At the 2022 Churchwide Assembly, voting members adopted a memorial concerning restructuring the ELCA’s governance. The assembly adopted the following action:
To direct the Church Council to establish a Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church comprised of leaders of diverse representation from all three expressions that, working in consultation with the Conference of Bishops and the Church Council, shall reconsider the statements of purpose for each of the expressions of this church, the principles of its organizational structure, and all matters pertaining thereunto, being particularly attentive to our shared commitment to dismantle racism, and 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. [CA22.01.06]
On Jan. 9, 2023, the nomination process opened for the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC). It closes on March 9. More information is available at ELCA.org.
Here is a quick synopsis of the process to appoint up to 35 voting members to the CRLC:
Each synod council or synod executive committee is invited to submit two potential nominees. In addition, there is an open nomination process. For each region the ELCA Church Council will appoint two people from among the synod nominations and one person from the open nominations.
At-large members will be chosen from among all the names received, both from synod nominations and from the open nomination process.
At its January 12, 2023, meeting, the Southwestern Minnesota Synod Council determined that the Executive Committee will identify the two potential nominee names to submit from the Southwestern Minnesota Synod. Our synod process will be as follows:
Beginning January 20, 2023 – Individuals may nominate someone – or self-nominate – for consideration by the synod Executive Committee by submitting a Nomination Form below, which includes the following information about the individual being nominated to the synod office: Name of individual, address, phone, email, congregation, and individual’s possible interest in serving.
Individuals may also self-nominate directly on the ELCA CRLC webpage.
Monday, Feb. 20 – Names of potential nominees are due to the synod office to be considered by the Synod Council Executive Committee. Potential nominees will be contacted to determine if the individual is willing to serve.
Thursday, March 2 – Executive Committee will determine nominees and direct them to submit their information to the ELCA prior to March 9. The appointments will be made by the ELCA Church Council in April.
Please consult the ELCA page above and prayerfully consider who might be part of this important process for our church.
