# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_January 22 23 1970_S3
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

resolution also stated that "any solution achieved be viewed as unique to this case without any
precedential value."
In response to your first question, the Commission concludes that Herman Otten does not meet the
eligibility requirements for admission to the colloquy program which are in existence since the 1995
synodical convention. Of those bylaws cited in your question, only 6.91 and 6.93, d, appear to be
relevant. Bylaw 6.91, 1, a, states that those considered eligible to apply are "ministers who are in good
standing in other Christian church bodies . . ." Herman Otten is a pastor serving a congregation of The
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. He is not a minister of an other Christian church body and, therefore,
does not meet the requirement for eligibility.
Also eligible to apply for colloquy on the basis of Bylaw 6.91, b, is a layman "licensed for such [Word
and Sacrament] ministry by the District President" as one who is eligible for admission to the colloquy
program. Herman Otten does not meet this requirement and apart from the question of licensing, the
question must also be asked whether the criterion of "layman" is met.
With respect to your second set of questions regarding whether Resolution 7-18A of the 1995 synodical
convention either constitutes, or in effect constitutes, a rescinding of 1965 Resolution 5-30, the
Commission concludes that it does not. If anything, it merely raises the question of whether the matter
should be reopened since the Committee is to study the issues and materials, attempt to reach a solution,
and make recommendations. The cleanest and clearest thing would be for the convention to state that
the 1965 resolution is hereby rescinded. But even that would again place the issue of certification
before the faculty since any action taken is to be in accord with the Constitution and Bylaws of the
Synod.
With regard to the final question, if the issue is one of discussion only, there would be nothing wrong
with someone, a reconciler perhaps, serving as a moderator. This would not be someone who would
make a judgment or decision but strictly, as noted, a moderator. If it were done, it would be based on an
agreement of both Herman Otten and the seminary representatives to use these services. In the entire
process it must always be remembered that the issue is not a matter of reconciliation or compromise but
rather it is the issue of judgment regarding qualification for the office of the public ministry of The
Lutheran Church -Missouri Synod.
57. Status Call - Ecclesiastical Supervision (Ag. 2031) : In a previous meeting, the Commission had been
asked to respond to a concern regarding a call which had been issued by a congregation in Philadelphia to a
pastor living in Texas to carry out a radio ministry in San Antonio and to serve as a missionary-at-large for
the Philadelphia congregation in the San Antonio area. The question was whether this was a status call and
whether it could be honored. In the discussion in the previous meeting it was suggested that there might be
some theological implications, and Alan Barber had been asked to prepare questions to be forwarded to the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations which would respond to that issue. He had prepared these
questions and shared them orally with the Commission. The questions which he posed were:
May a congregation in one district properly call a pastor to serve in another district in a non-parish
setting where there will be no reasonable opportunity to provide oversight or supervision of that
ministry by the calling congregation or the district of origin?
When a missionary-at-large is called directly by a congregation to serve in a distant district, may the
Bishop of the district in which the call originated delegate ecclesiastical supervision to the Bishop
where the missionary will be serving?
58. Adjournment : Having completed its business, the Commission adjourned its meeting with prayer.