W Iowa Synod Assembly Resolution

West Iowa Synod Assembly Resolution ruled unconstitutional

Honoring Constitutional Requests For Ordination

WHEREAS, the 2000 Western Iowa Synod Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling for churchwide action "that will allow the opportunity, without coercion or delay, for every candidate" who meets all qualifications for ordained ministry apart from Called to Common Mission to be ordained without the historic episcopate; and

WHEREAS, the 2001 Churchwide Assembly has passed a bylaw allowing ordination outside of the historic episcopate in "unusual circumstances"; and

WHEREAS, such "unusual circumstances" remain undefined, allowing each synodical bishop a wide range of interpretations based on their own personal goals and agendas; and

WHEREAS, this bylaw gives sole authority to a synodical bishop to refuse to allow any exception, without the right of appeal; and

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the Western Iowa Synod identifies the Synod Assembly as this synod's "highest legislative authority" (S7.01.), and furthermore states that this synod "shall bear primary responsibility for the oversight of the life and mission of this church in the territory of this synod..." (S6.03.), an oversight which includes the provision for "authorizing ordinations and ordaining..." (S6.03.a.2)); therefore be it

RESOLVED, that it shall be the policy of the Western Iowa Synod that any candidate otherwise qualified for ordination under the authorization of the bishop of this synod, upon the expression of theological objection to ordination into the historic episcopate by that candidate, shall not be denied an ordination that is free from the historic episcopate.