LIBERAL - CONSERVATIVE CONFLICT
WITHIN THE LUTHERAN CHURCH, MISSOURI SYNOD

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Quotation:

About Lutheran denominations:

Almost all Lutherans in the U.S. belong to either:

A "Prayer for America:"

On 2001-SEP-23, less that two weeks after the terrorist attack on New York City, Oprah Winfrey hosted "Prayer for America." It was a meeting of New Yorkers of all faiths -- and none -- in Yankee Stadium. The prayer service was simulcast on large television screens at stadiums in Staten Island and Brooklyn, NY. It was televised on four national networks. It was at a time when attendees at the service, the rest of the nation, and people worldwide were still trying to come to terms with the tragedy. The prayer service naturally had a strong religious tone. Rev. Dr. David Benke of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod called Yankee Stadium a "field of dreams which has now become a House of Prayer." Among the many faiths represented were:

There were also a number of predominately secular speeches by Oprah Winfrey and Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Prayer by Rev. Dr. David Benke of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod:

As noted above, Dr. Benke was one of six Protestant clergy who gave a reflection followed by a prayer. He said:

There is some confusion over the precise words that Dr. Benke said.

A visitor to our site stated that an actual transcription of the prayer included the phrase "a Son." If so, then it could be interpreted in several different ways:

Aside from this theological fine point, Dr. Benke got into a lot of trouble for even delivering a prayer at an inter-faith gathering. Some Lutherans believe that this act granted legitimacy to non-Lutheran beliefs. "Twenty-one Missouri Synod pastors and congregations filed charges against" him. ₁

Response by Rev. Wallace Schulz:

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod suspended Rev. David Benke, one of its high-ranking pastors, both from his position as District President of the Atlantic District and from his position on the Board of Regents for Concordia College in Bronxville, NY. It is not because of what he said that afternoon in Yankee Stadium. It was the fact that there were a number of other clergy present -- Roman Catholic and Protestant Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh -- who also gave meditations and prayers to their deity(s).

He has been charged with two specific errors, both forbidden by the Missouri Synod's 1847 constitution:

There does not appear to be any content in Rev. Benke's prayer itself which contains unionism or syncretism. It was the contribution of prayers and reflections during other parts of the prayer service by Roman Catholic leaders, other Protestants, representatives of non-Christian faiths: Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism.

The denomination is requiring him to apologize to all members of the denomination and to all other Christians. Rev. Wallace Schulz, second vice-president, wrote in the suspension letter: "By President Benke's joining with other pagan clerics in an interfaith service [no matter what the intent might have been], a crystal clear signal was given to others at the event and to thousands more watching by C-Span. The signal was: While there may be differences as to how people worship or pray, in the end, all religions pray to the same God....In brotherly love and admonition. I appeal to you, President Benke, please make a sincere apology to our Lord, to all members of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and to all Christians who are part of Christ's Body. Joining in prayer with pagan clerics in Yankee Stadium was an offense both to God and to all Christians."

Apparently Rev. Schulz was unaware that the prayer service was also carried by CNN and other networks.

The word "pagan" has at least six different meanings. Often, it is a general-purpose snarl word. Apparently Rev. Schutz used the term in its rather rare meaning to refer to the presence of leaders of non-Abrahamic religions. These are religions which do not recognize Abraham as a patriarch. This normally would include everyone other than a Christian, Muslim, or Jew. By this definition, Pagans include Agnostics, Atheists, Buddhists, Hindus, Humanists, Sikhs, Taoists, Wiccans, other Neopagans, etc. About 45% of the people of the world are Pagans, by this definition.

In his letter Schutz referred to: "...President Benke's joining with other pagan clerics in an interfaith service..." As written, it would seem to imply that he considered Rev. Benke to be a Pagan himself. This may well have been a grammatical error -- or it may have been intentional.

Motivation for the suspension:

Reporter Alan Cooperman of the Washington Post suggests that the suspension was related to a conflict between two movements within American Christianity -- one liberal and the other conservative. They are:

Some Missouri Synod personnel have said that many view the charges against Rev. Benke as an attack both on Benke and also on the Rev. Gerald M. Kieschnick. He is the Synod's national president, and is a moderate.

Comments and actions by other Missouri Synod personnel:

What do the Missouri Synod regulations allow?

National President Kieschnick told The Washington Post that he authorized Benke's participation in the interfaith service. "He cited a decision by the synod at its July 2001 convention to allow pastors to participate in civic events as long as they are free to express their religious views." ₁

The synod decision referred to is a document "The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship: A Report on Synodical Discussion." It was unanimously adopted by the Synod's Commission on Theology and Church Relations." It was also "in Resolution 3-07A, commended by [the]...Synod gathered in Convention" in 2001-JUL. ₅ The document refers to instances in which pastors, teachers and other officially recognized church workers are asked to participate in activities which are outside of the Synod's congregational life. The resolution reads: "Some of these are civic events. Offering prayers, speaking and reading Scripture at events sponsored by governments, schools, and volunteer organizations would be a problem if the organization in charge restricted a Christian witness. For instance,. if an invitation requires a pastor to pray to God without mentioning Jesus, he cannot in good conscience accept. Without such a restriction, a Lutheran pastor may for valid and good reason participate in civic affairs such as an inauguration, a graduation, or a right-to-life activity."

Developments during the year 2002:

Rev. David Benke appealed the suspension to a three member conflict resolution team. The appeal will be first heard by a three-member panel. If he is unsuccessful, he can still appeal further to a panel of three district presidents. As of 2002-AUG-22, the initial appeal panel has not yet delivered its decision.

The internal blood-letting continued. In 2002-JUL, the International Lutheran Laymen's League (ILLL) relieved Wallace Schulz from his duties at the ILLL and the Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM). He was suspended with full pay. It has been reported that the ILLL Board of Directors had asked Schulz to not take part in the decision concerning Bekne's suspension. He allegedly ignored the request. LHM Executive Director Rodger Hebermehl said: "The effect of Dr. Schulz's decision has compromised the ministry's mission of Bringing Christ to the Nations - and the Nations to the Church. Lutheran Hour Ministries is seeking a swift, fair, God-pleasing resolution that will resolve these matters and restore the confidence of our donors, pastors and lay people." ₆

Also in July, the LCMS removed the gag order, and started to publish information on the Benke case on their

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