RESOLUTION
In Support of Churchwide Bylaw Change to Provide for "Ordination in Unusual Circumstances"

1    WHEREAS, the Minneapolis Area Synod 2000 Assembly adopted RC2000-1 0, calling for

2           Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) churchwide constitutional changes to allow for

3           alternate ordination authority; and

4           WHEREAS, several other synods adopted resolutions with similar intent; and

5           WHEREAS, the ELCA Church Council, Division for Ministry and Conference of Bishops have

6           responded to these actions with a recommended change in churchwide bylaws; and

7           WHEREAS, the proposed bylaw responds to the concerns expressed in last year's action by assuring

8           ordinands that they need not violate their confessional subscription by the very rite of ordination;

9    and

10         WHEREAS, the proposed bylaw makes the decision to allow ordination in unusual circumstances a

11            pastoral one, after consultation with the presiding bishop and advice from the Synod Council; and

12         WHEREAS, the proposed bylaw is a reasonable accommodation on a church-dividing issue and a

13         sign that members of the body of Christ can listen to and appreciate differences; therefore be it

14         RESOLVED, that the 2001 Assembly of the Minneapolis Area Synod commends the following

15        proposed churchwide bylaw amendment to the Minneapolis Area Synod 2001 Churchwide

16         Assembly voting members and all other 2001 Churchwide Assembly voting members:

      17          7.31.17.                   Ordination in unusual circumstances.

      18                                          For pastoral reasons in unusual circumstances a synodical bishop may provide for

      19                                          the ordination by another pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America of

      20                                          an approved candidate who has received and accepted a properly issued, duly

      21                                          attested letter of call for the office of ordained ministry. Prior to authorization of

      22                                          such an ordination, the bishop of the synod of the candidate's first call shall consult

      23                                          with the presiding bishop as this church's chief ecumenical officer and shall seek the

      24                                          advice of the Synod Council. The pastoral decision of the synod bishop shall be in

      25                                          accordance with policy developed by the Division for Ministry, reviewed by the

      26                                          Conference of Bishops and adopted by the Church Council.

27         And be it further

28         RESOLVED, that the 2001 Minneapolis Area Synod in Assembly requests that the bishop and Synod

29         Council apply this proposed bylaw and the policy referred to therein, if adopted by the 2001

30         Churchwide Assembly, with pastoral wisdom and theological integrity.

Submitted by: Minneapolis Area Synod Council - April 5, 2001 Contact Person: Vice President Kari Christianson (763-757-1666)

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

Reference and Counsel forwards this resolution with recommendation to adopt.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION                                                        R(:2001-5

In Support of Churchwide Bylaw Change to Provide for "Ordination in Unusual Circumstances"

When Called to Common Mission was adopted in 1999, many objected to the requirement and, by implication, the necessity of ordination by a bishop.  Included by amendment in Denver was the word "regularly." Thus, "a bishop shall regularly preside and participate in the laying on of hands at the ordination of all clergy." (Para. 20) This is the basis for a proposed by-law defining regularly and a process for exceptions to the rule.

Many synods requested such exceptions.  A by-law was proposed by the ELCA Church Council in November, 2000 in partial response to a letter of the March Conference of Bishops.  Procedures and criteria were proposed by the Division of Ministry which would have been more restrictive and set a time limit, but these were defeated by a near unanimous vote of the bishops in March of 2001.  The Division of Ministry board then approved suitable procedures and the church council has transmitted the proposed by-law to the churchwide assembly which will vote in August.

In practice, a candidate who objected to this requirement and the necessity of a bishop presiding at ordination Would state the objection and give a rationale to the bishop of the synod into which he or she has been called.  That bishop would consult with the presiding bishop about the ecumenical implications (probably to ascertain that there were not so many exceptions as to undermine the rule).  The bishop would also obtain the advice of the synod council.  Then the decision would be the bishop's and it is to be pastoral, that is, for the sake of shepherding his/her pastor and people.

Those who obtain the exception must as always have the ordination authorized by a bishop.  They will not be listed separately.  Only if requested to serve an Episcopal church would the ordination record of a pastor need to be checked.  The Episcopal bishops have stated that pastors so ordained would not be eligible to serve Episcopal congregations, unless by some additional ceremony, but these persons are not likely to wish to serve.

Members on either end of the CCM issue may object.  Those opposing CCM will say it is not enough.  Those in favor of CCM will say it violates our commitment to the Episcopal Church and allows too much local control.  Amendments must pass by 2/3 so the broad middle of voting members must support it and those on either extreme should not stand in the way of this very effective compromise.

The consequence of adopting this resolution are two of enormous significance:

1.  No candidate will be denied ordination in the ELCA because of CCM.

2.  It can be then said that ordination by a bishop in the ELCA is not a necessity.