Resolution Eight ...
A Memorial to Respond to the Decision of the Discipline
Hearing Committee
WHEREAS, the 2005 ELCA
Churchwide Assembly urged every part of the ELCA to “concentrate on
finding 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, the discipline hearing committee constituted to consider
charges against Pr. Bradley E. Schmeling suggested that synod assemblies
memorialize the 2007 Churchwide Assembly to request that the Committee on
Appeals reconsider and revise the document Definitions and Guidelines for
Discipline and that the appropriate churchwide unit reconsider and revise
the document Vision and Expectations and the policy on reinstatement to
the rosters of this church (Decision of the Discipline Hearing Committee,
p. 13); and
WHEREAS, if permitted to decide the case only under the standards
in chapters 7 and 20 of the ELCA Constitution, the discipline hearing
committee “would find almost unanimously that Pastor Schmeling is not
engaged in conduct that is incompatible with the ministerial office, and
would find with near unanimity that no discipline of any sort should be
imposed against him” (Decision of the Discipline Hearing Committee, p.
12); and
WHEREAS, the documents known as Definitions and Guidelines 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 the steps be taken for
the development by the Committee on Appeals and adoption by the Church
Council of an amendment to Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline; and
for the development by the appropriate churchwide unit, review by the
Conference of Bishops, and adoption by the Church Council of an amendment
to Vision and Expectations (ELCA Church Council, Minutes of April 9-11,
2006, p. 90, explanation by Secretary Almen): 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 relationship; 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: Laura C. Bourdo, Grace 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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