Just Desserts Offered by PLI to Convention Delegates
By Rev. Jack Cascione

 

The Pastoral Leadership Institute, (PLI) is trying to turn crunch time into dessert time. Doctor Norbert Oesch has invited all of the LCMS Convention Delegates to join him for dessert at the Missouri Room of the Missouri Athletic Club on the first Monday night of the Convention.

Will it be just dessert?

First, the Board For Higher Education has refused to grant PLI Recognized Service Organization status.

Second, after using up nearly $400,000.00 in grant money, (not loans) PLI has run out of financial support from the Lutheran Church Extension Fund and the LCMS Foundation.

Third, without Recognized Service Organization status (RSO) PLI cannot award the 27 hours in credits it promised from the St. Louis Seminary.

Fourth, Concordia San Antonio, PLI's brightest shining example of Pastoral Leadership, is in default of more than $14,000,000.00 dollars to LCEF and their pastor who issued Norbert Oesch a call to be the head of the PLI has resigned from the LCMS roster and is heading for Brazil.

Fifth, PLI has not received any support from the LCMS Presidium even though Dr. Oesch claimed that President Barry supported the program, a claim Barry later denied.

Sixth, on the bottom of its stationary, PLI used to claim that it was part of the LCMS. Now they are compelled to say that they "Service the LCMS."

Seventh, at the Rockwell Meeting, Oesch stated that PLI did not teach Walther, yet Floor Committee 7 in Resolution 7-17 will ask the Convention to reaffirm Walther's "Church and Ministry."

Dessert usually signals the end of the meal. This Dessert sponsored by PLI may signal their last course for the LCMS.

Two Seminaries are enough. We don't need a third "Seminary without walls" outside the control of the LCMS Convention.


Rev. Jack Cascione is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church (LCMS - MI) in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. He has written numerous articles for Christian News and is the author of Reclaiming the Gospel in the LCMS: How to Keep Your Congregation Lutheran. He has also written a study on the Book of Revelation called In Search of the Biblical Order.
He can be reached by email at pastorcascione@juno.com.

July 3, 2001