INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- After adding two amendments, voting members at the churchwide assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) approved a social-policy resolution on school vouchers Aug. 13.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center. There are about 2,500 people participating, including 1,039 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Sharing Faith in a New Century."
Nine ELCA bishops called for help with the school-voucher issue. Developed by an ad hoc committee earlier this year and recommended to the assembly by the ELCA Church Council, the resulting recommendation states that it is meant to: * "guide the public policy advocacy ministry" of the ELCA; * "direct public policy advocacy offices" related to the church body; and * "direct the [ELCA] Division for Church in Society to publicize the availability of this social policy resolution as well as other division resources on educational choice to assist members in their consideration of proposals for school vouchers and educational reform."
Under the point of directing ELCA-related public policy offices are statements that school voucher proposals should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and a list of nine criteria for evaluating specific proposals.
The Rev. John R. Stumme, director of studies for the ELCA Division for Church in Society, told the assembly that "this resolution is not 'for' or 'against' school vouchers, but calls for careful discernment" of the matter. He said the policy "provides guidelines ... to guide discussion."
Both amendments were to a section of questions suggested for evaluating school-voucher proposals. Those eight questions have to do with the extent to which specific proposals: + Support public schools and provide their needed resources; + "Increase equal access" to quality education; + Help families "select the right high-quality education for their children"; + Preserve the "distinctive character and mission" of participating schools; + "Protect against all forms of invidious discrimination against students"; + "Ensure just, equitable and long-term viable sources of funding"; + Provide "sufficient and accurate information on participating schools" to eligible families; + Make sure educational achievements for students in participating schools are measured; and + Consult with family, school and community representatives to evaluate and make decisions.
Several voting members spoke for and against the resolution.
Robert Pooley, a voting member from the ELCA North/West Lower Michigan Synod, spoke against the resolution to adopt the policy, saying, "I think it will be interpreted as supporting vouchers."
But Larry Hill, a voting member and a superintendent of schools from the ELCA Western Iowa Synod, said he supports the resolution. "I am against vouchers but support processes," Hill said. "This resolution simply puts a process into place to deal with the matter." -- -- --
Information about assembly action is at http://www.elca.org/assembly/01 on the ELCA's Web site. Recorded updates during the assembly are available by calling 773-380-2477.
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
