RESOLUTION
Toward a Representative ELCA Church Council

I    WHEREAS, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is experiencing the challenges of

·        joint efforts and common ministry with other bodies which are also rich in theological and

3       historical tradition, especially in the current differences over ecumenical agreements; and

4       WHEREAS, we have significant differences among us on how to address a variety of ethical

·        issues which threaten to fracture our body; and

6       WHEREAS, these and other events in our new life together have decreased the level of

7       trust, especially between regions of this church and also the various expressions of this

8       church; and

·        WHEREAS, frustration over lack of representation and perceived difficulties in dealing with

10         the church headquarters indicate a growing distance from some synods and congregations

11         which threaten our future as a church; and

12         WHEREAS, the ELCA Church Council is now composed of members not elected at the

13         local level and not representative of any constituencies in contrast to the Conference of

14         Bishops; therefore be it

15        RESOLVED, that the Minneapolis Area Synod in Assembly memorialize the 2001

16         Churchwide Assembly to direct the ELCA Church Council to initiate revision of the current

17         structure so that constitution and by-laws are amended to create a 69 member Churchwide

18         council I composed of one member from each synod and the four officers; and be it further

19         RESOLVED, that such revision and amendments provide for synod assembly election or

20         nomination of the respective church council members with subsequent ratification by the

21         churchwide assembly.

Submitted by: The South Minneapolis Conference in Assembly - April 1, 2001

Contact person: Pastor Michael Hanson (612-724-369 1)

and                      Minneapolis Area Synod Council Executive Committee - April 25, 2001 Contact person: Vice President Kari Christianson (763-757-1666)

Author:               Bishop David W Olson (612-870-3613)

Reference and Counsel Committee forwards this resolution with recommendation to adopt.