Atlantic District Threatens Disciplinary Action

By: Rev. Jack Cascione

 

November 3, 2003

Rev. J. Cascione

Redeemer Lutheran Church

30003 Jefferson Avenue

Saint Clair Shores , Mi. 48082

 

Dear Rev. Cascione:

I am writing in response to your letter of October 22.  I am writing on behalf of the Praesidium of the Atlantic District.  Please note that your response was received by forwarded email, not from you as email, well before we received the letter you sent.  Common courtesy would indicate that you avoid publication of correspondence directed to us prior to our receiving it, thereby allowing us to receive it in the manner in which you send it to us.  Synodical “walking together” would question whether you should publish private correspondence, period.  Regardless, your mode of publication prior to reception by us is disrespectful and unprofessional.

You answer our Christian concerns by asking a question.  This kind of deflection is unhelpful.  We find our District President to be an orthodox, confessional Lutheran theologian.  You would have to direct to him any questions you have about statements you as publisher believe emanate from him and are appropriate for publication with permission, as you have ascertained.  The issue at hand concerns your conduct.

We are addressing you and Rev. Henrickson, to adjure you individually, and as Conference Planner and Presenter, to cease and desist from calls to repentance upon David Benke that the LCMS ecclesiastical courts, the Bible, and Lutheran Confessions state plainly is not required.  Please understand that even should you not use the term, “unrepentant sinner”, the tone of the presentation as advertised is hurtful and wrong.  President Benke along with each and all of us is a sinner in need of God’s grace.  However, in this case the Synod has cleared him of all charges and he is a member in good standing of the LCMS.  “Walking together” in the Synod means that we accept this, even if there are disagreements.

We encourage dialog in the Atlantic District.  Dialog, however, has multiple points of view.  The presentation as advertised, especially with ultimate “solutions” is not characteristic of dialog.  Should you go ahead as planned, it would appear that you are questioning a dispute resolution process that is final, as ruled by Synodical bylaw and reinforced by recent Commission on Constitutional Matters decision.  If you continue in this manner, you are in grave danger of violating our Synodical walking together in a significant and injurious way.  Should this be the case, we reserve the right to follow all appropriate means of ecclesiastical disciplinary action.

Sincerely ours in Christ,

Robert Hartwell, Vice President

Atlantic District, LCMS

For the Praesidium

CC: Rev. Henrickson; Board of Directors of the Atlantic District, Praesidium of the Atlantic District

 

November 10, 2003