Resolutions

RESOLUTION S06:01 -- FAILED

Resolution S06:01, asking the 2007 Churchwide Assembly to establish an Advisory Commission on Faith and Theology, was defeated. The commission would have issued statements and study materials to help lay individuals, pastors and congregations respond with a "common, united witness" to cultural phenomena such as "The Da Vinci Code" and "The Gospel of Judas." Opponents of the resolution were concerned that the secular press might understand the commission as a central teaching authority of the ELCA, and argued that a structure was already in place for teaching theologians to collaborate with clergy and laypeople.

RESOLUTION S06:02 -- PASSED

The Assembly passed Resolution S06:02, which asks the Assembly Planning Committee to "consider convening future New England Synod Assemblies Friday afternoons through Sunday noon." The measure proposed to increase diversity among delegates by including those who are kept "outside the gate" by their weekday work and school schedules. Suggestions were offered as to how the congregations could worship and hear a sermon in despite their pastors' absence. An amendment to occasionally compress the Assembly between Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon was defeated. The possibility of changing days will not affect the 2007 Assembly, since contractual arrangements are already in place.

RESOLUTION S06:03 -- PASSED

The Assembly also passed Resolution S06:03, an amendment to the Constitution for Synods recommended by the 2005 Churchwide Assembly. The amendment allows representatives of mission settings to be voting members of the Synod Assembly.

(Reported by Diane Young, deacon, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Woburn, Mass.)