Delegate Newsletter -- No. 4

When we believe in Jesus – Fear Not !

September 11, 2001 – A day that will be etched into the hearts and minds of people from around the world for a lifetime and beyond. It was a time of grave fear. On that first day, our prayers – prayers with family members, prayers with church members, prayers with friends and neighbors, even prayers with total strangers – our prayers were for God to be our “Tower and Strength”. Sleep came only when we pushed past the brink of exhaustion, and then only for an hour or two. I remember waking up with the briefest hope that everything was normal, only to remember that nothing was going to be normal for a long time.

As the first few days passed in a blur, there was so much that needed our attention and drained our emotions. We rejoiced with every child in our Lutheran schools who was reunited with parents who might have been in the towers. We mourned the loss and comforted the grieving – especially the many children who would never see their parents again. We prayed for those who might still be in the rubble. We prayed for the families who lost loved ones in Washington D.C. and in Pennsylvania. We worked hard in those first days, just hoping that each day would bring new hope.

New challenges were arising faster than we could begin to cope with the incessant news of tragedy and the ever-present grief that permeated the “heart” of our city. We learned in that first week that our children were not safe. Yes, our dear Christian children were being targeted by other children and adults because of their skin color and assumed ethnicity. It did not matter to many frightened and angry people that these children were neither of Arab descent nor of Muslim religion. Everyone seemed to be afraid of everyone else, even as we were trying to help one another.

When Pastor Benke asked the Church Council for permission to pray at a service being held in Central Park, we wondered how we could possibly have any question that he must go and pray in Jesus’ name. Later, when Mayor Giuliani changed the location to Yankee Stadium, we were happy to know that security would be better, but saddened that more people from New York would not be on hand to hear his witness to Jesus Christ. We knew the comfort that we had received from our prayers and we wanted others to know that comfort as well.

Of course, what people in New York saw as an event for healing, was turned into more pain and suffering for the members of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, and for all Lutherans in the New York area. It was unimaginable to us that Pastor Benke could be brought up on charges for praying! Just as people in New York were beginning to understand the extent of the damage to our economy, the damage to surrounding buildings, and the permanent changes for our lives; other people were working to take away our spiritual leader from his office as Pastor and President of the Atlantic District. We wondered when the suffering would end, as we prayed for more strength to meet the days ahead.

During the time that Pastor Benke was suspended from office, we began to see the light of God’s love peeking through the shadows of our fears. Lutheran Disaster Relief of New York (LDRNY) gave us a place to help the needy and ultimately was named by the U.S. government as a model for disaster relief. Moussa and Mohan, one a Muslim, the other of Hindu background were instructed and baptized as Christians. Our Atlantic District’s First Bengali Lutheran Church, continued to share the love of Christ with mostly Muslim people who were often frightened about their future, yet thankful for the love of Christians that was extended to them.

You cannot begin to imagine how difficult it was for us to see Pastor Benke suspended from his life’s work for so long. When the news arrived that he had been exonerated, we prayed once again, our prayers of thanksgiving for all that God was doing even in the midst of difficult times. God’s love and mercy had triumphed over all our fears! For all people who believe in Jesus – God says, “Fear Not!”

You cannot begin to imagine our disappointment when people began to argue against the proper decision of the Dispute Resolution Panel, that exonerated our beloved leader, Pastor Benke. I was compelled to write publicly to one of our Missouri Synod Professors, Rev. Marquart, about his uncharitable attitude. He is now one of the candidates for Synodical President. He could not find it in his heart to move on. Professor Marquart could not state with us, as the Synod’s documents read, that “charity must prevail.”

As a voting lay delegate to The 2004 LCMS Convention, I was shocked to receive recently a four page letter that continues to accuse Pastor Benke, ending with these words, “Let’s stop wasting time defending him and get on with the real work of the church.” The real work of the church IS happening when we pray in the precious name of Jesus. The real work of the church IS happening when we share Christ in our words and our deeds in New York City. The real work of the church IS that “Charity must prevail.” I have seen the Lord lead us from great fear through the faith and dedication of Pastor Benke and so many church leaders. I pray that all delegates who believe in Jesus will “Fear Not” as we do the Lord’s work together this summer.

By Sonia Holder – St. Peter’s Lutheran Church – Brooklyn, NY