The following quotations by R. C. Lenski were published by CPH in Volume II of the “Abiding Word” in recognition of the Missouri Synod’s 75th anniversary.
"It is a mark of the pastors and leaders of the Missouri Synod that they never, aye, never, tire of discussing doctrine on the basis of Scripture and the Confessions. That is one trait that may be called the spirit of Missouri. People who thus cling to doctrine and contend for its purity are of an entirely different nature from the superficial unionists who in the critical moment will declare five to be an even number. God will bless all who value His Word so highly. "
The Lubbock Convention of the Texas District in 1997 has probably distinguished itself as no other District has. It actually refused to hear any of the Doctrinal Resolutions that were presented for the convention's consideration.
Something has changed since Lenski (who was not LCMS) wrote these words of admiration. Our " pastors and leaders" fear and detest the notion of "disputing doctrine" in any way. Whether it be on the basis of "Scripture and the Confessions" or on any other basis, the pastors and leaders of the Texas District want nothing to do with either "disputing" or "doctrine."
How can one understand these things?
If the "spirit of Missouri" is simply the love of disputing, then we can say these people are correct in letting it pass. Lenski did not see it as that in his day.
Have the "pastors and leaders" now grown tired of the disputing over doctrine that has gone on since before the 1973 walkout at the St. Louis Seminary? That is a long time to be vigorously discussing doctrinal differences. One can readily understand that such activity finally can wear one down. If this is the case, then these "pastors and leaders" of congregations have lost what Lenski called "the spirit of Missouri."
But if the disputation is on the basis of the "Scripture and the Confessions" over some innovation, defect or distortion that is being permitted and practiced in the Synod or District, then these leaders have forfeited their right to be called "Missourians." Integrity should lead them to resign their positions to those who want to correct and restore true doctrine.
Most observers of the recent history of Missouri would conclude that the doctrinal problems of the 60s and 70s really never were settled properly. There never was the honest separation that was needed to purify the doctrinal situation in Missouri.
Many of those holding the condemned Historical Critical Method (HCM) of Bible interpretation remained on the roster or regained status in the years following the walkout. They did not bring up the issues in public, but continued to believe and practice the HCM. Many became leaders in the educational system or in the Districts' officialdom of the LCMS. The influence of the HCM has surupticiously led to the widespread acceptance of the Fuller Seminary model for Church Growth and a budding ecumenical movement, highlighted by the non-closed communion practices of the "growing churches."
The Conservatives have been losing ground in the Districts that were greatly influenced by the HCM since the Fuller Seminary became a major source of DMins. The Saltwater Districts are big Church Growth Districts. (The enigmatic anomoly is that the Michigan District, at one time the most staunch of the conservative Distircts, has gone so far to the left so quickly. Does the phrase "Follow the money" have anything to do with Michigan's defection from the true Missouri host? Some say that is exactly it.) Ten years ago the Texas District could muster 40 - 45% conservative votes in elections and would almost always pass conservative doctrinal resoutions in support of the Synod's historic positions.
That was not the case at the Lubbock Convention. Only 30% would vote for the confessional candidate over the practical candidate. And the clincher was that the convention refused to even consider any of the doctrinal resolutions that the floor committee brought.
The spirit of Missouri for true doctrine has certainly dissipated in the last few years in Texas. Thank God there are still some who "never, aye, never, tire of discussing doctrine on the basis of Scripture and the Confessions." And by God's grace these will yet stir the love of Christ's Gospel which is at stake when "pastors and leaders" tire of disputing for true doctrine. For what is the Gospel but the doctrine of who Christ is and what He has done in His birth, life, obedience, suffering, dying, rising and ascending for the saving of lost sinners such as we?