ELCA Assembly Completes Work On Resolutions

Milwaukee (ELCA)-BMC — The 2003 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Aug. 16 adopted seven recommendations and defeated one resolution brought before the assembly's reference and counsel committee.

The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 11-17 at the Midwest Airlines Center. There are about 2,100 people participating, including 1,031 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: For the Healing of the World."

The assembly adopted, 886 to 50, a recommendation to refer to ELCA churchwide units a motion to review and revise the congregational annual report form to evaluate congregational evangelism and outreach efforts. The motion will be referred to the ELCA Division for Outreach and the Office of the Secretary, with a request that a report and possible recommendation be brought to the April 2004 meeting of the ELCA Church Council.

The assembly adopted, 832 to 139, the committee's recommendation to decline a proposal to suspend full communion with the Episcopal Church. The proposal, submitted by Harvey Hengst, voting member, ELCA Southwestern Texas Synod, would have temporarily suspended the "Called to Common Mission" agreement until the completion of the ELCA Studies on Human Sexuality.

The assembly adopted, 811 to 147, a recommendation to refer a motion on racial justice and equality to the ELCA Office of the Secretary. The committee commended the ELCA Greater Milwaukee Synod for its work for justice and reconciliation, and asked the ELCA to reaffirm racial justice and equality in its planning of future churchwide assemblies.

The assembly defeated, 570 to 366, a substitute motion on the inclusion of synod vice presidents as voting members to churchwide assemblies. Mark Helmke, voting member, ELCA Southwestern Texas Synod, offered a substitute motion — accepted by the assembly 519 to 391 — which moved that the original resolution be considered in place of the committee's recommendation. Although 61 percent of the voting members voted for it, this resolution required a two-thirds majority vote to pass because it would have amended ELCA bylaws.

Four other motions were approved "en bloc" by the assembly by a vote of 927 to 12. The assembly approved a resolution to respond to the denial of visas to delegates to the Lutheran World Federation's 2003 Assembly. The resolution asked the ELCA presiding bishop join the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada's national bishop in expressing disappointment and concern over the Canadian government's actions.

The second "en bloc" resolution adopted resolved that the ELCA express concern that human rights are upheld for ethnic Hmong Lao nationals to the Lao People's Democratic Republic. The resolution, amended by the committee of reference and counsel, welcomed the release of Naw-Karl Mua, ethnic Hmong, U.S. national and ELCA pastor in the ELCA St. Paul Area Synod.

The assembly approved "en bloc" the resolution on rural ministry that resolved to "affirm the work and leadership of the desk for rural ministry resources and networking" and to call on ELCA units to encourage the ELCA Small Town and Rural (STaR) Ministry Alliance.

The fourth "en bloc" resolution approved by the assembly asked that the ELCA provide a "place of true welcome" and "reaffirm its commitment to those with mental and physical disabilities."