Protest. Demonstration. I admit that I am leery of this whole thing - it appeals to my flesh, and that is one sure warning sign that I need to heed.
If folks gather at the IC on Monday, April 14, may I suggest that it be a gathering in silence and in prayer? At most the singing of a hymn? NOT a Protest, NOT a Demonstration, but a VIGIL, a waiting upon God to answer our prayer and a beseeching of His mercy, for He is good and loves mankind.
Luther was faced with some demonstrations that just about took down the Church of Wittenberg during his exile at the Wartburg. When he returned - even against the will of the Elector - you recall what he did? He shaved his head, donned his cowl, and went into the pulpit and during the first week of Lent, Invocavit, he hammered home repeatedly one and only one truth:
"The Word of God must do this thing and not we poor sinners."
Prayer for God to act, for His good, gracious and perfect will to be done, for our wills to be crucified, for His kingdom to come to us, to spread, to grow. For all that opposes that to be overthrown. That would be fitting. But that is not a "Demonstration." It is a "Vigil."
That's my take, anyway. I'd invite some thoughts.
17 comments:
I think that a humble prayer vigil, and not a demonstration or protest, would bring the most glory to God.
Pastor, I agree with a lot of the things you just said.
PRAYER AND SILENCE! YES, A BRILLIANT IDEA.
ISSUES, ETC. HAS BEEN SILENCED; AND SO HAVE THE LISTENERS.
MAN WILL NOT LISTEN; BUT GOD IS ALWAYS LISTENING; ONLY HE HEARS US NOW.
EXCUSE ME, I BELIEVE YOU HAVE MY STAPLER.
A vigil would be better. Protests reek of the before times, in the long, long ago.
A silent, prayerful witness speaks volumes without saying a word.
Thank you for your reasonable words on this matter. I'm so glad you thought it through well.
My sentiments exactly. Someone should bring some hymn sheets to hand out to people, and lead some prayers. NOthing more.
"Demonstration" is a neutral term. It can be a demonstration "for" something or "against" something. (Frankly, Lutherans, as the original "Protest-ants," shouldn't have a problem per se with protesting bad stuff.)
How is a *physical* demonstration in support of Issues Etc. different in principle than a *written* demonstration in support of Issues Etc.--i.e., the petition? Or writing on a blog in support of Issues Etc.? They are different forms of saying the same thing. I see nothing inherently sinful in any of them.
Now arguments can be made each way about whether this or that action will be helpful to the cause, however narrowly or broadly that is defined (there can be several purposes for or effects of the same action). And good men may differ on that question. I can understand the arguments on both sides. I myself had mixed feelings about the planned demonstration when I first heard about it, as to the value.
*How* a public demonstration is *conducted*, that is not the same question as whether a public demonstration per se is right or wrong, wise or unwise.
(BTW, a "vigil" to me connotes hanging around for a long time until something arrives. A two-hour demonstration is not that.)
Finally, let me repeat what I have often said: There is nothing wrong with politics. Politics is inevitable in any group or organization in which decisions are made and persuasion is used. It comes with the territory for any human organization. And there is nothing inherently wrong with caring for one's polity and trying to influence its direction.
All that said, *how* this particular demonstration will be carried out remains to be seen. A silent standing, portraying the silencing of Issues, could be appropriate. Signs with positive messages of support for Issues could be appropriate. Hymns and prayers are always appropriate.
[Here are the details on the two upcoming events in St. Louis.]
Two different events in support of "Issues Etc."--a prayer service/dinner and a public demonstration--are being planned for St. Louis on Sunday, April 13, and Monday, April 14.
On Sunday, April 13, at 5:00 p.m., there will be a prayer service at Emmaus Lutheran Church in St. Louis:
http://emmaus-stl.org
After the service, there will be a bratwurst dinner. To help in planning for the dinner, please register (by Tuesday, April 8, if possible):
http://augsburg1530.org/eventregister/register.html
On Monday, April 14, 11:00-1:00, there will be a public demonstration in support of "Issues" outside the LCMS International Center in Kirkwood. (Note: This event is not sponsored by Emmaus.)
It will be helpful to the organizers of the demonstration to know how many to expect, in order to arrange logistics of parking, carpooling, etc. Please register your intention to attend:
http://augsburg1530.org/eventregister/register.html
For those coming from out of town for both events, lodging can be arranged. Please indicate that on the registration form.
For more information and background on the cancellation of "Issues Etc." and what can be done about it, several websites have helpful information and further links:
http://augsburg1530.wordpress.com
http://wittenbergtrail.ning.com
http://www.petitiononline.com/Issues/petition.html
Support of "Issues" is a movement, not a program! Spread the word!
Luther was faced with some demonstrations. . . .
Luther also LED a public demonstration. Do you recall that he burned the papal bull? And this demonstration in support of Issues Etc. need not be even that "protesty."
As far as comparisons to the demonstrations while Luther was at the Wartburg, no one here is talking about throwing rocks through Jerry Kieschnick's window.
A demonstration/protest could easily go bad, simply because we are sinners and our anger is not always as righteous as God’s. A crowd of people shouting, “Bring back Issues! Bring back Issues!” would attract attention, but uninformed observers might be unsympathetic to the protesters, seeing only the hostile attitude. The synodocrats would fortify their defenses.
You can’t go wrong with a vigil centered on the Word of God and prayer; those things keep the devil and the impulses of our sinful flesh at bay. A calm gathering, whether quiet or loud with pious song and prayer, would attract curiosity and sympathy. It might even prick the consciences of some inside the walls.
If I lived close enough to attend, I would show up with my two preschoolers. Whatever you call it, make the event something you can take your children to; that will keep the tone appropriate. Kill them with love.
The gaudiest, most distasteful, loudest, most demonstrative signs/actions/words will but what is picked up by any media present. Count on it.
Heed good Fr. William, my dear Protestants: like a lamb before his shearers is silent. . .
And, gads - given the fleecing you've taken if you have sent in any pecuniary funds to the Synod. . . well, it works on so many levels.
The Priestman
Once again, priestly wisdom emanates from the Priestman himself. Two hours of priestly silence with a closing hymn.
May I suggest "Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word." "Deceit and sword" seem appropo to the exercise of good priestmanship.
I used the term "demonstration" over "protest" because I thought it sounds the most neutral and less negative. But I'm fine with "witness," "vigil," "rally," or whatever term is used.
More important to me is how the "event" is conducted and carried out. Some are advocating a silent standing, to portray the silencing of Issues. That would be OK, as long as signs are used. Otherwise, it's just a bunch of people standing around with no message being conveyed.
I myself don't think we need to be totally silent, nor do we need to be overly somber. But SIGNS--tastefully worded, of course--SIGNS I think are necessary to get a visual message across to those who see the gathering, through purple windows or from passing cars.
Amen, Pastor Weedon. Thanks for this post.
Tim
Off topic but issuesetc.org is archived at WaybackMachine
http://www.archive.org/
example
http://web.archive.org/web/20040413072111/
www.issuesetc.org/journals.htm
How about along with the prayer we also include stewardship.
If each of the 6500+ individuals signing the petition would donate $100 each to the Issues, Etc. cause, there would be over $650,000-- almost 3x more than the deficit that Synod stated as one of the reasons they canned the program. It would take away their excuse...
Just a thought. Plus, those of us who can't make the vigil would be able to participate.
John
Charles Henrickson wrote: "Luther also LED a public demonstration. Do you recall that he burned the papal bull?"
Now there's an idea for a demonstration; surely the Purple Palace has spewed its share of contemptible documents that could be tossed into a bonfire... maybe carry around a tarred and feathered effigy for a little pizzazz.
Oh well, with all the PC gestapo and tree-hugging wackos around nowadays, the documents would have to be tossed into a giant shredder, bagged, and then carried in a solemn procession to the nearest recycling center.
That probably fits the quietist image of the Missouri Synod, anyway.
Mark of Brighton:
You may not think it at the time but sometimes a kick in the teeth is the best thing that can happen to you. In Acts 8, because of the great persecution, they were scattered all over and proclaimed the Gospel. Without the persecution, they would have been content to remain in Jerusalem.
This is not a choice between either or, that we sit and pray or try to reclaim the denomination. Politics will not save the day, but a failure to engage in politics will surely loosed the day. We must pursue God’s end using Godly means. God does not require that you win. He requires that you be faithful. Life is a battle; retreat is not an option. God does not call me to win. How does one define winning, in light of the cross? Jesus left heaven, became a man and was crucified, did not look like much of a victory at the time. The cross reverses our values. God asks that we walk by faith, that we accept His view rather than my view.
In Proverbs 21:31, “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.” Victory belongs to the Lord, but I have to throw a saddle over the horse’s back. In 2 Chronicles 20:21, “And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, ‘Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.’” They sent out the singers (I just love that line) but the singers were followed by the army.
It seems to me that this is the pattern, liberals seize a denomination bureaucracy and change the focus of the denomination from who God is, what He has done and what He is doing through His service and through His sacraments to man and His doing. I used to wonder why the liberals can’t just form their own denomination. And then I realized. They asked a bank robber once, why he robbed banks. He replied, because that is where the money is. Why do they seize control of an existing denomination, because that is where the money is. ”It really does seem to me that we are presented with three alternatives: reclaim the denomination, whither and die or walk away and form a new denomination.
And so we need to pray for Sons of Issachar: 1 Chronicles 12:32, “And of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do.” And we are very fortunate to have the web today. It allows people to come together and network much more easily. We need someone to figure out what the rules are whereby we can elect a different President of the denomination and the web allows for this I think. Failing in electing a new President then we will have to give up confessional Lutheranism or leave the denomination. By all means, let us send out the singers; but let it not end there.
“For us, there is only the trying. The rest is not our business.”
T. S. Eliot in the “Four Quartets”
2 Samuel 10:12, “Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what is good in His sight."
The issue lies before the Lord, we can but do our duty.
Robert E. Lee
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