Evangelical Lutheran Church in America NWOS-ELCA 621 Bright Rd. Findlay, OH 45840

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2005 Synod Assembly Resolutions

Resolution 05-01:
Time of Bishop’s Assumption of Office

WHEREAS, a transition from one bishop to the next should be an orderly process and

WHEREAS, the time to plan for such an event is when such a change is NOT imminent

Therefore, be it resolved, the 2005 Northwestern Ohio Synod Assembly instruct the Synod Council to consider and report back to the 2006 Synod Assembly with an amendment to the Synod Constitution S8.52 to read as follows:

a. The Bishop shall take office no later than the first day of the fourth month following the adjournment of the synod assembly at which elected; date to be determined by the Synod Council after consultation with the Bishop-elect and the retiring Bishop.
b. The terms of the remaining officers shall begin on the first day of the second month following the adjournment of the synod assembly at which they were elected.

VOTE
Adopted by Consensus

AMENDED BY RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE
And agreed upon by author
24 April 2005

Resolution 05-02:
The establishment of policies regarding blessing of same-gender unions and the rostering of persons in committed gay or lesbian relationships

WHEREAS, since biblical times, the Church has held church leadership to a high standard of behavior (Titus 1:6-9), and, because of the importance of the Gospel, Paul states that those who preach the Gospel are examples to their flock (1 Timothy 4:16), and that this standard is more than personal holiness, it is the Holiness that comes from God working through rostered leaders who hold a significant responsibility (Matthew 18:6); and,

WHEREAS, the ELCA Task Force for Human Sexuality presented a statement made by the Conference of Bishops 12 years ago which states there is no scriptural or traditional support for either blessing of same-gender unions or rostering of persons in committed gay or lesbian relationships, but that the Bishops will continue communications to these members, and will support the best pastoral care from pastors and congregations to gay and lesbian persons in their parishes; and,

WHEREAS, the ELCA Task Force for Human Sexuality states that the Church is not of one mind on “the issue” of blessing same-gender unions, and lacks any policy guidance in this matter; and,

WHEREAS, the ELCA Task Force for Human Sexuality states that the Church is not of one mind on “the issue” of rostering persons in committed gay or lesbian relationships, and is unsure of the use of the current policy guidance on this matter; and

WHEREAS, as a significant change in policy, the recommendations of the ELCA Task Force for Human Sexuality set aside any consequence for violation of the “Vision and Expectations [for] Ordained Ministers in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,” a document by which this Church has been guided; and,

WHEREAS, since these recommendations place on the synodical Bishop the decisions both to issue a call to non-celibate gay or lesbian rostered leaders, and the policy of blessing same-gender unions, leading to such issues of division as:

  • Some synods of this Church, having a higher percentage of gay/lesbian or heterosexual clergy, depending on the Bishop’s willingness to ordain them, will create gay/lesbian friendly synods or traditionalist synods;

  • Some bishops might be elected by a synod based on their willingness to roster or to not roster non-celibate gay or lesbian candidates;

  • There may become 65 separate churches instead of 65 synods of one Church;

  • The burden of making and defending a position on blessing of same-gender unions, and ordination of non-celibate gay and lesbian persons will fall solely on the bishop since there is no Churchwide policy to support his/her decision; and,

WHEREAS, as in any other change in policy, such a decision should be voted on and defeated or passed by the voting members of the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, thereby allowing the Church to vote its convictions, therefore be it:

RESOLVED, that the Northwestern Ohio Synod Assembly memorialize the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Orlando to vote to establish a policy that this Church will not offer blessings of same-gender unions; And,

Be it further RESOLVED, that the Northwestern Ohio Synod Assembly memorialize the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Orlando to affirm the current Vision and Expectations of the ELCA, that all rostered leaders are to be faithful in marriage and chaste outside of marriage.  This standard is to be equally applied to those who see themselves as heterosexual and to those who see themselves as gay or lesbian.

Be it further RESOLVED, that as the Northwestern Ohio Synod is not of one mind in this matter that the number of votes FOR, AGAINST and ABSTAINING on the question of this memorial shall be counted and recorded, and the results shall accompany the memorial sent to Churchwide.

VOTE:
Yes – 315
No – 143
Abstain – 23

Resolution 05-03
Resolution in Support of Augsburg Fortress

Whereas, Augsburg Fortress is the publishing ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America;

Whereas, Augsburg Fortress is funded solely through sales revenue;

Whereas, Augsburg Fortress is called to provide products and services that communicate the gospel, enhance faith, and enrich the life of the Christian community from a Lutheran perspective;

Whereas, any re venue in excess of expenses is reinvested back into the development and delivery of ministry resources for the ELCA and other Christian communities;

RESOLVED, that ELCA members, congregations, and related institutions of the Northwestern Ohio Synod carefully consider the stewardship aspects of their purchases of faith formation, worship, and church supply resources; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the members, congregations, and related institutions of the Northwestern Ohio Synod examine Augsburg Fortress resources for quality, price, and level of service whenever purchasing decisions are made and they will purchase resources from Augsburg Fortress in support of this ministry of this church when such resources are equal in quality, price, and level of customer service.

Resolution 05-04
RESOLVED that we express our appreciation to Bowling Green State University for its fine facilities and services made available to us for our 2005 Synod Assembly. VOTE: Adopted

Resolution 05.05
RESOLVED that we express our appreciation to Ken Medema for the joy and inspiration he has brought to our 2005 Synod Assembly. VOTE: Adopted

Resolution 05.06
RESOLVED that we express our joy and thanks for the presence with us of Pastor Marco Kinyau and the continued partnership in service with the Dodoma Diocese he represents. VOTE: Adopted

Resolution 05.07
RESOLVED that we express our continued appreciation to the Assistants to the Bishop and Synod staff for their support to the Bishop, and our congregations and their furtherness of the work of the churchwide expressions of our ELCA.

Resolution 05.08
RESOLVED that we express our heartfelt appreciation to our Bishop, Marcus Lohrmann, for this continued faithful and inspiring leadership and we assure him of our continued prayerful support and that of our congregations.
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