The Big Map, Trademark Style, v. 1.0

And so it begins. The Big Map is back. You'll recall this map from less than a year ago, when district after district passed resolutions regarding the cancellation of Issues, Etc. Now we're doing it over again. Once again, Synod, Inc. is being taken to the woodshed for a little correction in its behavior. Apparently, the first whipping wasn't enough.

This time the districts in red represent those districts that have passed resolutions regarding the mistreatment that Pastor Wilken and Jeff Schwarz have endured at the hands of the Synod over the Issues, Etc. trademark dispute. (See this post if you're unfamiliar.) I'd encourage other districts to speak up as well. I hope this map is short lived, but until the ink is dry on all the legal documents regarding the Issues, Etc. trademark, with a just "resolution" for the Issues, Etc. team, the map lives on.

The Southern Illinois District is leading the pack. Here's a little of what they had to say at their District Convention:

RESOLVED, that the Southern Illinois District gathered in convention at Collinsville, Illinois, this 21st day of February, in the year of our Lord 2009, give thanks and praise to God for the ministry of Issues, Etc. and the hard work of Pastor Wilken and Mr. Schwarz, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Southern Illinois District direct the District President to admonish the Synodical Board of Directors to cease and desist all legal action regarding the Issues, Etc. trademark and legal action against Rev. Wilken and Mr. Schwarz; and be it further

RESOLVED, that Synodical Board of Directors be admonished to be better stewards of donated congregational dollars to be used toward the proclamation and spreading of the Gospel rather than frivolously engaging in legal matters; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Synodical Board of Directors adhere to their published and carried resolution of August 2008, and withdraw its opposition to Mr. Harry Madsen’s application for the trademark “Issues, etc.,” and release the archived programs, and related materials to Rev. Wilken and Mr. Schwarz; and be it finally

RESOLVED, that these actions by the Synodical Board of Directors will bring the recent programming issues to a positive conclusion for all.

Thanks to Pastor Randy Asburry for reporting on this at his blog RAsburry's Res. Thanks to Pastor Michael Kumm for writing the original overture. You can also read the whole thing at The Brothers of John the Steadfast.

Don't forget to sign the petition!