"Called to Common Mission" - Constitutional Changes

If the 1999 Churchwide Assembly adopts the proposal, "Called to Common Mission," for a relationship of full communion between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Episcopal Church, the following constitutional changes would be needed. These are the only constitutional and bylaw amendments that would be prompted by the text of "Called to Common Mission," as transmitted in November 1998 to the assembly.

To amend churchwide bylaw 10.31.a.9 by addition of the underlined text:

10.31.a.9 As the synod’s pastor, the bishop shall: ... Exercise solely this church’s power to ordain (or provide for the ordination by another synodical bishop of) approved candidates...[with the remainder of the provision unchanged].

To amend †S8.12.c. in the Constitution for Synods by addition of the underlined text:

†S8.12.c. As the synod’s pastor, the bishop shall...: ... Exercise solely this church’s power to ordain (or provide for the ordination by another synodical bishop of) approved candidates...[with the remainder of the provision unchanged].

To amend churchwide bylaw 10.81.01. by deletion and addition:

10.81.01. The presiding bishop of this church, or a member of the Conference of Bishops synodical bishop appointed by the presiding bishop of this church, shall preside for the installation into office, in accord with the policy and approved rite of this church, of each newly elected synodical bishop.

To amend †S8.15. in the Constitution for Synods by addition:

†S8.15. The presiding bishop of this church, or the appointee of the presiding bishop, shall install into office, in accord with the policy and approved rite of this church, each newly elected synodical bishop.

Previously adopted continuing resolutions in the Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America provide for certain church-to-church matters, including procedures on the availability and service of ordained ministers, under relationships of full communion, such as the Lutheran-Reformed Formula of Agreement, approved in 1997. These established patterns would not be altered by the Lutheran-Moravian proposal, "Following Our Shepherd to Full Communion" or the Lutheran-Episcopal proposal, "Called to Common Mission."