The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) has a n unofficial BJS type blog called “The Intrepid Lutheran.” They recently posted the November newsletter article of their synod president Mark Schroeder. In it he says this about LCMS president Matt Harrison:
On another front, the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) elected a new synod president last July. Many pastors and laypeople in the Missouri Synod were increasingly concerned about the direction of their synod and were convinced that new leadership was needed. President Matthew Harrison is known for his commitment to the Lutheran Confessions and for his desire to unify the LCMS on the basis of the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.
President Schroeder articulates a very clear and straight-forward critique of the unacceptable “American Evangelical” practices that have made their way into confessional Lutheran church bodies such as the LCMS and the WELS. Again, we quote from his newsletter article.
These major changes and events in American Lutheranism present an interesting challenge and opportunity for WELS. Now, perhaps more than ever, it is vital for our synod to clearly articulate our identity as a confessional Lutheran church body. We need to speak with a scriptural voice—one that bases its teachings on the clear Word of God, proclaims faithfully both law and gospel, and relies firmly in the means of grace for results. We need to speak with a distinctly Lutheran voice, a voice that cannot be mistaken for a watered-down, generic, evangelical Christianity that emphasizes sanctification over justification, favors praise over law-gospel proclamation, and responds to the felt needs of the consumer culture rather than the desperate spiritual needs of sinful people. We need to speak with a united voice, demonstrating that we are committed to walking together in both doctrine and practice. We need to speak with a historic voice, connecting our synod’s teachings and practices with the clear statements of the Lutheran reformers and with the Christian church extending back to the apostles.
President Schroeder is providing clear confessional leadership for the WELS. He has a a few years head start on President Harrison. We look forward to similarly clear critiques in the months and years to come from our own LCMS leader.
You can read the entire article from the “Intrepid Lutheran” here.
By the way, I first learned of the intrepid Lutheran character of President Schroeder via Issues, Etc.and Pastor Wilken’s interviews of him. That’s just one more good reason to listen to Issues.