ELCA Assembly Elects Bishop, Adopts Bylaw, Authorizes Study

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 fam