An Open Letter

July 9, 2002

"The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship," a document unanimously approved by the entire Commission on Theology & Church Relation and accepted at the last Convention of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod states…

"Pastors, teachers, and other officially recognized church workers are often asked to participate in activities outside of their own and other LCMS congregations. Some of these are civic events. Offering prayers, speaking, and reading Scripture at: events sponsored by governments, public schools and volunteer organizations would be a problem if the organization in charge restricted a Christian witness. For instance, if an invitation requires a pastor to pray to God without mentioning Jesus, he cannot in good conscience accept. Without such a restriction, a Lutheran pastor may for valid and good reason participate in civic affairs such as an inauguration, graduation or a right-to-life activity.  These occasions may provide opportunity to witness to the Gospel. Pastors may have honest differences of opinion about whether or to what extent it is appropriate or helpful to participate in these or similar civic events. In these cases charity must prevail.

There are also 'once-in-a-life-time' situations. It is virtually impossible to anticipate all such situations or to establish rules in advance. Specific answers cannot be given to cover every type of situation pastors and congregations face. These situations can be evaluated only on a case-by-case basis and may evoke different responses from different pastors who may be equally committed to LCMS fellowship principles. The LCMS has always recognized this."

To those whose love of Jesus and faith in Him have caused them to disagree and even condemn Dr. Benke's activities in offering a prayer in the precious Name of Jesus on September 23, 2001 at Yankee Stadium, in response to the horrific terrorist attacks of 9-l1., I say, "Charity must prevail".

New York City's then Mayor Rudolph Giuliani invited Dr. Benke and many other civic, political and religious leaders, to help our City start to grieve and start to heal. Rather than simply exercising his discretion in deciding whether or not to accept the invitation to participate, which right is clearly contemplated and authorized by the express findings and pronouncements of "The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship." he sought advise, direction, and permission.  Charity must prevail.

If he had simply relied on his right of discretion, even where Pastors and others may have had an honest difference of opinion about his choice, Dr. Benke would have had the right to so choose. Charity must prevail.

Dr. Benke was under no restriction to refrain from mentioning Jesus, or was he denied Christian witness to the Gospel. Surely, there is no one, not even among his most ardent and virulent critics, who can, honest in faith and good conscience, deny that the world-changing events of 9-11 constituted a "valid and good reason" to participate in such a civic affair. Charity must prevail.

There are untold numbers who believe, as I do, that the September 23rd event was a "once-in- a-lifetime situation" that would also allow for the exercise of Dr. Benke' s discretion, even if others, equally committed to LCMS fellowship principles, would choose otherwise. Charity must prevail.

The facts and clear application of "The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship" made it permissible for Dr. Benke to exercise his discretion to participate, even if others would disagree with his judgment. Such unique situation may evoke different responses from different Pastors. Charily must prevail.

But Dr. Benke did not exercise his own discretion! Dr. Benke shared the facts and sought advice and direction, and received the express prior authorization and approval of the President of St. Peter's, the Leaders of the Board of Directors of the Atlantic District, and the President of the LCMS. Each had the Constitutional right and obligation to supervise him, as Officer of the Synod, as District President and as Pastor. The Constitution must prevail.

To those of you whose base motives in bringing the complaint and "adjudicating" the matter are more about the un-Christ-like quest for Church-political power that debases our faith, refer to "What My Suspension Is Not About." I offer you my charity…If you will simply look inward, with honesty, integrity, and faith, and recant the errors of your actions.

Sincerely Yours In Christ,

Rev. Charles Froelich
First Vice President
Atlantic District - LCMS

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