Synod Nominees for the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church
A process is beginning within our Churchwide Organization to reconsider the statements of purpose for each of the expressions of this church and the principles of its organizational structure. In other words, our church is ready to plan for the future and make big changes, and you can be a leader in these conversations.
The 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly directed the church council to establish a "Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church" (CRLC) comprised of leaders of diverse representation from all three expressions: congregations, synods, and the Churchwide Organization. This group will present its findings and recommendations to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly in preparation for a possible reconstituting convention to be called under the rules for a special meeting of the Churchwide Assembly.
HOW CAN I PARTICPATE?
Nominate yourself or someone else. Two opportunities exist to be nominated:
Synod Representative
Our synod council will submit two potential nominees, your nomination form will be received by the synod council. Nominate by February 28.
SYNOD NOMINATION FORM >>
At-Large Representative
Chosen from an open nomination process, your nomination form will be received by the church council executive committee. Nominate by March 9.
OPEN NOMINATION FORM >>
You are encouraged to submit either or both forms.
WHAT IS REQUIRED OF ME?
The commission will begin its work with an in-person meeting June 22-24, 2023, and will complete its work in April 2025.
Attendance at all meetings of the commission is expected.
Two in-person meetings per year at the Lutheran Center in Chicago are anticipated. (Travel expenses will be covered by the churchwide organization in accordance with guidelines and policies of the ELCA.)
At least bimonthly (every two months) online meetings are anticipated.
Membership assumes commitment between meetings to do assigned readings and willingness to provide leadership at selected events.
It requires an agreement to refrain from communication on behalf of the commission about the topics, the commission dynamics, or the commission conversations (e.g., social media posts, blogs, public speaking).
Beyond this baseline of commitment, individual participation varies according to the phase of the commission’s work and the particular competencies of individuals, such as writing skills.
More detailed information about membership commitment is available here >>
An anticipated timeline is available here >>
HOW WILL NOMINEES BE CHOSEN?
The executive committee of the church council will serve as the nominating committee and will present a slate of nominees to the church council at its April 2023 meeting for appointment to the commission.
No more than 35 individuals will be appointed to the commission, which will reflect a balance of competencies and the various constituencies and multiple perspectives within the ELCA. The selection process will give attention to diversity regarding gender, race, language, geography, lay or rostered status, and other factors. Individuals are sought whose perspectives and personal styles are passionate and energetic, yet thoughtful and collaborative.
All members of the commission must be voting members of an ELCA congregation. No employee of the churchwide organization nor person related to a churchwide organization staff member shall be nominated as a voting member of the CRLC.
WHAT IF I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
More information is available on the ELCA's website.
You may also reach out to Jodi Slattery, executive for governance, by emailing jodi.slattery@elca.org