Kieschnick spins the "Issues, Etc." mess
Missouri Synod President Gerald Kieschnick has responded to Mollie Ziegler Hemingway's Wall Street Journal article on the cancellation of Issues, Etc.
President Kieschnick claims that the LCMS is just one big happy family, united in doctrine. He even cites a resolution the last convention passed saying so.
He does not, of course, mention that one of the points that resolution points to as a hallmark of LCMS unity- belief in baptismal regeneration- is one which President Kieschnick himself called into question in a radio interview shortly after his election.
Apparently he thinks that calling Ablaze!(c) something other than "church marketing" will actually make it something other than church marketing. As it is, this Law-driven enterprise is much more in keeping with the theology of the methobapticoastal tradition the ruling faction in the Missouri wants so badly to emulate than with the Lutheran and biblical approach: faithfully proclaim the Law and the Gospel, and let the Holy Spirit do His job.
If one is in love with quotas and marketing, fine. Just don't try to pass them off as Lutheran- or biblical. Contrary to the presumptuous rhetoric of the "evangelicals," there is only one Soulwinner- and that's Jesus Christ.
Jesus gave us very explicit instructions for how to spread the Gospel. They involve teaching and baptizing.
No mention is made anywhere of sales quotas.
President Kieschnick claims that the LCMS is just one big happy family, united in doctrine. He even cites a resolution the last convention passed saying so.
He does not, of course, mention that one of the points that resolution points to as a hallmark of LCMS unity- belief in baptismal regeneration- is one which President Kieschnick himself called into question in a radio interview shortly after his election.
Apparently he thinks that calling Ablaze!(c) something other than "church marketing" will actually make it something other than church marketing. As it is, this Law-driven enterprise is much more in keeping with the theology of the methobapticoastal tradition the ruling faction in the Missouri wants so badly to emulate than with the Lutheran and biblical approach: faithfully proclaim the Law and the Gospel, and let the Holy Spirit do His job.
If one is in love with quotas and marketing, fine. Just don't try to pass them off as Lutheran- or biblical. Contrary to the presumptuous rhetoric of the "evangelicals," there is only one Soulwinner- and that's Jesus Christ.
Jesus gave us very explicit instructions for how to spread the Gospel. They involve teaching and baptizing.
No mention is made anywhere of sales quotas.
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