Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Events at Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW), Mequon, Wis., are causing concern in the church.
The LCMS South Wisconsin District president has responsibility for ecclesiastical supervision, counsel, care and protection of the rostered church workers at CUW, in the performance of their official duties.
The president of the Synod is responsible for ecclesiastical/doctrinal supervision of the university as a whole, which is governed locally by its board of regents.
Fidelity to the teaching of the clear and inerrant Scriptures, and to the Lutheran Confessions, is non-negotiable. “If salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet” (Matt. 5:13).
The biblically informed Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod regulate the proper handling of issues of doctrine and life, as well as related disputes that arise among the institutions and ministers of the Synod. These regulations serve to protect the interests of the Synod’s congregations in their institutions as well as to preserve the rights and define the responsibilities of those who serve in various capacities in the Synod. These regulations also serve to preserve godly concord and good order in the church, and they are the appointed means to address concerns and disputes.
Even when matters of doctrine are being discussed, the Eighth Commandment is to temper Christian discourse.
I assure you that I, as president of the Synod, am acting in accord with the serious responsibilities entrusted to me by our church body. I request your patience. I plead for your prayers. I request your prayers especially for the faculty, regents, leadership and students of our beloved CUW.
Take heart! The Lord works all for good (Rom. 8:28).
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison
President, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
