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Position Statements in the Conflict with the Alaska Synod Bishops of the Congregation Council of Resurrection Lutheran Church, Juneau, Alaska
Background of the Conflict
In 2024, a small group of detractors at RLC, having failed to secure a legitimate majority on the council, resorted to bullying tactics to install themselves as the council officers. Although they were later lawfully removed from office, then-Alaska Synod Bishop Shelley Wickstrom, acting without such authority, reappointed the ousted president to facilitate an unconstitutional congregational vote—using an improperly announced 51% threshold instead of the required two-thirds majority—to terminate Pastor Karen Perkins’ call. This occurred just weeks before Bishop Wickstrom’s retirement.
The RLC Council rejected this unlawful attempt to remove Pastor Perkins. However, newly installed Alaska Synod Bishop Timothy Oslovich has shielded efforts to remove Pastor Perkins and, possibly in covert coordination with Bishop Wickstrom, has attempted to retroactively justify these unconstitutional actions through a distorted adjudication process that obscured the violations and substituted judgement inconsistent with our denomination. This process was weaponized to illegitimately validate the unconstitutional acts of Bishop Wickstrom, ultimately leading to:
• the removal of Pastor Perkins from the (ordained) roster – forcing her to decide between church bureaucracy and legal, ethical concerns;
• the confusing (and unconstitutional) appointment of a part-time interim pastor for RLC;
• the continuation of undocumented, non-transparent, and exclusionary “meetings” at RLC;
• an unconstitutional and hastily called 2025 “annual meeting,” orchestrated to install a new council loyal to the detractors and to pass a 2025 budget (without accounting for 2024); and
• emboldened aggressive, destructive actions perpetuated through bullying, bluffing and relentlessness, but with no legitimate authority.
Constitutional Overview
Why This Is a Governance Dispute – Not an Ecclesiastical One
This dispute arises from efforts by a small faction within Resurrection Lutheran Church (RLC) —backed by former Bishop Shelley Wickstrom and, more recently, Bishop Timothy Oslovich—to bypass RLC’s constitutionally defined governance by unlawfully removing Pastor Karen Perkins and reasserting control over ministries and finances.
Key Constitutional Violations
1. Unauthorized Congregational Meeting (June 9, 2024)
• Violation: Called by bishop without council authorization; used a 51% vote threshold to “end call” (C9.05 requires 2/3).
• Status: Actions taken at this meeting are void under RLC’s constitution.
2. Improper Reappointment of Council Officers
• Violation: The bishop cannot appoint or reappoint council officers (C11.01.01 requires council election of officers).
• Result: Lisa Brendle’s “reappointment” as president had no legal basis.
3. Term Limit Breach
• Violation: Lisa Brendle exceeded the six-year term limit for council service in 2024 (C12.02).
• Result: She was ineligible to serve or preside over meetings; all subsequent actions taken under her authority are void.
4. Interference with Ministry Programs and Grants
• Over $205,000 in restricted grants (Rasmuson Foundation, Alaska Food Network, CBJ Youth Activities Board) were unlawfully removed from RLC accounts.
• Ministries such as food services, shelter support, and broadcast programs were endangered—contradicting the church’s mission.
Why This Is a Legal (Not Ecclesiastical) Dispute
• The Alaska Superior Court accepted this case under neutral principles of law, not ecclesiastical abstention.
• The dispute centers on constitutional compliance, fiduciary responsibility, and non-profit governance.
• Neither the RLC Constitution nor the Alaska Synod Constitution authorizes the bishop to override congregational officer elections or ignore term limits.
What RLC Seeks
• Restoration of constitutional governance, financial accountability, and rightful leadership.
• Public acknowledgment from the Synod that constitutional processes were violated.
• A commitment to reconciliation through the rule of law and congregational autonomy.
Download RLC One-Page Constitutional Overview
The True Governance of RLC
While this group of detractors claims authority, I, as President, along with the majority of the legitimate RLC Council (supported by the majority of the congregation), have continued to:
• hold all regularly scheduled council meetings with full transparency;
• share all agendas, reports, and minutes with the entire council; and
• ensure equal and open access to all council members and congregation members.
Summary and Index Addendums
To help interested parties understand the full scope of this conflict, the RLC Council has adopted a series of detailed position statements. These statements are described and summarized in these two addendums (click on the links to download):
• Helpful Summaries to the RLC Council Position Statements
• Index to RLC Council Position Statements and Addendums
RLC Council Position Statements
These position statements provide a comprehensive explanation of the constitutional violations, governance issues, and ongoing legal matters affecting RLC (click on the links to download):
• Understanding Constitutional Violations
• Authoritarianism, Secrecy and Complicity
• Challenge to Act Justly, Seek Truth and Fulfill Fiduciary Duty
• What Happens Next and Your Involvement
• Synod Assembly 2025 Resolutions and Reports (Addendum Lawfer Statement to Assembly)
RLC Council and Congregation Member Statements
These statements provide personal perspective on how the actions of bishops (and those who follow them) have affected these members of RLC (click on the links to download):
• Congregation President Karen Lawfer
• (Pastor) Karen Perkins
• Music Director, Lucy Merrell
Urgent Call for Support and Integrity in Church Governance
• Download Letter to Pastors, Presidents, Councils and Congregations of the Alaska Synod (and other synods) of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America sent on April 25, 2025.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Karen Lawfer, President RLC, klawfer@gci.net, (907) 723-2123
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The RLC Council Position Statements have been prepared by Congregation Counsel of Resurrection Lutheran Church Council and adopted as an official position statement by the Council on information and belief, subject to reasonable amendment by Counsel, with concurrence of the Congregation President.