wfn.org | ELCA Assembly Elects Bishop, Adopts Bylaw, Authorizes Study

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 17, 2001

ELCA ASSEMBLY ELECTS BISHOP, ADOPTS BYLAW, AUTHORIZES STUDY
01-213-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The 2001 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) elected the Rev. Mark S. Hanson to a
six-year term as presiding bishop, adopted a controversial bylaw to
address concerns about ordination policies and authorized a study on
homosexuality.
     The actions were among many taken by the assembly's 1,039 voting
members who met Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center in
Indianapolis.  The Churchwide Assembly is the chief legislative
authority of the ELCA.  The theme for the biennial assembly was "Making
Christ Known: Sharing Faith in a New Century."  The Rev. H. George
Anderson, ELCA presiding bishop, was chair.

HANSON ELECTED PRESIDING BISHOP
     Voting members elected Hanson, 54, ELCA presiding bishop Aug. 11
on the fifth ballot.  Hanson is presently bishop of the ELCA Saint Paul
(Minn.) Area Synod, a position in which he has served since 1995, and is
vice chair of the Conference of Bishops. Hanson was elected 533-499 over
the Rev. Donald J. McCoid, bishop of the ELCA Southwestern Pennsylvania
Synod and chair of the Conference of Bishops.
     "I do not regard this as an election won but a call received,"
Hanson said in a brief address to the assembly after the election.
"Thank you for this holy calling. I accept it with grace and gratitude."
Hanson and his wife, Ione, are parents to six children.
     Hanson will succeed Anderson, whose six-year term ends Oct. 31.
Anderson, 69, announced earlier he would not be available for re-election.

ALMEN RE-ELECTED SECRETARY
     The Rev. Lowell G. Almen, 59, was re-elected on the fourth ballot
as secretary of the ELCA. Almen has served as secretary since the ELCA
was formed in 1987.  Almen received 605 votes on the fourth ballot.
Second was Glenndy L. Sculley, assistant to the bishop of the Saint Paul
Area Synod, with 379 votes. Third was Dr. Addie J. Butler, ELCA vice
president, Reformation Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, with 18 votes.
     "I accept the renewal of the call of this church as expressed by
you, to serve as secretary," Almen said to the assembly after his
election. "I have had a privilege I will cherish all my life
-- that is the privilege of having served with Presiding Bishop H.
George Anderson."

BISHOP ANDERSON, MCAULIFFE HONORED
     The ELCA Church Council conferred the Servus Dei Medal to Bishop
Anderson and Richard L. McAuliffe, ELCA treasurer, for their service as
officers of this church. McAuliffe, who has served as treasurer since
1992, will conclude his service Jan. 31, 2002.  The ELCA Church Council
will elect a successor.
     Anderson and his wife, Jutta, were honored in a social gathering
on Aug. 10 at the Indianapolis Zoo. Retiring executive for
administration, the Rev. Robert N. Bacher, was also honored at the
assembly.

BYLAW ADOPTED
     Voting members adopted a bylaw amendment on ordination in "unusual
circumstances," 683-330 or with 67.4 percent of the vote, slightly more
than the two-thirds vote required to pass the proposal.  The bylaw will
allow a synodical bishop, under certain circumstances, to authorize
another pastor of the church to preside at an ordination. The bylaw
resulted from concerns of some Lutherans related to "Called to Common
Mission" (CCM), the full-communion agreement of the ELCA and Episcopal
Church.
     "We are concerned that the ELCA has decided to adopt the bylaw,"
said Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold III of the Episcopal Church, in
a written statement. "This appears to be a unilateral alteration of the
mutual commitment that both our churches have solemnly made to enter
into full communion based on CCM. Obviously, it is too early to tell how
frequently the ordination in 'unusual circumstances' will occur, or what
the Episcopal Church's likely response will be. Only our General
Convention can speak officially on that."
     Later, the assembly adopted a resolution requesting that the ELCA
presiding bishop "engage in continuing consultation with the presiding
bishop and other representatives of the Episcopal Church," to affirm the
dedication of the ELCA to live fully into CCM.

EVANGELISM, MINISTRY STRATEGIES ADOPTED
     Voting members adopted a new evangelism strategy for the next
decade and heard a report on the strategy for the previous 10 years.
The resolution provides guidance to Lutherans to "clarify their sense of
purpose and mission, seek new ways to be open to innovation and change,
and share new or existing evangelism plans with the whole church prior
to the 2003 Churchwide Assembly."
     One amendment called for establishment of  a "Blue Ribbon" task
force by Jan. 3, 2002, to develop a comprehensive evangelism strategy
for presentation and possible action at the 2003 Churchwide Assembly.
     The assembly adopted a Latino Ministry Strategy by an overwhelming
vote Aug. 11. Latinos are the fastest-growing ethnic group in ELCA
congregations.  The assembly also adopted a ministry strategy to reach
out to Asian and Pacific Islanders, by recommitting the ELCA to
partnership with existing Asian and Pacific Islander congregations,
intensifying outreach with the gospel among the Asian and Pacific
Islander communities.

HOMOSEXUALITY STUDY AUTHORIZED; REPORT, RECOMMENDATIONS IN 2005
     In response to memorials from synods, voting members, by a 899-115
vote, called for a churchwide study on homosexuality, including matters
related to the blessing of same-gender relationships and ordination of
gay and lesbian people in committed relationships. The action also calls
for a final report and an action plan for implementation to be presented
to the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The document is to include study
of the Lutheran understanding of the Word of God and biblical,
theological, scientific and practical material on homosexuality.
     In a related and separate action, voting members, by a 624-381
vote, asked the Church Council, the Conference of Bishops and the
Division for Ministry to create a specific plan and time line leading
toward a decision concerning the ordination of homosexual persons in
committed relationships. The plan and any changes that would require
assembly approval are to be placed before the 2005 ELCA Churchwide
Assembly.  Presently, ELCA policy states that ordained ministers who are
homosexual in their self-understanding are expected to abstain from
homosexual sexual relationships.
     The assembly also asked, a 581-386 vote, for initiation of a
process leading to the development of a social statement on human
sexuality.

ELCA INITIATIVES CONCLUDED, REPORTS OFFERED
     The ELCA's seven "Initiatives for a New Century," were the subject
of reports throughout the assembly.  Specific work on the initiatives
has concluded. The initiatives are deepening worship life, teaching the
faith, witnessing, mutual support, helping the children, connecting with
youth and young adults, and developing leaders.

ELCA AFFIRMS ECUMENICAL RELATIONSHIPS
      The assembly affirmed, by a 892-25 vote, that the ELCA accept an
invitation to become a "partner in mission and dialogue" with Churches
Uniting in Christ (CUIC), a fellowship of nine churches that share
ministry together.
     During the assembly, leaders of the ELCA and the Evangelical
Church of the Lutheran Confession of Brazil signed a "Covenant for
Cooperative Mission."

MEMORIALS, RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED
     The assembly acted on a variety of issues through memorials from
the ELCA's 65 synods and resolutions from assembly voting members.
Actions included:
     + support for Stand With Africa, a three-year Lutheran campaign
that focuses on issues significant to Africa, including HIV and AIDS,
economic justice, food security, and peace and reconciliation.
     + an expression of concern about the plight of family farms and
the economic conditions in rural communities.  The proposal reaffirmed a
1999 Churchwide Assembly action that urged prayer and advocacy for those
caught in the family-farm crisis, along with study of the challenges
they face.
     + a call for continued prayer for peace in the Middle East,
including an ecumenical prayer vigil; support for those in the region
affected by strife; affirmation of the work of the ELCA's Division for
Global Mission and Division for Church in Society in efforts to organize
more ecumenical response to the crisis; and commendation of Middle East
Lutherans for their efforts for peace and aid for those caught in the
crisis.  The resolution asked the presiding bishop to send a letter to
the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, urging that
diplomatic pressure be placed on those opposing peace in the Middle
East; and the resolution acknowledged the pain and suffering of all
those involved in Middle East tensions.
     + a call for immediate cessation of U.S. Navy operations on
Vieques, an island eight miles east of Puerto Rico. The action also
directs the ELCA's Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs to advocate
for cessation, as well as decontamination of the island from effects of
bombs and other ordnance, and "prompt return of the island to its
people."

BUDGETS ADOPTED FOR 2002-2003; POLICY AFFIRMED
     Voting members adopted ELCA budget proposals totaling more than
$103 million for fiscal year 2002 and more than $105 million for fiscal
year 2003.  The budgets include ELCA World Hunger Appeal income
proposals of $16.5 million for 2002 and $17 million for 2003.  The
churchwide budget supports domestic and global mission, seminaries,
witness, nurture, service and justice, unity, leadership and mutual
support.
     The assembly also adopted a policy on school vouchers.  The action
affirmed a church council action from April 2000, in which the council
adopted the policy as an interim policy to be presented to the
churchwide assembly.

NEXT ASSEMBLY
     The eighth biennial assembly of the ELCA is scheduled for Aug. 11-
17, 2003, in Milwaukee.
-- -- --
     Information about assembly actions is at
http://www.elca.org/assembly/01 on the ELCA's Web Site.  A "Brief
Summary of Actions" from the churchwide assembly is available at
http://www.elca.org/assembly/01/news.html on the Web.

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