The following is courtesy of LCMSNOTES@crf.cuis.edu
Clarification of Charges Against Benke
President Kieshnick's Most Recent Statement To the
Press
Date: Friday, 30 Nov 2001 15:09
From: David Strand <david.strand@lcms.org>
Clarification of Charges Against
Benke
The American news media has published and announced a number of erroneous
reports that newly elected LCMS President, Dr. Gerald Kieschnick has been
fired, removed from office, or sued, by LCMS pastors because he prayed with
people in New Your City at ground zero.
Actually, three LCMS Districts have requested clarification as to why LCMS
Atlantic District President Dr. David Benke, a close friend of President
Kieschnick, participated in a joint "Prayer Service" at Yankee
Stadium in New York City on September 23, 2001. Among the many clerics
participating in the "Prayer Service" were Moslems, Sikhs,
Buddhists, Jews, and other groups that reject the deity of Christ.
Many LCMS pastors would have overlooked this violation of the LCMS
Constitution, but during the event, Benke, who did pray in Jesus' name, failed
to identify Jesus Christ as the only God. Benke also refuses to answer the
question, "Is Jesus the only way to heaven?"
If Benke prayed in the name of Jesus Christ, who was to be understood as
just one among many gods, he failed to warn these Jews, Buhdists, Moslems, and
Sikhs, that they are eternally damned without Christ. "Acts 4:12 Neither
is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven
given among men, whereby we must be saved."
If Benke was concerned about offending other clergy in the "Prayer
Service" Benke should not have participated.
Kieschnick has defended Benke's actions and wants to refer to this event as
a "civic event" rather than a "Prayer Service." However,
it was clearly identified as a "Prayer Service" by the Mayor of New
York City.
Two LCMS pastors have indeed filed charges against Kieshnick, not in civil,
but in LCMS church court, called "Dispute Resolution."
Kieschnick, Benke, or their associates, must have released reports about
the charges to the media. Constitutional rules governing Dispute Resolution
state that those filing the charges must keep their actions confidential.
During the dispute between St. Louis Seminary President, Dr. John Tietjen and
LCMS President Dr. Jacob Preus, that led to the Seminex "Walk Out"
in 1974, the liberals led by Tietjen, regularly used the public media to
promote their agenda.
It appears that in 2001, liberals are again adopting the same tackics to
influence LCMS theology and practice.
President Kieshnick's most recent
statement to the press.
A Statement from Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick
President of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod
News articles reporting on charges brought against me by two pastors in the
Synod have resulted in confusion about the official position of The Lutheran
Church--Missouri Synod regarding relationships with Christian churches not in
altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS and regarding the participation of
Missouri Synod pastors and congregations in events and occasions involving
worship which also include the participation of non-Christians.
The official position of the LCMS on these issues is presented in the
Constitution of the Synod. The Synod's Constitution lists as one of the
conditions for acquiring and holding membership in the Synod the
"renunciation of unionism and syncretism of every description" such
as "serving congregations of mixed confessions by ministers of the church
and taking part in the services and sacramental rites of heterodox
congregations or congregations of mixed confessions." This means that the
pastors and congregations of the Synod are pledged by virtue of their
membership in the Synod not to lead formal worship services with Christian
churches and pastors not in church fellowship with the Missouri Synod.
This is a position, which the Synod has repeatedly reaffirmed, most
recently at the 2001 Convention of the Synod. This is the position to which I
as the President of the Synod am fully committed. I am also required by virtue
of the duties of my office "to see to it" that all the pastors and
congregations of the Synod follow this position.
In reaffirming this constitutional provision on church fellowship this past
summer, the Synod in convention also adopted "for continued use and
guidance" a report prepared by my predecessor Dr. Barry and by the
Synod's Commission on Theology (2001 Res. 3-07A). The statement includes a
section on "cases of discretion," which reads as follows:
B. Cases Of Discretion
"Not every occasion where worship takes place is necessarily a
manifestation of church fellowship. There are situations where discretion is
appropriate. Some laity raised concerns about attending Baptisms,
confirmations, weddings, funerals, etc. of family and friends in churches
not in church fellowship with the LCMS. Attendance at such services is
generally a matter of personal judgment and individual conscience. On such
occasions LCMS members will want to refrain from receiving Holy Communion
and participating in rites of other churches that compromise their
confession of faith. Doubtful situations may produce emotional distress and
may require pastoral counsel.
"Pastors, teachers, and other officially recognized church workers
are often asked to participate in activities outside of their own and other
LCMS congregations. Some of these are civic events. Offering prayers,
speaking, and reading Scripture at events sponsored by governments, public
schools and volunteer organizations would be a problem if the organization
in charge restricted a Christian witness. For instance, if an invitation
requires a pastor to pray to God without mentioning Jesus, he cannot in good
conscience accept. Without such a restriction, a Lutheran pastor may for
valid and good reason participate in civic affairs such as an inauguration,
graduation or a right-to-life activity. These occasions may provide
opportunity to witness to the Gospel. Pastors may have honest differences of
opinion about whether or to what extent it is appropriate or helpful to
participate in these or similar civic events. In these cases charity must
prevail.
"There are also 'once-in-a-life-time' situations. It is virtually
impossible to anticipate all such situations or to establish rules in
advance. Specific answers cannot be given to cover every type of situation
pastors and congregations face. These situations can be evaluated only on a
case-by-case basis and may evoke different responses from different pastors
who may be equally committed to LCMS fellowship principles. The LCMS has
always recognized this.
"However, the response to one situation should not establish a
precedent for future ones. Where pastors regularly consult each other and
are convinced of one another's integrity, they are freer to use their
discretion where such prior consultation is impossible. We do not want to
fall into the trap of case law rigidity by setting down rules for every
conceivable situation. At the same time, the exception should not become the
rule, lest the truth of the Gospel be compromised.
"A pastor may face situations in the community where no other
pastoral care is available and he may be asked to minister to those outside
his congregation. Before doing this, ideally he would consult with other
LCMS pastors, especially the Circuit Counselor, District President or Vice
Presidents. But often these cases do not allow for consultation of any kind
and on-the-spot decisions have to be made. In these and other situations
nearly every pastor may question even his own decision and wish he had taken
another course of action. We do not have the option of changing the past but
must be content with believing that we made the best possible decision under
the circumstances."
It was on the basis of this synodically approved understanding of the
Synod's position on "cases of discretion" that I responded to
Atlantic District President Benke's request for counsel regarding his
participation in an event held in Yankee Stadium on September 23.
Because some members of the Synod have raised questions regarding what
constitutes a "civic event," I have formally asked the Synod's
Commission on Theology and Church Relations to address this topic in greater
depth. I have specifically asked the CTCR to take up the issue of the
participation of Synodical pastors and congregations in civic events which
include the offering "of prayers, speaking and reading Scripture"
including civic events involving the participation of non-Christians. And I
have asked the Commission to give this assignment the highest priority and
have its response ready for distribution throughout the Synod prior to the
2004 Synodical Convention.
In conclusion, I would urge the members of the Synod to recommit themselves
to the position of the Synod as set forth in the Synodical Constitution and in
the official resolutions of the Synod. Occasions such as we have experienced
in recent weeks call for difficult decisions to be made. Pastors and
congregations of the Synod may have honest differences of opinion about
whether or to what extent it is appropriate or helpful to participate in these
or similar events and activities. But as former President Barry and the CTCR
have stated, "In these cases charity must prevail." This is also my
prayer for the Synod. May our continuing discussions in the Synod of these
issues bring glory and praise to the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ
and His Gospel which offer life and salvation to all.