Lutheran   Central "Connecting Lutherans"
	Pastor Responds to LLL Decision to Relieve Schulz of Duties
Home For Members For Pastors/Leaders Helpful Secular Sites Contact Us Suggest New Links Our Purpose Advertise on L/C Frequently Asked	Today I read the news on the Lutheran Hour website that the Executive Committee of The Lutheran Layman's League has relieved Dr. Wallace Schulz of his duties at the Lutheran Hour (for the complete text, see http://www.lhm.org/schulzduty.htm ).  Although the entire story was somber, I found the following detail especially sobering: In mid-February, the Int'l LLL Executive Committee requested Schulz recuse himself from adjudicating the controversial Benke issue fearing a conflict of interest. Lutheran Hour Ministries, as an auxiliary of the LCMS, has no official position on the Synodical decision. What is particularly unfortunate is that Dr. Schulz refused to recuse himself from this case, despite requests to do so by both the ministry he was called to serve and by the man whose case he was asked to adjudicate.   If that wasn't bad enough, he rendered an opinion in a way that was not only heavy-handed, but offensive and incredibly divisive.  The sad thing is that it didn't have to be that way -- for Dr. Benke, for LLL, for the Atlantic District, for our Synod. I am reminded of Dr. Schulz's own words to Dr. Benke: I realize that President Kieschnick authorized you to participate in the Yankee Stadium interfaith service. However, each of us as Christians, and as clergymen, is responsible for our own actions. I realize that the LCMS Presidium authorized Dr. Schulz to investigate and render a decision in the Dr. Benke case.  But Dr. Schulz alone is responsible for his own actions.   It's tragic that he willfully chose to act in a way that was so hurtful to so many -- including Lutheran Hour Ministries -- and that he just didn't seem to care. Pastor Paul Wagner Faith Lutheran Church Groton, Connecticut