SD Synod Assembly – Live Blog 6/11/2010

This is the Live Blog from the first day of the ELCA South Dakota Synod Assembly.

5:07 pm

That resolution was passed. Tonight there's a banquet and a speaker.

5:00 pm

We now have a resolution to look into ways to help restore the pension funds at Augsburg Fortress. There will probably not bee to much discussion on it. The resolution committee recommended "Do Pass."

4:45 pm

The resolution passed. The vote was 251 yes, 243 no and 10 abstentions. People are digging through Roberts Rules of Order trying to figure out if we can get this back since we were so close.

Someone who voted to pass the resolution moved to reconsider. We just missed the vote to reconsider, so we didn't get to readdress the resolution.

4:30 pm

I spoke on the resolution. Here are my notes I read from:

This resolution seeks to reconsider and revoke the “Human Sexuality: Gift & Trust” Social Statement on the basis that it violates the ELCA’s commitment to accept the canonical Scriptures as the authoritative source and norm of our proclamation, faith and life, and to accept the confessional writings of the Lutheran Church as a true witness of the Gospel and valid interpretations of the faith of the Church. Based on this resolution, serious commitment to the authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions ought to also be addressed regarding the ELCA’s policy of divorce for pastors. Mark 10:1-12 is about divorce after all. The absence of a resolution to reconsider this policy (or this policy’s inclusion in this resolution) demonstrates that the issue at hand is not that the Social Statement is not congruent with scripture. It demonstrates our willingness to find the Grace in scripture for ourselves and see the Law for others. It is an opportunity to draw a line in the sand in such a way that we end up on the right side of it. If we do not require absolute adherence to blatant Scriptural norms for ourselves we have to right to demand it of others. The idea that a pastor in a committed homosexual relationship “actively chooses a lifestyle of sin” is no different than a pastor who is divorced and remarried. Jesus said that the one who divorces and remarries commits adultery against their ex-spouse. Why is that “willing sinful lifestyle” acceptable?

4:09 pm

The Resolution has passed. We're now moving on to the resolution to "Reconsider and Remove the Social Statement, 'Human Sexuality: Gift & Trust.'" This is one that will likely cause a lot of contention. The social statement is the one passed at the 2009 Church Wide Assembly. It was a descriptive statement that discussed the views and beliefs held in the ELCA.

3:55 pm

Time for Resolutions! First up is the "Resolution of support for Disestablishing SDCCCM and Transferring Its Functions to the Support to Ministries Committee"

Basically the resolution will move oversight to the Support to Ministries Committee from the Campus Ministry Committee that has not been able to provide adequate oversight to the individual ministries.

3:38 pm

Ty Inglis (the synod treasurer) is giving his final Treasurer's Report and a presentation of our 2011 Mission.

3:37

Just announced total attendance for the Assembly: 621 people. Not too shabby, South Dakota.

3:08 pm

Rev. Dr. Jacobson just asked us to discuss and listed about three things. The entire Assembly had a look for a second that said, "Could you please repeat all that?" Then everyone just started talking. I'm still not sure if anyone knows what we're supposed to be talking about though.

2:58 pm

Back at it. Rev. Dr. Rolf Jacobson is presenting. He mentioned about a couple of sites Enter the Bible and Working Preacher. He'll be talking about "What is the Church."

2:21 pm

Break Time

2:13 pm

Reverend Asa Wilson is sharing about the ecumenical ministry on the Pine Ridge Reservation. He's pretty cool for a Presbyterian

2:05 pm

Synod Council  VPs are giving their statements. Gary Steuck and Joel Williams have been nominated.

Up for Treasurer are Curt Hage and Erik Gilbertson. I just met Erik last night - I think I'll vote for him since he's the young guy. Erik is qualified and I'm all for getting some Young Adults involved in the Synod.

1:45 pm

Bishop Zellmer is wrapping up the State of the Synod. There have certainly been struggles over the last year, but we're moving forward to make an impact in our communities. The Book of Faith initiative is moving forward. He's also introducing new staff in the Synod.

1:40 pm

"When the missionaries get nervous, you should get nervous." Bishop Zellmer learned that when he was on safari in Africa with his family and the missionaries that are over there.

1:38 pm

In November Bishop Zellmer visited Cameroon. They roofed a church and spent time at the Seminary getting to know the students and also did some teaching. They also installed Bishop Nyiwe.

In February Bishop Zellmer visited Nicaragua and were able to help them after Hurricane Felix.

1:33 pm

Bishop Zellmer is giving the Bishop's Report.

419 Congregations have taken their first vote  to leave the ELCA. 283 passed and 136 failed. 161 congregations have taken a second vote and 21 have failed. Seven churches in South Dakota have left the ELCA.

Orient Lutheran was the sole congregation to end their ministry in South Dakota. The Synod Council removed Pioneer Lutheran for calling a pastor not on the ELCA roster.

1:25 pm

The Rules and Agenda have been passed. Bishop Zellmer just introduced his three month old grandson to the Assembly. It was pretty adorable.

1:09 pm

We're learning how our electronic voting devices work. It's pretty entertaining. If you've seen statistics of the age of most Lutheran congregations, you know that basically it's a bunch of old people trying to use electronics.

Now we're going over a quick review of Parliamentary Procedure. I miss debate and SigEp meetings...

12:30 pm

Worship ran an hour and forty five minutes. Pretty rough for a guy who hasn't been to a traditional worship in a year and a half or so. It was also an out of the ELW - my last traditional worship was out of the LBW. We're starting our conference caucuses now. Things are a little hectic since worship ran so long. I'm still hoping for a chance to get out the guitar. Plenary will start in 15 minutes, so things should get going then!

10:04 am

Next on the Agenda is worship. I don't think it would fly if I brought my computer in during the service though. Counselors from Outlaw ranch will be singing. I think there will also be some choral pieces from members of Calvary Lutheran. If anything of note happens during worship it'll get posted when we get done.

9:30 am

If you're a twitter fan the South Dakota Synod Assembly will be using the hashtag #ELCA_SDSA - put that in your tweets about the assembly and follow to see what people are saying...hopefully there'll be at least five of us using it...

8:57 am

I found Daniel Lehmann. We had a good conversation about the Lutheran magazine. Did you know if you get a print copy you can enter your 11 digit subscriber code into the Lutheran website and get online access for a year? I did, but that's because I only have an online subscription.

Orientation for new voting members and youth is about to start. I'm going to see if I can dig up a few people and bust out the guitars and do some singing.

8:05 am

Calvary Lutheran Church is buzzing! Registration is going full tilt for delegates that weren't in town last night to register. Follow along on this post and I'll continuously update it as we progress through the day's events!

I've been instructed by @thelutheran (the Lutheran magazine on twitter) to look for editor Daniel Lehmann. I haven't found him yet, but when I do I'll certainly be giving him a hard time for not being set up and ready to go right at 8:00 am!