ELCA NEWS SERVICE
October 5, 2009
ELCA Presiding Bishop Comments on Assembly Responses, Finances
09-220-JB
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- It's a "rocky time" in the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) largely because of responses to decisions of the
2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly and economic stresses, said the Rev. Mark
S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop.
Hanson made his comments to the ELCA Conference of Bishops, an
advisory body of the church. The conference includes the ELCA's 65 synod
bishops, the presiding bishop and secretary. The conference is meeting
here Oct. 1-6.
Much of Hanson's report focused on the assembly's actions on human
sexuality and varied responses to those actions throughout the ELCA. In
August the churchwide assembly adopted a social statement on human
sexuality. The assembly also adopted proposals to change ELCA ministry
policies, including a change to make it possible for Lutherans in
publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous same-gender relationships to
serve as ELCA associates in ministry, clergy, deaconesses and diaconal
ministers.
Hanson noted that members who wanted the policy change wondered for
years where they stood in the ELCA. They remained faithful, stayed
engaged in the church and generously supported its mission. Some
increased their giving, he said.
Hanson said there are ELCA members who disagree with the sexuality
decisions and wonder if they will be able to find "a place to stand with
integrity and safety." They also want to preach and teach in accordance
with their biblical convictions, and not be "demonized or stigmatized,"
he said. Such behavior has occurred "in all directions," Hanson said.
He called for members to engage in "respectful, charitable, honest
conversation."
In the midst of ongoing discussion, rejoicing and opposition, Hanson
told the bishops, "I still remain convinced that we in the ELCA have a
particularly unique moment to give an evangelical and missional witness
together to the world."
Hanson asked the bishops to share their wisdom with him in the
coming months. "We need to name our expectations of each other as clearly
as we can," he said.
The presiding bishop commented on other related topics:
+ He called for support of ethnic-specific and multicultural
congregations, and responded to some criticisms. "I want to be absolutely
clear. Contrary to what some are saying or least implying, the churchwide
organization is not now and will not use grants to congregations as a
manipulative tool to silence criticism or to keep those congregations and
their leaders in this church." He also reported that 17 African Descent
Lutheran leaders discussed with him their statement opposing the
assembly's action to direct changes in ministry policies. The statement
did not stop conversation but became a catalyst for deeper conversation,
Hanson said.
+ The Lutheran Coalition for Renewal (CORE) and some congregations have
threatened to withhold or redirect mission support funds away from the
ELCA. Hanson said such actions would adversely affect many ministries,
such as planting and renewing congregations, grants and mission personnel
assignments to global partner churches, and grants to Lutheran partners,
agencies and institutions. Reductions would also affect the ELCA's
capacity to be engaged in mission, he said.
+ Because of current economic conditions and uncertainty about mission
support funds, the churchwide organization is involved in contingency
financial planning, as are many synods, Hanson said. For 2009 the
churchwide organization will continue a partial hiring freeze and
underspend its current budget allocation by 5 percent "if necessary," he
said. Hanson also said churchwide leaders are developing "models for
reducing expenses in the 2010 budget." A revised spending plan for 2010
will be presented at next month's meeting of the ELCA Church Council, the
church's board of directors, Hanson said.
Following his remarks, the bishops responded to Hanson's comments
for more than one hour. Many said they are facing similar challenges in
their synods and described how they are responding.
Also in the room when Hanson spoke were the presidents of the eight
ELCA seminaries, meeting simultaneously with the bishops. The Rev. Mark
R. Ramseth, president of Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio, asked
the conference to remember ELCA seminarians preparing for ministry. Many
are anxious about their futures yet have responded with "maturity," he
said. He reminded the bishops to call upon seminary faculties for
assistance. "Know that we are standing with you in the work of this
church," Ramseth said.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
