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Can They Throw St. Peter's Out of the Missouri Synod? I. A Letter from President Sonia Holder For almost a year and a half our Pastor has been charged with heresy for praying in the Precious Name of Jesus at Yankee Stadium after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, September 11, 2001. For almost half that time he has been suspended from the clergy roster of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, an action taken by Rev. Wallace Schulz. We all know that Rev. Schulz was wrong. Pastor Benke broke no rules and no commandments at Yankee Stadium. We pray that the suspension will be overturned to reflect the proper and binding rulings of the Commission of Constitutional Matters of the Missouri Synod. We pray that the clear meaning of the Missouri Synod Resolution, titled 3-07A, will be honored and upheld by Rev. Schulz and those who have opposed our Pastor, because as it says so clearly, the resolution was "for use and guidance" and applied directly to Pastor's presence and prayer at Yankee Stadium. We have prayed with Pastor Benke and for him, because we believe and know that "It's OK to Pray!" We are thankful for the prayers and support of thousands and thousands of you around the country. His case goes on, and so does he, strong in spirit and love. We have a website committee that searches the internet for items that are being put forward about our Pastor and his prayer at Yankee Stadium. Recently we uncovered what you will read below on the site called "Lutherquest" as part of a longer section about us. It troubles us deeply. After all this time of trial for our Pastor, we wonder if the next step is that WE will be thrown out of the Missouri Synod. We have asked Pastor Benke to comment on what you read below. We believe it is time for Pastor's opponents to apologize sincerely for their words and actions over the past year and a half. We are stronger than ever spiritually at our congregation. Pastor Benke went to Yankee Stadium at our urging, because we knew that "It's OK to Pray." We have founded the SPIRIT institute because we want to forge the road across all boundaries of religion for witness with integrity, evangelical dialog, respectful tolerance, inclusion rather than exclusion, and an end to violence in the name of religion. We believe this is a critical time for real Christian witness in the public arena by real Lutheran leaders. President Kieschnick has supported Pastor Benke every step of the way. He has been to our church, and encouraged us, and prayed with us. He is a Godly man who has been attacked just like Pastor Benke. Thousands of people have responded with great eagerness to "It's OK To Pray" and to the formation of SPIRIT. Read the "Calendar of Engagements" section on our website, and let us know how you feel and how we can partner with you. Sincerely in Christ, Sonia Holder, President + + + + + II. What They Say About Us On "Lutherquest" By Steven W. Bohler on Friday, February 07, 2003 10:02 AM The Rev. Jimmy Lalljie is a Presbyterian minister. The Atlantic District first claimed that he (and the other pastors noted there) were attempting to join the LCMS through colloquy, but that also proved to be untrue: a pastor checked and found no such names among those who had applied for colloquy into Synod. When presented with this information, the Atlantic District then reversed itself and said the men WERE going to join the LCMS until the YS situation upset everything. So, we have a non-Lutheran "assistant to the pastor" who apparently is being allowed to preach, teach, and administer the Sacraments, under the supervision of a man suspended from the Synod because of violations of the First and Second Commandments. We have other non-Lutheran pastors leading services in supposedly LCMS mission churches. All of which has the approval of the Atlantic District (who has published untruths on the matter, covering up the facts). Some synod of "walking together" we have here, isn't it? By (________) on Friday, February 07, 2003 2:33 PM While we are checking on phoney Lutherans, the Atlantic District's website calendar list the March 30th ordination of Rev. Phillip Saywrayne. They claim he has spent six years in a DELTO program. Is the Atlantic District's DELTO program as bogus as their mission effort? By (________) on Friday, February 07, 2003 3:22 PM Rev. Lalljie is an ordained minister in the Guyana Presbyterian Church. ..Would a LCMS congregation served by a Presbyterian Minister be a violation of your Synod's constitution? Would this be sufficient grounds to remove from Synod membership St. Peter's and the congregation's pastor Rev. Dr. Benke? By Steven W. Bohler on Friday, February 07, 2003 3:56 PM Yes, Steve, having a Presbyterian serve as pastor is a violation of our constitution/bylaws. But who will do anything? The Atlantic District President, who knows about the situation, whose office puts out lies about these men? The Synod President, who gave the OK for Dr. Benke to worship with pagans and idolators and false teachers? Nothing will happen, our synod rots. + + + + + III. The Facts from Pastor Benke Dear Sonia and my dear sisters and brothers in Christ at St. Peter's: Grace and peace to you in the Name of Christ, our Light of lights! We are a congregation with so many members who originally hailed from the Caribbean basin. You know how wonderful how saboroso - it is when we gather to eat rice and peas, arroz con pollo, pernil, roti with curry and dal, all of it! We love our sisters and brothers at St. Peter's who come to us from Guyana, S.A. Some of our great families over the past ten years have come from Guyana the Chanderdatts, the Gafurs, the Bascoms, the Singhs, the Premdass, and so many, many more. You know that the Lutheran Church of Guyana has celebrated 250 years as a Lutheran faith community in South America, far preceding the existence of the Missouri Synod. We are proud of all of God's people who come from around the world at St. Peter's, INCLUDING those from Guyana. We gather to pray often for one another because of the difficulties of living the immigrant life in New York City during these times. You know that I am trying to keep a low profile as the case against me proceeds along God's path to conclusion. However, the comments you have placed before me from "Lutherquest" are so ill-informed and unkind that I feel compelled to address you through the means of the St. Peter's website. The remarks on "Lutherquest are a disgrace." Last November I initiated a request to people in leadership in the Missouri Synod to converse in a convincing way with those responsible for "Lutherquest" and "CAT41" along with those who are responsible for and contribute to "Christian News." Pray that those conversations take place, and that those responsible repent for their loveless words. These are the facts: A) Pastor Lalljie and Pastor Sukdeo are members in good standing of St. Peter's Lutheran Church. They were received into membership by "affirmation of faith" after instruction. They are Lutheran Christians. As you know, many of us at St. Peter's came from different Christian and non-Christian backgrounds. We are now Lutheran Christians. We understand that we are justified by grace through faith because of Christ Jesus. B) Pastor Lalljie and Pastor Sukdeo are elected elders of St. Peter's Lutheran Church along with Gerald Holder, Henry Chanderdatt and Gil Ramirez. According to our constitution, as your elected leaders they are part of the spiritual leadership team of the parish. They are authorized by you to conduct Bible studies, visit the sick, and perform other acts of ministry under pastoral supervision because they are members of our Lutheran Church with those responsibilities. You have given them that authorization, and no other group in the Missouri Synod has a right or responsibility to tell you otherwise. C) Pastor Lalljie and Pastor Sukdeo are enrolled in the Mission Training Center coordinated with these Missouri Synod Districts: Atlantic, New England, New Jersey, Eastern, Southeastern, Florida-Georgia, Ohio, English, and SELC. It operates from a base at Concordia, Bronxville. The Mission Training Center is partnering with Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, as students in the Center enter the DELTO program. These are all licensed and approved programs of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. As missionaries in the Atlantic District enrolled in the Mission Training Center and seeking rostered membership status in the Missouri Synod, Pastors Lalljie, Sukdeo, and Singh, among others, carry on their work under the auspices of the District and under pastoral/missionary supervision. D) Philip Saywrayne, mentioned so disparagingly on Lutherquest, has been certified for ordination into the Holy Ministry by the faculty of Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, after concluding six years in the DELTO program, and will be ordained at the end of March. His original congregation, Christ Assembly on Staten Island, only two years old, has over 300 in worship on many Sundays. Those in worship are worshiping at a Lutheran Church that is a rostered member of the Missouri Synod. There are eight to ten other missions, preaching stations and Bible study groups among African Immigrants under Pastor Saywrayne's guidance at this time. To infer that Pastor Saywrayne, our mission efforts, Christ Assembly, and the DELTO program are "bogus" is horribly offensive. E) Those who are in the Mission Training Center are in various stages of the process of becoming rostered workers in the Missouri Synod. This is the goal of all the many mission endeavors in the Atlantic District that preaching stations and missionaries receiving and proclaiming the Means of Grace might become full members of the Missouri Synod. F) There is not only nothing wrong with us. We are encouraged and applauded in our mission outreach by 99.9% of the people in the Missouri Synod. People are being brought to the saving knowledge of God in Jesus Christ. That's great! To God be the glory! Our Synod doesn't "rot," as Pastor Bohler states so gracelessly. It is filled with the grace and mercy of God in abundance! The Atlantic District has more new mission starts to reach the world for Christ than any other District in the Missouri Synod. More new members were gained in the Atlantic District than any other in the Missouri Synod in 2000. Our operating budget for missions is supported by people from around the country, because people know and understand that we practice what we preach every congregation IS A MISSION STATION! G) You are hearing from the very, very few detractors. Only God judges the heart, but these people seem to me to have lost the way and fallen into the sin by acting in a way that is horribly judgmental. This is both sad and upsetting. I know all of this disturbs you at St. Peter's, and I pray for you fervently. There is no need to fear. You have your baptism; you possess "the riches of this mystery, Christ in you, the hope of glory." And that's enough, my dear friends in Christ! That's enough. + + + + + IV. Pastor Benke's Advice This then is my advice to you as regards these postings from "Lutherquest," as well as the so-called "Christian News," "CAT41," and all the rest of the networks of dissension in our Missouri Synod: 1) These ill-conceived thoughts will come to naught, because they are immature in the extreme, incorrect and baseless. Fear not. 2) Cease reading "Lutherquest" and the rest of them. They are full of emptiness, foolishness and confusion. As St. Paul writes, "Mark those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine you have learned and avoid them." "Lutherquest" and the others cannot edify they cannot accomplish the building up of the community of the faithful. They seek instead to tear down. Don't read these things any more. 3) Pastors Lalljie and Sukdeo are men of God in our midst who are elders of our congregation. They have been blessed by God to be a blessing. Continue to honor them. 4) Pray for each of the people who have written, that God may open their hearts and minds and bring them to repentance. Pray especially for those who are pastors, for their responsibility is great by virtue of their divine call to service. 5) I have been compared on "Lutherquest" to Osama Bin Laden, John Wayne Gacey, Adolph Eichmann and Judas Iscariot. As you know, I have not found this reviling to be a comfort. At the same time, I have been blessed through it in that the love of Christ has been revealed in me and through these things in ways I had never considered. The same blessing will be made plain to you through these attacks. 6) Jesus is very specific about forgiveness. Those who WILL be judged, he says, are those who fail to "forgive your brother from the heart." Forgive these erring brothers as you have been forgiven by God in Christ. "Love your enemies; do good to those who curse you," said our Lord. Put that love into practice with those from Lutherquest, CAT41 and Christian News. 7) Continue to develop and implement S.P.I.R.I.T. 8) Continue to be witnesses to Christ every day with joy. 9) Continue to call for real dialog. 10) Continue to expose those who practice name-calling and all the other unChristian foolishness you have unearthed on some of these websites if they pursue you. Darkness cannot stand the light. 11) Continue to practice religious tolerance with integrity in our great world capitol, New York City. From our little neighborhood location in Cypress Hills, you can reach around the globe from St. Peter's Lutheran Church. 12) You have received grace be graceful in what you think and say and do! With love in Christ, Pastor Benke + + + + + New - February 17, 2003 - A Letter from Pastor Lalljie Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ at St. Peter's and our faithful readers of St. Peter's Website, Greetings in the Name of Jesus! I am writing to you to bring information that I think would be helpful to one and all at this time. I am a Christian from the wonderful country of Guyana, South America. I have arrived on these shores a year ago, and with my wife Devika we have made our home here. Since our arrival we have been blessed with the birth of a beautiful daughter, Leah, born just January 4, 2003. I was trained and ordained through the Protestant Seminary on the island of Jamaica; my father was a Lutheran catechist with the LCG (Lutheran Church of Guyana). My mother is Presbyterian. I have the privilege of owning the entire collection of Luther's Works. When I came to this country, it was a natural extension of my family and personal journey to make the move to the Lutheran Church. I am privileged to be a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as a part of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, where I serve as an elder along with four other men. During 2002 I was received into membership at St. Peter's through affirmation of faith after instruction with Pastor Benke, to whom God has given much grace. I am an assistant to the Pastor at St. Peter's. That means that my duties are given to me by Pastor Benke through the board of elders and the church council. It has been an honor to serve in helping with confirmation class, shut-in visitation, youth work, outreach and evangelism, and most especially with work among recent immigrants in Brooklyn and Queens, among other things. St. Peter's stands for what it is: a congregation that is
I am here because people like Pastor Benke and Sonia Holder helped me to learn anew that Lutherans are people who live by grace alone. They have been attacked, and yet have been blessed. I know that "It's OK to Pray" because my family and I have been prayed FOR by the people of St. Peter's It has also been a great pleasure to become involved in the mission efforts of the Atlantic District and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. I have just returned from the Mission Planters' Institute in Florida in early February. What a joy to hear, see and learn about the heart for the Gospel and the Great Commission that exists in the LCMS! Pastor Born and Pastor Mittelstaedt are our local pastoral mentors in the Missionary Circuit and the Mission Training Center at Bronxville. Philip Saywrayne is in our circuit, and he has that "church planting" vision in abundance. The Missouri Synod is blessed with men like these who understand the role of the pastor as the teacher and developer of leaders in the mission field here in New York. But more than that, I have now been exposed to other wonderful missionaries like Bob Scudieri and those from around the country at the Mission Training Center. Nine of our Districts are involved in the Mission Training Center: Atlantic, New England, New Jersey, Eastern, Slovak, English, Southeastern, Florida/Georgia, and Ohio. That tells me that the Atlantic District is doing things the right way! And when we were at the Church Planters' Institute, people from around the country came up to us and gave us tremendous support for being from a true mission-oriented district, the Atlantic District, with a true mission-oriented leader, Pastor Benke. Our work at the Caribbean Mission in Queens that was begun under the auspices of St. Peter's in Brooklyn last year has been blessed as that preaching station is established. As I preach and teach there under supervision, I can see the blessings of the Gospel of Grace; that is why I came to this country, and that is what God is revealing in me and through His Word. This is why it is disturbing to me to find that I have become some kind of a source of dissatisfaction within some circles. I can only state that I am pleased to be a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church and a missionary under Atlantic District supervision. There is no question in my mind that I have been treated fairly and honestly by all involved, and that I have come with no agenda other than to bring Christ to the nations. I have to say that I have been deeply offended by the attacks on Pastor B, who my wife and I know to be a man of God committed to reaching out with the Gospel in witness and action. I speak for ALL of us who are Atlantic District missionaries when I say that Pastor Benke presented an appropriate Christian witness at Yankee Stadium that brought comfort and healing to people from all backgrounds and walks of life. I know that Guyanese people received the love of Jesus through his prayer, because they told me so. Some Guyanese people of backgrounds other than Christian were led to faith through that prayer. I have visited them. I am a firm supporter of Pastor B and of the simple message, "It's OK to Pray." Christians should NEVER hesitate to pray, and to give witness to the Christ whom they follow. Devika, Leah and I call St. Peter's our home. Like all of its children, we take great pride in serving our church family. We want to live up to our vision for mission - by
WE pray for those who have forgotten what each of us seeks when we gather to pray together as LCMS members. WE pray for those who have forgotten. Come to St. Peter's, to the AD, and to any of its Congregations and Preaching Stations. You will be welcome. Jimmy Lalljie
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