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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
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