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2009
ELCA Churchwide Assembly
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 ELCA Assembly Adopts Full Communion with the United Methodist Church
MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- By a vote of 958-51, the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted a full communion agreement Aug. 20 with the United Methodist Church (UMC). This is the ELCA's sixth full communion relationship and the first for the UMC.
The assembly also adopted an implementing resolution by a vote of 922-15.
In 2008, the UMC General Conference adopted the same agreement.
Before the ELCA's vote, the Rev. Gregory D. Palmer of the UMC said it would be "a great day" for both churches. "I am grateful that we have come to this point." At a news conference following the two actions, Palmer -- who is president of the UMC Council of Bishops -- said that "God has brought both our churches to a broad place where Jesus Christ calls us ... to all be one [and] to go out for the sake of the world."
"We welcome you as you welcomed us last summer," the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, told Palmer after the first vote, "and we rejoice at what the spirit has in store for us."
"This is indeed a day of great rejoicing," said the Rev. Donald J. McCoid, the ELCA's executive for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations.
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ELCA Assembly Completes Second Ballot for Vice President
MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Voting members at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Churchwide Assembly failed to elect a vice president on the second ballot. Voting took place Aug. 20. Incumbent Carlos Pe�a led on the second ballot with 657 votes. There were 686 votes required for election on the second ballot.
There were 53 candidates listed on the second ballot. The top six vote-getters will advance to the third ballot, to be taken Aug. 21. Ordinarily the top five candidates advance, but there was a tie for fifth place. In addition to Pe�a, other candidates to appear on the third ballot will include Norma Hirsch, who received 146 votes on the second ballot, Ryan Schwarz with 43, Nanette Dahlke with 37, Robert Benne with 21, Thomas Taylor with 16, and Chiu Yau and Jim Martin, both of whom received 6 votes. |
 ELCA Assembly Discusses Ministry Policies
MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Lutherans have been discussing their beliefs about human sexuality since the formation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) 21 years ago. The discussion continues at the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in anticipation of an action that may allow Lutherans in same-sex relationships to serve as professional leaders in the church.
In a 90-minute "quasi committee of the whole" Aug. 20, voting members talked about a report and recommendation on ministry policies put forth by the Task Force for the ELCA Studies on Sexuality. The report includes a recommendation that will make it possible to change current ELCA policy that requires the denomination's professional leaders to abstain from "homosexual sexual relationships."
Some voting members support the continuation of current policies, while other voting members advocate for change.
"Today, we children of God can proclaim that the gospel compels us to uncompromising inclusion that allows gay and lesbian people to serve our church and live a life of accountable partnership," said Kirsten Nelson Roenfeldt, ELCA Rocky Mountain Synod, who spoke in favor of the recommendation. She said voting members have an opportunity to be evangelists. "Let us embrace our opportunity for evangelism and speak to those who have been excluded."
Speaking in opposition John M. Prabhakar, ELCA Northern Illinois Synod, said he finds "no compelling reason" theologically, biblically or historically "to roster gay and lesbians in committed, lifelong monogamous same-gender relationships." He said although he wished he could support the recommendation, "I simply cannot do that with a clear conscience. The arguments I've heard so far seem to be emotional and personal."
Speaking to voting members who oppose the recommendation and ponder the possibility of "breaking fellowship with the church," the Rev. Jay M. McDivitt, ELCA Rocky Mountain Synod, made a plea for them to remain in the church. "Please stay. We need you and you need us," he said. "We need (you) as pastors, preachers, provocateurs and prophets."
According to the Rev. Terri Stagner-Collier, ELCA Southeastern Synod, many Lutherans compare the ordination of "practicing homosexuals" to the ordination of women or the ordination of divorced people. "As a divorced woman pastor, I feel that these are not comparable issues. Unlike homosexuality, there are many passages in Scripture which speak positively about the role of women proclaiming God's word. [Regarding] homosexuality, there are no such positive passages that outweigh the scriptural passages which speak against it."
Earl L. Janssen Jr., ELCA Delaware-Maryland Synod, said the ELCA is a "very broad church. We already have many differences that exist, and we have found ways to live within those differences. This really is no different."
Speaking to those who are watching the assembly in person and on the Web, the Rev. Janice A. Campbell, ELCA Southwestern Texas Synod, said, "I do not want you to be misled. This issue is certainly not about judging others." The church has a "solemn duty to criticize certain actions that diminish and impoverish life," she said, adding that the church has an obligation to criticize sexual behavior "whenever and wherever it happens, so that life may be preserved. It is the loving thing to do. Campbell spoke in opposition of the recommendation.
"Many point to the worldwide Anglican communion and say that the worldwide Lutheran church is headed for a similar schism. But this just isn't true," according to Allison A. Guttu, ELCA Metropolitan New York Synod, who spoke in favor of the recommendation. "We Lutherans have a communion that is defined solely by the proclamation of the gospel and the celebration of the sacrament," she said. "Word and Sacrament, not our ordination rules, are what keep us united as Lutherans. By voting to respect each other's conscience, we are not threatening Lutheran unity. We are indeed affirming the very source of that unity." |
 ELCA Assembly Welcomes Tour de Revs at Final Stop
MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Three pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) set out on a mission 100 days ago -- to end hunger and poverty in the world by raising $5 million for the ELCA World Hunger Appeal.
"Our tour was not about records, but about revelation, revolution and revenue," said the Rev. Frederick "Fred" A. Soltow, one of the pastors. "The revelation is that there are over 2,100 verses in Scripture where God says that there shall be no poor or hungry; feed my people and eliminate injustice."
Soltow and his fellow riders -- the Rev. Reinold "Ron" Schlak and the Rev. David A. Twedt -- called their journey "The Tour de Revs." They rode more than 10,000 miles and made 66 stops, including a stop in each of the 65 Synods of the ELCA. Their journey ended Aug. 20 at the 2009 ELCA Chuchwide Assembly.
The trio does not have a final number on how much money they raised, but have been told that it could be more than $250,000.
"The funds are coming in faster than ELCA World Hunger can count it," he said with a smile.
Schlak told the assembly of a donation they had received from a homeless woman in San Diego who collected 551 pennies discarded in the streets to give to their cause.
"She had heard of our mission and wanted to help those who are also hungry," Schlak said.
Even though the trio wasn't didn't reach their fundraising goal, Twedt said the tour was a success.
"What we really wanted people to do was make a person change in their stewardship and make the ELCA World Hunger appeal part of their monthly stewardship appeal," he said. "We have the resources to fight poverty and end hunger. The question is do we have the desire, because it is God's work."
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If you are interested in keeping up with the 2009 Churchwide Assembly here are some helpful links:
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