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Kieschnick Reports on Benke
Office of the President Memo To: LCMS District Presidents Date: June 27, 2002 Re: A District President on Suspended Status Dear Brothers in Christ: In conformity with my Constitutional and Bylaw responsibilities as his ecclesiastical supervisor, I am hereby writing to inform you of the specific implications of the suspended status of Dr. David H. Benke. Due to my absence from the office for the next several days, I'm sending this communication to you prior to my leaving St. Louis early Friday morning, June 28. By the time you read this memo, you hopefully will have received or soon will receive official notification from Rev. Charles W. Froehlich, First Vice President of the Atlantic District, of Dr. Benke's suspended status. A ruling of the Synod's Commission on Constitutional Matters has charged Rev. Froehlich with the responsibility of notifying "in writing, the President of the Synod and all other District Presidents of the affected member's suspended status" (Bylaw 2.25 d. 2.). As you will recall, Second Vice President Wallace Schulz was charged on January 30, 2002, by majority vote of the LCMS Vice Presidents with the responsibility to "thoroughly investigate whether the allegations" against Dr. Benke in connection with his participation in an event at Yankee Stadium on September 23, 2001, could be substantiated and whether they "could lead to the expulsion of a member from the Synod under Article XIII of the Constitution" (Bylaw 2.27 a. and g.). Vice President Schulz, in his letter to Dr. Benke of June 25, 2002, has declared that Dr. Benke should have suspended status, and has informed Dr. Benke of his right within a 15-day period "to advise the Secretary of the Synod that there is a desire to have the matter heard and resolved" (Bylaw 2.27 c. 2. c.). Synodical Bylaw 2.25 addresses the duties, responsibilities and eligibilities of a member of the Synod while on suspended status: c. An individual member of the Synod on suspended status shall 1. be relieved of duties as a member of the Synod (e.g., as a delegate to a District or synodical convention, as a member of any District or synodical board or commission); 2. be relieved of the duties and responsibilities which the member holds with the Synod, District, or other agency of the Synod; 3. be ineligible to accept a call to any other position of service in the Synod; 4. continue to be eligible to perform those duties and responsibilities of any other position held by the member, including a position with a member congregation, which such member held at the time when placed on suspended status. Accordingly, as indicated in Bylaw 2.25 b., "until membership is duly terminated or the formal proceedings are completed favorably to the member...", Dr. Benke is relieved of his duties and responsibilities as Atlantic District President, as a member of the Atlantic District Board of Directors and of the Board of Regents of Concordia University, Bronxville. He continues to be eligible to perform his duties and responsibilities as Pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, NY. Again, in conformity with my Constitutional and Bylaw responsibilities, I plan to travel to New York to visit with the Atlantic District Board of Directors, the Concordia University, Bronxville, Board of Regents and the members of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Brooklyn. The purpose of this trip will be to encourage these members of the Synod, to demonstrate love and support for them during this stressful time, to be certain they understand the process of appeal available to Dr. Benke and to assure them of the love and support of the members of the Synod and of the Council of Presidents. Please remember that visit, tentatively scheduled for July 11-12, in your prayers. (Editorial Note From Rev. Al Loeschman * * * Will Dr. Kieschnick encourage Dr. Benke to repent of his sins and resign from his Distric position and perhaps the clergy roster as a "fruit of true repentance?" Or will this be just another administrative and constitution challenge to be bypassed?) And while you're at it, please remember Dave and Judy, as well as the other leaders and members of the Atlantic District, Concordia, Bronxville, and St. Peter Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, in your prayers. (Editorial Note From Rev. Al Loeschman * * * Certainly there is no rejoicing over this terrible incident and its results. How about a prayer also for all the pastors who have been removed from office by ignorance and less than Christian motives with the support of the District Presidents and who still desire to serve the Lord?) Obviously, this is a matter of grave concern and vital importance. Members of the Synod in your District have already asked many of you about this matter. All of you will sooner or later receive inquiries and opinions about the impact of this case on the public perception of the LCMS, its mission and ministry. Our Synod will undoubtedly be criticized and stereotyped by both the informed and the uninformed. (Editorial Note From Rev. Al Loeschman * * * And perhaps a remnant will appreciate the Biblical and Christian position of our body. Let the world rant and rave about how loveless and cruel we are to each other, for they do not understand anything spiritual; such as the Gospel of Christ, eternal life, self-discipline, God's tough love (Matt. 18 etc.) repentance or absolution.) In the days, weeks, months and years ahead, I evangelically and strongly encourage you to be patient with the process that has been established to "provide protection for congregations, pastors, teachers, and other church workers in the performance of their official duties and the maintenance of their rights" (LCMS Constitution Article III. 9.). I further encourage you to provide steady but bold leadership of the ordained, commissioned and congregational members of the Synod in your District to keep their eyes focused on the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the world and Lord of the universe. Remember the mission! " In grateful response to God's grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities and the world." (Editorial Note From Rev. Al Loeschman * * * . Amen!) God's grace and peace be with you all!
June 30, 2002 |