Kieschnicks Mount-up Record Travel Expenses

By: Rev. Jack Cascione

In the Lutheran Church Extension Fund Workbook distributed at the Fall Conference in Irvine, California, the week ending Nov. 24, 2002, Mrs. Terry Kieschnick was shown as the Women's Luncheon Presenter.

In her "bio" it stated: "Terry currently stays active (Emphasis added) SPEAKING TO A VARIETY OF AUDIENCES AND GROUPS AROUND THE COUNTRY, playing with her grandchildren, pursuing her passion for the care of pastors' wives in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and, (Emphasis added) TRAVELING WITH HER HUSBAND TO VARIOUS PARTS OF THE COUNTRY AND WORLD."

This is all commendable, but who is paying the bills?

We know since her husband became President of the LCMS, he has made many trips under the auspices of the LCMS and plans to make many more.  We have been informed Mrs. Kieschnick has accompanied him on a large number of these trips and we have also been informed it is unusual for a President's wife to accompany him on so many trips.

There are two questions we believe should be asked:

1. Does the LCMS pay traveling and other expenses incurred when Mrs. Kieschnick is "speaking to a variety of audiences and groups around the country" or is the organization hosting her appearance picking up the tab?

2. Just who is paying when she is "traveling with her husband to various parts of the country and world" - the LCMS or the Kieschnicks?

LCMS lay people and congregations are encouraged to ask members of the Board of Directors and the Treasurer of Synod, by letter or E-mailing, the above two questions.  (See addresses listed below.) We also request that they forward this message to others and urge that this matter be resolved.

While the Synodical President and his wife mount up the largest annual presidential travel expenses in Synodical history, the Synod made the deepest cuts in its mission budget in Synodical history.

President Kieschnick's release of confidential information in the Benke case to the American media and the Synod led to Wally Schulz being fired by the LLL from the Lutheran Hour.  It will take a lot of traveling and meetings to make sure there are enough votes to get reelected 2004.

We believe it is the responsibility of the Board of Directors and the Treasurer of Synod to inform the Synod if Mrs. Kieschnick's trips are being funded by the LCMS and if President Kieschnick has submitted requests for reimbursement of expenses for Mrs. Kieschnick.

According to page 462 of the 2002 Lutheran Annual, the District Offices collected $127,554,235 and sent $25,312,219 (or less than $.20 on the dollar) to the Synod.  Maintaining the $102,000,000 a year LCMS District bureaucracies, executive travel accounts, etc. means the Synod has to cut missions.

The COP brotherhood knows how to take care of what is most important.

For your convenience, the E-mail addresses and surface addresses of the Board of Directors and the Treasurer are listed below.

Rev. Edward Balfour - 150 Mitchell Rd. - Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107
E-mail:  mbalfou1@maine.rr.com

Rev. Dr. Karl L. Barth - 8220 Harwood #208 - Milwaukee, WI 53213
E-mail:  karlbarth@webtv.net

Dr. Betty Duda - 2450 Mikler - Oviedo, FL 32765
E-mail: BJDUDA11@aol.com

Rev. James E. Fandrey - 2603 North 51st Ave - Omaha, NE 68104
E-mail: jefandre1@juno.com

Miss Elizabeth Fluegel - 1734 Kingsgate Court #302 - Alexandria, VA
22302 E-mail:  efluegel@excite.com

Ernest E. Garbe - 1661 N. 2200 St., - Dieterich, IL 62424
E-mail:  epgarbe@mmtcnet.com

Dr. Jean Garton - 4808 Shoal Creek Drive - Benton, Arkansas 72015
E-mail:  Not available

Oscar H. Hanson - P. O. Box 16852 - So. Lake Tahoe, CA 96151
E-mail:  oahanson@netfeed.com

David Hawk - 2814 Baywood Trail - Ft. Wayne, IN 46845
E-mail:  DKHawk@HawkHaynie.com (work)

Theodore A. Kober - 1537 Ave. D, Suite 352 - Billings, MT 59102
E-mail:  tkober@hispeace.org (work)

Rev. Dr. Robert T. Kuhn - 1387 Haven Drive - Oviedo, FL 32765
E-mail:  rtkuhn@cfl.rr.com

Christian A. Preus - 16205 5th Ave., North - Plymouth, MN 55447
E-mail:  preus@attbi.com

Dr. Edwin A. Trapp - 7624 Glenn Albens Circle - Dallas, TX 75225
E-mail:  eat2@airmail.net

Thomas W. Kuchta - 12841 Dubon Lane - St. Louis, MO 63131 (Treasurer)
E-mail:  tomkuchta@aol.com

January 7 , 2002