Benke To Speak On 'It's OK to Pray' In Florida

By: Rev. Jack Cascione

(Reclaim News is reprinting a promotion featuring Dr. David Benke explaining
that it's OK to pray.  Reclaim News believes it is OK to pray as long as the
Synod teaches that prayer is worship.  If prayer is worship then Benke not
only prayed with pagan Buddhist, Sikh, and Hindu clergy, he also worshipped
with them, which is in opposition to the LCMS Constitution, Article VI.2.

If prayer is not worship, then it is meaningless, even if it is OK.)





"RISE UP, SAINTS!"
A Weekend of Prayer, Praise & Recommitment Prince of Peace Lutheran, Orlando
November 1-3, 2002
Featuring the Rev. Dr. David H. Benke

Plan now to join us for a very special weekend at Price of Peace, November 1-3, 2002, with the Rev. Dr. David H. Benke, Pastor of St. Peter's Lutheran, Brooklyn, NY!

Dr. Benke was one of those asked to pray, at the invitation of NY Mayor Rudolph Guilliani, at the "A Prayer for America" event in Yankee Stadium on September 23, 2001, following the 9-11 terrorist attacks our country. Serving at the time as President of the Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Dr. Benke was subsequently accused by some fellow pastors of the LCMS of violating our church body's "rules" regarding public displays of fellowship and prayer with other Christian and non-Christian clergy.  Even though he had the blessing of his immediate church supervisor, LCMS President, Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick, Dr. Benke, was later suspended from his office of district president and threatened with removal from the clergy roster of the LCMS.  Dr. Benke has appealed this ruling and is seeking to be reinstated in his former office.  In the meantime, he continues to serve as Pastor of St. Peter's, Brooklyn, NY, and is accepting limited speaking engagements throughout the LCMS to champion a cause which many of us support, namely, "It's OK to pray!"

We are very blessed to have this man of God, with his love for the church and his courage and integrity, to lead us in this weekend of renewal and recommitment at Prince of Peace.

BANQUET, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST

Please join us at a special evening of fellowship, prayer and praise, Friday, November 1st (All Saints Day)!

The evening will begin with whine and cheese hors d'oeuvres in the courtyard at 6:00 p.m.  A delicious Italian dinner will follow at 7:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center.  Tickets @$15.00/person will be available following all worship services in October, as well as in the church office.

Following dinner, Dr. Benke will share with us the important relief efforts he and others have been involved with in New York since 9-11.  An opportunity will also be given to support these efforts in prayer and financial gifts, as well as Dr. Benke's own advocacy and defense fund.

This will truly be "a night to remember" as we join hearts and hands to affirm "It's OK to Pray!"

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND

Pastors and lay leaders from throughout Central Florida's LCMS churches are being invited to a special presentation by Dr. Benke from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

This gather will afford those present to not only hear from Dr. Benke personally, but to have questions answered.  You are cordially invited to attend!

CONSECRATION WEEKEND WORSHIP

Saturday 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.

Dr. Benke will preach at all worship services on Saturday and Sunday at Prince of Peace as we renew our commitments of support to the mission and ministry of Prince of Peace for 2003.

All members will be given an opportunity to fill out an "estimate of giving" card, indicated how they intend to "Rise Up!" and be counted on for the work God has given us to do in Orlando and throughout the world.  We urge your attendance!

In the meantime, please pray for Prince of Peace, our pastors and lay leaders, Dr. Benke, and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod . that, as God's saints, we may rise to the challenges of ministry that God is placing before us at this critical time in the life of our nation and the world!


October 30, 2002