Saturday, July 11, 1998

Cisco High grad to represent churches at Synod

By LORETTA FULTON Senior Staff Writer

When the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod meets in St. Louis today through Friday, one of its wisest delegates may be its youngest.

Matt Schaefer, a 1994 graduate of Cisco High School whose mother plays the organ at Trinity Lutheran Church in Albany, will represent about 15 churches in a bi-circuit area that covers the Abilene and San Angelo regions.

Schaefer, 22, is set to graduate from Texas Tech in December with a degree in finance. But before that he will thoughtfully do his job as a delegate to the 2.6 million-member church's triennial conference.

"I think it going to be good; I'm excited about it," Schaefer said.

Although no fireworks are expected at the meeting, observers know better than to predict a friction-free conference.

Schaefer's pastor in Albany, the Rev. Don Loeschen, isn't attending the meeting, but he has been in the past and brings a word of caution.

"You never know when a church body gets together," he said.

The main agenda item will be the election of the president and other officers. The Rev. A.L. Barry, current president, is expected to be re-elected without fanfare, said the Rev. Laverne Janssen, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Abilene and interim pastor at Zion Lutheran in Abilene.

"It should be a relatively quiet convention," he said.

Schaefer is more interested in some of the theological resolutions that will be voted on than the election of officers.

"That's the issue of importance to me," he said.

Some resolutions will reaffirm Lutheran - Missouri Synod stands on baptism, communion, the role of church leaders, abortion, and homosexuality.

One point of discussion - communion - may be among the most controversial, Schaefer said, and that's where his wisdom-beyond-his-years showed. The Missouri Synod does not open its communion service to those outside its church.

Because of his youth, Schaefer said his perspective may differ from his elders.

"My personal stand is that it should not be an area that would cause division," he said.

But before casting his own vote, Schaefer said he wants to listen to those who have been around longer than he so that he can "respect and understand" their point of view.

Schaefer said he hasn't completely made up his mind how he will vote, but the people he represents can be assured his vote will be cast only after thoughtful consideration.

"After much prayer and consideration I'm sure the Holy Spirit will prompt me to make the right decision," he said.

Other delegates may be older than Schaefer, but it's doubtful any will be wiser.