Synods continue to vote on CCM, sexuality and mission

Lutheran, The, Aug 2001 by Aageson, Julie, Bergo, Jane, Bergren, Anne, Blobaum, Melodee Hall, Et al

Synod assemblies meeting after May 31 voted on resolutions ranging from sexuality to evangelism to the implementation of Called to Common Mission, the ELCA's full communion agreement with the Episcopal Church. Twelve synods called for exceptions to CCM's ordination requirements, four defeated such resolutions and four affirmed CCM without amendments or changes.

The Northwest Synod of Wisconsin asked the Churchwide Assembly to approve a constitutional bylaw amendment to allow a synodical bishop "for pastoral reasons, in unusual circumstances, to provide for the ordination by another pastor" of an approved candidate. Similar requests for approval came from the East-Central Wisconsin, Arkansas/Oklahoma, Northwestern Minnesota, Southwestern Minnesota, Upstate New York, Minneapolis Area and North Carolina synods. The latter said that regardless of its position, it lamented "the deep division [CCM] has precipitated within the ELCA."

The Northwest Synod of Wisconsin also supported broad measures of "freedom" to allow CCM-related exceptions for bishops-elect and ordination candidates, without using the language "in exceptional circumstances." And the Southwestern Minnesota Synod asked the ELCA Church Council to seek ways to main- tain that "freedom... [to] accept or reject the mandatory imposition of an historic episcopate," while honoring the ELCA's relationship with the Episcopal Church.

Likewise, the South Dakota, Grand Canyon and Southeastern Minnesota synods asked for alternate ordinations and installations for candidates who have a theological objection to the historic episcopate.

North Carolina voters asked the Division for Ministry, Conference of Bishops and Church Council to ensure "the guidelines (for CCM exceptions) developed by the Division for Ministry be clear, concise and easily administered" by the synod bishop. But they overwhelmingly defeated a "Common Ground" resolution to create a task force with representation from the WordAlone Network and others "to make recommendations to the 2003 Churchwide Assembly that would provide for dialogue and possible compromise as CCM is being implemented."

Wanting affirmation that the ELCA's understanding of CCM does not require the ELCA to adopt a threefold order of ministry (deacon, pastor and bishop), the Southwestern

Minnesota Synod and East-Central Synod of Wisconsin sought the reaffirmation of the one ministry of word and sacrament in the ELCA, focused in the office of pastor.

The East-Central Synod of Wisconsin assembly voted 150-142 to ask its congregations and members to restore any benevolence-giving that was reduced or eliminated in response to concerns about CCM. Similarly, the Eastern North Dakota Synod dedared out of order a resolution to set up a synodical mission fund for congregations withholding benevolence.

Eastern North Dakota also urged its Churchwide Assembly voting members to work with those from other synods to submit a resolution stating that "no amendment to the ELCA constitution will become effective unless ratified by a majority of the [ELCA] synods."

Grand Canyon voters asked the Church Council and the Lutheran Episcopal Coordinating Committee to develop educational materials with clear, nontechnical language to clarify the meaning of every paragraph in CCM. The South Dakota Synod also wanted clear, open, direct language-to be used in holding a new vote "to determine whether the required two-thirds support is truly present in the ELCA for CCM " and whether the threefold ministry is the "future pattern."

Also with regard to threefold ministry, the Minneapolis Area Synod offirmed the Conference of Bishops' Tucson Resolution-which says CCM contains no requirement that the ELCA must adopt the threefold order of ministry-as "the correct interpretation of the [CCM] document," and asked the Churchwide Assembly to go on record in agreement.

In a separate, but related action, the Minneapolis assembly asked for a revision of the Church Council's structure "to create a 69-member body composed of one member from each synod, plus four officers." This representative council would be elected at the synodical level and ratified by the Churchwide Assembly. The council is now made up of members elected by the Churchwide Assembly and is not representative of any constituencies. Synod Bishop David Olson, who wrote the resolution, said the ELCA is experiencing a "decreased level of trust, especially between regions of this church and also the various expressions of the church." Olson said the "frustration over lack of representation and perceived difficulties in dealing with the church headquarters indicates a growing distance from some synods and congregations which threatens our future as a church."

Votes to affirm CCM "without amendments or changes to allow pastors other than bishops to ordain" came from the Northwestern Pennsylvania; Metropolitan Washington, D.C.; Upper Susquehanna; and New England synods.

New England voters called the proposed bylaw for CCM exceptions "damaging," asking the Churchwide Assembly to "disapprove any such exceptions." If any are adopted, the synod asked for "an expiration date for the exception that should not exceed six years from the date of adoption." Echoing those concerns, the Upper Susquehanna Synod called CCM-related exceptions "a dangerous precedent."