August 14, 2005

ORLANDO, Fla. – The 2005 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) defeated a proposal to expand the ELCA Church Council to 69 members by a vote of 505- 464 Aug. 13. The amendment needed a two-thirds majority for adoption. The amendment, introduced by the Rev. Peter Rogness, bishop of the ELCA Saint Paul Area Synod, was debated twice during the assembly before a final decision.

The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, met here Aug. 8-14 at the World Center Marriott and Convention Center. About 2,300 people participated, including 1,018 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly was "Marked with the Cross of Christ Forever."

In the amendment, Rogness proposed the "voting members of the Church Council shall consist of the four churchwide officers and 65 other persons, elected by the Churchwide Assembly." There are 33 persons and the four officers on the council currently. The proposed 65-member council would consist of one representative from each ELCA synod.

"I applaud Bishop Rogness' system of 65," said Paul Erickson, voting member, ELCA South Dakota Synod. "A representative council made up from a representative from each of the synods coming to do the highest legislative work of the church is always a good idea. I trust the church, and I would trust the Church Council when it represents the entire body."

Several voting members voiced their opinion on the benefits of having a representative from each synod. The Rev. William E. Rindy, voting member, ELCA Eastern North Dakota Synod, stated it would "reduce anxiety" by having a representative to explain the church's actions to their synod. Each synod would have "a person with a recognizable face that people could go to" for understanding of the wider church.

"I want to remind us that in our constitution we talk about one church, in different expressions," said Sally Wing, voting member, ELCA Northwest Washington Synod, during the debate. "Each council member, each committee member, represents the whole church."

"We want to make sure that there are voices from all parts of the church, but not people who say ‘I come from Washington and this is what we want to get done for us.' No. We want to be sure that the smaller representational body speaks on behalf of the whole church," Wing said.

The Rev. Gregory R. Pile, bishop of the ELCA Allegheny Synod, said that 33 more people on the Church Council would mean more time is needed to accomplish tasks. Extra time means longer meetings and more costs, said Pile. Several other voting members voiced similar concerns.

ELCA News Service
Kirsten H. Boettner is a senior communication major at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. This summer she is an intern with the ELCA News Service.