Past Sample Resolutions

2009 Super Majority Resolution for Synod Councils

On this page are sample resolutions representing the positions and values of Lutheran CORE that were used in previous years.

WHEREAS, the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly voted “to direct the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality specifically to address and to make recommendations to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly on changes to any church policies that preclude practicing homosexual persons from the rosters of this church;” and

WHEREAS, the Constitutional and Legal Committee of the ELCA Church Council recommended that “any motion to come before this Churchwide Assembly regarding changes in this church’s current policy and practice for the rostering of ordained ministers, diaconal ministers, associates in ministry, and deaconesses shall require a two-thirds vote by the assembly for adoption;” and

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

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

WHEREAS, a decision to change church teaching and policy to allow pastors and other rostered leaders to be in same-sex sexual relationships holds the potential to be very divisive in ELCA synods and congregations and to cause both membership and financial losses for synods and congregations; and

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

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

WHEREAS, the ELCA Church Council will meet March 27-30 and could change its proposed rules for the Churchwide Assembly to recommend a two-thirds majority for adoption of any changes to standards for pastors and other rostered leaders; and

WHEREAS, the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly will adopt its rules for the assembly and could change the required majority for adoption of any changes to standards for pastors and other rostered leaders; therefore be it

BE IT RESOLVED that the ____________________ Synod Council ask the ELCA Church Council to add the following provision to the rules of procedure for the 2009 Churchwide Assembly: “Any motion to come before this Churchwide Assembly regarding changes in this church’s current policy and practice for the rostering of ordained ministers, diaconal ministers, associates in ministry, and deaconesses shall require a two-thirds vote by the assembly for adoption.”

[Download a text file of this resolution.]

Sample Resolution 2007-A:

A Memorial on the Naming of God

WHEREAS Holy Scripture reveals and teaches in Matthew 28:19 that God is named Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and

WHEREAS Jesus directs us to pray to God as Father (Matthew 6:9 and Luke 11:2); and

WHEREAS Martin Luther in the Small Catechism reminds us that God "is truly our Father and we are truly his children" (Introduction, Lord's Prayer); and

WHEREAS the ELCA's confession of faith begins with, "This church confesses the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" (2.01, ELCA Constitution); and

WHEREAS Evangelical Lutheran Worship, a service book of the ELCA, frequently prefers other titles for God beside the names of the Holy Trinity and often indicates the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as only one option among others for the name of God; now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED that the Synod memorialize the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to declare that the ELCA give specific and intentional priority to the name of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in its worship and educational materials; and memorialize the 2007 Churchwide Assembly to direct the ELCA Secretary to send this declaration to:

  • ELCA seminary presidents and faculty, urging that they stress the confession of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in its theological education of rostered leaders; and
  • ELCA pastors and congregations, urging those using Evangelical Lutheran Worship to use the name of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in those cases where other options are indicated; and urging those using other worship resources to use the name of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in their worship; and
  • The management of Augsburg Fortress and to those churchwide leaders who are responsible for preparing liturgical and educational materials for the ELCA, urging them to uplift this revealed name of God in materials prepared for congregational worship and instruction.

Sample Resolution 2007-B

Resolution on Official Blessing Ceremonies of Same-Sex Sexual Relationships

WHEREAS the 2005 Orlando Churchwide Assembly passed a resolution to "continue to respect the guidance of the 1993 statement of the Conference of Bishops" regarding the blessing of homosexual relationships; and

WHEREAS the text of the 1993 Bishops' Statement states, "There is basis neither in Scripture nor tradition for the establishment of an official ceremony by this church for the blessing of a homosexual relationship. We, therefore, do not approve such a ceremony as an official action of this church's ministry;" and

WHEREAS former bishop Kenneth Sauer, the Chairperson of the Conference of Bishops at the time of the adoption of the statement in 1993, distinctly recalls the purpose of the statement as being to refuse to approve any ceremony that would appear to give public approval by the ELCA to same-sex unions; and

WHEREAS any ceremony approved by an ELCA synod or congregation is an official action of this church's ministry;

WHEREAS any attempt to use the "pastoral care provision" as a basis for providing official blessings of same-sex unions would be to use the phrase in an unintended way; and

WHEREAS the New England Synod has promulgated "Guidelines for the Blessing of Same-sex Unions" that officially endorse the public blessing of homosexual relationships, thereby directly contradicting the 1993 Bishops' Statement and the actions of the 2005 Churchwide Assembly to endorse the 1993 Statement; and

WHEREAS these actions that directly violate the decisions of the 2005 Churchwide Assembly make it more difficult for all of us to heed that Assembly's other guidance that all in the ELCA "live together faithfully;"

Therefore, be it RESOLVED that [this synod] memorialize the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to reaffirm that the 1993 Bishops' Statement as endorsed by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in 2005 does not approve the "official" blessing of homosexual relationships, which includes any blessings for which approval is given by a synod or congregation,

and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that [this synod] memorialize the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to direct the Church Council and the Office of the Secretary to notify all ELCA synods and congregations to refrain from public blessings that imply approval of same-sex sexual relationships.

Background Information

The full text of the 1993 bishops' statement is:

We, as the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, recognize that there is basis neither in Scripture nor tradition for the establishment of an official ceremony by this church for the blessing of a homosexual relationship. We, therefore, do not approve such a ceremony as an official action of this church's ministry. Nevertheless, we express trust in and will continue dialogue with those pastors and congregations who are in ministry with gay and lesbian persons, and affirm their desire to explore the best ways to provide pastoral care for all to whom they minister.

The New England Synod guidelines are at: www.nesynod.org/documents/Blessing.pdf

Recommendation One on Sexuality approved at 2005 churchwide assembly:

RESOLVED that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America-its members, congregations, synods, churchwide organization, and agencies and institutions-be urged to concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of disagreements, recognizing the God-given mission and communion that we share as members of the body of Christ.

Recommendation Two on Sexuality approved at 2005 churchwide assembly:

RESOLVED that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America continue to respect the guidance of the 1993 statement of the Conference of Bishops; and be it further

RESOLVED that this church welcome gay and lesbian persons into its life (as stated in Churchwide Assembly resolutions from 1991, 1995, and 1999), and trust pastors and congregations to discern ways to provide faithful pastoral care for all to whom they minister.

Sample Resolution 2007-C:

Resolution to Wait for 2009 Social Statement

WHEREAS the ELCA concluded an exhausting four-year study and debate over ordination of non-celibate homosexual persons at its 2005 Churchwide Assembly in Orlando by declining to change current policies; and

WHEREAS the continuing conflict over this matter is divisive and distracting from the mission of the ELCA; and

WHEREAS the task force on sexuality is scheduled to present a social statement on sexuality to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly; and

WHEREAS the disciplinary case of Pr. Bradley Schmeling in the Southeastern Synod has been used as a pretext for reopening this question; and

WHEREAS the Schmeling disciplinary committee heard no evidence supporting the current guidelines and exceeded its authority by improperly recommending that this year's synod assemblies seek to overturn the decisions made at Orlando;

Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED that [this synod] memorialize the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly at Chicago not to reopen the issue of ordination of non-celibate homosexual persons before the report of the Task Force is received in 2009.

Background Information

The 2005 ELCA churchwide assembly defeated the third sexuality recommendation, which would have allowed for exceptions to the ELCA policy that practicing homosexuals not be ordained.

The 2001 ELCA churchwide assembly called for a two-step process: a four-year study leading to recommendations in 2005 on the questions of blessing same-sex unions and ordaining practicing homosexuals; a social statement on sexuality to be considered by the 2007 churchwide assembly (which was delayed until the 2009 churchwide assembly).

ELCA Pastor Bradley Schmeling informed his synodical bishop last year that he was living in a sexual relationship with a man. His bishop filed discipline charges. The discipline hearing was held in January. The hearing committee recommended that Schmeling be removed from the ELCA roster on August 15, but also asked that synod assemblies memorialize the 2007 churchwide assembly to direct the churchwide organization to change the ELCA's standards for ordination to allow for ordaining practicing homosexuals. The latter exceeds the committee's authority. ELCA constitution, 20.21.21, specifies the committee's authority to be:

The discipline hearing committee shall render its decision in writing. The written decision shall be in two parts: a. Findings of Fact. In this part, the committee shall set forth what it has found to be the relevant facts, that is, what it believes to be the truth of the matter. b. Determination. In this part, the committee shall state whether, based upon the facts that it has found, it believes discipline should be imposed and, if so, what discipline it has chosen to impose.