wfn.org | ELCA Bishops to Explore Mission with Large Congregations

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

October 18, 2000

ELCA BISHOPS TO EXPLORE MISSION WITH LARGE CONGREGATIONS
00-238-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted a proposal that it will
explore the possibility of a formal consultation with leaders of large
congregations in the ELCA.
     The Conference of Bishops is an advisory body that includes the
bishops of the ELCA's 65 synods, the ELCA presiding bishop and the ELCA
secretary.  The group met here Oct. 5-10.
     The bishops became involved when the ELCA Church Council, which
functions as the church's interim legislative authority between
churchwide assemblies, asked the bishops if such a consultation would be
advisable.  The ELCA Saint Paul Area Synod Council asked the council to
consider the idea, saying some congregations in the synod are "defining
themselves beyond the parameters of the ELCA Model Constitution."  The
congregations want to remain in the ELCA, the synod said.
     The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, bishop of the Saint Paul Area Synod, said
some large congregations want to reserve the right to ordain and want to
define the roles of the synod and bishop in the process of calling a
pastor.  The synod council feels it has an adversarial relationship with
some of these congregations, Hanson said.
     "I hate to have conversations about issues of compliance," he
said. "We need to have a healthy, open conversation about how we relate
to each other."  Such a conversation could include issues of mission,
polity and what it means to be in mission together, Hanson said.
     After a brief discussion, the bishops adopted a proposal that may
lead to such a consultation.  The proposal was offered by the Rev. David
W. Olson, bishop of the ELCA Minneapolis Area Synod, also a synod with
several large congregations.
     The Conference of Bishops said it will invite representatives of
the ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries, ELCA Division for
Ministry, ELCA Division for Outreach and large congregations to meet
with a conference committee.  They will explore the possibility of a
"Consultation on Mission Through Larger Congregations," the resolution
said.
     The resolution said the group will consider asking how the church
can "steward the leadership" of large congregations and their
relationship to the ELCA; the roles of lay people and staff regarding
issues of church governance, ministry and ordination; and what
distinctive role they may play in contributing to the mission of the
church.
     The bishops expect to receive a report of possible recommendations
and plan to discuss those recommendations next year, the resolution
concluded.

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