The greatest mega-church in the LCMS, and touted as receiving the largest LCEF loan in Synodical history in the Lutheran Witness, is near bankruptcy. It was to be the model of growth and leadership for the LCMS.

Concordia San Antonio is a major training center for PLI. Pastor Thompson, recently resigned from the LCMS clergy roster, was one of the seven pastors who signed a "call" for Dr. Norbert Oesch to be head of PLI. District President Jerry Kieschnick is the liaison to the Council of District Presidents for PLI. Kieschnick, who now seeks the office of the LCMS president, endorsed the loan, the contemporary worship, and PLI administrative approach of Concordia San Antonio.

Attendance at Concordia has declined from 2800 per week to less than 1200 per week. People in San Antonio have reported to this writer that the debt at Concordia San Antonio has now reached $22,000,000.00. The quickest way to get rid of $22,000,000.00 in debt is to transfer.

This writer reported in February of 1999 that the entire Church Growth contemporary movement is doomed to financial excess. It must deliver ever large and more expensive programs and projects to play mega-church monopoly.

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 12, 2001