Resolution 2009-09:

Resolution to Require a Two-Thirds Vote

Failed
Bishop Usgaard added the word "Churchwide" to line 64 for clarification.

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1 WHEREAS, the 2007 Evangelical
2 Lutheran Church in America
3 (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly
4 voted "to direct the Task Force for
5 ELCA Studies on Sexuality
6 specifically to address and to make
7 recommendations to the 2009
8 Churchwide Assembly on changes
9 to any church policies that
10 preclude practicing homosexual
11 persons from the rosters of this
12 church;" and

13 WHEREAS, the Constitutional and
14 Legal Committee of the ELCA
15 Church Council recommends that
16 "any motion to come before this
17 Churchwide Assembly regarding
18 changes in this church’s current
19 policy and practice for the
20 rostering of ordained ministers,
21 diaconal ministers, associates in
22 ministry, and deaconesses shall
23 require a two-thirds vote by the
24 assembly for adoption;" and

25 WHEREAS, the ELCA Church
26 Council voted 19-10 to delete this
27 provision and is recommending
28 rules of procedure for the 2009
29 Churchwide Assembly which
30 would require only a simple
31 majority vote to change ELCA
32 standards to allow pastors and
33 other rostered leaders to be in
34 same-sex sexual relationships; and

35 WHEREAS, a two-thirds majority
36 vote is usually required for major
37 decisions including the adoption of
38 an ELCA social statement and for
39 amendments to the ELCA
40 constitution and bylaws; and

41 WHEREAS, the ELCA is seeking
42 ways to make decisions on a
43 consensus basis rather than by
44 close votes; and

45 WHEREAS, a super majority vote —
46 such as a two-thirds majority —
47 would require an overwhelming
48 majority of Churchwide Assembly
49 voting members to make such a
50 significant change to church
51 teaching and practice;

52 WHEREAS, the 2009 ELCA
53 Churchwide Assembly will adopt
54 its rules for the assembly and
55 could set a two-thirds majority for
56 adoption of any changes to
57 standards for pastors and other
58 rostered leaders;

59 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,
60 that the Southeastern Minnesota
61 Synod Assembly ask the 2009
62 ELCA Church Council to add the
63 following provision to the rules of
64 procedure for the 2009 Churchwide Assembly:
65 "Any motion to come before this
66 Churchwide Assembly regarding
67 changes in this church's current
68 policy and practice for the
69 rostering of ordained ministers,
70 diaconal ministers, associates in
71 ministry, and deaconesses shall
72 require a two-thirds vote by the
73 assembly for adoption."

Submitted by Rev. Dan Baker, First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea, passed by Blue Earth River Conference Assembly

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