# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S359
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

SEES SOCS' SAW SSRI

356 SPECIAL AND SUNDRY MATTERS

fusal to grant Rev, Otten’s entry, even after granting him
a degree, constitutes a reversal of the common practice and
custom of assuming a man is innocent until proven guilty;
and

WHEREAS, Some of the doctrinal concerns voiced by Rev.
Otten in the late 50’s, which led to the BA case, have now
been completely and thoroughly documented by the Fact
Finding Committee, the President’s Report and other public
data; and

Wuereas, Repeated requests have been made, not only
by the congregation in New Haven but also by various mem-
bers and at various locations, to have District officials, mem-
bers of the Board of Appeals, officers at the seminary, and/or
members of the Commission on Constitutional Matters re-
consider the case, but these have been either not answered,
declined on various technical grounds, or otherwise handled
inconclusively; and

Wuereas, The legal machinery in the LCMS is in a transi-
tion due to the new Section 5 Bylaws but without yet hav-
ing the Synod Board of Adjudication appointed; and

Wuereas, The de facto evidence and common knowledge
makes it clear that Rev. Herman Otten’s publication ministry
as consistently and clearly promoted the Biblical, confes-
sional, and Missouri Lutheran doctrinal positions at al] times;
and

Wuereas. The de facto evidence and common knowledge
makes it clear that some professors, Pastors, and officials in
the LCMS have publicly promoted or permitted the promo-
tion of doctrinal positions that are in direct conflict with
convention doctrinal resolutions and yet remain at this time
in the LCMS ministerium; and

WHEREAS, There is a growing awareness that the doctrinal
lovalty of Rev. Otten, who has been denied a place in the
LCMS ministerium, and the doctrinal laxity of others who
i LCMS ministerium have not been given even-
handed treatment; and

Wuereas, There is some understanding and sympathy for
metering out discipline slowly and carefully for those who
have publicly erred but little understanding and sympathy
for continuing a patently uneven, unfair, and unwarranted
judgment; and

Wuereas, Rev. Herman Otten has privately and publicly
admitted that, particularly in the initial handling of his con-

Wuereas, Rev. Herman Otten has served an LCMS con-
gregation which was in the LCMS when Rev. Otten was
called to its pulpit and is today a congregation in good
standing; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS, in convention assembled, ac-
cept Rev. Otten’s expression of repentance for procedural
errors; commend him for his long and faithful witness of
loyalty to the official doctrinal positions of the Synod: and
welcome him into the ministerium of the LCMS; and be
it finally

Resolved, That this overture be forwarded through proper
channels to the New Orleans convention and also be re-
leased to the Lutheran community as a witness to those con-
Victions that we have evolved after study, discussion, and
Prayer of many among us. St. Pau, LuTHERAN CHuurcH

Cincinnati, Ohio
Joseph Lewin, Secretary

Identical:

11-25B

Emmaus Evangelical Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Joseph C. Weber, Secretary.

11-26

To Grant Rev. Herman Otten Entry
into LCMS Ministry

Wuereas, There is serious doubt as to the technical and
egal justification for having denied Rev. Herman Otten
of New Haven, Mo., entry into the pastoral ministry of the
LCMS, especially in view of the fact that the Board of Ap-
peals on a de novo case had voted 5:5 that the St. Louis
seminary had not Proven its case for such denial; and

concerns that Rev. Otten had voiced; and

Wuereas, The Missouri Synod congregation which Rev.
Otten has served has recognized and supported his ministry
over all these years; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
assembled in convention place Rev. Herman Otten of New
Haven, Mo., on the official clergy roster of the Synod.

Peace LUTHERAN CHURCH
Cincinnati, Ohio

Donald Schmalle, President
Thomas Somers, Secretary
Eric J. Schuk, Pastor

11-27A

To Recognize Black Concerns in Convention

Wuereas, The LCMS is meeting in convention within the
confines of the Southern District; and

Wuereas, The black churches of the Southern District
represent an important segment not only of this District but
also of the Synod as a whole in terms of black representa-
tion; and

WHEREAS, Black Lutheranism has made significant contri-
butions to our church by the grace of God; therefore be it

Resolved, That time be given during this convention for
a recognition and acknowledgment of black Lutheran pas-
tors, congregations, ministries, and concerns from our South-
ern District to the convention as our church considers its
past, present, and future in the development of renewed
black ministry and service.
AUvuGUSTANA LUTHERAN CHuRCH
Alexandria, La.
Charles Davis, President
Hazel Jacot, Secretary
Thomas Noon, Pastor

Identical:
11-27B

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Lutherville, La. Thomas Noon,
Pastor; Peter Ford, President.

11-28A

To Recognize 100th Anniversary of Ministry
Among Blacks

Wuereas, 1977 commemorates the 100th anniversary of
ministry by the LCMS among black people; and

WHEREAS, Such ministry has witnessed to the Gospel in
Word and Sacrament: made important steps to equip the
talents of black lay and clergy as well as realizing the shar-
ing of gifts in full fellowship with the whole Synod since
1963; and

WuHereEas, Such ministry, blessing, and fellowship could
have only come from the affirmation of a loving God, com-
Passionate Son, and a determined Spirit; therefore be it

Resolved, That this convention, with its elected and ap-
pointed officials, along with its entire voting body, acknowl-