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"Connecting Lutherans" |
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LLL Board Of Directors
Gives Terms For Schulz's Reinstatement At Lutheran Hour
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For Pastors/Leaders
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July 21st, 2002 - The Board of Directors for the
International Lutheran Laymen's League (ILLL) has handed down a decision
that Wallace Schulz may return to his full duties at ILLL and Lutheran Hour
Ministries (LHM) after agreeing to certain stipulations that will characterize
his future service with ILLL and LHM.
The President of ILLL states that "(Schulz) is a man of numerous gifts and talents. The board would like to see him continue his service to the Lord through the league and is reaching out to him in this way." Schulz was relieved of his duties at ILLL and LHM on July 12th because of his participation in the suspension of Dr. David Benke. This participation was not sanctioned by ILLL. ILLL issued a statement on July 21st saying that ILLL felt that any decision that Schulz handed down would serve to "polarize the league and have harmful consequences," and also that ILLL had not taken and will not take any position on Schulz's ruling in the Benke case. To read the full text of a press release issued by ILLL and LHM please click here . To Read letters of reaction and opinion on this case (click here) Lutheran Laymen's League Puts Schulz on Temporary
Paid Relief of Duties
July 12th, 2002 - The
International Lutheran Laymen's League (ILLL) has temporarily relieved Dr.
Wallace Schulz of his duties and responsibilities at ILLL - including his
duties as Lutheran Hour Speaker. Reportedly, the ILLL Board of Directors
asked Schulz not to take part in the decision concerning Dr. David Benke's
suspension from being Atlantic District President and serving on the Board
of Regents for Concordia College, Bronxville, NY before the decision was made.
Schulz disregarded the request and took part in the decision.Dr. Schulz will remain relieved of his duties until issues surrounding his suspension of Dr. David Benke are decided and the ILLL Board of Directors have reviewed Schulz's case. It is unsure at this point in time if Dr. Schulz will be attending the upcoming ILLL Convention in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada from July 20-24 due to this decision. Dr. Schulz is relieved of his duties with full compensation. He is still considered an employee of ILLL and the Lutheran Hour. "The effect of Dr. Schulz's decision has compromised the ministry's mission of Bringing Christ to the Nations - and the Nations to the Church," said LHM Executive Director Rodger Hebermehl. "Lutheran Hour Ministries is seeking a swift, fair, God-pleasing resolution that will resolve these matters and restore the confidence of our donors, pastors and lay people." Read news release here . Read letters of reaction and opinion on this case (click here) LCMS Calls Off "Gag Order", Begins Publishing Information on Web site July 12th, 2002 - The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Web site ( to view, click here ) began to publish news concerning the Benke case. Most news that is on the web site currently has been previously published by Lutheran Central and other web sites. This ruling comes from the LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM) on June 10th saying "that the Board cannot restrict the ecclesiastical power of the Synod president or the bylaw mandated duties of the Board for Communication Services." To see full text of the June 10th CCM meeting click here ( note: this link is to a PDF file, not web page ). Read letters of reaction and opinion on this case (click here)
Kieschnick Calls Shulz "Up for Review" for Disregarding
2001 Convention Resolution
On July 9, 2002
Pres. Gerald Kieschnick submitted a pastoral letter to all pastors,
educators, and congregations of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
In the letter he stated that he would “call up for review” Dr. Schuz’s
action of suspending Dr. David Benke because he felt that it was in violation
of Resolution 3-07A of the 2001 Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod. (
For full text of the Pastoral Letter by Pres. Gerald Kieschnick
click here
) Benke
sent a letter informing Schulz of his actions on July 5, 2002. Reliable
sources confirm that the meeting between Kieschnick and Schulz will happen
July 10, 2002.( For full text of Resolution 3-07A, Click here ) Pres. Kieschnick is taking this action under LCMS Constitution Article XI, which states that the President of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is always the supervisor of all Synodical staff including the vice-presidents of Synod, and that such supervision should be “in accordance with Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod, and in accordance with the decisions of the boards and commissions under which the executives serve and of the Board of Directors of the The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.” ( For full text of LCMS Article XI.B.1 which explains the powers and duties of the President of the Synod, click here ) In the closing of his letter Keischnick stated, "I pray and trust that true, evangelical churchmanship will prevail under the leading and guiding of God’s Spirit and that the conclusion of this case will reflect the evangelical care, concern and due process to which every member of the LCMS is entitled. " President Kieschnick will be traveling to New York to meet with St. Peter Lutheran Church, Brooklyn NY on July 11. He will also meet with the Atlantic District Board of Directors and faculty, staff, and Board of Regents of Concordia College, Bronxville, on July 12. Read letters of reaction and opinion on this case (click here) Original Story - 6/27/02 On June 26,2002
President Gerald Kieschnick issued a letter from his office stating
that Benke is officially suspended. For a complete text of the letter,
click here. Kieschnick
letter
On June 28, 2002, the LCMS Communication Services
sent out a press release confirming this fact. This press release
comes after a gag order which had been issued because of the Synodical
bylaw 8.21e, which according to Synod's Bd of Directors “clearly and
specifically prohibits publicity from being given to a dispute by any
party involved while a decision in the matter is pending or while an appeal
is contemplated.” Since the decision has been made and no appeals
have been made at this time, LCMS has said no further information is available.
For a complete text of the press release, please go to
http://www.lcms.org/news/2002_037.html
To view information
on the LCMS appeal process,
click here.
President Kieschnick
has tentatively planned a trip to New York July 11 in order to “
encourage these members of the Synod, to demonstrate love and support
for them during this stressful time, to be certain they understand
the process of appeal available to Dr. Benke and to assure them of
the love and support of the members of the Synod and of the Council of
Presidents.”
The decision made by Dr. Schulz renders judgment on the pastoral practice of Dr. Benke during a special event in Yankee stadium on Sept. 23 which the Mayor of New York called to bring comfort to those affected by the terrorist attack. read text of Benke prayer Benke has been accused of "syncretism” which is defined as "the attempted union of two differing ideals", since he publicly prayed with leaders and clerics of other religions. |
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