LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1995, Page 156

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156 ns -- RESOLUTIONS

Resolved, That the CCM ‘may ask for publication of any
opinion in its entirety in an “official publication” as an “of-
ficial notice.” .

Action: Adopted (12).

To Establish Requirement re Synodical
Vice-Presidents

RESOLUTION 7-17A
Overture 7-14 (CW, p. 232)

WHEREAS, It is desirable to have some input from active
parish pastors in decision-making and discussions within
the Praesidium; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention establish the re-
quirement that at least two of the four Vice-Presidents
(numbers 2, 3, 4, and 5) be actively involved as parish pas-
tors when elected as Vice-President of the Synod; and be it
further ,

Resolved, That this change take place with the election
at the 1998 synodical convention; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board of Directors make the appro-
priate Bylaw changes.

Action: Declined (12).

To Form a Special Committee
RESOLUTION 7-18A
Overtures 7-84-85 (CW, pp. 249-50)

Rationale:

Overtures 7-84 and 7-85 request the Synod in conven-
tion to take action in the matter of Herman Otten’s certifi-
cation. As the legislative assembly of Synod (Bylaw 1-07 a)
we recognize that the Synod in convention is not an adjudi-
catory body and therefore is not designed to render a deci-
sion concerning Rev. Otten’s request for certification. We
also recognize that the Synod in convention is not a certify-
ing body. It is further noted that the many unique elements
involved in this issue make it difficult to apply normal
Bylaw procedures; therefore be it

Resolved, That a committee of five be formed, three
members to be synodical reconcilers chosen by the synodi-
cal Secretary in a blind draw, one member to.be a synodical
Vice-President appointed by the President of the Synod,
and the final member to be the President of the Missouri
District, who shall be the chairman; and be it further

Resolved, That this committee study the materials and
issues pertinent to the Herman Otten case; and be it fur-
ther

Resolved, That this committee attempt by God’s grace to
reach a solution which will promote peace and harmony in
the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That this committee report its findings and
recommendations to the President of the Synod; and be it
further

Resolved, That the President of the Synod be respect-
fully directed to take appropriate action to conclude this
matter in accordance with the Bylaws of the Synod; and be
it finally

Resolved, That any solution achieved be viewed as
unique to this case without any precedential value.

Action: Adopted (12).

(During discussion of the resolution a motion to substi-
tute Resolution 7-18 was declined, as was a motion to place
the matter into Omnibus Resolution B. A motion to refer
the matter was also defeated.)

To Encourage Study Groups
RESOLUTION 7-19A
Overtures 7-72-73 (CW, pp. 246-47)

WHEREAS, The apostle Paul commended the Bereans on
account of the fact that “they received the Word with all ea-
gerness” and because “they were examining the Scriptures
daily”; and

WHEREAS, One of President A. L. Barry’s “Five Visions
for Missouri” is that she be and remain a truly confessional
church; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is a
confessional church espousing the Holy Scripture as the
sole source and norm of doctrine; and

WHEREAS, The study of the Lutheran Confessions, which
are drawn from and express the truths of that Scripture, is
desirable on an individual and group basis; and

WHEREAS, The synodical Handbook recognizes the above
by encouraging the formation of study groups as it states
in Bylaw 5.67 b and c: “Ordained and commissioned minis-
ters are also encouraged to organize smaller conferences in
addition to their official conferences” and “Intersynodical
conferences for the study of theology are desirable and are
encouraged on a regular basis”; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
in convention assembled encourage its ordained and com-
missioned ministers to form groups for the study of Scrip-
ture and the Confessions; and be it further

Resolved, That we recognize that the use of the term .
confessional by a group does not in any way imply that non-
members of the group are disloyal or in any way wanting
in their approach to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Con-
fessions.

Action: Adopted (12).

To Respectfully Decline Overtures
RESOLUTION 7-20A

Overtures 7-07, 7-11-13, 7-15, 7-20-23, 7-30-35, 7-37,
7-42-48, 7-63, 7-79, 7-83, 7-96 (CW, pp. 230-33,
235-38, 243-44, 248-49, 253-54)

Wuereas, The floor committee has considered all over-
tures assigned to it and has concluded, for various reasons,
that certain overtures or portions thereof should be de-
clined; therefore be it

Resolved, That the following overtures be respectfully
declined for the reasons given: ,