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THE
LUTHERAN CHURCH-MISSOURI SYNOD
International
Center
1333
South Kirkwood Road
Saint
Louis, Missouri 63122
Office
of the Fourth Vice President
September
23, 2003
Dear
Brothers in Christ:
A
few months ago the case brought by several complainants against
those who organized and authorized an interfaith prayer service in
the Chapel of the Resurrection at Valparaiso University was
appealed to the Praesidium of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
After discussion with the District President of the Indiana
District, expressing the need for a clearer resolution to the
matter, President Sims provided the Praesidium with further
clarity concerning the response of the defendants (sic)
to his discussion with them and his findings in the case:
On
the basis of President Sims' most recent clarifications, the
Praesidium voices the following understanding concerning the case
brought against those who authorized, organized and conducted the
interfaith prayer service held on September 11, 2002.
--The
service that took place was indeed worship of a unionistic and
syncretistic nature. Thus, the charges of the complainants were
upheld by President Sims who has stated, "I found in favor of
the complainants (there
was
worship and syncretism involved)."
--The
defendants expressed sincere repentance for the wrong that they
did in. authorizing and conducting the service. President Sims has
reported, "I received that repentance verbally in the
presence of Reverend Dan May, and Reverend Mark Ptlughoeft (two of
my vice presidents) and I received it in writing."
The
Praesidium considers this matter to have been concluded and can
now report that those, who provided a setting within which
blasphemy was uttered and syncretistic worship occurred, have
repented of their wrong. It is a genuine blessing when Christian
admonition results in repentance and restoration.
The
Praesidium urges all within our Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod to
continue to honor our Scriptural doctrine and practice of
fellowship in our walk together in order that our Triune God may
be glorified and the Gospel of Jesus Christ be proclaimed clearly
throughout the world.
Dr.
Paul L. Maier,
Secretary,
LCMS Praesidium
Sent
to:
Rev.
Jack A. Kozak, Hope Lutheran Church, Akron,OH
Rev.
Theodore Staudacher,
Lake
Leelanau, MI
Rev.
Paul A. Bartz, Trinity Lope Oak Lutheran Church, Eagan, MN
Rev.
Ted L. Crandall, Parris Island, South Carolina
Rev.
Jeffery W. Grams, St. John Lutheran Church, Scottsbluff, NE
Rev.
Richard C. Kreitenstein, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Tupelo, MS
Rev.
Timothy D. May, St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, WI
Rev.
Peter Mills, Grace Lutheran Church, Akron, OH
Rev.
Martin K. Moehring, St. Peter Lutheran Church,pecatur, IN
Zion
Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kokomo, IN
Rev.
Joseph Cunningham, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
Rev.
Don Williams, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Valparaiso, IN
Rev.
Stephen Bongard, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Valparaiso, IN
Rev.
James Wetzstein, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gary, IN
Rev.
Dr. Alan Harre, President, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
Rev.
Daniel May, President of the Indiana District"
Members
of the Praesidium
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