Who is Paula Kammerstein who knows so much about the Benke Case?

By: Rev. Jack Cascione

Paula Kammerstein claims to the author of: "A Handbook on the Synod Controversy: What's REALLY going On?

"She" writes with the skill of some one highly informed on the issues of the Benke case and has analyzed the events with a great deal of theological insight.

The article was received in an envelope with a Fort Wayne Indiana postmark. This public document has been widely circulated throughout the Synod.  The entire article was published in the March 3, 2003 issue of Christian News. Additional copies of the article in a booklet form, as originally published, may be purchased from Christian News by calling 573-237-3110 or emailing cnmail@fidnet.com

At this time we do not know whom Paula Kammerstein is or if there actually is a Paula Kammerstein.

Reclaim News has also received a phone call from an official in the Synodical headquarters explaining that it is impossible to prove the following assertions near the end of the article:

" At the direction of Dr. Kieschnick, Tom Lapacka, David Mahsman, and David Strand, (key leaders in charge of the synod's communication department), are spinning every story in Dr. Kieschnick's favor, intentionally omitting important facts and failing to do justice to the other side of the story. Mahsman, in particular, has several LCMS communications staff working directly for Dr. Kieschnick as his personal PR team.  Mahsman has a long history of opposition to Dr. Barry, refusing to cooperate fully when Dr. Barry wanted to "get the message straight," and "get the message out."

We agree with the caller from St. Louis that the writer gives no evidence to prove the above assertions.  Perhaps the author actually works in the Synodical Headquarters.

There is also no question that President Kieschnick did indeed write his own letter to the Synod about the Benke case thus interfering with and publicizing the assigned constitutional task of the Praesidium.  Kieschnick's publicity resulted in Wallace Schulz being fired from the LLL.  There isalso no question that the LCMS communication's department was the first to release information about the confidential charges filed by LCMS pastors against Benke to the Media in November of 2001.

"Paula Kammerstein" has lot of information.  We recommend this important document for your examination, but without further substantiation of the accusations the paragraph in question must be rejected.

March 13, 2003