wfn.org | ELCA Bishops Suggest Possibilities for CCM Exceptions to Council

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

October 18, 2000

ELCA BISHOPS SUGGEST POSSIBILITIES FOR CCM EXCEPTIONS TO COUNCIL
00-240-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) suggested the presiding bishop and
synod council be consulted should a candidate for ordination in the ELCA
wish to be ordained without the presence of a synod bishop.  The bishops
offered the advice to the ELCA Church Council as the council considers
the possibility of exceptions to ordination procedures which are
required as part of a full communion agreement with The Episcopal
Church.
     The agreement, "Called to Common Mission," (CCM), was adopted in
August 1999 at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly and in July 2000 by a
general convention of the Episcopal Church.  CCM will be implemented
Jan. 1, 2001.
     The ELCA Conference of Bishops is an advisory body that includes
the bishops of the church's 65 synods, the ELCA presiding bishop and the
ELCA secretary.  The council serves as the ELCA's legislative authority
between churchwide assemblies, which are held every two years.   The
ELCA bishops, who met here Oct. 5-10, examined a series of possible
options.  They adopted a resolution that advises the council's Legal and
Constitutional Review Committee, which is expected to review proposals
for exceptions for possible presentation to the full council.  The
council meets next month in Chicago.

     In their advice, the bishops affirmed the council's effort to seek
a pastoral means of implementing CCM, recognizing "the theological
concerns within this church while seeking to fully and faithfully live
in full communion with the Episcopal Church."
     The Conference of Bishops said three points are important when
considering the possibility of an ordination without the presence of a
bishop:
     + that the decision be "a pastoral decision of the synodical
bishop informed by the guidelines developed by the ELCA Division for
Ministry in consultation with the Conference of Bishops."
     + that the synod bishop "consult with the ELCA presiding bishop to
consider the ecumenical implications" of such an action; and
     + that the synod bishop "receive the advice of the synod council
under the guidelines."
     The bishops' advisory statement, in the form of a resolution, was
presented to the Conference of Bishops by the Rev. Stanley S. Olson,
bishop of the ELCA Southwestern Minnesota Synod, on behalf of the
bishops' ecumenical affairs committee.  There was considerable
discussion.
     Earlier this year, the ELCA bishops issued a pastoral letter in
which they invited "the
 exploration of possible ways to allow a synodical bishop, in unusual
circumstances and with appropriate consultation, to authorize another
ELCA pastor to preside at an ordination." They asked the ELCA Church
Council, in consultation with the presiding bishop, to pursue the issue
"as part of our continued broad consultation in this church and with The
Episcopal Church."
     Olson said the committee liked the idea that any discussions
involving possible exceptions for ordination occur in the synod.  Many
bishops agreed.
     "I support the committee's work," said the Rev. Peter Rogness,
bishop of the ELCA Greater Milwaukee Synod. "This (the bishops' advice)
has nice balance and consistency." The Rev. Daniel J. Martensen,
director of the ELCA Department for Ecumenical Affairs, sounded a
cautionary note during the discussions.  "There are certainly voices
within the Episcopal Church that would be raised as a matter of concern
that we might be undermining CCM," he said.  Episcopal Church observers
have said little about the ELCA discussions, but are certainly watching
them carefully, Martensen said.
     The Rev. Lowell S. Almen, ELCA secretary, said any provision for
ordination exceptions may be offered to the churchwide assembly by the
church council as a proposed bylaw amendment.  If so, the council may
offer a possible bylaw as late as its spring 2001 meeting, he said.
     Almen said he and others are trying to respond fairly to CCM
concerns raised by some synods.  "There are no games being played here,"
he said.
     The process that may lead to possible CCM ordination exceptions
began this summer with a series of resolutions from about one third of
the ELCA's 65 synods.  Those synods adopted resolutions calling for
consideration of exceptions and sent their concerns to the ELCA Church
Council.  Those who oppose CCM say it threatens Lutheran identity and
gives bishops more authority.  CCM requires a synod bishop to preside at
future Lutheran ordinations; under present practice in the ELCA, a synod
bishop may designate another pastor to ordain.

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