Official Statement

Office of the President

The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod

August 6, 2003

Subject: The Confirmation of Rev. V. Gene Robinson as Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire

In response to the approval of the election of an openly homosexual bishop by the Episcopal Church U.S.A., Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President of the 2.5 million-member Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, released the following statement:

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“As President of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, I am profoundly saddened and deeply disturbed by the decision of the Episcopal Church U.S.A. to give its approval to the election of an openly homosexual bishop.

While it is clear from God’s Word that His forgiving love in Jesus Christ is constant for all people, this action nevertheless constitutes a momentous break from the Christian Church’s 2000 year long understanding of what the Holy Scriptures teach about homosexual behavior as contrary to God’s will and the biblical qualifications for holding the pastoral office.

As many have already observed, this historic decision will be deeply divisive not only in the Episcopal Church itself, but also in the wider Anglican Communion, and it will undoubtedly provoke controversy throughout all of Christendom.

It is my sincere hope that the Episcopal Church U.S.A. would reconsider their decision in the light of the biblical understanding of human sexuality and the qualifications for the pastoral office. It is my fervent prayer that God the Holy Spirit will guide and sustain our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Episcopal Church U.S.A. as they wrestle with the implications of this action in the months and years to come.”

Transforming the world through Christ's love...in time...for eternity. John 3:16-17
Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

Kieschnick's statement on the Gay Priest in the Episcopalian church who was elected and voted as bishop was appreciated, but it would have been even better if he had used Scripture to support his short statement . Romans 1:18-32 would have been very good for the world to read and people in the church.He should have told the world where the LCMS stands on Homosexuality and Gay priests, pastors,and anyone who belives it is okay to live in open and unconfessed sins. Gay Priests and unrepentant sinners need to hear the Gospe that Christ through His perfect life, death and resurrection has freed us from the power of sins and the devil. There is power and help for all who are in bondage to sin and the devil- even for the elected Gay priest in Christ. We all need to read how Jesus Handle the woman caught in adultery and those who wanted to stone her in John8:1-11.

May God help us all to repent daily because repentance is a gift from the True God to us.

Rev. Elder McCAnts

The members of such an apostate church are not my brothers and sisters and they are not "in Christ." Such an assertion by the LCMS president, misrepresents the official position of the LCMS. It is manifest false doctrine.

A Texas Pastor

They are (Pres. Kieschnick's) brothers and sisters in pulpit & altar fellowship by virtue of his fellowship in elca churches in defiance of the 2001 convention resolution. And have you heard him protest the gay and lesbian leaders of the elca? If one is not a bishop already it is only a matter of time.

Does JK really think the 6th (& 8th) are more important than the 1st & 2nd commandments? Or does he think that by issuing a statement about the Episcopalian "mote" we will be distracted from the Kieschnick/Benke "beam"? (It must be a "mote" since he can't see it in the elca.)

Our TRIUNE GOD keep us!

A Texas Laywoman

JK also forgot to mention to them that their women priests and bishops were also biblically unqualified for the job.

A Texas Pastor

Ed. That holds true for JK's ELCA brothers and sisters with whom he is in "de facto" eccelesiastical fellowship, contrary to his own church's position.

Reclaim New Replies

". . . you may have noted that nowhere did Kieschnick use the word "sin"
either. A friend tells me that it is too judgmental and condemnatory for
these times." Colorado Layman

Dear Rev. Cascione,
I always enjoy Reclaim News. You hit the nail on the head with yesterday's
email, "Why Was the LCMS Unprepared For Election of a Gay Episcopal Bishop?"
Backing away from biblical inerrancy and the literal interpretation of the
confessions is indeed a slippery slope. And I'm afraid much of the LCMS is
already quite a ways down. E.g., I tried to colloquize but was rejected by
the SED precisely *because* I stand firmly upon inerrancy and the quia.
Please keep up the good work. There are many of us out here who need to
hear your message. And you need to know we support you.
In Christ,
Pastor

August 9, 2003