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Yes, It IS OK to Pray In the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has made two very important rulings that confirm what the people of God at St. Peter's Lutheran
Church, Brooklyn, New York have known all along: It's OK to Pray.
- First, we at St. Peter's thank the
Commission on Constitutional Matters
for its decisions in October, 2002 and January, 2003. They tell us in no uncertain terms that the resolutions of the Synod are to be honored and upheld. They further tell us that Resolution 3-07A is to be honored and upheld. That resolution contains a section called "Cases of Discretion" that applies directly to Pastor David Benke's participation in the patriotic civic event at Yankee Stadium on September 23, 2001. It's OK to Pray!
The Commission on Constitutional Matters goes on to explain that there never should have been a complaint filed against our Pastor. The President of the Synod along with us and the Atlantic District
Board of Directors properly gave Pastor Benke permission to pray at Yankee Stadium. President Kieschnick was IMproperly removed from his jurisdiction over the complaints by the majority of the Synod's
Vice-Presidents. They were out of line. It's OK to Pray!
- Second, we at St. Peter's thank the Commission on Theology
and Church Relations
for its opinion filed in February, 2003. When asked the simple question, does the Resolution on Church Fellowship (3-07A) passed by the Synod at its convention apply to a case like the Yankee Stadium prayer, they answered with one word.
YES. This only says that as far as the Missouri Synod is concerned, the Bible and the rulebook say the same thing: It's OK to Pray!.
There is no need for useless appeals. There is
no need for further delay. This case is over. Our prayer is for healing in our denomination.
- Our fervent prayer is for healing in a world that is anxious and afraid of terror.
We have strong ministries to families in our congregation, and we seek to bring Christ to the children in word and deed, so that they might make their future with the Prince of Peace.
- Pastor Benke remains convinced even after all he has been through that true healing can take place both in the Missouri Synod, and in the
world through dialog in a spirit of true tolerance across religious divisions.
He gave a stirring speech when receiving the Bishop Wright Award as the Man of the Year at Kennedy Airport this week. The world needs the message of God's love in Christ now more than ever.
We thank God that "It's OK to Pray!"
- Council, St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Easter, 2003
Back to "It's OK to Pray"...The SPIRIT Page
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