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Lutheran Central |
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Copies of Letters Sent to Benke and Kieschnick |
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Below are copies of several emails I sent to Dr. Benke and Dr. Kieschnick's
office upon reading and studying articles citing the charges brought against
Dr. Benke for his participation in the prayer event at Yankee Stadium.
Much thought and deliberation was put forth in composing my responses, and
today I continue to support Dr. Benke's participation and feel appalled at
the most recent news of his suspension by Rev. Schulz.
RESPONSES FROM: A St. Louis Missouri Synod Lutheran (1) Dear Rev. Dr. Kieschick: I am writing this letter to you in light of the most recent events of our nation, namely the September 11th attack in New York and the U.S. Pentagon, but mainly in support of your decision and stand with regard to the controversies that resulted following Rev. David Benke's prayer at Yankee Stadium on September 23, 2001. As a fellow Lutheran of the Missouri Synod for many years, I have been troubled about the attacks and criticism of fellow Lutherans against you and your decision to allow Rev. Benke to participate in the Prayer for America event in New York. I along with millions of people watched the event on television and was quite moved by the coming together of America on that day to share faiths with ALL people and ALL races in God's whole "human family." I have read and studied the statement you wrote following news articles reporting charges brought against you for your decision. I've also read other articles including one on the Internet by Dr. Samuel Natzger, "An Introduction to the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod." I have done this to reflect on "why am I a Lutheran, and why a "Missouri Synod Lutheran?" In these troubled times especially, my concern is that Lutherans forget about what we are all about as true Christians in God's family and tend to think of themselves only by the label they wear, i.e. Lutheran, Baptist, Catholic. In the January, 2002 issue of the "Voice of Missouri," Pres. Dr. James Kalthoff states that the Gospel is a message of God's love for our whole human family. He closed with a statement that in essence says that our congregations and church workers should make telling the Good News a priority and use every means possible to share the great things God has done for us in and through his Son, Jesus Christ. I believe that Rev. Benke did just that on September 23, 2001 at Yankee Stadium. What an opportunity for our Lutheran denomination to witness to the world our beliefs through prayer. Thank you for letting me share these thoughts with you and pray that our Synod will be more open to sharing prayer with other Christian faiths as well as coming together during times of "discretion" as defined in your statement. **************************************************** Dear Rev. Benke, Thank you for sharing your most recent responses via email regarding the Wyoming District's Pastoral Conference. As a Missouri Synod Lutheran, from St. Louis, I have been following this most troublesome situation within our denomination as much as a layperson can with the information they have been given. I don't feel that our local churches are really discussing this matter within the church, or at least I have not seen information disbursed. Maybe that is a blessing as they (the leaders) don't want to arouse more negative feelings within the Church from what a few dissident pastors are trying to accomplish by bringing charges against you. I have read your responses to the questions posed by the Wyoming District and as a layperson support your stand more fervently than ever. I am dismayed that those who have brought charges against you cannot look into their own heart to see that your participation in the Prayer at Yankee Stadium was simply, a prayer and a witness of participation to all -- Christians and NON-Christians. I don't mean this as to undermine what you did and what the event was about--because to me it was a most heart-felt and very spiritual experience for the whole nation. This event brought ALL of God's children together for prayer to the Almighty that they may feel comfort and healing. Even Christ prayed with all kinds of people, Christians and non-Christians and I don't recall ever reading in the Bible that Christ only prayed with Missouri Synod Lutherans. I believe that the pastors who have brought charges against you are being short-sited and judgmental and obviously have their own agenda. They are using Lutheran Church Law and their position to define their mission and forgetting what their role of being a pastor is all about. I know I'm not conveying these thoughts correctly, but this whole situation reminds me of a Hitler mentality (yes, I am German and have grown up with prejudices against those not like us), and that disturbs me. It's hard to be a Lutheran sometimes, (Missouri Synod) and especially with this most recent controversy within our church. We as Lutherans, need to PRACTICE what we PREACH on Sundays, and not be so closed-minded to those people who are not in the faith that we profess. That means to truly witness and pray with others and for others, regardless where we may be brought together at any one time. I will continue to pray for you and our Church as a whole and hope that some day, we may all truly be one with God. God Bless you and your staff and OUR Synod. S.J. Fowler
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