LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 4

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4 SYNODICAL REPORTS

cellent materials to encourage our people to be aware of and com-
mitted to life issues. They are presently preparing educational re-
sources geared toward our young people and will debut this pro-
ject at the National Youth Gathering that will be held after the
Synod’s convention this summer. Their work has been noticed by
many individuals and groups beyond our Synod who have also ex-
pressed appreciation for work they are doing and the leadership the
LCMS continues to provide to the pro-life community in this na-
tion.

Nomenclature Study Committee

I appreciate the work this group has done for our Synod in
studying how best to classify and name our church workers. I en-
courage delegates to read their report carefully. I recommend that
the proposals of the Nomenclature Study Committee be accepted
by the Synod in convention.

Assignments Given to the President
Commission on Worship

At our last convention the Synod directed that the Commission
on Worship should have a full-time staff member and remain a
free-standing commission (1995, Res. 2-03A). The President was
directed to work with the commission in obtaining a new execu-
tive director. I am pleased to report that Dr. Paul Grime was called
to this position. The Commission on Worship has been providing
excellent leadership to our Synod on worship issues and is working
hard on improving our Synod’s appreciation for good, solid
Lutheran understandings of worship. We will have an opportunity
to use the new hymnal supplement at our convention this summer.

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne

At the last convention, the Synod asked the President to work
with Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, in order to
quiet certain concerns that had arisen in the years just prior to the
1995 convention (1995 Res. 5-07A). I conducted a formal visita-
tion of the seminary and presented a report to the Synod of my
findings. Since that time I have met with the new president of Con-
cordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Dr. Dean Wenthe, on a
regular basis to monitor the progress that has been made in restor-
ing peace and unity on the campus. I am pleased to report that the
seminary has responded very well to the visitation and has ad-
dressed the concerns that were raised.

Tt needs to be said very clearly that our Synod can indeed thank
God for the fine pastors our two seminaries are preparing for our
beloved Synod.

Study on Racism

The Synod asked that the President and the CTCR take into
consideration responses to the CTCR’s statement: “Racism and the
Church.” The document has been well received and widely distrib-
uted, including to all Lutheran churches in the world. The docu-
ment has provided useful guidance and counsel to the church on
this important issue.

Review of CTCR Procedures

The Synod in convention asked the President (1995 Res. 3-04A)
to oversee a process by which the CTCR would initiate an internal
review of its procedures in order to streamline its operation. While
the CTCR has addressed some of the concerns raised by the Synod
in convention, I believe there is still more that should be done in
response to our Synod’s directives that the CTCR seek ways to im-
prove their work flow and complete assignments in a more timely
and efficient manner.

Herman Otten Matter

Also during the last convention, the Synod asked me as Presi-
dent to take steps to bring a final resolution to the matter of Rev.
Herman Otten’s certification into the ministry of the Synod (1995
Res. 7-18A). Shortly after the convention, the Commission on Con-
stitutional Matters was asked to issue an interpretation of the reso-
lution adopted by the Synod. The CCM ruled that in acting on this
resolution, the Synod’s Constitution and Bylaws must be followed,
specifically those Bylaws governing the certification of men for the
LCMS ministerium. As directed by the Synod in convention, a
study committee was appointed and reviewed the voluminous ma-
terial concerning this whole matter. The Synod’s Bylaws stipulate
that exclusive responsibility for determining whether an individual
should be certified for pastoral ministry rests with the seminary
from which he graduated. Therefore, the committee recommended
that discussions take place between Rev. Otten and Concordia
Seminary, St. Louis. The seminary administration appointed a
small committee of faculty members to meet with Rev. Otten to
discuss various concerns with him. On the basis of those discus-
sions, the seminary did not feel it was possible to proceed with the
process of certifying Rev. Otten for the LCMS ministerium. Under
the Bylaws of our Synod, this decision by Concordia Seminary, St.
Louis, concludes this matter.

Church Growth Study Committee

The Synod advised the President to appoint a committee to
study the Church Growth Movement (1995, Res. 3-09) and address
how the truth of the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions might
be clearly proclaimed in light of the Church Growth Movement and
the influences of American culture and pluralism. The Church
Growth Study Committee has issued an interim report that is
printed elsewhere in this Convention Workbook. I encourage you
to read their report carefully. 1 recommend that their proposals be
implemented.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I need to express a genuine word of thanks to the
members of our beloved Synod. I am grateful to God for the man-
ner in which you have continued to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ in carrying forward His mission and ministry. I also need to
express my deep appreciation for the repeated words of encour-
agement that so many of you have continued to express to me dur-
ing this past triennium. I thank God for you! God bless always.

A. L. Barry, President
Jude 24-25