Reaction to suspension reflects real LCMS

My church did WHAT?  Such was the common reaction of LCMS members on reading or hearing news in the popular media in early July that the Atlantic District President had been removed by the synod from his ministries for his response to the September 11 disaster in New York.

Unfortunately millions of other Americans got the same news, and many received an impression that is not at all representative of this church body. 

The news was based on a June 25 letter sent by synod’s second vice president, Rev. Wallace Schulz of Lutheran Hour Ministries, to Atlantic District President David Benke.  It presented Schulz’s findings on Rev. Benke’s controversial prayer in New York last September.  The statement concluded, “you are herewith informed of your suspended status.”

We can give thanks for the many synod leaders who are working hard to present views more representative of this church.  Thank God we have a president who is comfortable with the media.  In response to a request to explain the decision about Benke, Pres. Kieschnick simply said, “No ma’am, I can’t.  I don’t agree that his actions are cause for expulsion, so there is no way I could begin to justify that decision.”

What percentage of synod members and congregations find the Schulz action to be unrepresentative of the church we are and want to be?  An early indication of the synod’s mood is reflected in action taken by the executive director of the Lutheran Laymen’s League to relieve Rev. Schulz of his duties with Lutheran Hour Ministries.  This decision was strongly affirmed by the LLL Board of Governors meeting in convention several weeks later.                        

DSL