Oh, how it pains me to see such un-Christian comments from members of the LCMS. As an employee of Thrivent Financial, maybe I have a little more insight into how this whole ordeal began. The LCMS was quick to point the finger of blame on the corporation. But do you realize that the situation arose when just a handful of members operating under the lodge system made the decision to add a Planned Parenthood affiliate to the Choice Dollars program? Those are the folks sitting in the pews with you! Seems to me like they're not listening to the pastors called to lead them.

Once again, I see the LCMS directing their anger towards the corporation that holds the pocketbook. Talk about the root of all evil being the love of money! Any chance you get to undermine the corporation because of past decisions to put the choice of charitable giving into the hands of its members, you are so quick to jump in. Sorry you're not getting the money you think Thrivent "owes" you. Once again, talk to the members sitting in the pews - they get to decide now.

I admire the corporate leaders of Thrivent for jumping into the fray and trying to remedy the unfortunate decision of a handful of members, and taking a neutral position. And as a life-long member of the LCMS, I am appalled at your attacks.

Maybe you should instead focus on your own house and fix those problems, because they are many. I am in a position for the first time in my adult life to make the decision to leave the LCMS because of one of your trained seminary pastor at the only LCMS church in the town I just moved to. But maybe it's not an LCMS church after all, because you've allowed him to hijack the congregation and make it a non-denominational church! Where's the leadership from Missouri to keep this from happening???

I would encourage everyone to take the log out of your own eye, open them a little wider for the truth, and not be so quick to judge what you only perceive is happening.

Peace be with you all!