Bishop Margaret G. Payne reports on the meeting of the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Oct. 1-6 in Chicago. The Conference of Bishops is an advisory body of the ELCA, consisting of the 65 synod bishops, the presiding bishop and the secretary of the ELCA.

A Time of Change

As you can imagine, the content of much of the discussion at this fall’s meeting of the Conference of Bishops focused on the reactions to the decisions made at the Churchwide Assembly in August. I continue to be impressed with the faithfulness of bishops who are pouring out unimaginable time and energy to meet with people who were surprised and dismayed by the actions of the assembly, and to support pastors who are
on the “front lines” of conversation. I am convinced that the ELCA will
emerge stronger in its commitment to welcome and mission in Christ’s
name if we can continue to listen to one another and respect one
another’s position in these difficult issues. All of the bishops share a
deep commitment, regardless of our synodical settings, to the unity of
the ELCA.

There is still no clear picture of how many congregations might leave
the ELCA. There are many congregations, as well as individuals, who are
praying and discerning, and it is important that we keep them in our
prayers. There are meetings taking place of various groups, such as CORE
and LCMC (Lutheran Churches in Mission for Christ), with a wide variety
of ideas about how to register dissent. However, there is no mass exodus
evident.

A pivotal point was reached on Thursday, Oct. 1, when we joined in
worship with the Roman Catholic community to celebrate the 10th
anniversary of the Joint Declaration on Doctrine of Justification.
Conversations with global and ecumenical partners since the Churchwide
Assembly have been mutually respectful, and only one small church body
(Silesian) has indicated a desire to terminate its companion synod
relationship. The Lutheran World Federation has called for several years
of mutual conversation to forge deeper understanding.  But as yet, there
had been no official public statement from the Roman Catholic Church.
This first public reaction, offered by Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of
Atlanta, in his homily at this liturgy of affirmation of baptism, was a
gracious and deeply appreciated word that assured a continuation of
relationship.

In part he said: “Most sensitive of all, however, is the shared
responsibility we have to explore together, and in a spirit of deep
respect for one another, how our ecclesial traditions have reached a
point at which we read the scriptures and interpret the moral law so
differently on matters of human sexuality. … The crisis between us on
the noble purposes of human sexuality, which is also a crisis within
many of the churches, can be understood in the Chinese sense of
‘opportunity’ - that is, as an opportunity for deeper and more energetic
engagement in the work of reconciliation.”

To view our actions not as a cause for further rupture but as an
opportunity to deepen dialogue was a gift to the ongoing ecumenical
efforts to strengthen the bonds of Christians throughout the world,
which are the foundation for our unity in Christ.

Meanwhile, we rejoice in the opportunity to welcome gifted and deeply
faithful leaders to our roster who were previously unable to serve the
church under call. Much time was spent in our week together in
conversation with representatives from Vocation and Education and the
Office of the Presiding Bishop to begin the work of crafting new policy
that will accomplish the intent of the vote of the Churchwide Assembly.
These suggestions will be forwarded to the ELCA Church Council for
consideration at its November meeting. I have a new role, which begins
at the November meeting, as the Liaison Bishop from Region 7, and so I
will be able to report to you more details from the work of the Council.
Our newly elected representative from the New England Synod, Judith
Barlow-Roberts, a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church, Windsor,
Conn., also will begin her work at this meeting. Please keep us in your
prayers as we help to navigate through these challenging times.

Other Matters Before the Conference

Along with worship, bible study and the usual parade of reports, the
Conference also accomplished the finishing touches on a new social
policy resolution for immigration reform, began the process of a social
statement on genetics - both medical and agricultural - and heard
updates on the work of our Washington, D.C., office for advocacy. A task
force was formed to review the governance policies of our church to seek
more effective ways that we can do mission together, and we were
encouraged in our efforts to work on a new mission strategy for each
synod. You will be hearing more from me, the Synod Council and Pr. Jane
O’Hara Shields about synod-wide conversations that will lead to the
development of our mission strategy which will be presented for approval
at the June 2010 synod assembly.

We also spent time developing and approving a letter to President Obama
to thank him for his work toward peace in the Middle East and to
encourage him to press for change in two major areas: to cease the
building of new settlements in the West Bank and to open the borders to
Gaza more completely so that the humanitarian aid that is needed can
reach the people who continue to suffer there.

During my sabbatical time, I will be representing ELCA Presiding Bishop
Mark Hanson in an interreligious delegation that will visit the Holy
Land from Dec. 16 to 23. At that time, we hope to be able to meet with
governmental leaders to advocate for changes that will set the stage for
peace negotiations and the reality of a two-state solution.

Financial Realities

One of the things that is most troubling as bishops work with pastors
and congregations in their synods is the decision of quite a number of
individuals and congregations to withhold mission support as a reaction
to decisions which were made by the Churchwide Assembly. Although this
is a very human temptation, it is not consistent with our polity or our
understanding of our community as the body of Christ. However, the
temporary effect of these decisions will probably result in severe
financial difficulties in many synods, as well as the churchwide
expression. Our synod does not seem likely to be deeply affected by this
reaction, though we will feel the results because there will be
reductions in the support that churchwide gives to our synod in various
forms: support for the mission director, grants to congregations, and
resource persons available to us in various areas of mission and
ministry.

This situation, combined with the overall financial slump in our
country, will most likely be a problem that will affect not only our
partnership, but the jobs of a significant number of people in synod
offices and the churchwide office. But more importantly, it will affect
thousands of people who depend on the ministry of the ELCA: refugees,
victims of disaster, those who are living in poverty, the elderly and
all those who desperately need the support that is provided by our
church.

For that reason, as well as the fact that we are a Reconciling in Christ
synod and have strongly supported change in the policies of our church,
I ask that you think and pray about challenging your congregation to an
increase in mission support that is identified as a sign of support for
the decisions of the Churchwide Assembly. Even a minimal increase,
especially if it is accompanied by a letter that identifies why you have
chosen to grow in giving, would be a much appreciated sign of support
for this new direction.

It was good to gather with the bishops and to share the burdens of these
challenging times. I can assure you that bishops throughout the ELCA are
working hard to keep the connections that are such an important support
for the ministry that we provide to the world. Thanks be to God for
these workers, and especially for the members of congregations who live
in their baptisms every day to witness to Christ’s love. We are
especially gifted in this synod in the grace-filled welcome that we
offer, and I encourage you all to live even more fully into that welcome
in the months and years to come.

Bishop Margaret G. Payne

New England Synod
20 Upland Street
Worcester, MA 01607
(508) 791-1530, x103
www.nesynod.org

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