pretty good lutherans

The following statement was issued today by Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries, an organization committed to full inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the church:

Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM) gives thanks that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is now living more fully into the inclusive vision that many have had for this church for so long.

The ELCA made historic advances toward being a more inclusive church when the Church Council formally adopted changes in ministry policies this weekend. The change in policy allows people in same-sex relationships to serve as pastors and rostered leaders in the ELCA.

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Pastor Anita Hill

The following report comes from Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries regarding Pastor Anita Hill of St-Paul Reformation Lutheran Church in Minnesota:

At the recommendation of the panel that met with you on February 2, 2010, it was moved by Marty Ericson and carried that Anita Hill be received onto the roster of the ELCA for ordained pastors pending the implementation of the Vision and Expectations policy changes approved at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in August 2009.

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Note: Clarifications to the list are welcome. Please send a personal e-mail.

©Pretty Good Lutherans

Lutheran church members want to know more details about the layoffs the past few days at the ELCA main offices in Chicago.

Few details have been made public, except that roughly 40 employees were cut. Information has leaked out but leaks often aren’t accurate.

Many members are upset that two key positions dealing with racism were said by some employees to be among the cuts. If that’s true, church leaders didn’t offer a public explanation or divulge alternative plans for addressing the issue.

The ELCA is 97 percent white, which is not the way the country is going. Church leaders have repeatedly set a goal of 10 percent diversity and have repeatedly fallen way short of that goal.

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The ELCA Church Council met Friday and Saturday at the denomination’s main offices in Chicago. On Sunday, the final day of meetings, the council is expected to vote on budget matters, according to ELCA News Service reports.

SUMMARY OF COUNCIL HAPPENINGS (as reported by ELCA News Service):

1. More than 40 people laid off from ELCA’s national staff
2. ELCA 2010 budget reduced $7.7 million
3. Five congregations have left the ELCA;
4. 87 congregations have taken votes and 59 of them received a two-thirds majority.
5. Missionaries won’t be recalled
6. Seminary grants won’t be cut
7. Cuts included 10 percent from the “current fund spending plan”
8. Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson downplayed the impact of dissenters withdrawing donations as the key factor in budget cuts
9. Hanson cited “30-year-downward trends” in giving across denominations as fueling financial crisis. (Note to readers: This seems a stretch. Trend leveled off for many in 2005.)
10. Council signed off on protocol for revisions to ministry policy. This will likely be taken up again in April.

LINKS TO NEWS ABOUT ELCA LAYOFFS

• Lutherans Concerned North America: “Lutherans Concerned pleased with ELCA waiver of five-year waiting period for reinstatement of dismissed LBGT pastors” (11/16/09)
• Lelanda Lee “Attending the Church Council Meeting” (11/16/09)
• Worldwide Faith News “ELCA offers more plausible explanation today for budget cuts — the economy and disgruntled Lutherans”(11/16/09)
• Worldwide Faith News “Church Council establishes timetable for reinstating partnered gay clergy” (11/16/09)

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NOTE: Posts will be updated as they become available.

Nope, not me. I’m home doing laundry.

The follow posts are appearing on the ELCA News Service Twitter site. They’re written and reported by the ELCA. I’ve not done a thing except add the clarifications between the brackets.

The Tweets:

“Council to take up possible revision to reinstatement policy for professional leaders on Sunday, Nov. 15.”

“Council adopts social policy res. to respond to current realities on immigration issues. Bishop Mansholt [of Central States Synod] says res. is ‘very urgent’”

“Council approves charter for CW group to evaluate org., governance, interrelationships. Report and recs. to 2011 CW Assembly.”

“[Presiding Bishop] challenges council to “find your voice and lead this church” on implications of CW budget reductions to be considered Sunday.”

“Council poised to reduce 2010 CW churchwide budget nearly $7.7 million Sunday, Nov. 15.”

“Council elects Cecil Bykerk, Omaha, Neb., to Board of Pensions trustees.”

“Council elects Pr. Jennifer Ginn, Salisbury, NC, Judy Korn, Morris, Minn., John Wagner, Toledo, Ohio, to The Lutheran advisory [committee].”

“Council agrees to protocol for ministry policy revisions, expected to consider policy revisions at April 2010 meeting.”

“VP asks Church Council members to consider giving financial gifts to the church’s priorities “over and above” regular giving.”

“ELCA VP [Carlos Pena] “The purpose of this church is not to perpetuate itself, but to serve God’s mission in this broken and hurting world.”

“Council likely to consider revision to ministry reinstatement policy Nov. 14, would open a two-year window beginning Jan. 1.”

“Council acknowledges re-election of Linda Post Bushkofsky, Executive Director, Women of the ELCA, by its board last month”

“Council re-elects execs: Sherman Hicks, Multicultural Ministries; Stan Olson, Vocation & Education; Dan Lehmann, The Lutheran”

“Churchwide budget cuts result of 30-year trends, economy and congregations withholding [money] because of [churchwide assembly] ministry actions,” says [Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson].

“ELCA Presiding Bishop to Council on pending budget cuts: “These have been very painful days in this organization.”

The Church Council:

Just who are the people who sit on the ELCA’s Church Council? Here’s the list from the ELCA Web site:

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