Suspension Lifted for Lutheran Minister in flap over ecumenical prayer service
The Missouri-Synod Lutheran Church has no grounds to suspend one of its leaders for participating in an interfaith prayer service following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City, according to a church panel.
The Rev. David Benke might have shared the stage with non-Christians, but he offered up a Christian prayer in keeping with Missouri-Synod beliefs, the three-person panel unanimously agreed.
As a result, Benke's suspension - a controversial issue for the synod, including some Midlands pastors - has been overturned.
Benke has been reinstated as president of the conservative Lutheran synod's Atlantic District, which covers eastern New York State.
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