DENVER (ELCA) -- A proposal that would have strengthened the role of the 65 synod bishop in disputes between congregations and their pastors failed narrowly Aug. 22 at the 1999 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Model ELCA synod and congregation constitutions require a two- thirds vote of a congregation for it to dismiss its pastor. A proposed amendment to those constitutions would have permitted the synod bishop to consent, "in her or his sole discretion," to a pastor's dismissal upon a simple majority but less than two-thirds vote of the congregation.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, met Aug. 16-22 here at the Colorado Convention Center. There were more than 2,500 people participating, including 1,038 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly was "Making Christ Known: Hope for a New Century."
A two-thirds vote was required for the expanded role of the bishop to become part of the model synod and congregation constitutions, but the amendment fell 11 votes short. The vote was 567 to 296.
Considerable debate preceded the vote.
"This strengthens the office of the bishop in a very appropriate way," said the Rev. Roy G. Almquist, bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. He argued that the amendment would give the bishop opportunity to bring about a solution to congregation-pastor disputes.
Cynthia A. Jurisson of the ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod, said there are three parties to a dispute: congregation, pastor and bishop and any of the three "can make a serious mistake." She argued that to give anyone "sole discretion" in such a dispute upsets checks and balances and invites serious problems.
Other proposed changes to the ELCA Constitution, Bylaws and Continuing Resolutions presented to the churchwide assembly were largely editorial and were adopted without debate.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
