Romans 13 and the Northwest District (LCMS)

I have mentioned previously about the efforts of  the Northwest District President Paul Linneman to claim that Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Spokane was a dissolved/ closed congregation.   If  Gloria Dei no longer exists, than by virtue of the congregation's Bylaws, its real property would apparently belong to the District.  If, however, Gloria Dei Lutheran is still an active congregation, then the District would have no claim to its property.

The District still claims the congregation is gone, in spite of its continuing to meet each Sunday.  But the Corporations Division of the Washington Secretary of State's Office apparently has determined otherwise.  The agency has concluded Gloria Dei remains an active congregation.   The status of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church can be found at this site: http://www.sos.wa.gov/corps/corps_search.aspx
Which brings us to Romans 13:1-10, the epistle text for the  12th Sunday after Pentecost.  

 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.  For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

I am sure that even the Northwest District does not claim that it has the authority to determine when a congregation, a non-profit corporation, is legally active   That authority belongs solely to the civil authority established for that purpose. It now remains to be seen whether the Northwest District will respect the admonition of scripture, voluntarily acknowledge its error, and return possession and title of the property to the congregation.