[m-m-online] A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT GERALD B. KIESCHNICK

[Minister to Minister online]

Brothers and Sisters:

President Kieschnick's letter is shared with you so that you might be
informed about the latest issue in our church and so that you will include
this matter in your prayers. At this point we are waiting to see what
response the courts will have. You may respond individually to President
Kieschnick and the other persons involved as you feel appropriate.

Jim Linderman
Texas District President

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MEMO


TO:             LCMS Council of Presidents 

FROM:           Gerald B. Kieschnick 

SUBJECT:     	 Motion to Intervene in Lawsuit 

DATE:           August 9, 2006
 

Dear Brothers in Christ,

Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ, Savior of the world and Lord of the
universe, through whom alone we receive forgiveness of sin, life, and
salvation! 
 
At many District conventions during the month of June, the Vice Presidents
of the Synod and I shared information regarding the imminent resolution of a
lawsuit filed in August 2005 by individual and congregational plaintiffs
against the President and First Vice President of the Synod and against the
Synod itself. Most delegates rejoiced at the prospect of the lawsuit's
resolution, which has now been potentially delayed and possibly jeopardized
as a result of recent action by four members of the Board of Directors of
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, who have filed a motion to intervene in
the lawsuit. 
 
While meeting with leaders of partner churches of The Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod in Kenya, Africa, last week, I received word of the
filing of this motion to intervene. Following my early return from Africa,
many in the Synod, understandably, have expressed to my office their
profound disturbance and deep disappointment with this action.   

As you are aware, in response to communications from District Presidents who
also have received numerous inquiries about this recent development
regarding the lawsuit, after meetings with legal counsel and with the
individual officers of the Synod here at the International Center, I held
four conference calls yesterday, August 8, in which all five Synod Vice
Presidents and thirty of the thirty-five District Presidents were able to
participate. Following those conference calls, I am sending to you, the
members of the Council of Presidents, this brief communication, which you
may feel free to share as you deem appropriate. A courtesy copy of this memo
is being provided to numerous Synod leaders, including the Board of
Directors.

The official response of the Board itself will be formulated at a special
meeting of the Board to be held August 11-12 in St. Louis. In the meantime,
an initial reply to inquiries regarding this development is reflected in the
following statement: We acknowledge that a Motion to Intervene in the
Anderson case has been filed in the Circuit Court of St. Louis County,
Missouri, by four members of the LCMS Board of Directors. However, it is our
policy generally not to comment on pending litigation. The Synod will file a
response to the Motion and then wait for the Court to determine the course
of the matter.  

In any event, we can assure all concerned that the Synod will not be
detracted from its main business--sharing the love and saving message of
Jesus Christ with all in need.

Most respectfully I request the fervent prayers of the pastors and people of
our Synod that the Spirit of God would move in the hearts of everyone
involved in this lawsuit, described over one year ago as "needless and
divisive" by the chairman and vice chairman of the Board of Directors, the
chairman and vice chairman of the Council of Presidents, the Treasurer, the
Secretary, the First Vice President and the President of the Synod. Please
pray specifically that the process that would result in dismissal of the
lawsuit, adopted by Board of Directors resolution at its regular meeting on
May 24, will not be delayed by this recent development. Pray also that the
process established by the 2004 Synod convention in Resolution 7-02A will be
allowed to continue to accomplish the work assigned to it by the convention.

With great fervency I encourage the members of the Synod to remember
Christ's mission, which is our mission, to seek and to proclaim God's saving
grace in Christ to those who are lost in the despair and hopelessness of
sin. For while distractions like this lawsuit and the motion to intervene
may arise, it is my experience and conviction that the congregations, lay
leaders and members, professional church workers, employees, and officers of
the Synod and its Districts continue to work, faithfully, in the face of
ever present obstacles, challenges, and opportunities, "...vigorously to
make known the love of Christ, by word and deed, within our churches,
communities, and the world." 

God's grace, mercy, power, and peace be with you all!
 

Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod

 
              
 "Transforming lives through Christ's love ...  in time ... for eternity
..." John 3:16-17
 





Claudetta Theiss
Office of President Jim Linderman
7900 E. Highway 290
Austin, TX 78724
1/800/951-3478
1/512/926-4272 
1/512/926-1006(Fax)