCMS congregation if open communion is a stumbling block to a clean conscience.

And, while we’re making a list of discussion topics, how about including a discussion on the theology of the Lord’s Supper that addresses whether taking communion can truly hurt someone, and if so under what circumstances can communion do more harm than good. Folks I’ve talked to who are pro-open communion want everyone to receive the blessings of the sacrament – although they can’t articulate what those blessing are – and seem to doubt that in certain circumstances a person can take it to their detriment (one of my pastors actually used the word damnation, but I don’t think he meant eternal damnation). We need to openly discuss that question – can a person be HARMED by taking communion – because at least one person (me) doesn’t really know how to answer that question.

@anne #110
If “we’re the only ones who know of this” that letter may have gotten better circulation than it might have in the Houston Chronicle!

>> We need to openly discuss that question – can a person be HARMED by taking communion

For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.

John Clark,
>> We need to openly discuss that question – can a person be HARMED by taking communion

Yes….

1 Cor. 11:29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself not discerning the Lord’s body.

And…

1 Cor. 11:30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you and many sleep.

Since this letter was rejected by the Houston Chronicle (@anne #110 ), and thus never actually published for public consumption, and

Since the “real” Pastor Pittock has taken to heart the fraternal dialogue, seems to have learned from the mistake of sending in ill-advised words, and asked for the forgiveness of the group for the offense that was given (@Rev. T.Pittock #48 , @Rev. T.Pittock #49 , @Rev. T.Pittock #51 ),

Might I respectfully suggest that we forgive our erring brother his sin, and

Might I further suggest that continued dialogue on his letter would be a sign of withholding that forgiveness and “beating a dead horse,” and

Might I further suggest that comments on this thread be closed, and

Might I finally suggest that, as a sign of the forgiveness granted our erring brother, this thread not be archived?

[Wow, I've spent too long preparing for the convention. I can't even write a comment without putting it in resolution format! At least I didn't write "Whereas..." and "be it resolved..."]

And if we don’t do the last two, can we at least not make him sit on the anxious bench – er, the red chair – to be declared “One Man – Forgiven”™?

Just a note on comments #18 & #24. While the matching IP does not conclusively indicate that they came from Rev. Pittock or someone on his network, the IP coupled with knowledge of the letter that was not published (thank you anne #110 for the research), e.g. Christian News being mentioned in the middle part that was left out on this post, would certainly point to someone Rev. Pittock knows. Assuming it was someone else I trust Rev. Pittock will talk to them about impersonating him.

@revfisk #105
Pastor,

I regret that my comments may have been seen as a rude condemnation of Senior men or worse yet an attack on the liturgical church. This was not my intent. Rather, as you eloquently pointed out, our traditions, while good do not rise to the level of essential Truth. In this world today the essential Truth of Christ is what many non-churched need to hear and we should trust our triune God and the Holy Spirit do the rest. I hope we agree and I apologize for any slight that was inferred.

Ben Bius

@Rick #104

Rick,

I think you and I agree. I did not intend to insinuate that youth, dress, or charisma was what we needed. Delivering the Word, as Jesus did, simple, direct and to fit the audiences ability to hear is vital. When Christ was before the Sanhedrin he spoke one way. When he was trying to get his disciples to understand he spoke another. Paul adapted, for the sake of the Gospel.

I hope I am doing better expressing myself and not being offensive. Forgive me of my inability.

Ben

@Joe #125
We need to openly discuss that question – can a person be HARMED by taking communion ?

“For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.”

Brought up on the Small Catechism (and having once memorized all those supporting verses) I thought this was understood by all Lutherans. Simpleminded me!

DP’s apparently don’t “get it”! [I know the DP who read those call papers; his own church, when he was VP, was discreetly lax, and after him, "openly 'open'". At that point those of us who objected were invited to leave, and I did. The VP/(DP in 2001) stayed.]

“Does the Scripture really say… ?” might be introduced as another topic.
[I think the rev Pittock has had his "15 minutes"!]

So which person is the real Pastor Pittock? Pastor Pittock #2 seems quite pastoral in his response, while Pastor Pittock #1 does not. The original letter to the Houston Chronicle certainly isn’t pastoral. It says via contrast and implication that President-Elect Harrison is not a “real pastor,” but rather a politician, that he is not in the ministry to serve God or love people, that he is a liar, that he doesn’t look at the Bible, and that he doesn’t follow Jesus, love Him with his whole heart, and on and on. Pastor Pittock #1 mentioned violating the 8th Commandment. What about the 4th Commandment?

anne :Just to let you know I called the Houston Chronic today and spoke with Ed in Chief. The letter from Pittock was denied and never inn the paper. In fact the letter was leaked through the web department. good news we are the only ones who know of this. They r looking into the leak. Peace all!

I wonder how a letter to the editor of the Houston Chronicle that was never published ended up here on BJS.

@Ben Bius #88
Hi Ben. You said “Finally, I ask you pastors to examine you own hearts and see if you haven’t put your own desires for power, control, tradition, comfort, etc ahead of what the Lord would have us do.” That sounds sort of emerging church-ish. Do you find power and control issues of LCMS pastors to be a recurring theme? I haven’t really seen much of that, other than in churches that set up a “pastor-as-CEO” type of polity. In what sense do you mean “power” and “control,” and can you give me any examples? Thanks. Scott

@PPPadre #127
I missed PPPadre’s comment until now. Forgiveness is definitely a good thing.

Hello Ben:

I was a resident of Huntsville for six years while teaching at SHSU, but a member of St. Matthew, Westfield. Your supposition that power and control issues pervade LCMS pastors is badly off the mark as far as the confessional pastors whom I know and who have been my pastors. For your information, it is, as Scott labeled them the “Pastors as CEOs” who seem to be most desirous of control and power. It is worth noting the BRTFSSG proposal to institute proportional representation based on congregation size into our voting polity. This would, in effect disenfranchise many small congregations. Isn’t is more than coincidence that this proposal had strong backing of the mega-congregations?

If you examine our polity closely, you must note that LCMS is composed of member congregations, all on an equal footing. Members of each congregation are not directly members of LCMS. Any attempt to change this basic fact will be tragically damaging to the collegiality of congregations which has been the goal of LCMS since its founding and a source of strength.

Like Scott, I would like to have examples of LCMS pastors, especially of the confessional persuasion, thirsting after power and control. Your mere assertion of this as fact does not make it true.

In Christ, our only and all sufficient Savior.
Dr. George Adams

@Rev. T.Pittock #51

Well…you did not just offend people by expressing your opinion. You presented faulty information as factual and slandered Rev. Harrison. Disagree with him all you want, even publicly, but you do not know his motivation or heart. You slandered him publicly. I think you need to repent publicly.

Ok….in light of PPPadre’s words I withdraw my statement from above…let’s move on.