For your information, this letter was sent a few years ago in response to a request from one of the congregations in XXXXX. In keeping with our policies and principles, outlined elsewhere in this web site and on the web site of our alternative mission fellowship, Serving Through Education and Music, we wrote the following letter. Since the buzz had gotten around that we were here to "take over" the congregations, and "to start a new church," and to be "divisive" we thought it appropriate to distribute copies to all the congregations of that church body.
October 31, XXXX.
Esteemed Members of XXXXXXXX,
1 Peter 2:9
Helga and I appreciate your invitation to serve as spiritual consultants to the congregation with the purpose to find a solution to your financial problem. We thank you for your very kind words of encouragement.
As you remember at the meeting on Sunday, October 27, XXXX, we said that we would not replace any church worker who has a position of responsibility. That means, for instance, Ted would not preach or do liturgy, since capable men have that responsibility. We feel, as you know, that outside resources should not replace local resources.
Using the same principle, we will not accept your invitation to be spiritual consultants to help find a solution to the financial problem of the congregation. In this case perhaps three capable men already have that responsibility.
They are, first, your pastor elect XXXXXX. Secondly, you acting head of the national church organization, XXXXXX. And, thirdly, your representative of the mission in XXXXXX, XXXXXX. To accept the responsibility of spiritual consultant to the congregation to find a solution for your financial problem would replace the responsibilities of these men.
Working with these men, the congregation might determine exactly how much and how long the stipend ($275 a month) will be given so that you can plan for the future. [The stipend was eliminated by the mission within a few months!] Working with these men, the congregation might determine and apply the principles of Christian stewardship from the Scriptures. Working with these men, the congregation might determine the policy of the mission office in XXXXX and the local churches toward the receiving, reporting, and disbursing of outside financial resources if these become available. Working with these men you might develop an open and transparent financial accounting system.
The problem you refer to in your letter is not a problem only of your church, but is a problem for every congregation.
We understand the mission of XXXXXX as primarily to propagate the Gospel through regular and faithful use of the Means of Grace, i.e. preaching, teaching, singing . . . using God's Word and the Sacraments.
We will continue as helpers and encouragers, but it is not our intention to replace any local church workers or local resources, or to replace the responsibilities of your leadership.
Romans 12:3-8, 2 Thessalonians 2:16.
(signed)
Immediately after receiving this letter, the mission appointed deacon of the congregation wrote a scalding note to the congregation accusing them of causing him great offense. He walked out and was reassigned by the mission to help the German House of Prayer and to do Children's Ministry. He continues on salary to the mission as a "deacon."
A few months after the letter was circulated, the President of the church called a meeting at which he caused a resolution to be passed which said, in effect, that the church had no spiritual consultant, ignoring the fact that no-one had applied for that position.
Within a year, the representative of the mission involved in this flap completed his commitment to the mission and left for the USA.
The mission representative who replaced him, after a brief period, had a falling out with the President, and caused the latter to leave the country, disgraced.
Outside resource controlled by outsiders, causes apathy and antagonism.
The buzz continues. We heard that some found it strange and have criticized the congregation for seeking a "spiritual consultant" to help solve their financial problems. We did not, and do not, find that strange. The spiritual problem is the problem. As you will read in the observations, there are many relatively minor organizational, structural, strategic, etc. problems which should be fairly easy to correct, but the big problem remains. And a church without a spiritual consultant is in trouble. Who should fill that role? Look at Revelations 17:7; 1 Peter 2:25; Hebrews 13:20-21; John 10:14-15; John 16:7; John 15:26; John 14:26; Isaiah 9:6.
Somebody doesn't understand, or maybe doesn't want to understand.
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