Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1975 · 51st Convention › Page 411
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 411

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

412 SPECIAL AND SUNDRY MATTERS

WHEREAS, In comparison with recent graduates from Semi-
nex who have been certified after having gone through the cor-
rect procedure for certification Rev. Otten would easily be
certified: therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod in convention itself declare Rev.
Herman Otten eligible for the ministry in The Lutheran Church
— Missouri Synod or else direct the present faculty of Concordia
Seminary. St. Louis, to make an inquiry into the possible
certification of Rev. Herman Otten as soon as possible.

St. James Lutheran Church
University City. Mo.

John Essen, President

Carl Meinecke. Secretary
Tom Baker, Pastor

9-14

To Retract Repudiation of ‘Christian
News” and Welcome Rev. Herman
Otten into Our Ministry

Be it Resolved. That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
ask the Council of Presidents of the LCMS either to withdraw its
repudiation of Christian Neus or to show where this newspaper
has told untruths worthy of condemnation: and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
require Concordia Seminary to withdraw its objections to finding
Rev. Herman Otten eligible to be a pastor in good standing in the
LCMS.

Messiah Lutheran Church
Detroit, Mich.
Carl Hoffmeyer, Pastor

9-15

To Acknowledge Service Rendered by
“Christian News”

WHEREAS. Christian News (formerly known as Lutheran
News), published by Lutheran News. Inc.. has performed a
consistent service to the Synod for over a decade by dissemi-
nating important information relevant to the present synodical
controversy: and

WHEREAS. Christian News has seen fit to provide the Synod
with news releases and articles from divergent points of view:
therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod declare that Christian News has
performed an educational service of merit to the Synod: and be
it further

Resolved. That the Synod direct the Council of Presidents to
reconsider its previous action of censure and condemnation of
the publication.

Redeemer Lutheran Church
Lebanon, Conn.
Robert G. Small. Secretary

9-16

To Remove Repudiation of
“Christian News”

WHEREAS. A number of District Presidents who voted for
the repudiation of Christian News in 1969 have since regretted
that action for various reasons; and

WHEREAS, Such repudiation was directed in an unfair man-
ner against one publication; and

WHEREAS, Missouri in Perspective has gone far beyond the
realm of decent Christian reporting in comparison with Chris-
tian News: therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod assembled in convention itself

remove the repudiation of Christian News or urge the present
Council of Presidents to review the repudiation and either
sustain it or remove it.
St. James Lutheran Church
University City, Mo.
John Essen, President
Carl Meinecke. Secretary
Tom Baker, Pastor

To Express Appreciation to
Herman Otten

WHEREAS. The Rev. Herman Otten has consistently at-
tempted to define the problems that disrupt unity (which he has
been accused of disrupting): and

WHEREAS. He himself would readily admit that in attempting
to do so, as a fallible human being, he has and could continue to
make misjudgments and errors for which he has consistently
asked for correction and forgiveness: and

WHEREAS. His efforts and diligence have been met with much
maligning and loveless reproof (such as withholding the semi-
nary declaration of eligibility for the ministry, the lack of recog-
nition of his position as a pastor in The Lutheran Church -— Mis-
souri Synod, and a censure by the Praesidium and Council of
District Presidents of the Synod); therefore be it

Resolved. That our convention instruct the faculty at 801
De Mun Avenue to immediately take up the business of rein-
vestigation of any reasons which would cause the Rev. Herman
Otten to remain ineligible for the ministry in the LCMS and,
having cleared up all matters, authorize his eligibility for the
regular ministry through his ordination: and be it further

Resolved. That the Synod in convention instruct the Council
of Presidents to either identify reasons for their censure or to
apologize; and be it finally

Resolved. That The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod in
convention publicly apologize for the many attacks against the
person of the Rev. Herman Otten.

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
Brownstown, Ind.

John Stuckwisch, Chairman
Lynn Hinnefeld, Secretary
J. V. Moyer, Pastor

9-18A

To Clarify the Theological Stance
of Candidates for Calls

WHEREAS, Several resolutions drawn up by convention
committees were not acted upon by the 1973 convention because
of the press of time, we herewith again submit them to the 1975
convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for
adoption; therefore be it

Resolved. That the 1975 convention of The Lutheran Church
~ Missouri Synod adopt Res. 11-13, 1973 convention Proceedings.
p. 215.

St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church
Brookfield, Ill.

Walter Hannenberg, Secretary
Walter Otten. Pastor

Identical or similar:

9-18B

Hope. San Leandro, Calif. Wm. Grunow

9-19

To Develop Theological Questionnaire

WHEREAS, The Lord of the church through His inspired
prophet Jeremiah declares: ‘“‘He that hath My Word, let him