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	LCMSNews -- No. 132
	November 10, 2003

	LCMS Praesidium says pastors express
	sincere repentance over Valpo service

	By David L. Mahsman

	Valparaiso University President Alan Harre, university Dean of
Chapel Joseph Cunningham and three parish pastors -- all LCMS clergymen
-- have expressed sincere repentance for roles in a 9/11 memorial
interfaith prayer service, according to the Missouri Synods
Praesidium.

	The service was held in the northern-Indiana universitys Chapel
of the Resurrection in September 2002. Valparaiso is an independent
Lutheran university with historic ties to the Synod.

	The Praesidium -- the Synods president and five vice presidents
-- received the case on appeal. In a Sept. 23 letter to those involved
in the case, the Praesidium wrote that it considers this matter to have
been concluded and can now report that those who provided a setting
within which blasphemy was uttered and syncretistic worship occurred
have repented of their wrong.

	It is a genuine blessing when Christian admonition results in
repentance and restoration, said the letter, signed on behalf of the
Praesidium by its secretary, Fourth Vice President Paul L. Maier.

	Complaints against the five LCMS clergymen were brought to
then-Indiana District President Timothy Sims by nine LCMS pastors and
two congregations in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2002, service. The
complainants said the event, titled A Community Gathering for
Remembrance, Repentance and Renewal, constituted worship and -- because
non-Christians took part in leading it -- was syncretistic.

	Sims investigated the complaints and concluded that the event
did include elements of worship and syncretism, even though the intent
was that it not be worship. He wrote to the complainants in January
that the five defendants had asked forgiveness for offenses given to
the church and to our Lord.

	The complainants subsequently appealed the case to the
Praesidium.

	After receiving clarifications from Sims, the Praesidium in
its letter said it voices the following understanding of the case:

	 The service that took place was indeed worship of a
unionistic and syncretistic nature. Thus, the charges of the
complainants were upheld by President Sims, who has stated, I found in
favor of the complainants (there was worship and syncretism involved).

	 The defendants expressed sincere repentance for the wrong
that they did in authorizing and conducting the service. President Sims
has reported, I received that repentance verbally in the presence of
Reverend Dan May and Reverend Mark Pflughoeft (two of my vice
presidents) and I received it in writing.

	Sims said that two of the three parish pastors had vested and
taken part in the gatherings processional. He said the third pastor was
not present but had written a portion of the program said to be guilty
of modalism. Modalism is an ancient heresy that says the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit are not three distinct persons, but simply three modes by
which God reveals Himself.

	In a Jan. 14 letter to the complainants, Sims also asked
forgiveness for his own lack of diligence in supervising the event. He
added that Harre acted properly and within the guidelines of the
synodical Handbook. He consistently referred Rev. Cunningham to me in
reference to any questions as to the propriety of the Gathering. As
ecclesiastical supervisor of Rev. Cunningham it was my responsibility to
say yes or no to the content of the Gathering.

	Sims expressed hope to the complainants that forgiveness is
forthcoming and that we can move forward in the work our Lord has given
us to proclaim the Gospel in all its truth and purity. He also
admonished them, writing that informal reconciliation was minimal at
best, and non-existent for many. Whether this is a public offense or
not, Matthew 18 is not to be set aside for any reason.

	I believe that much of this could have been resolved without
resorting to [Synod Bylaw] 2.27, by sincere face-to-face meetings of the
brothers involved, Sims wrote to the complainants.

	In its Sept. 23 letter to all those involved, the Praesidium
wrote that it urges all within our Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod to
continue to honor our Scriptural doctrine and practice of fellowship in
our walk together in order that our Triune God may be glorified and the
Gospel of Jesus Christ be proclaimed clearly throughout the world.

	*********************************

	If you have questions or comments about this LCMSNews release,
contact Joe Isenhower Jr. at joe.isenhower@lcms.org or (314) 996-1231,
or Paula Schlueter Ross at paula.ross@lcms.org or (314) 996-1230.

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