COP approves placements, discusses church work trends

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Council of Presidents (COP) met April 22–27. As is typical for the April meeting, the group gathered, in turn, at both seminaries (first in Fort Wayne and then in St. Louis) in conjunction with the seminaries’ call and placement services. In addition to approving spring placements for called workers from the seminaries and the Concordia University System, the COP:

Met with the faculties of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (CSL), to discuss trends in enrollment and calls, the seminaries’ work of preparing pastors for their first calls, and district orientation programs for new pastors. Among those presenting to the COP were the Rev. Matthew Wietfeldt, director of Admissions at CTSFW, and the Rev. Ben Haupt, associate provost at CSL.

Heard a presentation from Dr. Joshua Mears, a Christian clinical psychologist based in Lakeville, Minn., on pornography addiction. Mears provided COP members with an introduction to resources for helping workers recognize and guard against the dangers of pornography addiction.

Heard a presentation from Dwight Schettler and the Rev. Ed Keinath of Ambassadors of Reconciliation, an LCMS Recognized Service Organization that provides Scripture-based assistance to Christians and congregations in conflict.

Listened to a presentation from the Rev. Dr. Richard Serina Jr., associate executive director of the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR), on the CTCR’s recently released report, The Order of Creation: Theology, History, Definition.

The COP also heard from LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison on a variety of topics, including the stated intent of Concordia University, Texas (CTX), Austin, Texas, to separate itself from Synod governance and the upcoming LCMS convention, with a focus on preparations for Floor Committee Weekend, slated for June 9–12 in St. Louis. The 13 convention floor committees are charged with drafting the resolutions that will be considered at the convention, which will take place July 29–Aug. 3 at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee.

Following extended discussion of CTX, the COP passed a motion commending Harrison, LCMS Texas District President Rev. Michael Newman and the LCMS Board of Directors in the work they are doing to address the CTX action.

The Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan, COP chairman and president of the LCMS Missouri District, said, “The meeting was a good balance of theological study and practical resources to assist the council members in their work. The placement of ordained and commissioned workers is always a highlight for the council, along with the Call Day services at both seminaries. We pray for all those workers placed and those they will serve, but also for those congregations that did not receive pastors.”

Posted June 6, 2023