End Game

For those of you who do not play chess the end-game is the point at which strategies for closing the game by checkmating the opponent come to the forefront. Even the lowly pawn becomes important as there are fewer pieces available to move. The goal is to win, or at least not to lose by bringing the game to a draw.

Chess is not the only place that end-game strategies are used by "players." Recently I heard about a controversy in a church organization that illustrates how end-game political strategies are used. In this church a decades long disagreement has been festering and occasionally erupts on the surface like a boil. The latest eruption involved the firing of two personnel at the organization's radio station and the canceling of the only show in their line-up that consistently brought in donations. This happened on Holy Week!

One must ask why the leadership of this church would either carry out, allow, or refuse to stop this action. Evidently it was because these broadcasters consistently took positions at odds with one faction (the ruling faction) of this church. I might add that the positions advocated by these broadcasters were conservative and traditional in the sense of upholding the church's own confessed doctrine.

To understand the end-game strategy of such an action by church leaders one need only consider three key goals of the end-game: destroy or neutralize the opponent's most powerful pieces, move the opponent into a relatively weak position on the board, and use your power to checkmate your "cornered" opponent.

These church leaders have silenced one powerful voice for the conservative position. By silencing the "Issues, Etc." program widespread and effective communication of traditional Lutheranism has lost a powerful outlet. Their next goal will probably be to maneuver conservatives to the sidelines throughout the church. Since their national hierarchy has increasingly asserted dominance in many key functions of this church, their opponents have less and less say about what goes on in the church. For instance, the insistence that district presidents control which qualified men congregations might consider as potential pastors. This kind of control is not part of the church's original organizing purpose or constitutional foundation. However, by assuming this prerogative the ruling faction can weaken the entire conservative base of the church. One can almost envision certain individuals gloating as they anticipate victory.

Already, denials of culpability have begun. The president of this church has denied that this action was by his order or direction. He does admit that he was aware that it would happen. Did he try to discourage or prevent the action? One must wonder why he could not even counsel that this action should wait until after Holy Week!

Perhaps the reaction of the listener's of "Issues, Etc." is greater than expected. A petition on the web against this cancellation and firing has over 5000 signatories as of this evening.

In any case I am reminded of a scene in the movie "El Cid." Prince Alfonso was to be crowned king of Spain after the murder of his older brother. All the lords of the realm were assembled outside the cathedral to swear fealty to their liege-lord King Alfonso. Everyone kneels, except El Cid. He stands until confronted by the king before the whole assembly. When asked why he alone refuses to swear fealty, El Cid replies that though all were kneeling none were sure that Alfonso was not guilty of murder. El Cid forces Alfonso to swear on the Scriptures that he was in no way complicit. After doing so El Cid kneels and kisses the ring.

What has this to do with the controversy described above? All denials without complete honesty and transparency will ring hollow. Many may not speak, but the question will always be there. It won't go away. It might even be too late to repair the damage done by such obtuse actions.

The complete lack of sensitivity to others within the church exhibited by this action really calls into question the leadership and integrity of those responsible. They should not be surprised if the fallout from this results in the serious erosion of trust by the rank in file of the church, a decrease in participation by congregations in national programs, and a further loss of income at the national level. These leaders have forgotten that even pawns are important in the end-game!

One last thought, the end-game has a double entendre. I will use a mixed metaphor to explain it. The games that hierarchies play can have unintended consequences. The persons involved in these maneuvers to gain power and control the church want all the pawns to bow and swear fealty. However, El Cid (that is the LORD) stands in condemnation of their actions. They cannot wantonly destroy God's people in order to aggrandize their own position. In their hunger for control that little which they have might just be taken from them. When the LORD returns he will not accept denials or excuses. He won't be impressed by plans and programs. He will look for repentance and faith. Their game will end!