Resolution B-04

Rationale:

The Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA in 2001 approved a bylaw and amendment to the ELCA Constitution, 7.31.17 “Ordination in Unusual Circumstances”, providing that ordinands may be ordained by a pastor other than a bishop following a stated process of approval.

Some seminary students report that some bishops or synod staff members have tried to dissuade or deter them from exercising this theological, confessional and constitutional position for ordination. Other students report that they have been told that such a request would compromise their future options in certain synods.

Resolved:

1           That this Synod Assembly request the Conference of Bishops to honor this

2            “exceptions” bylaw in good faith, and to ensure that students who request such

3        an exception be treated with respect and encouragement; and that such requests

4        be addressed in a timely and helpful manner.

5               That this Synod Assembly request seminary presidents invite clergy-theologians

6               who advocate non-Episcopal ordination to meet with all seminarians as they

7              consider their Confessional convictions and constitutional options.

8               That this Synod Assembly request the Secretary of the ELCA and each synodical

9              bishop to make no distinctions in rosters or records to differentiate between

0 pastors ordained by other pastors not serving as bishops.

Submitted by Pastor Harold D. Schlachtenhaufen

Resolutions Committee Recommendation —Resolution B-04

    The Resolutions Committee recommends the defeat of this resolution.

Rationales for Recommendation:

1.      The committee feels that the ELCA provides an adequate process that provides freedom to candidates to request an “exception” and that any complaints of synods not acting in good faith should be reported directly by candidates to the Division for Ministry of the ELCA.

2.      The issues raised in lines 8-10 of this resolution have already been dealt with by this synod and the entire ELCA in previous discussions over Called to Common Mission (Ecumenical Agreement with Episcopal Church, USA approved at the 1999 Churchwide Assembly and as amended at the 2001 Churchwide Assembly).

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