2005 Synod Assembly

Resolution 2005-05 Discussed at Third Plenary

(Live Update added 12:05 p.m., Saturday, May 7, 2005)

Discussion of resolutions continued Saturday morning at the 18th annual Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly.

The sixth item scheduled for consideration was withdrawn. Resolution 2005-04, titled "Affirming the Historical Consensus," was withdrawn by the author.

The seventh item considered by voting members was Resolution 2005-05, titled "Affirming Biblical Teachings." One person objected to consideration of the resolution. No debate was allowed, according to Assembly Rules & Procedures. The objection, which needed two-thirds vote to be sustained, failed.

The first person who spoke favored the resolution because it allowed no "loopholes" and left no "question marks." Another person spoke in favor of the resolution because that person said a line must be drawn. Still another person spoke in favor of the resolution because it's derived from Bible passages.

One person spoke against the resolution because it does not bring hope to people and essentially labels homosexuals as "perverts." Another person spoke against the resolution because "everyone is created equal" and the resolution is "hateful." Still another person spoke against the resolution because the Assembly should err on the side of grace.

One person spoke in favor of the resolution because "it gets this thing out of our hair." Another person spoke in favor of the resolution because it "takes a stand" on the issue. Still another person spoke in favor of the resolution because a majority favors maintaining existing ELCA policies.

One person spoke against the resolution because it takes Biblical quotes out of context. Another person spoke against the resolution because it doesn't truly represent the views of people within the synod.

A motion was made to end discussion. No debate was allowed, according to Assembly Rules & Procedures. The motion to end discussion, which needed two-thirds vote to be sustained, succeeded.

A vote was then taken on Resolution 2005-05. The resolution failed.

Following the discussion of the resolution, the Synod World Hunger Task Force, A Bunch of Guys, and the Rev. Mark Peters spoke on hunger relief and advocacy.

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