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Please remember the source of this information. As a longtime LCMS member and one who is determined to keep our doctrine intact and our rich tradition alive, I can tell you that Benke's suspension was absolutely the right action.

I cannot do it at this moment, but I will try to provide some links later that will make the picture very clear.

Sadly, the LCMS is under the same liberal assault that many churches find themselves today. You might be surprised to learn of some of the outrageous things that LCMS members are expected to accept.

Thankfully, many congregations and many members are not going to stand still while the poison slowly seeps in under the guise of progress and growth.

Benke said that they were "stronger now" because of the ministrations of pagan clerics. He called idol-worshippers his "sisters and brothers." He invited them to join him in prayer to God, even though they do not believe in the one true God.

He used vague and allusive/elusive language in the body of his prayer: e.g., "a s/Son," without defining who that s/Son is. He prayed for the dead, that they would be saved apart from faith in Christ and on the basis of their heroic bravery. I could go on. And then at the end, he tacked on a perfunctory formula that finally got around to mention the name, "Jesus"--but again he did not make clear who this Jesus is or what he has done. He did not connect the dots.

Benke avoided any "Christ-alone" language. He left people with the impression that they are OK in their false religions.

All in all, it was a disaster as far as giving a distinctively Christian witness.

And this was not the first time Benke has done this sort of thing. More on that later, perhaps.