# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2004_S311 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) ECCLESIASTICAL SUPERVISION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION 311 WuereaS, ELCA News Service on Sept. 21, 2001, reported that both Rev. Gerald Kieschnick and Rev. David Benke participated in a joint worship service (9/19/01) held at an ELCA congregation in Manhattan (Holy Trinity) with presiding ELCA Bishop H. George Anderson and several.other ELCA Bishops; therefore be it Resolved, That the 2004 Synod convention delegates discuss and decide on the basis of Scripture and/or the Lutheran Confes- sions the following questions: 1. Did Rev. Kieschnick violate Scripture and our Synod’s stance on unionism by participating in a joint worship service on 9/19/01 at Holy Trinity (Manhattan)? 2. Did Rev. Kieschnick violate Scripture/Lutheran Confessions and our Synod’s stance on unionism/syncretism when he gave ap- proval to Rev. David Benke’s decision to participate in an inter- faith service on Sept. 23, 2001? 3. Was Rev. Kieschnick correct in applying Res. 3-07 A to Rev. Benke’s participation in an interfaith service on Sept. 23, 2001? and be it further Resolved, That the voting delegates of the 2004 Synod conven- tion decide on the basis of Scripture, the Lutheran Confessions, and the Constitution of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, what action the Synod will take to resolve any concern with any of Pres- ident Kieschnick’s actions/decisions in this affair. Salem Taylorsville, NC 8-49 To Commend Parties in Benke Case WHEREAS, The Lord of the church has brought us through great controversy with reference to the actions of Dr. David Benke and the Yankee Stadium event of Sept. 23, 2001; and WHEREAS, His actions have been evaluated as correct, and such charges as had been made against him have been dismissed; there- fore be it Resolved, That we commend Dr. Benke for his forthright wit- ness to Jesus Christ in the midst of trying circumstances; and be it further Resolved, That we commend Dr. Kieschnick for his support of Dr. Benke prior to and following this event; and be it finally Resolved, That we thank the Lord of the church for the gift of Dr. Barry and his role in the provision of the “Statement on Fel- lowship Principles,” which was so important in the evaluation of Dr. Benke’s actions. Trinity Walnut Creek, CA 8-50 To Support Presidents Benke and Kieschnick WHEREAS, In response to the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, At- lantic District President David Benke offered a prayer of faith and comfort in Christ at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2001, in the presence of those assembled; and WHEREAS, LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick gave his whole- hearted support to President Benke’s participation in that event and himself participated in a day of planning and prayer with pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in New York City; and WHEREAS, President Benke has had official charges brought against him that sought his removal from office and from the min- istry of the LCMS; and WHEREAS, President Benke has been cleared of all official charges that sought his removal from office and from the ministry of the LCMS; therefore be it Resolved, That St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Saratoga Springs, New York, expresses its wholehearted support for the witness and ministry of President Kieschnick and President Benke in the wake of the events of Sept. 11, 2001; and be it fur- ther Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con- vention, July 10-15, 2004, commend and thank Dr. David Benke for bringing the wonderful message of God’s love to the residents of the New York metropolitan area—especially with his prayer in Yankee Stadium on Sept. 23, 2001. St. Paul, Saratoga Springs, NY; Resurrection, Coronado, CA 8-51 To Thank President Benke WuerEAs, The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11th, 2001, brought much heartache to much of our nation, especially to the residents of the New York metropolitan area served by the Atlantic District; and WHEREAS, People were in great need to hear or read of the com- fort of God’s love proclaimed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ; therefore be it Resolved, That St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Saratoga Springs, New York, commend and thank Dr. David Benke for bringing the wonderful message of God’s love to the res- idents of the New York metropolitan area especially with his prayer in Yankee Stadium on Sept. 23, 2001; and be it further Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, in con- vention, July 10-15, 2004, commend and thank Dr. David Benke for bringing the wonderful message of God’s love to the residents of the New York metropolitan area—especially with his prayer in Yankee Stadium on Sept. 23, 2001. St. Paul Saratoga Springs, NY 8-52 To Commend David Benke WHEREAS, Pastor David Benke gave a clear Christian witness during the Yankee Stadium event following the Sept. 11 attack, praying in the name of Jesus; and WHEREAS, Pastor Benke was doing the same as St. Paul, standing among Stoics and Epicureans and God-fearing Greeks, and pro- claiming that “what you worship as something unknown IJ am going to proclaim to you” (Acts 17); and WHEREAS, The Synod in its previous convention (2001) affirmed the right of pastoral decision in extraordinary situations; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for the ministry of Pastor Benke. Ascension Littleton, CO 8-53 To Thank Dr. Kieschnick WHEREAS, The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, brought much heartache to much of our nation; and Wuereas, People were in great need to hear or read of the com- fort of God’s love proclaimed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and WHEREAS, President Kieschnick responded to that need by using letters, speeches, and newspaper ads to proclaim the love of God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod, in convention, commend and thank Dr. Kieschnick for bringing the wonderful message of God’s love to the members of the LCMS as well as the communities in the United States of America, and in so doing demonstrating the