West North Dakota Synod Assembly  passed

Guidelines for Ordination in "Exceptional Circumstances"

WHEREAS, the ELCA in churchwide assembly has permitted ordination outside of the Historic episcopate in "exceptional circumstances;" and

WHEREAS, it is well for this synod to provide guidance for its bishop in this matter, especially as to what constitutes "exceptional circumstances"; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that any otherwise qualified candidate for ordination who subscribes to the following: "For reason of conscience and/or theology I desire ordination outside of the historic episcopate," shall be deemed by this synod's bishop to have fulfilled the "exceptional circumstances" requirement and, therefore, the bishop shall make necessary provision for that candidate to be ordained outside the historic episcopate.