Due to the tragic terrorist attack, most of our
speakers are unable to make the conference. We regret that the National Free
Conference on C.F.W. Walther has been cancelled for this year.
The Third National Free Conference on C. F. W. Walther will be held on
Friday, October 26 through Saturday, October 27 at Hope Lutheran Church, 10701
St. Cosmas Lane, St. Ann, MO 63074 (314-429-3808), about 2 and ½ miles from
St. Louis' Lambert International Airport. This conference is for lay people
and clergy, beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Friday and ending at noon on Saturday.
Advertising the Conference this year was delayed pending the adoption of
Resolution 7-17A at this past Synodical Convention.
A resolution presented to our Conference last year by the Rev. William
Bischoff resulted in the 2001 Convention's adoption of Resolution 7-17A, which
means that Walther's "Church and Ministry" was and still is the
official position of the LCMS, even though neither Seminary has been teaching
this to their students.
The full list of speakers will be published the first week in September.
The Rev. Rolf Preus of the ELS will discuss polity differences between the
LCMS, ELS and WELS and the Rev. Thomas Bye of Good Shepherd Lutheran of
Oshkosh, Wisconsin will explain why so many "conservative" pastors
and those promoting "Church Growth" are whoring after episcopacy and
power.
Do you have paper you want to present? There is also still time for readers
suggest a particular subject or speaker.
The Conference will address the great grace and victory in the adoption of
Resolution 7-17A and its implications for the LCMS. Now that Walther's
"Church and Ministry" remains the official position of the LCMS, how
will lay people start reclaiming their congregations?
By the grace of God, the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod was blessed with
the most outstanding Lutheran theologian outside of Europe as its first
President. Walther's works set the highest standards of Biblical scholarship
in the doctrines of Justification, preaching Law and Gospel, Church and
Ministry, the Church Independent of the State, the Priesthood of all
Believers, the Pastoral Ministry, the Proper Administration of the Sacraments,
the authority of the Scriptures and much, much more.
It is the goal of the Conference organizers to maintain the teaching and
practice of this rich heritage to the church at large. It is also our goal
that each speaker will present resolutions that will help bring this
information to the attention of the 2003 District Conventions and the 2004
Convention of the LCMS.
Constitutional changes and restructuring are rapidly being introduced in
many LCMS congregations. Voter Supremacy, as established by C. F. W. Walther
in "The Form of A Christian Congregation," published in 1864 and
republished by CPH in 1989, is being removed or changed.
In the event of a merger, dissolution etc. of a congregation, Voters'
Assemblies without supremacy or final authority, have no claim in American
Courts relative to the ownership and final administration of their church
property, which in many cases, is transferred to the District Offices.
This is the only Conference on C. F. W. Walther in the LCMS. The organizers
of this conference seek nothing less than a revival and reaffirmation of
Walther's teaching and practice in the LCMS.
NOW is the time to book your flights to St. Louis while the fares are low.
Complete information as to housing will also be forthcoming in the next
releases.