Ooh, and it makes me wonder...
From lutherannews.info, quoting from a statement from the Lutheran Concerns Association, dated July 27, 2005. Emphasis mine:
The conclusion of the LCMS convention in 2004 prompted many members to raise questions about the number of convention voting delegates.
Inquiry provided information that indeed there were 176 voting delegates as a result of 88 new circuits formed by exception. The LCMS President approved these exceptions in response to requests from Districts. These added delegates could therefore have changed the results of most of the actions taken at the convention including the election of officers, the praesidium and many other elected positions along with many resolutions that could have lasting results....
It was clear that because of the complications of authority at the convention level, the board level, the office of the President and District President level the only solution was legal. Furthermore because Missouri law was clearly violated it required court action to resolve....
At the encouragement of many pastors we sought a meeting with the LCMS President Dr. Kieschnick to explain to him in person our contemplated action and to listen carefully to his response.
Attorney Robert Doggett and I attended this meeting on Monday July 27, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. Joining Dr. Kieschnick was Sherri Strand, an attorney with Thompson Coburn LLP, the law firm for the LCMS Board of Directors. Dr. Kieschnick was very cordial, opening the meeting with prayer, and after our brief presentation, he deferred to attorney Strand who urged for added meetings to review in detail the specific concerns in an effort to avoid litigation. There was a question about representation which I determined to be a concern about the source of funds for legal fees. Dr. Kieschnick was very attentive, asked several questions and reminded us of our Biblical responsibilities. Our meeting fulfilled its purpose and intent.
At 2:30 pm on the same day we met with the law firm representing our proposed case. The firm of Kohn, Shands, Elbert, Gianoulakis & Giljum LLP is in Missouri and is recognized as very capable and respected. It is their opinion based on years of experience including many cases involving not for profit institutions that these irregularities and the violation of Missouri law supports the case for court action....
Well, the following isn't in Missouri law, so it's probably not relevant:
Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Yes, I agree that Jesus was not explicitly discussing organizational leadership disputes. Yet you gotta wonder about a so-called Bible-believing organization that makes so many references to Missouri law in its justification of its actions. And what was this "our meeting fulfilled its purpose and intent" gobbledygook?
I suspect I'm becoming a Communist regarding this particular lawsuit.
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