wfn.org | ELCA Approves New Guidelines for Addressing Social Concerns

[ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 19, 1997

ELCA APPROVES NEW GUIDELINES FOR ADDRESSING SOCIAL CONCERNS
97-CA-31-MS

     PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- Risking occasional negative fallout, Lutherans
in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America continue to believe they
should speak out on social issues.  At the biennial Churchwide Assembly
meeting here Aug. 14-20, voting members approved a revised set of
guidelines for addressing social concerns.
     The new approach, which replaces one adopted in 1989 when the ELCA
was formed, focuses on four areas:

     *  developing resources for use in congregations, building awareness
        about social issues;

     * encouraging learning and moral discourse, including the
       development of appropriate study materials;

     * development and enactment of social policy; and

     * interpreting and applying social policy.

     In floor discussion prior to the vote, members raised questions about
the way the ELCA does its work in the area of social concerns.  The Rev.
Stephen Goodwin, Benton Ky., echoed the concerns of some church members who
believe national church bodies should not take positions representing only
some of its constituency.  He said, "Maybe we should focus ourselves on
teaching documents instead of absolute statements."
     The Rev. John Reumann, Philadelphia, urged the church's Division for
Church in Society to make every effort to consult with other denominations
when developing statements on specific topics.
     Voting members had not forgotten problems in 1993 when a churchwide
proposed statement concerning human sexuality was reported in the public
media.  Speaking to this issue, Thomas H. Seaman, Cape Coral, Fla., asked
whether Division leaders could assure the church that in the future texts
of statements still in process would not be circulated publicly.
     Voting members ratified the proposal with 97 percent approving.

For information contact:

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