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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:

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