Ed. We have heard many similar stories in the past. While the editor is not personally knowledgeable of all the facts of the reported story, this report is heart rending, if they are even only halfway accurate. The Editor intends to publish other stories such as this as evidence that there is something amiss in the doctrine of the Church and Ministry in our Synod. Comments may be sent to the editor and will be forwarded to the reporter.
Another Sad Story
Pastor Removed from Office
On September 7, by a vote of over two to one, the congregation of
Shepherd of the Lake in Garrison, MN, voted to dismiss her pastor, Rev. Paul Bartz.
It was done in full awareness that they had no Scriptural cause.
The
reasons they could offer ranged from viscious and false gossip about the pastor to the fact
that they did not want to hear the truth of the Word so often. (Close
Communion was a significant issue here - although the fact that the pastor
"did not hug" like their previous pastor was mentioned in meetings leading
up to this one.)
Before the vote, they were confronted with -- and
acknowledged -- that the vote was on God and His Word and His called and
faithful servant. They voted to end his service anyway, effective on Reformation
Day -- although they did not realize that ironic fact when they voted.
Pray for this Pastor and his family.
Rev. Robin D. Fish
rfishsr@emily.net