wfn.org | Lutheran Synod Board orders information halt in Benke dispute

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

The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod Board for Communication Services

LCMSNews -- No. 7
February 11, 2002

BOD orders information halt in Benke dispute

By David L. Mahsman

The Synod's Board of Directors Feb. 1 ordered an immediate halt to 
distribution of any information concerning charges brought against Atlantic 
District President David Benke.

The charges, brought by a number of pastors and a congregation, relate to 
Benke's participation in "A Prayer for America" Sept. 23 at Yankee Stadium.

The Board's resolution also directed the Synod's "Reporter" newspaper to 
publish a statement from the Board "at the top of the front page of the 
next edition" and that the statement also "immediately be placed at a 
prominent place on the Synod's Web page, and that it be distributed 
immediately by e-mail to all persons who have received by e-mail any other 
information concerning this matter."

That statement follows this story.

The Board indicated that it was taking its action because Bylaw 8.21e 
"clearly and specifically prohibits publicity from being given to a dispute 
by any party involved while a decision in the matter is pending or while an 
appeal is contemplated.  The Commission on Constitutional Matters has 
recently explained that this bylaw applies to all parties to the dispute 
...."

"Such publicity has been given repeatedly in various forms, including press 
releases that have reached the public media, mass e-mail distributions, and 
postings on the Synod's Internet Web page," the Board said.  "The staff of 
the Communications Department has assisted in distributing this 
information, and has added to this publicity by publishing articles in 
"Reporter" and on Synod's Web page."

Publicity given the Benke case, the Board claims, "has been divisive and 
unfair, has undermined the objectives of the Synod stated in Article III of 
the Constitution, and has brought shame upon the Synod. In some cases it 
has violated Bylaw 8.21e."

The Board met Jan. 31 to Feb. 3 in St. Louis.  In its Feb. 1 action, the 
Board resolved that:
-- "the staff of the Communications Department, in particular the Editor of 
"Reporter" and all who are responsible for distributing electronic 
information via e-mail or the Synod's Web page, be directed to stop 
immediately all distribution of any information concerning this matter."
-- "those responsible give immediate attention to removing from the Synod's 
Web page all references to this matter."
-- "the Board of Directors hereby instructs all program boards, all 
officers of Synod and all staff not to use any funds, from whatever source 
derived (whether received by allocation from the Board of Directors or 
otherwise), or to use any property of the Synod in any fashion for the 
distribution of any information concerning this matter."

As authority for its order, the Board cited Bylaw 3.183d, which it said 
gives it "the duty to allocate available funds to the program boards of 
Synod, and the right to call up for review, criticism, modification, or 
revocation any action or policy of a program board."

Dr. Martin Schramm, chairman of the Board for Communication Services (BCS), 
said that "Reporter" staff members take great care to present accurate 
information that also is fair to those involved.  He said that he fears the 
Board of Directors action halting all information through official channels 
will contribute to misinformation and rumor.

Schramm said the BCS may consider an official response to the Board of 
Directors resolution.

-------

The Board's Statement:

During the past several weeks extensive publicity has been given to charges 
that have been made by members of Synod against a District 
President.  These charges were initially presented to the President of the 
Synod, but under LCMS Bylaw 2.27 the decision on these charges may 
ultimately be made by a Vice-President of Synod or the Praesidium.

The publicity given to these charges by press releases, mass e-mail 
distributions, articles printed in official periodicals of the Synod, and 
Internet postings has been divisive and undermines the objectives of Synod 
stated in Article III of the Constitution.

LCMS Bylaw 8.21 e clearly and specifically prohibits publicity from being 
given to a dispute by any party involved while the matter is undecided or 
while an appeal is contemplated or pending.  The Commission on 
Constitutional Matters has recently explained that this bylaw applies to 
all parties to the dispute, including the party to whom the matter is 
presented and those involved in any manner in the dispute resolution 
process.  The Board of Directors, therefore, has taken specific action 
designed to bring the publicity that has been given to this matter to an end.

A dispute resolution process can only work if all parties involved honor 
the prescribed bylaws and procedures.  This is particularly true in a 
Christian organization.  Disputes among Christians must be handled in a 
fair, honest, and scriptural manner.   The constant publicity given to this 
matter only undermines the heart and center of the Synod's conflict 
resolution process, as well as the orderly application of Bylaws 2.21 
through 2.29.  It is necessary that all parties be treated fairly and 
equally, that all parties proceed with one another with "the same attitude 
that was in Christ Jesus," and that all involved "proceed prayerfully and 
in good faith and trust" (Preamble to the Synod's Dispute Resolution Process).

This past July the delegates to our Synod's convention elected five 
faithful pastors as Vice-Presidents, who along with the President form the 
Synod's Praesidium.  Their silence on this matter certainly is a reflection 
of good faith and trust and a recognition of their responsibilities.  The 
Board of Directors requests that the members of the Synod show their 
confidence in their convention delegates by respecting and trusting these 
elected officers to carry out their responsibilities in a loving pastoral 
manner.  The Board of Directors also encourages the members of Synod to 
honor the need for this matter to be handled in a confidential and 
Christian fashion.

The members of the Board of Directors have received many letters and e mail 
communications addressing this matter.  Sincere and deep respect for the 
Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions as well as care and concern for fellow 
members of the Synod have been evident.  But it is also apparent from other 
sources that the accusers and accused in this matter have not always 
received the respect and love that should be shown to other persons who are 
also redeemed by Christ.  Thus we encourage all members of Synod to treat 
all involved with Christian dignity; and to keep them and our Synod in 
prayer, as "the church endeavors to help bring about peace, truth, justice, 
and reconciliation" (Preamble to Dispute Resolution Process).

Board of Directors
The Lutheran Church
--Missouri Synod

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