wfn.org | Charges Made Against LCMS President Over Actions after September 11

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod
Board for Communication Services

LCMSNews -- No. 87
November 9, 2001

Events prompt two to bring
charges against Kieschnick

In separate actions, two LCMS pastors have brought formal charges against 
Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod President Gerald B. Kieschnick over 
activities following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York.

Rev. David Oberdieck, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lebanon, Mo., 
has written to Missouri District President James Kalthoff asking him to 
begin action under Synod Bylaw 2.27 to terminate Kieschnick's membership in 
the Synod.  Kalthoff is Kieschnick's district president.

Kalthoff said that Oberdieck's letter cites Kieschnick's support for 
Atlantic District President David Benke's decision to participate in "A 
Prayer for America" at New York's Yankee Stadium Sept. 23.

No charges have been brought against Benke.

Bylaw 2.27, titled "Commencing an Action to Terminate Congregational or 
Individual Membership," also is invoked in another letter to Kalthoff about 
Kieschnick.

Rev. Steven Bohler, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Crookston, 
Minn., asks the Missouri District president to investigate Kieschnick's 
participation in a "unionistic service" Sept. 19 at Holy Trinity Lutheran 
Church in New York City, Kalthoff said.

The incident to which Bohler refers was part of events during a day-long 
visit to New York that included a tour of "Ground Zero" for Kieschnick, 
former Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson of the Evangelical Lutheran 
Church in America (ELCA), and other LCMS and ELCA officials.  After the
tour, Kieschnick and the others met at Holy Trinity, an ELCA church, to 
brief Lutheran pastors on what they had seen, to hear reports, and for 
prayer, Bible reading and hymn singing.

Under Bylaw 2.27, Kalthoff has 90 days to consider each complaint.  If he 
takes no action or declines to suspend Kieschnick from Synod membership, 
those making the complaints may take them to the Synod's Praesidium for 
consideration.

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