A Skunk at the Garden Party

Positive news from the LCMS Synodical Convention—Matt Harrison has been elected as the new President of the synod. This change at the top is a reason to rejoice, not because of political power issues, but because President Elect Harrison has exhibited a firm commitment to the Holy Scriptures and to the Lutheran Confessions, has sounded a needed note of repentance, and emphasizes the Gospel message proclaimed through Word and Sacraments, which is illustrated in acts of mercy to our neighbor. God have mercy upon us to give us all repentance and a renewed dedication to the faith we have received in Christ.

As much as I rejoice in this, I have some concerns. Within the Synod there are deep divisions. At every level within the synod there are those who have embraced ideas and practices which are not in keeping with the Scriptures and the Confessions. I am concerned that they may not respond to President Elect Harrison's leadership. I am even more concerned that they may seek to undermine his call to return to our traditional theology and practice. As he has stated, his leadership will not be through coercion. If God does not grant us mercy and repentance we can expect these individuals and congregations to continue on a path that will lead them into doctrines and practices even further removed from orthodox Christianity.

Furthermore, I am concerned that the political world view is so entrenched in the synod on both sides of the issues that many will be incapable of hearing the Word of God when it rebukes our pride, our greed, our stubborn rebellion, and our hunger for control. Political thinking looks at everything pragmatically. It focuses on what promotes our agenda, our influence, our power. These things are contrary to God's purposes. We may find ourselves thinking that we are doing a service to God when in reality we are his enemies. If we continue to think that we are okay and that our agendas are God's will how can we see the need to repent?

I am truly concerned that this task is overwhelming. My only plea is that God have mercy upon us and that he strengthen our Pastor Harrison! The Lord be with your spirit!

I do not want to be a skunk at the garden party. But we need to be aware of the enormity of the task and the importance of the issues. If the LCMS is not to become part of a footnote concerning those church bodies who have turned away from the Word of God and faded into obscurity, we must all repent.

Between the vestibule and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep
and say, “Spare your people, O LORD,
and make not your heritage a reproach,
a byword among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’” Joel 2:17 (ESV)