Resolution Seven ...
A Memorial Supporting Changes in ELCA Policies and
Regulations to Affirm Congregational Autonomy Regarding Regular Calls of
Rostered Persons in Committed Same-Gender Relationships
WHEREAS, the 2005
ELCA Churchwide Assembly urged every part of the ELCA to “concentrate on
findings ways to live together faithfully in the midst of disagreements,
recognizing the God-given mission and communion that we share as members of the
body of Christ”; and
WHEREAS, there is currently no consensus in the ELCA regarding the
service of rostered persons in committed same-gender relationships; and
WHEREAS, individual congregations can and should be trusted with the
responsibility to issue regular calls to pastors in accordance with the guidance
of their conscience regarding this matter, and should neither be foreclosed from
issuing a regular call to a person in a committed same-gender relationship nor
compelled to do so; and
WHEREAS, the documents known as Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline
may be amended by the Committee on Appeals, subject to approval by the Church
Council, while the documents known as Vision and Expectations, as well as the
policies on reinstatement to the rosters of this church, may be amended by the
Vocation and Education unit, with review by the Conference of Bishops and
adoption by the Church Council; and
WHEREAS, the Churchwide Assembly, as the highest legislative authority of
the ELCA, can “request or direct” that steps be taken for development by the
Committee on Appeals and adoption by the Church Council of an amendment to
Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline; and for development by an appropriate
churchwide unit, review by the Conference of Bishops, and adoption by the Church
Council of an amendment to Vision and Expectations; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that this 2007 Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod Assembly submit
the following memorial for consideration by the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly:
RESOLVED, that the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly direct the Committee on
Appeals to develop an amendment to the documents known as Definitions and
Guidelines that removes provisions precluding “practicing homosexual persons”
from the rosters of this church; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this Churchwide Assembly direct the Vocation and Education
Unit, in consultation with the Conference of Bishops, to develop an amendment to
the documents known as Vision and Expectations that removes provisions requiring
persons who are “homosexual in their self-understanding” to “abstain from
homosexual sexual relationships”; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this Churchwide Assembly direct the Vocation and Education
unit, in consultation with the Conference of Bishops, to develop an amendment to
the policies on reinstatement to the rosters of this church that permits the
reinstatement, without the usual requirement of five consecutive years without
call, of persons who have resigned or been removed from the rosters solely
because they are in a mutual, chaste, and faithful committed same-gender
relationships; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that this Churchwide Assembly direct the Church Council to take
the actions necessary to amend Definitions and Guidelines, Vision and
Expectations, and the policies on reinstatement to the rosters of this church in
conformity with the amendments developed (pursuant to the preceding directions)
by the Committee on Appeals and Vocation Unit.
Person Submitting Resolution: Gretchen Miertschin, Christ the King Lutheran
Church, Houston, TX
Implications of Resolution (if adopted)
1. What is the financial impact of this resolution on the synod
budget?
Because this resolution is a memorial, the result if it is passed is only that
it will be forwarded to the 2007 Churchwide Assembly for consideration by that
body. This will involve no additional expenditures for the synod. If the
resolution were, in turn, to be passed by the CHURCHWIDE Assembly, the expenses
required from the churchwide organization are minimal, because the resolution
itself contains the text of the amendments necessary to be made, and these
amendments can be considered by the Committee on Appeals, Vocation and Education
unit, and ELCA Church Council through its regular decision processes.
2. What are the personnel implications within our synod (or
churchwide)? Who will be responsible for implementations of the resolution?
Because this resolution is a memorial, the result if it is passed is only
that it will be forwarded to the 2007 Churchwide Assembly for consideration by
that body, which is well within the normal responsibilities of this synod's
Secretary and Council. If the resolution were, in turn, to be passed by the
CHURCHWIDE Assembly, making the amendments that the resolution directs would
simply fall in the responsibilities assigned by the ELCA's Bylaws themselves to
the Committee on Appeals, Vocation and Education unit, and ELCA Church Council.
3. How does this resolution enhance and forward the mission of the
church and our synod?
The 2003 Churchwide Assembly affirmed five strategic directions for the
ELCA's plan for mission: supporting congregations; growing in evangelical
outreach; stepping forward as a public church; deepening global, ecumenical, and
interfaith relationships; and bringing forth faithful, wise, and courageous
leaders. The 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly added to these commitments a call for
every part of the ELCA to "concentrate on finding ways to live together
faithfully in the midst of disagreements" concerning the rostered ministry of
persons in a same-gender relationship. If passed by the SYNOD Assembly, this
memorial would offer the Churchwide Assembly one option for fulfilling that
call. If, in turn, passed by the CHURCHWIDE Assembly, the resolution would
support each of the five strategic directions, by securing more gifted and
fully-trained ministers for service not only in congregations but other
settings. The inclusiveness effected by the resolution would be effective
witness by a public church, and enhance our reaching out with the good news that
all are welcomed into the life of the People of God.
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