We reported that Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio received the
largest loan ever given to any LCMS congregation by the Lutheran Church
Extension Fund.
We also reported in February of 1999, that the LCEF had put the Synod's
funds at risk by investing in Church Growth driven building schemes. They
built five buildings on 47 acres and the largest parking lot in Lutheranism
for more than 20,000,000 dollars but never built an actual sanctuary.
We reported in April that the senior pastor at Concordia, Doctor William
Thompson resigned from the ministry and is leaving for Brazil.
We reported that Thompson and President Jerry Kieschnick of the Texas
District are both enthusiastic promoters of Doctor Oesch's Pastoral Leadership
Institute (PLI). PLI often holds its training meetings at Concordia, San
Antonio.
We now report that attendance at Concordia dropped from 2,800 per week to
2,200 per week and has now dropped to 1,900 per week and continues to decline.
Concordia is no longer able to make principle payments on the loan.
How will this shrinking congregation pay off this massive debt they have
assumed? How many more LCMS congregations will meet financial disaster by
following the Council of District Presidents promotion of PLI and Church
Growth planning?
What will LCEF do with the property it may soon own?