Revision of Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline: Digital Town Halls
This church’s document Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline describes the grounds for which discipline may be imposed according to the practice of this church. Chapter 20 of the ELCA Constitution calls for this document, stating that “the Committee on Appeals shall establish definitions and guidelines, subject to approval by the Church Council, to enable clear and uniform application of the grounds for discipline of officers, rostered ministers, congregations, and members of congregations.” Its purpose is juridical: to assist in the processes of consultation, discipline and appeals. It does not set forth the high expectations this church has for all who participate in our life together.
It has been a number of years since Definitions and Guidelines was last substantively updated. The Committee on Appeals is conducting a review of this document with the intent to submit a revised version to the Church Council for approval in spring 2021. The committee is seeking input from across this church so the document can better provide clear and uniform application of the rules, protect people from harm and prevent impediments to the proclamation of the gospel.
As a member of this church, you are invited to participate in a series of digital town halls to offer feedback that the Committee on Appeals can use in revising Definitions and Guidelines. Registration will be limited and will be on a first-come-first-served basis. Please indicate your first and second choices for dates. If your registration is accepted, you will receive an email to confirm your registration and to give you instructions for logging in to the session.
Town Hall Dates/Times:
Thank you for helping us do the important work of this church!
If you have questions or comments throughout the process, please email rosteredlife@elca.org.
Church Council review goals and purpose behind and potential need for the work.
Conference of Bishops Meeting.
Church Council voted to remove Vision & Expectations and disciplinary standards for rostered ministers are outlined in “Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline.”
Update to Church Council.
Listening group meeting to discuss when the next steps will be communicated.
Curation of information. Summary posted on website when available.
Update to Conference of Bishops.
Zoom listening sessions with rostered ministers, candidates, lay leaders and seminary partners will be held Sept. 24 at 12 p.m. (Central Time). Please sign up to let us know how many people to expect. Please contact Maria.Maldonado@elca.org if you have trouble registering.
Zoom listening sessions with rostered ministers, candidates, lay leaders and seminary partners will be held Sept. 17 at 12 p.m. (Central Time). Please sign up to let us know how many people to expect. Please contact Maria.Maldonado@elca.org if you have trouble registering.
Zoom listening sessions with rostered ministers, candidates, lay leaders and seminary partners will be held Sept. 5 at 8 p.m. (Central Time). Please sign up to let us know how many people to expect. Please contact Maria.Maldonado@elca.org if you have trouble registering.
Intentionally reaching out to various communities for input, such as candidates, deacons, gender and sexual minorities, survivors of clergy misconduct, ethnic specific communities, the confessionally conservative, and those from all four convictions identified in the social statement “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust” to encourage participation in the survey and process.
A listening event at the Churchwide Assembly.
Gathered information from rostered ministers, candidates, lay leaders and seminary partners on what the church needs. Survey closed September 17. Thank you for your participation. We received feedback from 544 survey respondents.
Listening group meets and makes statement.
Church Council sends Trustworthy Servants of the People of God back to the Domestic Mission unit for further review and redrafting.
We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God's grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person--questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God's work in Christ's name for the life of the world.
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