# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S410
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

SPECIAL AND SUNDRY MATTERS 411

Resolved. That each day’s business be concluded on that day
by extending the sessions into the evening hours and into the
early morning hours as needed.

Trinity Lutheran Church
Sturgis, Mich.

Bruce Schaeffer, Chairman
Jack Meyers, Secretary
Erwin A. Ruhlig, Pastor

9-09

To Discourage Lawsuits

WHEREAS, There is an unusual amount of tension within the
Synod; and

WHEREAS, Different congregations react differently, some
minimizing the problem and others seeking to influence matters
through memorials such as this; and

WHEREAS, Some congregations feel compelled to oppose
wrongs and to testify to the truth by separating from the Synod:
and

WHEREAS, Such action normally finds within the parish a
minority opposing the separation, a situation which tempts
others to fish in troubled waters; and

WHEREAS, Existing discord among brothers is deepened
when lawsuits are filed to prevent such disassociation; and

WHEREAS, The Scriptures forbid airing our problems before
the world (1 Cor. 6), which exposure is interpreted by the world
as a struggle over material advantage rather than a sincere
concern for the truth; therefore be it

Resolved, That where a clear-cut majority of a congregation
votes to withdraw, the principal interest of the Synod or its
agents shall be to respect the conscientious scruples of the
majority, to grant a peaceful dismissal, and to insure that the
interests of the minority receive fair Christian treatment; and
be it further

Resolved. That when doctrinal issues are alleged to be the
basis for the withdrawal of any congregation from the Synod,
neither the Synod nor its agents shall become party to any
litigation seeking to prevent such separation or to punish those
advocating it, lest we retain in our fellowship those who reckon
it to be a legal obligation rather than a privilege and a joy in

Christ.
Hope Lutheran Church

San Leandro, Calif.
Roberta Strom, Secretary

9-10

To Extend Involvement of Members
in Mission
WHEREAS, “We affirm that the church is God’s mission . . .
and we place ourselves, our congregations, and our Synod into

His loving hand as willing instruments of His great mission to
the world” (Mission Affirmations, Detroit, 1965); and

WHEREAS, If the church is to be God’s mission, each Christian
must be involved both within the church, when it acts as a
corporate body, and as an individual believer in the world; and

WHEREAS, The involvement within the church for some
Christians has been deterred by current organizational struc-
ture and procedure, and many congregations continue not to
have any women or youth on boards and committees; therefore
be it

Resolved. That we encourage the congregations in our
District and our Synod, to the extent possible under applicable
law, to give the right of suffrage and the right to hold an elected
or appointed office on all councils, committees, boards, or com-
missions of the Synod, Districts, or congregations to all con-
firmed members; and be it further

Resolved. That the Southeastern District memorialize The
Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod to act upon these concerns
when it meets in convention in 1975.

Southeastern District
Ralph E. Wiechmann, Secretary

9-11

To Improve Moral Quality
of TV Programs

WHEREAS. Television is known to have a considerable impact
on the shaping of the human personality: and

WHEREAS. The content of many programs includes, in various
degrees, suggestions or displays of unfaithfulness in marriage,
intimate affairs before marriage, perverted sexual behavior,
vulgar language and language in which God’s name is used ina
disrespectful manner, and other things contrary to the Christian
ethic and God’s Word; and

WHEREAS. Very little of good and moral virtue is presented:
and

WHEREAS. Continued viewing of this type of material would
no doubt add to the moral decay of our children and nation;
therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod urge the television networks and
the Federal Communications Commission to improve the moral
quality of programs and to ban from television those programs
which may wrongly influence some age group: and be it further

Resolved. That we urge our members to individually write the
people responsible for this poor programming.

Zion Ev. Lutheran Church
Corvallis, Oreg.

Wayne Abresch, President
Henry Stream, Secretary

9-12A

To Grant Rev. Herman Otten Entry
into the LCMS Ministerium

WHEREAS. There are many unanswered questions concern-
ing the technical, legal, and theological justification for having
denied the Rev. Herman Otten of New Haven, Mo., entry into
the pastoral ministry of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod;
and

WHEREAS. This continued denial of Rev. Otten’s entry, now
well into the second decade, constitutes long-standing unre-
solved injustice: and

WHEREAS. All avenues of resolution of this situation have
systematically been closed to Rev. Otten; and

WHEREAS. Similar resolutions submitted to the New Orleans
convention of the Synod received favorable consideration by
Floor Committee 11 (Res. 11-20) but weré not acted upon and
referred to the synodical Board of Directors along with many
others under omnibus Res. 4-47 because of a lack of adequate
time for action; 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

Edward A. Gessner, President
Steven Lipez, Secretary

Eric J. Schuk, Pastor

Identical or similar:

9-12B and 9-12C

Our Savior’s, Crookston, Minn.
St. John’s, Kildare, Okla.

David Anderson
Theo. Knepper
9-13
To Declare Rev. Herman Otten
Eligible for Ministry in The
Lutheran Church-— Missouri Synod

WHEREAS. Rev. Herman Otten certainly fulfills the require-
ments for certification by Concordia Seminary, St. Louis; and