wfn.org | ELCA Council Sets Stage for Assembly

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 15, 1997

ELCA COUNCIL SETS STAGE FOR ASSEMBLY
97-CA-02-FI

     PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- Anticipating the arrival of more than
a thousand voting members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America, the ELCA Church Council gave some finishing touches to
the agenda of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly -- the church's chief
legislative body.  The council adopted enabling resolutions for a
declaration regarding the Roman Catholic Church and the church's
initiatives for the 21st century.
     The council met here Aug. 13-14.  The assembly is Aug. 14-20.
     One resolution asks the churchwide assembly to accept
specific conclusions of A Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of
Justification -- a 44-paragraph agreement reached by Lutheran and
Roman Catholic theologians around the world.  "The understanding
of the doctrine of justification set forth in this Declaration
shows that a consensus in basic truths of the doctrine of
justification exists between Lutherans and Catholics," the
proposal states.
     The council also affirmed Initiatives to Prepare for a New
Century: A Call to Commitment and asked the churchwide assembly
to encourage the ELCA's 5.2 million members and their
institutions to commit themselves to the seven activities
outlined in the document.  The activities include "teach the
faith," "strengthen one another in mission" and "connect with
youth and young adults."
     There were several other matters for the council to address
during their final session together.  They named a new director
for the ELCA Department for Human Resources, elected several
advisory and steering committee members, and heard reports from
the ELCA Board of Pensions and the assembly of the Lutheran World
Federation (LWF) the previous month in Hong Kong.
     Aaron Dean of Seattle will head the church's personnel
department.  Currently employed as a mental health counselor,
Dean has 20 years of experience as a human resources professional
-- much of that in the military and most recently as personnel
director for the Seattle Police Department.
     A report from the ELCA Board of Pensions recommended that
the church not establish a "relief of conscience" fund for
contributions that will not be used to underwrite abortions.  A
feasibility study said establishing such a fund would require a
series of controversial decisions at personal and institutional
levels -- more controversial than the measured effects of the
fund.
     About a half dozen council members and staff reported on the
business and atmosphere of the LWF Assembly in Hong Kong.  The
council viewed a "video postcard" that was produced during that
assembly.
     The council consists of the ELCA's four officers -- bishop,
vice president, secretary and treasurer -- and 33 members, one-third
elected eac h churchwide assembly to serve six-year terms.
Eleven members leave the council, ineligible for re-election.
     Vice President Kathy Magnus had earlier announced her
intention to resign at the end of the churchwide assembly.  So,
this was her last meeting with the council too.  The assembly
will elect a new vice president.
     The council evaluated its procedures, giving special
attention to the advise of those leaving the group.  Generally,
they said they appreciated the amount of information they receive
from staff before their semi-annual meetings, but they wanted to
find ways to involve themselves in the council's work between the
regular meetings.  Some felt the talent and diversity of the
council was not being used to its fullest.
     The council elected several ELCA members to serve on
steering and advisory committees:
+ Commission for Multicultural Ministries, steering committee --
the Rev. Rodney C. Maeker, University Lutheran Church of Hope,
Minneapolis, and Ross S. Paulson, St. John's Lutheran Church,
Rock Island, Ill.
+ Commission for Women, steering committee -- Glenn D. Byran,
Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Philadelphia; the Rev. Paula
M. Connor, Trinity Lutheran Church, Lakewood, Ohio; the Rev.
Janet M. Corpus, St. Mark Lutheran Church, Fairfield, Calif.; and
Norma H. Valenzuela, Cristo Rey Lutheran Church, El Paso, Texas.
+ The Lutheran, magazine of the ELCA, advisory committee --
Judith M. Buddenbaum, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Fort
Collins, Colo.; Herbert Strentz, St. Stephen Lutheran Church,
Urbandale, Iowa; and the Rev. Kenneth E. Roberts, New Life
Lutheran Church, Plymouth, Mich.

For information contact:

Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html