Harrison is a Great Guy!

So far we’ve made the case that Rev. Matt Harrison:

is a PASTOR first, and GETS THE JOB DONE.

But one more thing – Matt Harrison is a GREAT GUY who people like, trust and respect.

People from all sectors of Synod respect him and love to work with him. He manages a devoted staff of three dozen, works with 120 Recognized Service Organizations, and coordinates the efforts of districts and other departments.

He’s a “uniter” who recognizes that different people have different things to offer. He understands how doctrine and missions work together and should never be separated.

Harrison manages complicated international projects from Africa to Indonesia and unites people with different languages, governments and cultures toward common goals.

He works effectively with ELCA partner institutions, without compromising doctrinal integrity. And he works well with Roman Catholic and other church bodies in areas where efforts are best shared.

And, he’s an accomplished banjo player and woodworker who has made his own canoe!

Won’t you join us in nominating Matt Harrison for LCMS President?

Matt Harrison Gets the Job Done

Matt Harrison GETS THE JOB DONE.

Rev. Harrison runs LCMS World Relief and Human Care — one of Synod’s largest departments awarding $51
million in grants over the past five years.

Despite the tough fundraising environment, Rev. Harrison raises money from small and large individual donors as well as sizeable grant making institutions. In addition to a wide variety of fundraising methods, he knows how to use of the media to get his message out.

He ran the LCMS national response to Katrina, the largest disaster response in the history of the Synod.

He manages LCMS participation in chaplaincy programs as well as national pro-life efforts.

Matt founded an inner-city neighborhood renewal project in the state’s poorest area that has built 20 new homes, cleaned up 40 vacant and dilapidated buildings, welcomed a new library, and renovated a school to house 60 needy seniors.

He co-founded a group effort to purchase a Reformation-era boys school and renovate it for a mission start for the LCMS German partner church (SELK). The center will provide guest accommodations, visitor hospitality, bookstore, lecture rooms and a diakonic office.

His post-graduate work includes media skills training and a Harvard seminar in non-profit management.

Won’t you join us in nominating Rev. Matt Harrison for LCMS President in 2010?

PASTOR Matt Harrison

Matt Harrison is a PASTOR first and foremost:

He has experience of over one decade as a parish pastor, including a rural congregation and an inner-city congregation with a school.

Rev. Harrison brings a scholarly background that includes an STM with a thesis on the theology of Herman Sasse.

He writes prolifically. His published works demonstrate remarkable theological gravitas. He’s written and edited numerous books on everything from the doctrine of the Office of Holy Ministry to Christian charity in the ancient and modern church. He’s also authored pamphlets and magazine articles for lay readers. He’s a popular keynote speaker at Lutheran functions, from youth gatherings to scholarly symposia.

He’s translated dozens of works by Chemnitz, Sasse, Loescher, Hoeppl, and other theologians. His well-loved translation of Gerhard’s Meditations on Divine Mercy is one such highlight. Served the LCMS at the circuit, district, and synodical level.

He spent a year as a missionary to a remote Cree Indian village 100 miles past the end of the road in northwest Ontario, Canada.

He oversaw his church’s inner-city parochial school with a classical curriculum. That school was upheld as a model in a profile in the Wall Street Journal for overcoming numerous obstacles.

He oversaw 25 field work students from the seminary while serving numerous seminary professors as their pastor.

Won’t you join us in supporting Pastor Matt Harrison for President of the LCMS?

Nomination Time!

Nomination forms have been mailed to all congregations. We now have until March 10th, 2010 to return completed Ballots.

Remember:
1. Each congregation can nominate up to two names for President and 1st VP. If Harrison isn’t your only nominee, he should be at least one of them!

2. We suggest Rev. Herb Mueller, Southern Illinois DP as a nominee for 1st VP. He shares a similar vision of the LCMS as Rev. Harrison.

3. If you don’t know your congregation’s process for determining its nominees, ask questions! Usually your pastor knows whether the Council or Voters or some other group handles this. Put in a good word for Rev. Harrison and Rev. Mueller!

4. Here’s the specific info you will need for the form:

Rev. Matthew Harrison, Ballwin, MO

Rev. Herbert Mueller Jr., Waterloo, IL

Blessings in Christ!

Harrison, History and Harmony

“Ask the Pastor” has a nice piece on why Rev. Harrison is THE man for the job:

http://happenings.xrysostom.com/2009/10/harrison-history-and-harmony.html

Harrison And Mueller

The time for congregations to begin the nomination process is quickly approaching.

I’d like to humbly offer some suggestions as that time arrives:

1. Find out how and when your congregation will decide whom to nominate.
2. Encourage your congregation to nominate Rev. Harrison for president!
3. Each congregation may submit two names for nomination as President. Even if Harrison isn’t the only name your congregation suggests, he should be one of them!
4. Remember the nomination process closes in March of 2010.

It’s also worth thinking about nominations for other offices, in particular 1st Vice President. This is the only full-time VP position, and a key leader who can greatly assist the president.

We suggest each congregation nominates Rev. Herbert Mueller of the Southern Illinois District.

Rev. Herb Mueller

Rev. Mueller has served many years as a faithful District President and is well respected throughout the synod. You can see him in action here at the SID pastors conference, where he presented along with Rev. Harrison on the topic of “A Theological Approach to Unity“.

You can also read a bio of Rev. Mueller here.

A Theological Approach to Unity

The following from ItIsTime.org :

The Southern Illinois District Pastoral Conference Spring Session was held on 30 April 2009 on the feast of St. Philip and St. James (translated) at Camp Wartburg. The theme for the conference was “A Theological Approach to Unity” presented by Rev. Matthew C. Harrison and District President, Rev. Herbert Mueller.The conference agenda can be downloaded here:

Agenda: A Theological Approach to Unity

Rev. Herbert Mueller, Southern Illinois District President, presented for the first 30 minutes. He presented on how the way the Missouri Synod church leaders handled the election controversy, particuarly in the 1880s, could serve as a model for theological unity today.

Click here for video of the presentation

Itistime.org

Rev. Harrison is widely in demand for speaking engagements, at pastors’ conferences, district conventions, and other events around the synod.

You can hear and read his stuff at this central clearing-house: http://itistime.org/

There’s a schedule of his upcoming speaking events and lots of web-streaming video and other helpful resources. You should check it out!

It’s Time Audio

If you haven’t had time yet to read Rev. Harrison’s piece, “It’s Time”, you can listen to it at:
http://itistime.org/

It’s available online or for download in mp3 format.

Also on the website is Chapter 1 of the Christ Have Mercy DVD.

“It’s Time” Resources

Rev. Harrison’s paper, “It’s Time”, and related resources (text, audio, video), can be found at www.itistime.org