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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 311

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

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