2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Addresses Variety of Topics

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Tenth Biennial Churchwide Assembly of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) acted on a
variety of topics, including a churchwide initiative focused on
Bible study, a social statement on education, the ELCA's
financial future, an extension of the ELCA's full communion
relationship with the Moravian Church, sexuality matters and a
new social statement on criminal justice. The assembly acted on
proposals regarding social concerns such as HIV and AIDS, the
situation in Darfur, Sudan, the Iraq War, military veterans, and
the conflict in Israel and Palestine.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, was re-
elected and chaired the assembly. Hanson is also president of
the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Geneva. The assembly also
elected a new ELCA secretary, David D. Swartling.
Navy Pier, Chicago, was the site of the Churchwide Assembly,
Aug. 6-11, 2007. About 2,000 people participated, including 1,069
voting members. The theme was "Living in God's Amazing Grace:
Thanks Be to God!"

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson Re-Elected
Hanson, 60, was elected to serve a second six-year term as
presiding bishop. Hanson was re-elected on the second ballot with
888 votes of the 1,029 cast. Seventy-five percent of the ballots
cast are required for election on the second ballot. The runner-
up nominee, the Rev. Karl P. Donfried, received 73 votes. Hanson
fell two votes short of being re-elected on the first or
nominating ballot. He begins his second term Nov. 1. Hanson was
first elected presiding bishop at the 2001 Churchwide Assembly.
In 2003 he was elected LWF president and will serve in that role
until 2010.

David D. Swartling Elected Secretary
Swartling, 60, a Seattle attorney, was elected to a six-year
term as ELCA secretary. Swartling was elected on the fifth
ballot, 611 to 366, over the Rev. Paul A. Schreck, executive for
constitution and rostering interpretation and oversight, ELCA
Office of the Secretary. Swartling will succeed the Rev. Lowell
G. Almen, who has been secretary since the ELCA was formed in
1987. Almen announced last year he would not seek a fifth term
and will leave office Oct. 31. He was presented the Servus Dei
(Servant of God) Medal at the assembly, given to churchwide
officers who are completing their terms.

Assembly Encourages Restraint in Discipline of Congregations,
Leaders
The Churchwide Assembly made no changes to ELCA standards
for professional leaders, declining proposals that suggested
specific policy changes. By a vote of 538 to 431, the assembly
asked its synods and bishops to "refrain from or demonstrate
restraint in disciplining" people and congregations that call
otherwise-qualified candidates in mutual, chaste and faithful
committed same-gender relationships, and it called for restraint
in disciplining rostered leaders in committed same-gender
relationships. The proposal was adopted as a substitute for a
recommendation of the Memorials Committee.
Following the decision, Hanson said, "These are words of
counsel. They are not words that change the standards of the
church. They reflect the mind of this assembly as it seeks to
give counsel to the leaders of this church."
The Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality is currently
developing a social statement on human sexuality for
consideration by the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. Voting members
referred to the task force memorials regarding same-sex
blessings, ELCA clergy standards and other matters. The assembly
added an amendment to its referral on clergy standards, directing
the task force to "specifically address and make recommendations
to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly on changes to any policies that
preclude practicing homosexual persons from the rosters of this
church."

"Book of Faith" Initiative Affirmed
The assembly endorsed "Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the
Bible," a five-year initiative to promote study of the Bible. The
initiative grew out of a proposal the North Carolina Synod made
to the 2005 Churchwide Assembly. One recommendation stressed the
importance of Scripture for believers "throughout the ages" and
thanked the North Carolina Synod for proposing the initiative. It
was adopted by a vote of 1,000 to 19. A companion recommendation,
adopted 956 to 68, gave specific suggestions for ways to "invite
and encourage all members, expressions, institutions and partners
of this church to commit themselves regularly and increasingly to
hearing, reading, studying, sharing and being formed by God's
Word."

Education Social Statement Adopted
With a 949 to 35 vote, the assembly adopted a social
statement, "Our Calling in Education," which addresses issues of
children's faith formation, equitable access to education,
quality of U.S. public schools, and support for Lutheran schools,
colleges and campus ministries. The assembly also adopted the
statement's accompanying implementation actions. Several
amendments were adopted, including the addition of language that
addresses the specific needs of American Indian, Alaska Native
and Native Hawaiian communities as well as students with
disabilities. Social statements are significant documents adopted
by the Churchwide Assembly. There are now nine ELCA social
statements.

Assembly Strengthens ELCA's Financial Future
Striving to strengthen the future financial resources of the
ELCA, voting members accepted a report with recommendations from
the Blue Ribbon Committee on Mission Funding, appointed to study
the ELCA's funding policies and practices. By a 623 to 52 vote,
the assembly received "with gratitude" the committee's report,
commended the content of the report for study and reflection
throughout this church, and fostered a renewed commitment to
"vigorous mission-support efforts." The assembly called for the
development of a resource for presentation to the 2009 Churchwide
Assembly to "help congregations assess their responsible and
accountable use of God's resources commended to their care."

Assembly Asks for Social Statement on Criminal Justice by 2013
By a vote of 957 to 68, the assembly directed the ELCA
Church in Society program unit to develop a social statement on
criminal justice for consideration by the 2013 Churchwide
Assembly. Requests for the statement grew out of memorials from
three synods. The social statement will be developed following
consultation with church members and others involved in criminal
justice, and it is expected to deal with topics such as the prison
system,rehabilitation for those convicted of crimes and the current
cost of incarcerating criminals.

ELCA Assembly Extends Full Communion Relationship with Moravian
Church
Voting members extended the ELCA's full communion
relationship with the Moravian Church in America to the East West
Indies and the Alaska Provinces of the Moravian Church in America
by a vote of 999 to 23. The 1999 Churchwide Assembly adopted a
proposal for full communion with the Northern and Southern
Provinces of the Moravian Church in America.

The assembly adopted several other proposals:
+ "Evangelical Lutheran Worship" was "received with
thanksgiving" as this church's primary worship resource. Released
in 2006, about 725,000 volumes of the book have been distributed.
+ The assembly called for a churchwide strategy for
responding to HIV and AIDS to build on and deepen current
denominational engagement with the pandemic in the United States
and around the world. The resolution urged further prayer,
charity, advocacy and education efforts. The ELCA committed $1
million to be used for the strategy's implementation. The
assembly asked the Church Council to consider committing up to $1
million more for implementation of the strategy.
+ The assembly invited renewed efforts by members and
congregations to "reach and surpass