Kieschnick Calls on Schulz to Reverse Benke Suspension
Edited by Rev. Jack Cascione

 

As you read the information from President Kieschnick note that Kieschnick has not sent out Schulz's reasons for suspending Benke. Kieschnick is putting Schulz on trial in the media. It was Kieschnick who originally released all of the information about LCMS pastors filing charged against Benke to the media last fall.

The following Release is from The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod Board for Communication Services:

LCMSNews -- No. 38
July 12, 2002

Kieschnick calls on Schulz to reverse Benke suspension

By David L. Mahsman

Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod Second Vice President Wallace Schulz has suspended Atlantic District President David Benke over his participation in a post-Sept. 11 event at Yankee Stadium.

But Synod President Gerald Kieschnick says Schulz's action violates a resolution adopted by last year's Synod convention. Kieschnick has written to Schulz asking that his action be "altered or reversed."

Schulz placed Benke on suspended status June 25 in a case related to Benke's participation in "A Prayer for America" last Sept. 23 at Yankee Stadium. Benke offered a prayer at the event, which included participation by Christian and non-Christian clergy, political leaders and entertainers.

A Jan. 30 majority vote of the Synod's praesidium -- the president and five vice presidents -- gave responsibility to Schulz for investigating charges that had been brought against Benke by a number of LCMS pastors and congregations. The complaints allege that Benke is guilty of a variety of charges, including "unionism" and "syncretism."

Benke has asked that his case be heard and resolved, in effect appealing the suspension. The process outlined in the Synod's Bylaws calls for a three-member "Dispute Resolution Panel" to hear the case. The three would be selected by blind draw from among a Synodwide pool of trained "reconcilers" appointed by the districts.

There has been no indication how quickly a panel might be established.

Suspension means that Benke has been relieved of his district and Synod duties, while he remains pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Brooklyn. A ruling in favor of Benke by the Dispute Resolution Panel would lift the suspension. A ruling against him would lead to his removal from the Synod's clergy roster unless a review panel were to reverse such a decision.

In a "Pastoral Letter to the Synod," Kieschnick wrote that he is "hereby advising the Synod that I have no choice but to `call up for review' Dr. Schulz's action of placing President David H. Benke on suspended status for the purpose of requesting that his action be `altered or reversed.'"

The letter was sent July 9 via e-mail to LCMS church workers, officials and congregations. At the time that this LCMSNews release was sent, a printed version was being prepared for mailing. It also is available on the Synod's Website, http://www.lcms.org.

Kieschnick in his letter invokes a Synod bylaw (3.101, B, 5) that directs the president to "call up for review any action by an individual officer ... which, in his view, may be in violation of the Constitution, Bylaws and resolutions of the Synod ...."

Last year's Synod convention adopted a resolution (3-07A), that commends "for continued use and guidance" two documents on church-fellowship issues from the Commission on Theology and Church Relations and the late LCMS President A.L. Barry. One includes a discussion of "cases of discretion," stating in part, "Not every occasion where worship takes place is necessarily a manifestation of church fellowship."

"Dr. Benke's decision to participate in the Yankee Stadium event was made following consultation with his ecclesiastical supervisor and other advisors, who provided counsel to him based on the Constitution of the Synod and 2001 Resolution 3-07A," Kieschnick wrote.

"... Vice President Schulz has suspended President Benke without even addressing the question of whether he has acted contrary to the doctrine and practice of the Synod as presented in Resolution 3-07A. As an officer of the Synod Dr. Schulz is bound to honor and uphold the resolutions of the Synod. Accordingly, any decision which he might make regarding the suspension of an LCMS pastor MUST be based on the understanding of what the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions teach AS DETERMINED BY THE LUTHERAN CHURCH--MISSOURI SYNOD IN ITS CONSTITUTION, BYLAWS AND SYNODICAL RESOLUTIONS," Kieschnick wrote, adding the emphasis (where capitalized). "This he has not done in his action of suspending President Benke."

Contacted at his home July 10, Schulz said that he has "no response" to Kieschnick's letter.

Kieschnick is visiting the Atlantic District yesterday (July 11) and today (July 12) to meet with Benke's congregation, as well as with the Atlantic District Board of Directors and the board of regents, faculty and staff of Concordia College, Bronxville, N.Y.

"The purpose of these meetings will be to encourage these members of the Synod, to demonstrate evangelical, pastoral concern for them during this stressful time, and to assure them of the love and support of the members of the Synod and of the Council of Presidents, including the synodical president," Kieschnick wrote in his letter to the Synod.

Atlantic District First Vice President Charles Froehlich, pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Church, Dix Hill, N.Y., has taken up the district president's responsibilities as a result of Benke's suspension.

In a letter to the people of the district, Froehlich wrote that he is assuming the responsibilities "in full support of Dr. Benke's action, with the expectation that the suspension will be removed and Dr. Benke will be fully exonerated."

Froehlich's letter is posted on the district's Website, http://www.lcms.org


Rev. Jack Cascione is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church (LCMS - MI) in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. He has written numerous articles for Christian News and is the author of Reclaiming the Gospel in the LCMS: How to Keep Your Congregation Lutheran. He has also written a study on the Book of Revelation called In Search of the Biblical Order.
He can be reached by email at pastorcascione@juno.com.

July 13, 2002