Correspondence from Rev. Wallace Schulz

May 11, 2003

Dr. Raymond L. Hartwig, Secretary
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
1333 South Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, MO 63122

Dear Secretary Hartwig,

³I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another² (Isaiah 42:8).

On April 11, 2003 I received from the Lutheran Church‹Missouri Synod¹s Dispute Resolution Panel its decision to lift the suspension of Rev. David Benke and thereby also restore him to the office of President of the Atlantic District of the LCMS. As the elected officer of the LCMS appointed to adjudicate this case, I suspended Pastor Benke from his office as President of the Atlantic District for his joining in prayer and worship with leaders of non-Christian religions, something clearly forbidden by God¹s Word and our Synod¹s Constitution.

I strongly disagree with the Panel¹s decision to lift the suspension of Dr. David Benke, but I will not appeal the decision. Our Synod has been through enough of this process. Our Synod has also become deeply divided over this issue. Past experience shows that one party repeatedly has violated the prohibition against publicity in this case. Therefore, any meaningful appeal process would be useless, if not impossible, since these violations would surely continue.

I am also deeply shocked, as I am sure others will be, that the Panel states: ³Rev. Wallace Schulz went on to present a very thorough argument concerning the charges on the basis of the Holy Scriptures alone,² after which the Panel immediately writes: ³However,² and then maintains that this case had to be determined on the basis of an LCMS convention resolution. In fact, the Panel¹s decision makes over 25 references to the controversial resolution and an additional 35 references to bylaws but fails to make even a single reference to the Holy Scriptures! In other words, even though this case involves a very serious offense against God¹s First Commandment and must therefore be dealt with on the basis of God¹s Word, the Panel has decided to rule on the basis of a man-made resolution! In its decision the Panel has clearly violated the Constitution of The Lutheran Church­Missouri Synod and sinned against the Word of God, since Article VIII of the LCMS Constitution states ³All matters of doctrine and conscience shall be decided only by the Word of God.²

If the Panel¹s decision is permitted to stand unchallenged, its impact will reach far beyond the Benke case, fundamentally changing our Synod and leading it to resolve spiritual issues on the basis of men¹s opinions rather than God¹s Word.

Pastor David Benke and his supporters have stated that ³It¹s OK to Pray,² that is, it is OK for LCMS clergy to join in prayer and worship with heathen. I pray that all pastors of the LCMS would confess with me that joining in prayer and worship with non-Christians is against God¹s Word and conscience governed by God¹s Word.

Through their erroneous dependence on man-made documents, some leaders of the LCMS have now forced our beloved Synod into the greatest crisis in its history: Will the LCMS build its future on God¹s Word or men¹s opinions? ³IF THE FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED, WHAT CAN THE RIGHTEOUS DO?² (Psalm 11:3).

Sincerely submitted in our Lord¹s name, the Name above every name (Philippians 2:9).

Rev Wallace Schulz
Second Vice-President
The Lutheran Church‹Missouri Synod

cc: Rev. David Mahsman, Editor, Reporter
Other interested parties

A PRAYER FOR OUR SYNOD
O Lord, throughout history Your church has been involved in many controversies, often bringing it to the point of despair. However, whenever Your church has returned to Your cleansing, healing, and life-giving Word, controversy has not only been resolved, but Your church has also been strengthened.

At this point in LCMS history, bring repentance to all who have strayed from Your Holy Word, beginning with myself, where I have erred.

Then, ³create a clean heart² in all of us; ³renew a right Spirit² in all of us; ³Restore unto us the joy of Your salvation,² so that, as Your Spirit restores us to Your Word we will then be re-energized and re-directed, yea that we will be enabled to ³teach transgressors Your ways² and ³sinners will be converted to you² (Psalm 51). In Jesus¹ name. Amen.

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Response to Correspondence from Rev. Wallace Schulz

I believe the panel and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod have spoken in unison on the Biblical and Lutheran Confessional bases for witness in the world. The Bible DOES speak to prayer in public places at times of crisis. The Word of God says "always be prepared to give defense of the hope that is within you, but do so with gentleness and respect." (I Peter 3:15) Yankee Stadium on September 23, 2001 was the right place at the right time for the right witness to be given in a prayer for healing in the precious Name of Jesus.

I am proud to serve in a denomination, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, that encourages such witness through its understanding of the Scripture (which are substantiated in the resolution referenced by Rev. Schulz) and through its own decision process, including Dispute Resolution Panels, Commissions on Constitutional Matters and Theology and Church Relations. And I am thankful for the process, no matter its duration, that helped to ascertain that Christian witness in any and all circumstance is to be seen as a God-given opportunity and not to be avoided. Yes, "It's OK to Pray!"

I would treasure the opportunity to explore with Rev. Schulz, the original complainants, the faculty of Concordia Theological Seminary and all others who have disagreed what are the biblical and Lutheran confessional roots that enable our witness to be presented. It is precisely that dialog that is necessary for authentic and lasting healing to take place in our church body.

The Synod has spoken. Those who dissent from the Synodical position, including Rev. Schulz and the complainants, need to be treated with the same gentleness and respect, that we afford those who have not yet heard the Good News, but also with forthright candor where their positions are in error. I welcome those opportunities above all.

In Christ,
Dave Benke

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