LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 171

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RESOLUTIONS 171

protection of pastors, teachers, and congregations in the
performance of their duties and the maintenance of their
rights” (Constitution, Art. ITI, 8); and

Wuereas, Synodical officials and other brethren have
been vilified and attacked due to false information given
to the secular and religious press; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod in convention deplore all such slanderous attacks,
express its regrets to those who have been vilified, and
encourage those who have been guilty of such unchris-
tian acts to repent and to ask the forgiveness of those
whom they have offended.

Action: Adopted (10).

(The delegates declined to refer the resolution back to the
committee and also declined an amendment to insert “and the
eight District Presidents specifically” in the second whereas.)

To Express Thanks and Support
of Our Synodical Officials

RESOLUTION 9-08
Overtures 9-23, 9-24 (CW, p. 414)
Wuereas, Our synodical officials have all faced very
trying times because of the difficulties in our Synod; and

Wuereas, They have accepted this burden graciously
and have carried out their responsibilities with Christian
patience; therefore be it

Resolved, That we extend our thanks to our synodical
officials and assure them of our continued prayers and
support of their efforts in behalf of our Lord’s church.

Action: Adopted (10).

(The convention declined an amendment to substitute “all
persons involved in synodical differences” for “our synodical
officials” in the title; “many brothers and sisters” for “our
synodical officials” in the first whereas; and to insert “and all
other persons involved in our various controversies” after “offi-
cials” in the resolved.)

To Urge Congregations to Follow
Synodical Procedures in Calling
Pastors and Teachers

RESOLUTION 9-09

Overtures 9-18A—9-19, (CW, pp. 412--413); N.O. Res.
11-13 (CW, pp. 448—449)

Wuereas, Every congregation of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod has the right to expect and to
demand that every called servant of the Word, whether
pastor or teacher, be a trustworthy steward of the mys-
teries of God (1 Cor. 4:1-2) and will honor his ordination
and/or installation vows; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod in convention encourage the District Presidents to
be open to the congregations who are concerned about
the theological stance of those who are on their call lists,
and that the Council of Presidents be encouraged to
continue to study the matter of congregational inter-
views of pastors and teachers and of the proper use of
these interviews in the church; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations who are calling pastors
and teachers be urged to seek information about their
candidates from their District Presidents and Circuit
Counselors; and be it finally

Resolved, That congregations be urged to exercise
their right to suggest names to their District President
for inclusion on their call lists.

Action: Adopted (10).

To Advise the Rev. Herman Otten
to Apply to the Faculty of
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis,
for Certification into the
LCMS Ministerium

RESOLUTION 9-10

Overtures 9-12A, 9-12B, 9-12C, 9-13, 9-14, 9-17 (CW,
pp. 411—412); N.O. Res. 11-20 (CW, p. 449)

Wuereas, The Bylaws of the Synod (4.15) provide
specific procedures for certification into the pastoral min-
istry of the LCMS; and

Wuereas, For the sake of peace and harmony in the
Synod and of justice to all concerned it is imperative that
the matter be resolved; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Rev. Herman Otten be advised to
reapply to the faculty of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis,
for certification into the pastoral ministry if he so de-
sires; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm its willingness to
welcome into the pastoral ministry all who have met the
requirer..ents for certification.

Action: Adopted (10):

(The committee changed “801 De Mun” to “St. Louis”
throughout. A motion to consider Overture 9-12A as a substitute
was ruled out of order, as well as a suggestion that the former
President of the Synod be asked to comment on his handling of
the case.)