This assembly report was prepared by Charles M. Austin, Elizabeth Hunter, Daniel J. Lehmann and Julie B. Sevig. Photography by Julie Fletcher.
• Urge making support for congregations “one of the highest priorities of this church.”
• Ask that synods be strengthened.
• Request that the Conference of Bishops prepare a report describing congregational life in their jurisdictions.
• Suggest changes to relate congregational and synodical mission to “changing situations” to strengthen synods.
• Call for expanded roles for the nine ELCA regions.
• Seek to “affirm the role of the churchwide organization” in expanding the church’s mission, theological education and developing new leaders.
• Call for strengthening contacts with global and ecumenical partners.
• Ask to expand networking technology.
• Seek to “nurture a culture of faithful discernment” that will help church decision-making.
The LIFT report, list of task force members and related materials are available at the ELCA website.
In a restructuring of historic proportions, voting members of the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly approved changes in the ways the denomination will govern itself, attempt to improve its mission outreach, and conduct its business in the years ahead. The changes include:
• A three-year cycle for Churchwide Assemblies.
• The elimination of current program committees attached to ELCA units.
• A review of synods' workings and possible redrawing of synodical boundaries.
• Planning a new way to prepare and adopt social statements.
• The possibility of adding members to the ELCA Church Council, which governs the church between assemblies.
The rest of this article is only available to subscribers.
© 2013 Augsburg Fortress, Publishers
