wfn.org | 1999 ELCA Assembly to Convene in Denver Aug. 16-22

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 29, 1999

ELCA ASSEMBLY TO CONVENE IN DENVER AUG. 16-22
99-191-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Voting members to the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly Aug. 16-22 in Denver are
expected to act on proposed full communion agreements with two
Protestant churches, consider a proposed social statement on economic
life and elect a new editor for The Lutheran, the magazine of the ELCA.
     About 2,300 people -- including 1,039 voting members -- are
registered for the ELCA's biennial assembly at the Colorado Convention
Center in Denver.  The theme is "Making Christ Known: Hope for a New
Century."  The churchwide assembly is the highest legislative authority
of the ELCA and represents the 5.2 million members of the ELCA, the
fifth-largest Protestant denomination in the United States.
     The Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, will
chair the assembly.
     A significant issue before the assembly, which has generated some
controversy in the ELCA, is the proposed full communion agreement,
"Called to Common Mission" (CCM), with the 2.5 million-member Episcopal
Church.  It is a revision of the "Concordat of Agreement," a full
communion proposal that fell six votes short of the required two-thirds
for approval at the 1997 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Philadelphia.
     Lutherans and Episcopalians agree on the doctrine of apostolic
succession, an ongoing faithful proclamation of Christ.  Episcopalians
bring to the relationship the "historic episcopate," a succession of
bishops as a sign of unity back to the earliest days of the Christian
church.  If CCM is approved, the ELCA will incorporate the historic
episcopate.  Many critics oppose this CCM provision.  A copy of the
proposal can be found on the World Wide Web at
www.elca.org/ea/ccmintro.html.
     This spring and summer, CCM was discussed at most of the ELCA's 64
synod assemblies, and many assemblies voted on non-binding resolutions.
According to the ELCA Department for Synodical Relations and ELCA
Department for Ecumenical Affairs, 25 synods adopted resolutions
supporting CCM and four adopted resolutions specifically rejecting it.
     At many of the synod assemblies, voting members also considered an
alternative proposal known as the Mahtomedi Resolution.  ELCA members
opposed to CCM wrote the resolution at a conference earlier this year at
St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, Minn.  It recommended "the 1999
Churchwide Assembly reject" CCM, reaffirm a commitment to work together
with the Episcopal church under the guidelines of an interim agreement
adopted in 1982 and welcome Episcopal clergy to serve in ELCA
congregations "consistent with the ELCA's Confession of Faith" in the
ELCA Constitution.
     Seventeen synods adopted the Mahtomedi Resolution, two passed
similar resolutions supporting ecumenical mission without the historic
episcopate, and 15 synods specifically rejected the resolution.
     To be approved at the churchwide assembly, CCM must be adopted by
a two-thirds vote.
     The assembly is also expected to consider  "Following Our Shepherd
to Full Communion," a full communion agreement with the 49,000-member
Moravian Church in America, another Protestant denomination.  The text
of this proposal is available at www.elca.org/ea/fostoc.html.
     Full communion agreements open possibilities for exchange of
clergy and other cooperative ministries.  In 1997 the ELCA assembly
approved a full communion agreement with the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.), Reformed Church in America and United Church of Christ.
     Voting members will consider a proposed social statement on
economic life, "Toward Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All."  The
statement addresses economic issues relating to people living in
poverty, matters of vocation and work, sharing resources and
sustainability of the environment, agriculture and low income
communities.  The full text of this proposal is available on the Web at
www.elca.org/dcs/suffsus.html and by fax-on-demand by calling 773-380-6555.
      The assembly is expected to hear several reports, including a
proposal for the development of a social statement on health care;
disabilities ministry and deaf ministry; and women and children living
in poverty.  The '99 assembly will also receive a report from several
churchwide units that summarizes their activities on gay and lesbian
issues.  The 1997 Churchwide Assembly asked for this report to be
presented in 1999.
     In addition to elections of members to boards and committees of
the ELCA, the assembly will elect a new editor for The Lutheran.  The
Rev. David L. Miller, 46, is the nominee expected to be considered for
election by the churchwide assembly, following a process specified in
the ELCA Constitution.  Miller is presently senior editor of the
magazine.
     The Rev. Edgar R. Trexler has served as editor of The Lutheran
since the ELCA's inception in 1988, and for several years before that in
a predecessor church body.  He announced his retirement earlier this
year.   The magazine's circulation is about 625,000 -- the largest among
denominational publications in the United States.
     The 25th anniversary of the ELCA World Hunger Appeal, the 
fund-raising arm of the ELCA's hunger program, will be celebrated at the
assembly.  The appeal's 1999 goal is to raise $12.6 million.
     Voting members will be asked to approve budgets for the ELCA for
2000 and 2001.  The 2000 budget proposal is $83.5 million, with an
expanded ministry fund of $160,000 and income for its World Hunger
Program projected at $12.7 million.  The 2001 proposal is for an $85
million operating budget and $12.8 million in income for world hunger.
     The assembly will hear reports on two of the ELCA's seven
"Initiatives for a New Century" approved at the 1997 assembly: teach the
faith and help the children. The other churchwide initiatives are:
deepen worship life, witness to God's action in the world, strengthen
one another in mission, connect with youth and young adults, and develop
leaders for the next century.
     In addition to business sessions, the churchwide assembly will
include several services of worship and prayer, building on the assembly
theme.
     Friday, Aug. 20, and Saturday, Aug. 21, will feature "Hope for A
New Century Festival Plaza," a "marketplace" constructed as a
southwestern plaza.  The Festival Plaza provides voting members and
visitors an opportunity to learn about the various ministries of the
church.
     Materials used in constructing the plaza will be donated to
Habitat for Humanity. In cooperation with Habitat for Humanity,
churchwide assembly members will be invited to help build a house in the
Denver area.  The Hunger Bowl Project, a multi-unit effort involving
students at ELCA colleges, universities and campus ministries, is
designed to raise awareness for the ELCA World Hunger Appeal.  Assembly
voting members will be given bowls made by the students to build
stronger connections among congregations and ELCA colleges, universities
and campus ministries. The bowls are also intended to help continue
awareness of world hunger and to encourage further education.
      Young Lutherans will attend a youth convocation to be held in
conjunction with the churchwide assembly.  There will also be a
convocation for young adults, running concurrently with the assembly.
     Information on the 1999 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, including the
agenda, can be found on the Web at www.elca.org/assembly99/.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html