the issue at the center of it all

The changes in church governance slated for approval at the July Churchwide Assembly will allow the ELCA Council (the national body) to fast track the amendment process from a three-year review to nearly instantaneous approval.

This entirely removes input from local congregations.

By moving from a congregational structure to a hierarchical structure, it allows the ELCA to redefine congregations’ Purpose Statements, impose ‘interdependence,’ and enforce ELCA policy—all shifting the autonomy and control of First Lutheran away from our congregation.

church governance Task force

task force overview

Formed at the February 2025 Council Meeting to research:

  • The proposed amendments to be voted on at the 2025 Churchwide Assembly

  • Church governance challenges

  • The future of being a congregation in the ELCA

Members: Barney Brandenburg, Micah Aberson, Mason Van Essen, Deb Nelson, Marilyn Van Demark, John Hegg, and Shad Carney

With a 7-0 vote, the Task Force recommended FLC begins congregation-wide dialogue, research, and review of church governance issues.

we believe

We believe we should be governed locally and not by a centralized authority, and therefore we should be allowed full control of what is in our constitution.

A number of ELCA synods and bishops are claiming congregations must adopt the Model Constitution and not their own constitution.

We believe we should have full control of our property and financial assets.

There’s a provision in the Model Constitution that allows synods to decide unilaterally to put a congregation under synodical administration, removing the congregation’s duly elected Council and giving the synod control of congregational property and assets.

We believe we as individuals and as a congregation should be respected and allowed to hold our own political and social views.

The ELCA’s Social Statement on Civic Life and Faith says, “When they (rostered leaders) speak on public issues, their words should be rooted in the Scriptures and are to be governed by official ELCA teaching.” This adherence to ‘official ELCA teaching,’ threatens our pastors’ call and duty to faithfully preach and teach according to the Holy Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions.

concerns addressed

Concern: We’ve been allowed to be an independent congregation for decades. These Churchwide changes won’t actually impact us.

Church governance matters. The ELCA is shifting from a congregational structure (each congregation is its own organization; bottom up) to a hierarchical structure (policy is set at Churchwide and enforced down the line; top down). We will no longer be able to be an ELCA congregation and not follow their policies without consequences.

Concern: ELCA Churchwide will attempt to force congregations to preach ELCA policy.

This is a real possibility. With the proposed changes, Churchwide and the ELCA Council will be able to change the Purpose Statement for congregations without input from local congregations.

Concern: We don’t follow the ELCA’s policies, and, as a result, they will try to deroster our pastors or take our assets, property, and Foundation.

We will support our pastors, rostered or not, and work tirelessly to protect the legacy our brothers and sisters in Christ have left us.

research

We believe we should be governed locally and not by a centralized authority, and therefore we should be allowed full control of what is in our constitution.

  • Currently, in a number of synods the ELCA bishops are claiming the congregation must follow the Model Constitution and not their own constitution.

  • For more information, watch this video on structural changes in the ELCA: Video Link #1

  • And this video on the ELCA’s “Game Changer:” Video Link #2

We believe we should have full control of our property and financial assets.

  • There is a provision in the constitution, S13.24, that allows synods to decide unilaterally to put a congregation under synodical administration. That removes the congregation's duly elected church council and gives the synod control overall congregational property and assets. This provision has been used across the country.

  • Several such instances are highlighted in these videos:

We believe we as individuals and as a group should be respected and allowed to hold our own political and social views.

  • ELCA’s DEIA Audit Report: Report Link

  • Constitutional recommendations to enforce DEIA Audit Report recommendations: Report Link

  • Draft Social Statement on Civic Life and Faith includes this language in Article 35: When they (rostered leaders) speak on public issues, their words should be rooted in the Scriptures and are to be governed by official ELCA teaching.

encouragement

The Church Governance Task Force has watched many hours of videos and read hundreds of pages of documentation.

We ask that you do the same.

First Lutheran has been faithfully tending to the proclamation of God’s Word for over 100 years. Your attention and voice in these matters will impact the trajectory of our congregation for the next 100 years.

We need as much input from our members as possible.

If you have any thoughts, questions, or concerns, please seek out a Task Force member, a Council member, or another member of First Lutheran.

“This church governance research process has uncovered serious risks of what it means to continue to be an ELCA congregation. It is crucial that we, as a congregation, are informed. We need ALL voices to be heard in this process so we can fulfill our mission as a congregation, continue the ministries we cherish so dearly, and—above all else—continue to preach the Gospel.”

-Barney Brandenburg