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Whereas, the Constitution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America limits Church Council members to a single six-year term of office and prohibits consecutive re-election of Church Council members; and
Whereas, many synod constitutions limit terms of office of its elected and representative officials; and
Whereas, modest term limitations promote continuity in leadership while providing an opportunity for diversity, new ideas, and responsiveness to change to develop and grow; and
Whereas, no term limitations are presently applicable to any of the elected officers of the ELCA; and
Whereas, the responses to the February 2004 ELCA Questionnaire on Decision-Making include: “The primary opinion expressed in the comments of the pastors and council presidents . . . is the perception that a relatively small group of ELCA members is currently setting the agenda in the ELCA,” (A Report of the Findings on the Questionnaire on Decision-Making, Department for Research and Evaluation, ELCA, April 28, 2004); therefore
Be it resolved that the (name) Synod memorializes the 2007 Churchwide Assembly to amend ELCA Constitution 13.11 as follows:
13.11. This church shall have as its officers the presiding bishop, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. Persons elected to each office shall serve no more than two consecutive six-year terms.