A Culture of Open Hostility?

We are learning more about the internal culture of hostility against Issues Etc. that existed at synodical headquarters. What we've learned adds even more evidence to the mounting case that Issues Etc. was cancelled for political reasons.

Case and point: We've already pointed out that the LCMS Foundation was the department in charge of raising funds for Issues Etc. and that the Foundation was charging Issues Etc. a confiscatory rate of 40¢ per dollar raised. But now we've learned and confirmed that the president of the LCMS Foundation, Tom Ries was extremely critical of Issues Etc.

People have described Tom Ries as a 'straight shooter' who has absolutely no problem letting people know what is on his mind. So what was Tom Ries' beef with Issues Etc?

Answer: He was angry that Todd Wilken kept criticizing "Christian brother, Joel Osteen". Yes, you read that correctly. In Tom Ries' opinion Joel Osteen shouldn't be Biblically critiqued but should be embraced as a Christian brother.

Think about this for a minute. David Strand claims that Issues Etc. was canceled for financial reasons. But, the LCMS Foundation was not only charging Issues Etc. 40¢ per dollar raised, the president of the Foundation was openly critical and hostile towards Issues Etc.

With Tom Ries as the head of the LCMS Foundation (LF), how motivated do you think the LF was to raise funds for Issues Etc.?

It's as if Issues Etc. was purposely set up for failure.

This reminds us of Pharoah demanding the children of Israel to produce their daily quota of bricks while refusing to provide them with the straw they needed to make them. (Exodus 5:1-9)

Comments

[Bob]

This is sad, but not surprising.

I predict there will be a stream and maybe even a torrent of this type of stuff seeping out of the Purple Palace.

Sounds like Mr. Ries could use a little seminary training in discernment.

Gee, I guess if someone is a Christian brother, there's no foundation for critiquing their theology.

Oh, wait -- Paul -- Galatians 1 --

Case closed.

[FreeSpeechLutheran]

I have tried researching the ways in which "Ablaze!" is funded, but am having trouble finding a clear answer. Does anyone know specifically, if church offerings support "Ablaze!"?

LCMS.org says this, about "Ablaze!"-

8. Is Ablaze! a giving campaign?

A: The short answer is no. Ablaze!™ is a global mission movement to sow 100 million Gospel seeds in partnership with North American and global partners. The realistic answer, however, is that to continue current mission work in the parish, in the district, and to the ends of the earth, the continued financial gifts of God's people are required.

Are the "financial gifts of God's people" the offerings given during a church service, or are they private donations to the "Ablaze!" movement?

And, who decides which "Ablaze!" grants to give out? It seems poorly organized, in that the grants approved are for very different projects. I think mission work is great, but as I learn about how the "Ablaze!" movement operates, it seems there are some things that could be done better.

[FreeSpeechLutheran]

It's encouraging that Todd Wilken had the guts to critique Joel Osteen, and the contradictory theology he preaches.

[Gomanson]

I don't mean to sound rude, and I don't doubt the truth of this report, but I would like to know the source of your information regarding Ries's opinion about Issues and Osteen. Thanks.

[Grasshopper]

It's not just a contradictory theology....it's LACKING theology!

This burns me...

[Bill]

Ries says Olsteen is a brother in Christ... Olsteen says the Mormons are brothers in Christ (see comments about Mitt Romney)... Where does it end?

[Bob Hunter]

Oh, oh! You mean it's all my fault? I was on Issues, Etc. last year talking about Joel Osteen! Now I'm going to have to straighten this mess out! (grin)

[B. Thatcher]

Tom Ries' Contact information:

http://lcmsfoundation.org/New/Contact.asp

CALL and EMAIL him directly. Be nice.

thomas.ries@lcms.org
314-996-1450

[PHW]

There is NOTHING identifying Joel Osteen as a Christian. NOTHING!

He is a psycho-therapist practicing without a license.

[David]

This just gets worse and worse. I didn't want to believe in the beginning that it was "conspiracy" to "get" Wilken and Issues Etc. , but the dubious book keeping and the playing fast and loose with the facts that these people seem to be engaged in is making this look like a real scandal.

Criticizing Joel Osteen ? Why not ? Osteen is an open heretic . If people in the LCMS leadership are looking to Osteen an a role model then the LC-MS really is in trouble.

However, I agree with the comment above which asks: " I don't doubt the truth of this report, but I would like to know the source of your information regarding Ries's opinion about Issues and Osteen."

I think when the stakes are this high then everything needs to be clearly documented and attributed .

But this really looks bad. The LC-MS leadership can't stonewall on this stuff forever . The laity need to hold them accountable.