Title: Lutheran Vote to Reconsider Concordat Fails ELCA NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN -- PHILADELPHIA August 19, 1997 LUTHERAN VOTE TO RECONSIDER CONCORDAT FAILS Voting members of the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America have rejected an attempt to reconsider a vote it took on Aug. 18 that denied entering into full communion with The Episcopal Church. The vote to reconsider needed a simple majority but failed 397 to 640. The assembly is now considering a separate motion outlining ways to continue dialogue and teaching within the ELCA. The Rev. Roger A. McKinstry, Tripoli, Iowa, took advantage of a parliamentary procedure that allowed him, as one who voted on the prevailing side in the original vote, to ask the assembly to reconsider its decision. "The decision was difficult, but let's move on," said Audrey Richardson, Bemidji, Minn., during a debate of the motion to reconsider. For information contact: Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html