July 11th at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, New York
It was a crystal clear day in New York City. Driving across the Verrazzano
Bridge from Staten Island into Brooklyn I caught a glimpse of the emptiness of
lower Manhattan with the obvious absence of the twin towers of the World Trade
Center. I reflected on the fact that Dianne and I had enjoyed our 20th
anniversary dinner at Windows on the World, the restaurant atop one of the
towers.
It was Thursday, July 11, the 10-month anniversary of the WTC attack.
I came to New York to be present at the gathering in which Dr. Jerry
Kieschnick, president of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, would explain to
the people of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Brooklyn and to other members of
the Atlantic District why their pastor and district president, Dr. David H.
Benke, had been suspended from the district presidency and what further steps
would be taken.
After checking into the motel, I got back in the car and fought the
rush-hour traffic on the Grand Central Parkway and the newly named Jackie
Robinson Parkway from Queens into Brooklyn. Finding Highland Ave., I turned
left and discovered that one block down police barricades were blocking the
section of the street where St. Peter was located. A number of New York's
finest were out in force. Something big was happening. I found a parking place
and walked to the church.
Five TV trucks with huge antennas were in front of the church-all the
networks' local news people plus the independent and Spanish station. CBS
radio was there plus the print media. Huge speakers placed in front of the
church were broadcasting to the people of the neighborhood, solidly
African-American and Hispanic, the hymn-sing that began an hour before the
7:30 starting time. By 7:30 over 300 people filled the sanctuary, with an
additional 400 in the basement and parish hall and numerous others spilling
out on to the street.
When President Benke walked to the front of the church, the entire
gathering stood and gave him about a three-minute ovation, breaking into
clapping and the rhythmic chant "Ben-ke, Ben-ke, Ben-ke." Posters
had been made and were flashed to the seven TV cameras lining the left side of
the church. Some read, "No Benke, No Atlantic District" or
"Schulz - Think for Yourself."
Pastor Derrick Taylor led the opening prayer - the prayer that President
Benke had offered at Yankee Stadium. The words had been printed on a card
displaying an American Flag. The entire assembly, with great fervency, prayed
the prayer in unison.
Dr. Kieschnick made his presentation and again clearly affirmed his
approval of Benke's participation at Yankee Stadium. He also explained the
appeal process that would take place and his effort to get the decision
reversed.
After Kieschnick, the local congressman, Gary Ackerman, made a stirring
presentation. Addressing himself specifically to Dr. Kieschnick, he compared
Benke to another German Lutheran, Martin Niemoeller, who had the audacity to
stand up against the Nazis. He said, at the top of his political voice,
"Don 't just tell us that you support Dr. Benke, walk with him!"
After his sermon-like presentation, during which he received numerous standing
ovations, he presented Benke with a letter of support signed by Lutheran
members of the House of Representatives.
From then on and for about the next two hours, the people lined up to ask
Pr esident Kieschnick questions and make statements. Some were angry, some
thoughtful, some theological. Kieschnick did the best he could, under the
circumstances, to provide answers.
Dr. Benke ended the gathering with an emotional presentation, assuring the
people he would not back down. He made it clear that the Atlantic District
would not leave the Missouri Synod, but the Missouri Synod may leave the
Atlantic District.
The story of this event in a small church within the inner city of Brooklyn
was a lead on the 11:00 o'clock news on all channels. Channel 7, ABC,
graphically displayed the quotation from the Schulz document referring to
Muslims and Jews as "pagans" alongside the dictionary definition of
a "pagan" - one who is neither Christian, Jewish or Muslim. The ABC
reporter made a major point of saying that calling Jews and Muslims
"pagans" is highly inflammatory.
Anyone at that event came away knowing that David Benke will not back down
and take a "back room" slap on the wrist in order to be shamed. It
will not happen because if he did the people of the Atlantic District would no
longer accept him as their President. Those outside New York do not realize
how important it was to the Lutheran segment of the population to be
represented at that event by David Benke. One elderly lady commented to me,
"I was so proud to be a member of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
Now, I am so ashamed."
This issue must be resolved. Something has to give - and it won't be David
Benke. Of that, I can assure you.
Pastor Don Matzat
Canonsburg, Pennsylvania