IV Walther Conference: Best Yet-Order Tapes-Time For Action

By: Rev. Jack Cascione

Speaker after speaker encouraged laypeople and congregations to take action. Convention goers were given many resolutions to promote in their congregations about:

1. Restructuring Synodical and District Conventions
2. Reaffirming equal representation for lay people
3. Reinstating Wallace Schulz as Lutheran Hour Speaker
4. Increasing Synodical support for the Synod's Seminaries
5. Stopping Syncretism at Valparaiso,
6. Teaching Creationism
7. Justification by Faith Alone
8. Commending District President Sims, and more

In 1999, the First National Free Conference on C. F. W. Walther drew a approximately 70 people.   In 2002, the Fourth National Free Conference on C. F. W. Walther drew 170 registrations from 18 States.  There were more who appeared for just one or two speakers.

Hope Lutheran Church, our gracious host for the conference, has just completed a massive building expansion, adding a large atrium, more classrooms, offices, bathrooms, kitchen, and a new gym.  They were more than prepared to accommodate a much larger conference.

Many Lay people took time off of work and traveled hundreds or thousands of miles to attend the conference.  Their goal was to find out how an LCMS congregation is supposed to work and not be worked over by Pastor/CEO's or Pastor/Bishops.  They were not disappointed.

Montana District President, Doctor George Wollenburg, Chairman of Floor Committee 7, who promoted resolution 7-17A to reaffirm Walther's "Church and Ministry" as the official teaching of the LCMS at the 2001 Convention, delivered part of his 40 page paper on the subject to the Walther Conference.

One of Walther's great granddaughter's, Nancy Walther, attended the conference and reported her approval of the entire event to this writer.

Reverend Robert Hill's presentation on Walther's family life and views on marriage and children was outstanding.  Order the tape.

Congressman Dannemeyer received at least 4 rounds of applause during his speech that focused on the need to give LCMS lay people equal standing in District and Synodical Conventions.  The Synod promised lay people would receive equal representation but many District Presidents stack floor committees with clergy who support their programs.  This is video every LCMS layperson should watch.

Reverend Rolf Preus, from the Evangelical Lutheran Synod gave an excellent paper on the church and ministry of the former Synodical Conference.

Reverend Jack Cascione's paper gave quotations from Luther's Genesis Commentary explaining Walther's understanding of families administrating the church in America.   He explained that Walther's views came directly from Luther's teaching about families and the state administrating the church in Europe.

Doctor Louis Brighton of Concordia Seminary explained that congregations would be better served if their pastors spent more time studying the Bible in the original languages, rather than books on administration and church growth/leadership training.

Reverend Herman Otten received a standing ovation after giving a paper on
the importance of reestablishing the LCMS as Walther originally intended.
His paper was published in the Nov. 4th issue of Christian News.
(cnmail@fidnet.com)

Those in attendance were supplied with papers, books from CPH, gifts from Thrivant, (meager of AAL and LB) numerous resources and the opportunity to purchase many outstanding books and pamphlets provided by Christian News.


FOURTH WALTHER CONFERENCE

Order all Video and Cassette Tapes from
Hope Lutheran Church,
10701 St. Cosmas Lane,
St. Ann, MO 63074
(314-429-3808)


November 1-2, 2002

ABOUT THE TAPES

In order to make the tapes available at a low cost, the taping and duplications will be done in-house at Hope Lutheran Church.

While this makes for low costs, it does have some pitfalls:

1. The tapes are not professionally taped or duplicated

2. And it takes time for a retired pastor serving as the interim pastor to get the duplication accomplished.

Each video (VRC) has two speakers - noted in the order form

The audiocassettes have one speaker - noted in the order form

As it was with all our Walther Conferences, this Fourth Walther Conference was devised to follow the Waltherian concept rather than the plush meetings of our day.  You will remember that our speakers donated their time.  Costs were kept at a minimum and the emphasis was on doctrine.

While we assume that the tapes you received are in working order, you may return one that is blank or is damaged beyond recognition.  We will replace it.

In Christ Alive!  Now and Forever!

Pastor Schmidt

PS:  We send the tapes AFTER we receive the money.



VCR TAPES YOU CAN ORDER

Tape 1 - Rev. Rolf Preus & Dr. Wollenburg
Tape 2 - Rev. Hill and Congressman Wm. Dannemeyer
Tape 3 - Rev. Herman Otten & Rev. Jack Cascione
Tape 4 - Dr. Brighton & Panel Discussion

All tapes are $5.00 per tape, which includes handling and mailing

CASSETTE TAPES YOU CAN ORDER

Tape 1 - Rev. Rolf Preus
Tape 2 - Rev. Dr. George Wollenburg
Tape 3 - Rev. Robert Hill
Tape 4 - Congressman William Dannemeyer
Tape 5 - Rev. Herman Otten
Tape 6 - Rev. Jack Cascione
Tape 7 - Rev. Dr. Louis Brighton
Tape 8 - Panel Discussion

Each Tape is $2.00 (includes mailing)

Cost to tapes must be paid for BEFORE we can deliver Check made out to:  Hope Lutheran Church - Walther Conference


November 6, 2002