Head of Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod retains presidency

ST. LOUIS -- The president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod won a second term Sunday after he called on church members to put behind them a disagreement over a prayer offered at New York's Yankee Stadium following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The Rev. Gerald Kieschnick, 61, was elected to another three-year term with a 52.8 percent majority from the 1,237 voting delegates attending a convention held every three years. Four other pastors were nominated to lead the Missouri Synod, which has roughly 2.6 million members and is headquartered in the St. Louis suburb of Kirkwood.

Shortly after Kieschnick began his first term, he gave approval for the Rev. David Benke to offer a prayer at an interfaith service at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 23, 2001, that also included Catholic, Hindu, Muslim and Jewish clergy. Benke is president of the church's Atlantic district, based in the New York City suburb of Bronxville, N.Y.

Some pastors objected, saying the service improperly mixed different religious beliefs, and they criticized Kieschnick for allowing Benke's participation.

Kieschnick stood by his decision throughout, although some within the church tried to remove him as a synod member. Benke was suspended for a time, but the decision was later overturned.

On Sunday, Kieschnick called on the church to end the infighting.

"I believe it is time to put this matter behind us and get on with the mission our Lord has given," said Kieschnick, who served 10 years as president of the Texas district before moving to St. Louis as president.

The delegates did not re-elect the Rev. Daniel Preus, who had disagreed with Kieschnick on the interfaith service, as first vice president. Preus, 55, of St. Louis, was replaced by the Rev. William Diekelman, 57, president of the synod's Oklahoma district.

Church members could not recall another instance of a sitting first vice president losing an election.

"To me, it indicates that the majority of delegates agreed with President Kieschnick's plea that we put Yankee Stadium and its aftermath behind us once and for all," said David Strand, a spokesman for the church.

Strand described Kieschnick and Diekelman as good friends.

"They see the work of the church from the same perspective," Strand said, adding that the synod has been trying to strengthen its mission work, outreach programs and schooling for children.

Other church officials elected were the Rev. Paul Maier of Kalamazoo, Mich., as second vice president; the Rev. Dean Nadasdy of Woodbury, Minn., as third vice president; the Rev. Robert King of Jefferson City, Mo., as fourth vice president; and the Rev. David Buegler as fifth vice president, Strand said.

The president and first vice president positions are the only full-time jobs among those elected.

The Rev. Greg Smith, of Christ Memorial Lutheran Church in St. Louis, said he was pleased Kieschnick won the election, because he believes Kieschnick is leading the church in the right direction.

"I think the synod remains deeply divided, and that saddens me," he said.

Smith said to his mind the Yankee Stadium prayer incident was just an indicator of a split in the conservative Protestant church between a centrist faction and one with beliefs more to the right.

"The dislike, I've never seen it worse," he said. "The fighting is damaging the church."

The issue of praying with official representatives of other faiths could surface again during the conference, which runs through Thursday. Delegates could vote on or change drafted guidelines for participation in civic events.

Some Missouri Synod pastors continue to feel Benke's actions were contrary to its teachings against "syncretism," or the mingling of Christian and non-Christian beliefs, and "unionism," or people of different faiths worshipping together.

Other church officials elected were the Rev. Paul Maier of Kalamazoo, Mich., as second vice president; the Rev. Dean Nadasdy of Woodbury, Minn., as third vice president; the Rev. Robert King of Jefferson City, Mo., as fourth vice president; and the Rev. David Buegler as fifth vice president, Strand said.

The president and first vice president positions are the only full-time jobs among those elected.

------

On the Net:

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod: www.lcms.org