The ACELC exists "to give a united voice against errors that are officially adopted in convention, tolerated, and/or promoted in the LCMS.”

Announcing The Water Dissen Pastoral Assistance Fund

In July of 2010, shortly after the Association of Confessing Evangelical Congregations (ACELC) was formed, the congregations and individuals who made up the organization identified 10 errors of doctrine and practice that were present in the LCMS. Their primary purpose was to give a united voice against these errors. Among these errors was the unbiblical removal of Pastors from their Calls.

Because of the generosity of the Walter C. Dissen Charitable Trust, the ACELC is pleased to announce the establishment of the Walter Dissen Pastoral Assistance Fund. The purpose of this fund is to provide short-term financial support for pastors who were improperly removed from, or forced to resign, their God-given Calls.

Walter C. Dissen, a faithful lay leader in the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, died in August of 2023. His service to the Synod included terms on the Board of Regents of both seminaries: St. Louis (1971–1983; 2013–2019) and Ft. Wayne (1995–2007). Dissen also served on the LCMS Commission on Appeals from 1983 to 1995. Coincidentally, the Commission on Appeals was eliminated by the Dispute Resolution Process established by the Synod in 1992. The Dispute Resolution Process is another of the errors identified by the ACELC.

Well known for his staunch support of orthodox Lutheranism, especially the issues Biblical inerrancy and authority, Walter Dissen was active in the Synod to eliminate the errors associated with Higher Criticism and the causes that led to the 1974 walkout at the St. Louis Seminary. One press release following his death noted Dissen “stoutly defended the infallible truth of God’s Word against higher criticism and other false teachings.”

The Walter C. Dissen Charitable Trust was established to assist Confessional Lutheran organizations in furthering their mission and purpose. The ACELC is just one of many Lutheran organizations which are the beneficiaries of the Trust.

The details of the Walter Dissen Pastoral Assistance Fund, and an application for assistance, are available on the ACELC website. The members of the ACELC remain troubled by the fact that at times pastors are improperly removed or forced from their Calls for being faithful to Christ and His Word. By this sinful removal, Satan seeks to silence their voice and mute their proclamation of the truth. In accordance with the guidance from James 2, we pray that the Walter Dissen Pastoral Assistance Fund will assist pastors in feeding and clothing their families, and thus, allow them to abide in the faithful confession of truth.