wfn.org | WordAlone Network Asks for CCM Discussions, Elects Directors

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

April 5, 2000

WORDALONE NETWORK ASKS FOR CCM DISCUSSIONS, ELECTS DIRECTORS
00-079-JB

     MAHTOMEDI, Minn. (ELCA) -- The WordAlone Network asked the Church
Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to consider
placing before the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly constitutional
amendments that would allow for exceptions to a full communion proposal
with the Episcopal Church.
     The network was formally organized last month at its constituting
convention here.  Many members say they want to stay in the ELCA but
will not comply with certain provisions of the ELCA's proposal for full
communion with the Episcopal Church, "Called to Common Mission."  CCM
was adopted by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly last August; a general
convention of the Episcopal Church will consider it in July.
     WordAlone delegates adopted a resolution March 29 that pointed to
an earlier proposal that emerged from an unofficial meeting of CCM
proponents and opponents in Milwaukee in February.   The proposal, known
as the "Common Ground Resolution," offered several ideas on CCM's
implementation, including possible constitutional changes, that would
enable people opposed to it to remain in the ELCA:
     +a call for the ELCA Church Council to consider a delay in
implementing the proposal until after the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly;
     +the possibility of allowing ELCA pastors to be recognized fully
as pastors even if their ordinations are constitutionally "irregular"
because a synodical bishop was not present, a requirement of CCM;
     +the possibility that ELCA bishops be fully recognized as bishops
even if their installations are irregular under CCM; and
     + the possibility that the churchwide assembly create a
non-geographic synod within the ELCA which may not conform with certain
provisions of full communion agreements, including CCM.
     "The WordAlone Network commends the Common Ground Resolution as a
helpful step, but not a final resolve, toward greater unity in the
ELCA," the delegates' resolution said.
     The network requested discussion of its resolution be placed on
the ELCA Church Council agenda when it meets April 8-9 in Chicago.
     The WordAlone constituting convention's delegates approved
articles of incorporation, adopted a series of organizing principles and
elected a board of directors.  The board elected four officers.  The
Rev. Roger C. Eigenfeld, senior pastor of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church,
Mahtomedi, Minn., was elected president; Albert Quie, Minnetonka, Minn.,
vice president;  Lanae Rasmussen, Nashville, Tenn., secretary; and John
Chatelain, Omaha, Neb., treasurer.
     Board members elected by convention delegates were G. Barry
Anderson, Hutchinson, Minn.; the Rev. Jaynan C. Egland, Prince of Peace
Lutheran Church, Spokane, Wash.; Gracia Grindal, professor of rhetoric,
Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.; the Rev. Gordon S. "Tim" Huffman, Jr.,
professor of Christian mission, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus,
Ohio; Meg H. Madson, Plymouth, Minn.; the Rev. Michael Rogness,
professor of homiletics, Luther Seminary; the Rev. Kent S. "Tony"
Stoutenberg, Naselle Evangelical Lutheran Church, Naselle, Wash. and
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Chinook, Chinook, Wash.; and the Rev.
William P. Walles, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Phoenix.

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