07 April 2010

So the Net is Abuzz

with the discussion of the LCMS nominations for President. The incumbent received at total of 755. Matthew Harrison received 1,332. I do believe that we are in uncharted territory in the LCMS. I think that Al Barry had more nominations than incumbent Ralph Bohlmann the year that Bohlmann was voted out of office, but it was nothing near this sweeping (update: it was by 90 nominations). If you add the Mueller/Harrison votes together, it comes to 1835, throw in the Gard and Fickenscher votes and it's 1843. 1843 to 755. Amazing. Just amazing. Missouri, IT'S TIME!

13 comments:

Rev. Eric J Brown said...

Perhaps this will be like '69 -- elect the new conservative President, but pass everything the former regime had wanted (like in '69 AP Fellowship with the ALC). Perhaps Harrison will be our first Blue Ribbon President.

William Weedon said...

Which, as a friend reminded me this morning, may lead to an interesting spectacle: watching the folks who led the way FOR structure change suddenly backpedalling and attempting to scuttle it. One thing is for sure: Houston is going to be VERY interesting...

Pr. H. R. said...

Indeed. So is the restructuring stuff really going to come up before the presidential election? That's also uncharted territory. Will Harrison go to the mic to speak against it - effectively making Missouri's first presidential debate?

Again on uncharted territory:
Do the opposing camps have any sort of idea how these nominations will translate into votes? Those supporting Rev. Harrison had their ducks in a row this time and contacted a lot of parishes that in the past had not nominated folks. That might account for some of that high nominations number - but regardless of that Dr. K's number is LOW - the push to get nominations from new congregations could not have done that.

But the real meat of the matter is in delegate election: I wonder if anyone has an inkling of how that went? I like your straw poll idea in the next thread. . .

It will be exciting - but I'm still glad it's you this year, Weedon: 9 days in Houston in July! I'll drink a cold julep and think of your suffering for our circuit.

+HRC

William Weedon said...

We'll see. But I'm thinking you're going to owe me that six pack of fine low-carb beer...

Pr. H. R. said...

Yes, I've certainly been doubting Thomas on Harrison actually being able to pull it off. . .

Dv, July will be my Quasimodogeniti - or I'll be mixing that fine boxed wine into a barrel of Sangria.

+HRC

Anonymous said...

I didn't think it was possible in a million years for Harrison to even have a shot, despite my husband's optimism. Then while visiting Boston a couple of weeks ago we talked to a friend who said that my former church had nominated Harrison. My jaw just about fell off. Believe me, Kieschknik (sp) had few more loyal congregations than my beloved Boston parish. If they decided to nominate Harrison, then things may be looking very good for him
Bethany Kilcrease

William Weedon said...

Pastor Taylor's parish nominated Pr. Harrison???

Anonymous said...

Pastor Weedon,

No, that's my NYC parish (Redeemer in the Bronx) [I was there for a summer for work and sometimes have been back for AHA]. I actually lived in Boston for 7.5 years and was a member of First [and only] Lutheran Church of Boston. It would absolutely confound your expectation of an Ablaze(tm) church, but, nevertheless, was so and was very, very pro-Kieschnick. On second thought, since you know Redeemer in NYC, maybe FLC wouldn't confound you although it's not as high and not such a mis-mash. Things work differently on the East coast.
Bethany

Anonymous said...

PS
We miss FLC in Boston very much, but are very happy to now be members of Our Savior in Grand Rapids, MI, which also nominated Harrison.
Bethany

Anonymous said...

Bill,

Our church nominated Harrison as well. I wish that I could go as a delegate, but I didn't arrive in ND until October 25th.

But I think our circuit's delegates will vote for Harrison.

F.V.

Past Elder said...

Great numbers for the right guy.

But, I remember an old joke:

Once the Pope, the President of the US, and Mayor Daley were on the same flight. It crashed and they were stranded on a desert island. They debated who should lead.

The Pope said: the only way off this island is by divine help, and as leader of the world's largest religions body, I should lead.

POTUS said: We need major resources to get off this island, and as president of the richest nation on earth, I should lead.

Hizzoner said: It takes knowing how to lead in specific locations to get us off this island, and as mayor of one of the world's great cities, I should lead.

After which they voted. Mayor Daley won, 5-2.

Rev. Eric J Brown said...

I was at a call meeting as circuit counselor and I had to give full disclosure. I told them that I was from Chicago and I fully expected there to be at least 25 votes for John F. Kennedy in there somewhere.

Rev. Allen Bergstrazer said...

Pr. HR; the first two days are indeed dedicated to restructuring and then the elections are to follow.

For those who are unfamiliar with how Missouri makes sausage, it is custom to have the votes for President and vice Presidents first and then the newly elected President (or the re-elected incumbent) presides over the rest of the convention. It is not required in our consitution or bylaws, but custom.
The vote on restructuring is going to prove to be the more difficult, because it is a more complex issue with a very scale and broad scope. I suspect we're going to hear a lot of glowing endoursements of the Blue Ribbon commission's recommendations. You poor delegates are going to think its January in North Dakota by the blizzard of mailings you're going to get attempting to persuade you to a particular position or enlighten you about it.