RESOLUTION #6:
To Memorialize the Churchwide Assembly
Regarding Requiring a 2/3 Vote to Change Policies on Rostered Leaders

DEFEATED

SPONSOR: the Rev. John Schraan (Pastor, Zion Lutheran Church, La Grande)

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 recommendation from its proposed rules of procedure for the 2009 Churchwide Assembly, so that such policy changes would require only a simple majority vote for passage; and

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

WHEREAS 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 2009 Churchwide Assembly will adopt its rules for the assembly and could set a two-thirds majority for adoption of any changes to standards for pastors and other rostered leaders; therefore be it

RESOLVED that the Oregon Synod Assembly memorialize the 2009 Churchwide Assembly to add the following provision to the rules of procedure for the 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.”