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Resolution
—for Representation at Churchwide Assemblies
WordAlone Document
Whereas, the (name) Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a duly organized and authorized synod as is more fully set out in the constitutions of the ELCA and this Synod; and
Whereas, under the constitutions of the ELCA and this Synod, the synod assembly is charged with the responsibility of electing voting members to the Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA; and
Whereas, this Synod is of the conviction that accountability and representation are important concepts in providing oversight and checks and balances on the exercise of authority in any organization generally and in the ELCA specifically; and
Whereas, the ELCA Constitution acknowledges that “This church, therefore, derives its character and powers both from the sanction and representation of its congregations and from its inherent nature as an expression of the broader fellowship of the faithful;” (ELCA Constitution 3.02); and
Whereas, the ELCA Constitution also recognizes that “congregations, synods and the churchwide organization” form the three primary expressions of the ELCA (ELCA Constitution 8.17); yet
Whereas, voting members of the Churchwide Assembly, despite election from synod assemblies, are instructed that they are not representative members of the Churchwide Assembly; and
Whereas, as part of the accountability process, this Synod supports a clear constitutional expression that voting members of the Churchwide Assembly elected by this Synod through its synod assembly are, in fact, representatives of this synod and are accountable to this synod; 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 bylaw 12.41.11 to make clear the representational nature of the relationship between voting members at the Churchwide Assembly and the synod electing those representatives by adding the underlined words as follows:
12.41.11 Each synod shall elect one voting member of the Churchwide Assembly for every 6,500 baptized members in the synod. In addition, each Synod shall elect one voting member for every 50 congregations in the Synod. The synodical bishop, who is ex-officio a member of the Churchwide Assembly, shall be included in the number of voting members so determined. There shall be at least two voting members from each synod. All voting members of the Churchwide Assembly elected by synods are elected as delegates from their synods and are charged with the responsibility of serving as representatives of those synods from which they were elected. The secretary shall notify each synod of the number of assembly members it is to elect.