Concerning the Sale of University Lutheran Chapel
Friday, September 30, 2011
Dear Friends in Christ,
In the course of the September meeting of the Council of Presidents, Minnesota North President Don Fondow and I requested of President Lane Seitz a meeting with himself and the Minnesota South District Board of Directors. Of the several concerns raised by the then-impending sale of the University Lutheran Chapel property, President Fondow and I were in agreement that it was unwise to disregard the resolution of the joint pastors’ conference requesting that any decision to sell the property be made at the Minnesota South District Convention. We were seeking to share this and other information directly with the board. President Seitz quickly offered us options for the meeting and was polling his board for an agreeable date. However, President Seitz later informed me that the individual authorized by the Board to sell the property had signed documents to that end at very nearly the same time as President Seitz was working to find an agreeable date for us to meet with the board.
The Life Together which we enjoy is fragile and often fractured. This action makes it even more so. There is no question that the Board had the right to do what it did with the property. Unfortunately, this action is difficult, even impossible to separate from ongoing dissensus in the district about what it means to be Lutheran, very similar to our larger challenges as a Synod. We have a long way to go in this regard. God help us.
I wish to state my hearty thankfulness for ULC. I have met more delightful and engaged Lutherans from this campus ministry around the country than any other. They are occupied in all manner of professions and active in church. We need many more campus ministries just like ULC. The army of clergy and now deaconesses who have come through ULC is astounding.
I would urge that all who are concerned about ULC turn away from judging motives, as difficult as that may be. This action comes as no surprise to anyone close to the situation. It’s time to turn toward ULC’s future, a future I support.
It is also time to have more brotherly conversations around the Word of God and to implore the Lord of the Church to grant greater harmony in what it means to be Lutheran. Together, let us hear and heed the apostolic word: “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:9–10).
Pastor Matthew C. Harrison, President
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
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Comments are closed.
about 1 year ago
Thank you very much for your reflections on this matter. It does reflect clearly the fragile nature of life together. Districts, BODs, need to be very circumspect and clear about things they do. Mistakes in process, as noted above, betray a need for serious reflection on how entities like DPs and BODs use authority given to them.
about 1 year ago
Thank you, Mr. President, for your thoughtful and faithful response to this difficult situation.
about 1 year ago
President Harrison,
Thank you for your churchmanly response to this situation.
about 1 year ago
Thank you, President Harrison!
about 1 year ago
President H. wrote,
“President Seitz later informed me that the individual authorized by the Board to sell the property had signed documents to that end at very nearly the same time as President Seitz was working to find an agreeable date for us to meet with the board.”
Two questions:
Q1: What day did Pres. Harrison and Pres Fondow approach Pres. Seitz at the C.O.P. meeting?
Q2: What day was the contract signed?
about 1 year ago
Thank you for your kind words regarding ULC. Clearly you recognize the gift that ULC has been to our church and beyond. You do not have the authority to reverse the imprudent and short-sighted decision of the MNS district leadership which will remove the congregation from a building that has served so well in the cause of the Gospel. I recognize this and thank you for attempting to do what you are able to accomplish in this tragic situation. It is unfortunate that a meeting with the district’s BOD could not be scheduled before the purchase agreement was signed. I hope your words will cause the people of the MNS District to recognize the need for fresh and faithful leadership in their district and act accordingly in June. In the meantime, we need to find resources to support ULC if the district refuses to withdraw from the purchase agreement with Doran. Once again, thanks for your statement.
about 1 year ago
Your pastoral exhortation here is quite helpful. Just as the history of ULC has freely sown the Gospel on and near campuses throughout the nation, I’m confident her future will, too. Lord, have mercy on us all!
about 1 year ago
I pray that the district will withdraw from the purchase agreement, and that harmony and unity will be sought, so that the wonderful work God has been doing at ULC will not be interrupted or left without a good, appropriate, permanent building to be a real home to this campus ministry and its outreach and worship needs. May the Lord of the Church look after this congregation and all their needs, and may the district become supportive of the work of the church and less clouded in bureaucracy. There is a harvest to be gathered. There are believers who need to be built up in the true faith. Let’s not work against that. May God in His great compassion have mercy on us human beings who sometimes make poor choices without being able to see where the work of the Lord is taking place. May the God who created the heavens and the earth, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who sent Messiah Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world and rose Him up from the dead, bring good even out of this situation. May he soften the hearts of those chosen to serve in positions of leadership, and help them to not get in the way of the Spirit’s work as He calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies. May He bring true unity centered on the clear unadultered Holy Word of God. May He give us hearts of compassion and brotherly love.
about 1 year ago
Yes, it is extremely hard not to judge motives in view of the history of non-supportive actions toward the ULC.
It is unfortunate that the endeavor to schedule the above mentioned meeting was not acted upon at an earlier date in light of the MNS Dist. board’s impending action.
We pray for the continuing ministry of the ULC.
about 1 year ago
Thank you for your statement President Harrison. I grieve at ULC’s loss. Your words help.
about 1 year ago
The Campus Lutheran Chapel is in Mankato MN, and is also for sale. It is currently one of the largest – if not the largest campus ministry currently serving in the LCMS. Each week over 110 college students worship there. While our situation is not the same as the ULC’s – we share our sadness over the situation which brought us here. We pray for our brothers and sisters at the ULC and look forward to continuing our mission up on campus. God is faithful – and we feel our best days are ahead of us. Thank you for your caring words, President Harrison!
about 1 year ago
Thank you President Harrison for your insightful comments – well said. Since I was baptized at age 20 at University Lutheran – UT Austin, the loss of ULC’s property and the impact it has on their ministry grieves me deeply. I can’t imagine where I would be without my ULC. However, it is the theology of the Cross that incalculable grace, mercy and transformation come from tragedy and loss. May the Lord continue to bless ULC and guide their ministry going forward. I pray this becomes a catalyst for incredible growth for their ministry and blessings beyond our wildest dreams. Soli Deo Gloria!
about 1 year ago
Why was it sold? I guess I struggle with why this action isn’t Lutheran. What makes a specific action Lutheran?
about 1 year ago
The money from the sale should be used to rebuild the chapel, end of story.
According to the MNS plan, the campus ministry endowment is only guaranteed to be used for campus ministry for 10 years then its use subject to review. At a 2.2% annual rate of return, the ULC sale will generate about $75K per year. Funding for the proposed campus ministry district exec (even if it is part-time) will use up a good portion of the endowment income. So essentially we have traded our heritage and an active thriving mission and congregation for yet one more district mission executive.