2019 Churchwide Assembly – Milwaukee, WI – August 5-10, 2019
The ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the primary decision-making body of the church, is a process of communal spiritual discernment. This year, the 2019 Churchwide Assembly took place at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from August 5-10, 2019.
Over the course of the assembly, voting members:
- Heard reports and review the work of churchwide officers, leaders and units;
- Received and considered proposals from synod assemblies;
- Elected officers, board members and other leaders as specified by the constitution or bylaws;
- Established ELCA churchwide policy;
- Worshipped together;
- Adopted a budget; and
- Conducted other business related to the ELCA churchwide organization.
We invite you to review the information that was discussed during Churchwide Assembly:
- 2019 Churchwide Assembly Summary of Actions
- ELCA Guidebook (Schedules, Documents, Election Results)
- ELCA News Releases for key actions during Churchwide Assembly
- Preparation Materials used by the NWLM Synod Voting Members
- Daily Legislative Updates
- Daily Prayers
- Churchwide Assembly Bible Study
Topics Covered Included:
- Overview of the 2019 Churchwide Assembly Schedule
- Review of the Guidebook App
- Review of the Ecclesiastical Ballot Process for Election of the Presiding Bishop and Secretary
- Nominations Committee, Bios, and how to prepare for General Elections
- Memorials Committee and how to review their recommendations
- Overview of the ELCA Social Statement Process and what to expect as we are asked to approve a new Social Statement on “Faith, Sexism, and Justice: A Call to Action”
- Review the Proposal to Archive older ELCA Social Policy Resolutions
- Overview of ELCA Future Directions 2025 along with the ELCA Churchwide Organization Operational Plan
- Overview of “A Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment: A Policy Statement of the ELCA” (proposed)
- Rationale for Amendments to Constitution, Bylaws and Continuing Resolutions of the ELCA Constitution – including the proposal to change to Ordination as the entrance rite for Ministers of Word and Service (Deacons) and transitioning their representation from “Lay” to “Rostered” in formal meetings