ELCA NEWS SERVICE
August 22, 2009
ELCA Assembly Re-Elects Carlos Peña Vice President
MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) – The Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) elected Carlos Peña, Galveston, Texas, to a second term as ELCA vice president. Peña was first elected to the office at the 2003 Churchwide Assembly.
Peña was elected on the fourth ballot for vice president with 580 votes. He was elected over Ryan Schwarz, McLean, Va., who received 264 votes, and Norma Hirsch, Des Moines, Iowa, who received 110 votes.
Sixty percent of the votes cast on this ballot were needed for election.
ELCA NEWS SERVICE
August 22, 2009
ELCA Assembly Adopts 2010-2011 Reduced Budget
MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) --Voting members of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) approved a 2010 current fund income proposal of $76.69 million for the churchwide organization, and an ELCA World Hunger Appeal income proposal of $18.7 million. They also approved a current income proposal of $75.77 million and a World Hunger income goal of $19 million for 2011.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 17-23 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. About 2,000 people are participating, including the 1,045 voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "God's work. Our hands."
With a vote of 863-71 voting members approved the budget, which reflects a decrease in income expectations. The approved $76.69 million for 2010 shows a 6.4 percent decrease from the 2009 budget. The approved $18.7 million income goal for the ELCA World Hunger for 2010 represents a decrease from the $20 million goal for 2009.
In discussion leading up to the vote the Rev. John V. Carrier, ELCA Southeastern Minnesota Synod, spoke in opposition of passing the budget because it curtails giving to campus ministry, "one of the most important domestic missions of the church."
"My soul is grieved by the level of giving of less than 2 percent of what God has given," said Michael V. Johnson, ELCA Southeastern Michigan Synod. Speaking in favor of approving the budget, Johnson said, "We have to go back to congregations and teach about tithing and about what God has given us." Having gone through personal bankruptcy, Johnson said he was able to contribute 10 percent to the church, which served as an "incredible spiritual growth" process for him and his family.
Joseph S. Roberts, ELCA Minneapolis Synod, also spoke in favor. "I have been a recipient of your good gifts," he told the assembly. Originally from Liberia, Roberts said he, along with his wife and children, "walked so many months without food. We ate roots, slept on a range until we crossed into another country, where we found the Lutheran World Federation at work. I know the importance of aid, and I want to say thanks."
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The actions of the assembly mean that many of those sharing CORE’s concern “will participate in and support faithful ELCA ministries, but cannot support ELCA ministries that reject the authority of God’s word,” said the Rev. Erma S. Wolf of Brandon, S.D., vice chair of CORE’s executive committee.
While CORE’s disagreements with the ELCA run deep, Spring said he was not encouraging congregations to leave the ELCA, although he admitted that some pastors and congregations are already planning to do so.
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Another Liberal Elected Synod VP; Income Plummets;...":
"We have to go back to congregations and teach about tithing and about what God has given us."
What they are really saying is... shame them into giving their synod more money but don't teach them what the Bible says concerning homosexuality.
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GJ - The religious Leftists are against every verse of the Bible, but they are Fundamentalists on tithing. I remember LCA President Robert Marshall condemning people in a sermon - about whether they should tithe on their gross or net income. "Shame on you!" And he repeated, "Shame on you!" with even more emphasis. Preaching the OT Law in all its severity was his pitch, on tithing, but not on sodomy.
