CHICAGO (ELCA) - In action on Aug. 11 at the 2007 Churchwide
Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA),
the assembly asked synod bishops to discuss their accountability
"to the adopted policies, practices and procedures of the ELCA."
The assembly requested that a statement of such accountability be
brought for consideration to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of
the ELCA, met here Aug. 6-11 at Navy Pier's Festival Hall. About
2,000 people participated, including 1,069 ELCA voting members.
The theme for the biennial assembly was "Living in God's Amazing
Grace: Thanks be to God!"
When introducing the motion, the Rev. David P. Gleason, ELCA
Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod said, "It seems to me that those
who represent the church and its striving for unity should in
fact follow those adopted practices and procedures. I think that
it would simply help to clarify for all of us in the church where
the lines of accountability lie for our bishops." By a vote of
318 to 309, the report was requested of the ELCA Conference of
Bishops, a 67-member advisory body of the church which meets at
least twice yearly.
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Information about the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly can be
found at http://www.ELCA.org/assembly/ on the Web.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
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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
