'Oakland Four' Sued by LCMS - Interview by Rev. Cascione (first half)

On September 1, 2009 Rev. Jack Cascione interviewed four ladies, known as the Oakland Four Sharon Bowles, Mary-Ann Hill, Portia Ridgeway, and Celia Moyer, who are being sued personally by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod for their church property. The suit is filed by LCMS attorney Sherri Strand at the direction of LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick.

The interview is in two parts and took place in the chancel of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Oakland California . After the current decline in property values, their church property, once worth 12 million dollars, is now worth 6 million dollars. Their court date is March 22, 2010.

They have hired the law firm of Duane Morris in San Francisco . So far they have spent $220,000 defending themselves. Their attorneys Paul Nelson and William Webster can be contacted at pdnelson@duanemorris.com and bwebster@wWebsterLaw.com. Pastor Jack Cascione of Redeemer Lutheran Church can be contacted at pastorcascione@juno.com. Sharon Bowles a member of the congregation who is being sued by the LCMS can be contacted at airshay2@cs.com .

The July 2007 LCMS Convention adopted Resolution 8-02A titled To Affirm Christian Resolution of Disputes. The resolution states: The use of the Synods conflict resolution procedures shall be the exclusive and final remedy for those who are in dispute.

The resolution also states the Synod and the COP have the right to sue congregations for their property if they try to leave the Synod as follows: In the agreement to live and work together, a member of the Synod is required to rely exclusively and fully on the Synods system of reconciliation and conflict resolution. Unless the dispute is one concerning property rights . . .

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• LCMS
• Pastor Jack Cascione
• Redeemer Lutheran Church
• Oakland

[ORLCoakland]

@ Petrakid

These are exactly the kind of replies we expect from LCMS hypocrites who lie to the world that they are against suing fellow Christians in 2007 Resolution 8-02A To Affirm Christian Resolution of Disputes and then publicly insult the women the LCMS takes to court. The LCMS says their vote to leave the Synod was invalid but they cant have dispute resolution because they left the Synod, so the LCMS cult-leaders can sue them.

[ORLCoakland]

We thank God that He has preserved a court system in America, independent of the church, where vicious hypocritical LCMS District Presidents, who tell the world it is a sin to take your Christian brother to court, are not able to seize church property.

[ORLCoakland]

Its amazing to see the slander and misrepresentation of the facts thrown at these women. They had the courage to repent in public for using a woman minister, after the Synod said they couldnt have a pastor. They have spent $220,000 defending themselves against the LCMS who is listed a plaintiff. The LCMS President writes he is not suing them. This proves how difficult it to get people out from the influence of cult leaders.-- I didnt leave the Synod, I was kicked out. Rev. Jack Cascione

[motherandfatherof3]

Unbelievable! I have one word for the synod : GREED - Proverbs 23:1-10

[TheAnikabella]

Yes FBN this is the question we should be considering: "why is the Synod suing anyone in an aggresive way to steal property?" These women are precious. I am going to lift them up in prayer!

[Marksnotebook]

Once you start straying away from God you will have a watered down religion. What hymnal is it that they are using? IS it a lutheran hymnal? Do they believe in ordaining gays? Do they believe in liberalism? If so then they are straying away from the LCMS. LCMS says no women preachers. You either go by LCMS doctrine and rules or get out. This seems to be a classical example of a bunch of ole biddies who want liberalism. Sorry THEY are wrong. NOT the LCMS. The devil is at work.

[jamesgoldson]

The congregation is not the Church. It is a part of the Church. The Church is the Holy Ministry!

And the Synod is doing right. And the district president must not give a pastor to any unhealthy congregation or rebellious congregation against the pastor.

[jamesgoldson]

This is a shame! But all this shit is caused by some stupid part of Lutheranism! First, many Lutherans misunderstand the priesthood of all believers, so that many of Lutherans think anyone can preach the Word and administrate the Sacraments. Second, moronic Waltherians think the congregation is the Church, having authority even over the Holy Ministry. Aren't these shit really stupid and distortion and abuse of the Scriptures? Read the Scriptures carefully. The authority is given to the Ministry!

[patriotress58]

Is there anywhere we can hear the response from someone in Synod? None of this makes any sense. Our church is not in the habit of randomly suing members.

[tainorebelde1]

@petrakid

Oh, now you're playing the pity party. How the heck would you know how I would feel? I would take your stuff and donate it to the poor, IMMEDIATELY, which is a reason for REJOICING!!

Stop the Bull- send me an email on my youtube account with your name, and I will contact you. You know Im legitamate, since we both know the persons I mentioned.

Dont waste my time any longer with your pious claims...its time to pay the piper...hypocrite.

Send me your information. stop the bull.

[petrakid]

@tainorebelde1 Look if you want it this badly, then by all means come get it - you MUST need it or you wouldn't demand it; after all you're my fellow saint in Christ who wouldn't break the 9th commandment guiltlessly, not to mention the 7th and the 1st. You really truly must need it, my brother, to make such demands. Shoot, it's worth more to you than me, and you would certainly use it for good, so who am I to say no?

[petrakid]

@tainorebelde1 And if you think this is about piety, then you really don't know me at all. If you were to drive away from here with all my stuff, you would feel like the biggest piece of dog sh$# that ever dropped. I'm not trying to prove a point, nor am I trying to make myself look better. This is just who I am - I like to give, and I don't understand why others are greedy and would rather destroy a church than serve and work to promote peace and unity and Gospel.

[tainorebelde1]

@petrakid

You still dont get it. You want to attach a "need" to my wanting your property... TA need is not a REQUIRMENT. The only thing "required" is the DEMAND. ...and I DEMAND everything you have.

Now, stop running around like a dog chasing his tail. Send me your name and I will deal with you directly- and talk to you outside of this forum.

For the record- you will not send me your name because you ar a HYPOCRITE.

[petrakid]

@tainorebelde1 Then come. Unfortunately I don't have 1K dollars (poor college student who already paid tuition and is left with no funds). But I can pay for your hotel - actually since you're coming, I'll make the arrangements myself to get you in one of the guest dorms; its the least I could do. You won't need much of a vehicle; I don't have much to give you, but what I do have is all yours. And if the needs is great enough, I could even go further.

[tainorebelde1]

Hey folks....petrakid will give you an example of a purely DETACHED Christian by willingly giving me all his, or rather, the "Lord's" possessions!! I'll be driving to the Seminary in order to pick up all his belongings PLUS an extra $1,000.00!!! YES!!

A true "Christian" indeed!!! ;-D