wfn.org | LCMS - Theological Talks Participants Hopeful

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The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod
Board for Communication Services

LCMSNews -- No. 47
August 8, 2002

Theological-talks participants hopeful

By David L. Mahsman

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The first in what is intended to be a Synodwide series 
of theological conferences to address issues of contention in the Missouri 
Synod ended here Aug. 7 on a note of hopeful optimism.

"It's a beginning.  It's a good beginning," said Dr. Samuel H. Nafzger, 
executive director of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations 
(CTCR), in his closing observations.  He warned, though, that if the 
gathering is seen as an end rather than a beginning, it will not have been 
very significant.

Conference Facilitator Ted Kober emphasized at the conference opening that 
it was to "begin a process to resolve our issues."

Comments from a number of participants, in plenary discussion and 
privately, affirmed that this had happened.

"I'm coming away much more optimistic for healing in the Synod," said Rev. 
Ronnie Koch, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, Iowa.

"I think it's been an experience of Synod at its best," said Rev. Bill 
Knippa, pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas.

The Aug. 5-7 gathering brought together some 200 participants, most of them 
pastors and most appointed by their districts, to discuss what Scripture 
and the Lutheran Confessions say about church fellowship, with a focus on 
"cases of discretion."  They are now to plan similar conferences in their 
districts.

Surfacing regularly in some presentations and in small-group discussions 
was the current controversy over Atlantic District President David Benke's 
participation in "A Prayer for America" at New York's Yankee Stadium last 
September.

"Today we Missouri Synod Lutherans find ourselves teetering on the edge of 
a precipice," Dr. Harold Senkbeil told the conference.  Senkbeil, associate 
professor of missions and pastoral theology at Concordia Theological 
Seminary, Fort Wayne, was one of four speakers invited to provide differing 
perspectives to spark discussion.

"In order for harmony and unity to be restored, we all have to start by 
stepping back from the edge of the cliff," Senkbeil said.  He said the 
first step toward harmony is to "watch our mouths, all of us ...."  The 
second step, he added, is to "sit down calmly and fraternally in 
deliberate, earnest discussion of the doctrinal confusion that is the real 
source of our distress."

The three other speakers were LCMS Presidents Emeritus Ralph A. Bohlmann 
and Robert Kuhn and Dr. Thomas Zehnder, former president of the 
Florida-Georgia District.

Bohlmann said that asking what Scripture says would be one of the first 
questions to be considered in deciding whether or not to take part in an 
event like that at Yankee Stadium.

Using Bible passages as though they spoke directly to such events "are 
fraught with all kinds of hermeneutical and exegetical dangers," Bohlmann said.

"Instead, what the Scriptures give us are broad general principles, 
centered in the Gospel: We are His CHURCH, carrying out His MISSION, 
faithful to the TRUTH of the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ, mindful of the UNITY 
we have and promote with all other Christians, steadily showing LOVE to all 
in the Name of Christ," Bohlmann said.  "Those six major concepts summarize 
the heart and core of the Biblical witness and as such provide the matrix 
in which we consider and decide such questions as, May I pray at Yankee 
Stadium?,' but without giving us a direct answer."

Kuhn suggested "five gates" for determining whether there is room for 
pastoral discretion in a given circumstance:  Ask what Scripture says about 
the subject, what the Lutheran Confessions say, what the Synod Constitution 
and Bylaws say, whether the act will be helpful or harmful to the church, 
and if there is any selfish motive involved.

Zehnder urged caution in condemning actions of others in areas of 
fellowship and discretion.  "For we must allow and support this business of 
responsible freedom to do what we think is proper at a given time and 
situation.  And when we disagree, we are called upon by our own Synod's 
wisdom to view another person's action with charity -- not to judge one so 
quickly and with such certainty."

In addition to presentations and discussion, the conference featured Bible 
study, devotions, Holy Communion at a local LCMS congregation, and time for 
meditation, confession and absolution.

The conference, funded by a $150,000 grant from Thrivent Financial for 
Lutherans, was put together in response to a request last fall from Synod 
President Gerald Kieschnick to the CTCR and the Council of Presidents.

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