Mark's thoughts: Central Illinois District President arrested for alleged production of child pornography - A pastoral response

 

Good Shepherd members,

 

I am writing in hopes that you receive this news from me first. Yesterday, President Harrison informed the LCMS that Central Illinois District President Michael Mohr was arrested by federal agents on charges of alleged production of child pornography.  We recognize that in our legal system a person is innocent until proven guilty.  As President Harrison indicates, we want every step to be taken by authorities so that the truth of this matter is known.  We expect that serious charges of this particular nature would not be brought unless there was significant evidence to support them.

 

There are occasions when pastors fall in grievous sin that necessitate they be removed from the Office of the Holy Ministry. There was recently another instance of this which directly impacted a Good Shepherd member who is away at college, along with a former Good Shepherd member who is a member of that congregation.  Because this happens, it is important that we recognize what such instances do, and do not mean.

 

Pastors serve in the Office of the Holy Ministry that Christ established (Matthew 28:19-20) to administer the Means of Grace and provide spiritual care for God’s people. As those in ordained into the Office of the Holy Ministry, they have been placed by the Holy Spirit in that particular congregation to feed and care for Christ’s flock that he purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28). These are the people who have been allotted to their care as Christ’s undershepherd (1 Peter 5:1-4). It is Christ’s Office of the Ministry, and they are God’s people. Therefore, pastors will be directly accountable to God on the Last Day for their ministry toward the congregation (Hebrews 13:17). While their salvation is not dependent on this, Scripture is clear that the character of their ministry will be revealed by God and that this has consequences (1 Corinthians 3:5-15).

 

Pastors are Christians, but because they are in the Office of the Holy Ministry they are also in a position that is not like other Christians. As described above, they are directly accountable to God for their conduct as pastors in a way that is not true of other Christians. In addition, they are specifically charged to be examples to God’s people in living the faith (1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:7).  Simply stated, we are to expect more of our pastors as they model what it is to be in Christ. For this reason, Scripture states that only men who have shown themselves to be faithful in their conduct can be admitted into the Office of the Holy Ministry (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).  For this reason as well, men who are in the Office of the Holy Ministry and commit grievous sin that scandalizes the flock must be removed from the Office, and are not eligible to serve as pastors again. They have demonstrated by their behavior that they are unfit to be a pastor.

 

Pastors serve in a position of spiritual authority over those entrusted to their care (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; Acts 20:28). They have been charged by God to feed and care for God’s people. They are to be examples to the congregation of how to live in Christ. When a pastor fails to do so and is guilty of public and grievous sin, this is a great tragedy for a congregation. Their trust has been betrayed by the very one who was placed there to care for them. There is no getting around the fact that this is a painful wound, and it often takes time to heal from this experience.

 

Yet we give thanks in the knowledge that such events do not in any way call into question the acts of ministry that the pastor carried out in the midst of the congregation. It is Christ’s Office of the Holy Ministry.  It is his Means of Grace.  These things are not dependent on the spiritual character of the man through whom Christ administers these gifts in the midst of his people. The Lutheran confessions express this truth beautifully:

Nor does this detract from the efficacy of the sacraments when they are distributed by the unworthy because they represent the person of Christ on account of the call of the church and do not represent their own persons, as Christ himself testifies [Luke 10:16], “Whoever listens to you listens to me.” When they offer the Word of Christ or the sacraments, they offer them in the stead and place of Christ. The words of Christ teach us this so that we are not offended by the unworthiness of ministers (Apology VII/VIII.28).

 

Please keep the congregations of the Central Illinois District in your prayers, along with the Rev. Michael Burdick, the First Vice President of the CID.  Pray for all victims of sexual exploitation, and for law enforcement as they seek to bring truth and justice to this situation. Pray for Michael Mohr, who was a classmate of mine at the seminary.  In his prior public conduct, preaching, and teaching he has been an excellent pastor, and I have considered him a friend. Pray “Come Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20; 1 Corinthians 16:22) as we ask our Lord to bring an end to sin and death.

 

 In Christ,

 

Pastor Surburg