Assembly 2006 Voting Results

Assembly 2006 Elections

Bishop Election -

The Rev. Dr. David L. deFreese, 51, was re-elected June 2 to a second six-year term as bishop of the Nebraska Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at its assembly in Kearney, Nebraska. Pastor deFreese, first elected as bishop in 2000, was elected on the first ballot for bishop with 603 votes.

Bishop deFreese received 603 of 757 legal votes on the first ballot which requires 75% to elect. There were 16 nominees on the first or nominating ballot. At the time of the election, 782 voting members were registered on Friday morning; 761 votes were cast. Four votes were deemed illegal by the Nebraska Synod Elections Committee.

Runners-up were the Rev. Gordon Peterson, 50 votes; the Rev. Wenda Fry, 42 votes; the Rev. Damon Laaker, 32 votes; the Rev. Gary Panko, 13 votes; the Rev. Jonathon Jensen, 7 votes.; the Rev.William Barth, 2 votes; the Rev. David Bronstad, 1 vote; the Rev. Jane Denison, 1 vote; the Rev. Ron Drury, 1 vote; the Rev. Lee Griess, 1 vote; the Rev. Peter Jacobson, 1 vote; the Rev. Brian Maas, 1 vote; the Rev. Terry Nielsen; 1 vote; and the Rev. David Zellmer, 1 vote.

Vice President Election -

Mary Hock was re-elected to a fourth, four-year term as Vice President.

Synod Council Elections -

Elected to 6-year terms on Nebraska Synod Council:

Pr Gretchen Ritola, St. Paul’s and St. Luke, Emerson
Pr Eric Bostrom, Immanuel/Ceresco, Bethlehem/Davey & Zion/Ithaca
Pr Karl Rist, First/Fremont;
Pr Louis Forney, St. Paul’s/Omaha.

Adam Flannery, St. John’s/Atkinson, was elected to a 2-year term as youth member.

Discipline Committee Elections -

Discipline Committee members elected to six-year terms are:

Pr Julie Tillberg, Hosanna/Plattsmouth
Pr William Shaner, United/Lincoln
David A. Montgomery, Zion/Lincoln
Julia Shear, Our Savior/Wayne

Nebraska Synod Voting Members to 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly:

Chad Bekius, Faith/Maskell
Pr Paul Coen, Luther Memorial/Syracuse
Karen Daffer, Bethel/Holdrege
Betty Dasenbrock, St. Andrew’s/Lincoln
Douglas Fox, St. Peter/Bassett
Douglas Gustafson, Alma/Mead
Mary Jo Hansen, Immanuel/Coleridge
Rachelle Hanson, First/Avoca
Pr Glenn Hohlt, First/North Platte
David Hufford, Grace/Omaha
Pr Mary Jensen, Prince of Peace/Lincoln
Bob Kasworm, Lord of Love/Omaha
Pr Michael Knudson, Trinity/Omaha
Dale Linsenmeyer, St. John/Beatrice
Pr Stephen Lund, Christ the Servant/Norfolk
Nancy Mitchell, Trinity/Bruning
Pr Megan Morrow, Grace/Lexington
Pr James Price, St. John’s/Bennington
Pr Anjanette Rist, First/Fremont
Eva Roeber, Resurrection/Gretna
Betty Schambach, Trinity/Sidney
Julia Shear, Our Savior/Wayne
Steven Titus, Sinai/Fremont
Pr Steven Peeler, St. Peter’s/Pilger & St. Luke’s/Stanton

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Synod Council Assembly 2006 Resolutions, adopted

Nebraska Synod Assembly 2006 considered and adopted six resolutions from Nebraska Synod Council: the 2006 Assembly 2006 agenda and Assembly 2006 Rules of Procedure, the 2007 Compensation Guidelines (BoR, p.121), 2005 Auditor's Report (BoR, p.39), and the proposed 2007 Budget (BoR, p.26). As indicated in parentheses, specific information continues to be available in the 2006 Bulletin of Reports.

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2007 Offerings -

RESOLVED, that the following agencies and causes be authorized to present their needs to the congregations of the Nebraska Synod and that congregations be encouraged to receive special offerings for them:

Oaks Indian Center - Lent 2007

Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries - April, 2007

Lutheran Men in Mission Loan and Grant Fund - May, 2007

Nebraska Lutheran Campus Ministry - September, 2007

Mission Field Nebraska Month - October, 2007

Missions Sunday - Second Sunday in October, 2007

World Hunger - Thanksgiving or regular monthly receipts - 2007

Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska - December, 2007

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Nebraska Synod Assembly 2006 considered nine resolutions from members of the synod

Assembly 2006 Resolutions, adopted

Resolution SC2006:1 (Parish Nurse)

PREAMBLE: Why art thou cast down o my soul? And why art thou disquieted with me? Hope thou in God, for I shall yet prove him who is the health of my countenance and my God. Ps. 42:11

WHEREAS, The Parish Nurses are qualified to do and offer a number of services for the congregation, including, health education, health on a personal nature, counseling and also referring members to services that are available in the area. Also coordinating volunteers and overseeing the combination of spiritual and physical health; and

WHEREAS, The Parish Nurse, as a health educator, may organize classes and health centered events, as well as to hold office hours for consultations with parishioners who request and/or need help as needed. The parish nurse may also schedule home visits for personal care giving or follow-ups as needed; and

WHEREAS, The Parish Nurse has the knowledge of local and surrounding county services, such as health care for children, battered wives sanctuaries, economical assistance, and other appropriate agencies for qualified families. Older parishioners, who want to live at home, may be referred to lifeline services so that they can remain independent a lot longer in their own home environment; and

WHEREAS, The Parish Nurse, as a go between the parishioner and the health care system, is able to encourage them to monitor the standards of services offered by the health care system which could include, suggestions, helpful questions about concerns that people may ask their doctor, health care providers, counselors, etc. in recommending various facilities in the area for supporting parishioners as they labor through difficult situations which arise through difficult health related problems; and

WHEREAS, The Parish Nurse will often coordinate the efforts of volunteers to help with food delivery to the older parishioners who are recovering from illness, surgery, and etc. Also visit family in crisis or grief. To contact those on the prayer list or even provide transportation if needed; and

WHEREAS, The center of parish nursing is the helpful integration of family and helping people to find health and wellness through the focus on their faith. Today’s health involves healing the whole person – mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Without the spirit the whole process does not work. It is the missing link toward a good and beneficial healing recovery; and

WHEREAS, The Parish Nurse supports, listens, and is sympathetic and empathetic toward the people as they go through life’s joys, challenges and changes. As we as Christians in need of healing, we know that hope is always there and that a light at the end of the tunnel is always there, no matter if we can’t see it right away. God is the light of the world, so we know that there is a light at the end of life’s challenging tunnel; and

WHEREAS, With the support of the whole church body, we can accomplish the holistic healing approach to our parishioners through emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual support and guidance; and

WHEREAS, Without spirit the whole church body is like an empty shell, when opened there is nothingness. The holistic parishioner that makes up the church body when the shell is opened has the gift of a whole being that support and worship God as he deserves. Now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Nebraska Synod recognize and support the importance of the role of Parish Nursing in the synod church body so that with the support of the church body, we can accomplish the holistic approach to the healing of our fellow parishioners, emotionally, mentally, physically, and finally spiritually.

Submitted by:
Francis E. Durham, LPN
Parish Health Minister
St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE

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Resolution SC2006:2 (ELCA World Hunger)

WHEREAS, Our Lord made it crystal clear that feeding the hungry and advocating for those in poverty is of the highest priority for those who are His disciples (Matthew 25: 34-35); and

WHEREAS, The ELCA World Hunger Program and Appeal is incredibly effective and efficient in battling hunger and its causes and deserves our support; and

WHEREAS, God’s people respond generously when they see and understand a real human need; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That each congregation of the Nebraska Synod be encouraged to recruit and train a congregational contact team who will be the head cheerleaders and advocates for the ELCA World Hunger Program and Appeal by:

• telling the story of what our church is doing on behalf of the hungry,

• educating the congregation on the needs of the hungry;

• inspiring people to give generously to the Appeal; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That each congregation of the Nebraska Synod be encouraged to hold at least two (2) events this coming year that:

• focus on the needs of the hungry and those battling poverty,

• lift up the ministry of the ELCA World Hunger Program to meet those needs,

give people an opportunity to respond with their gifts; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That each congregation be encouraged to set a goal to increase its giving to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal either by 25% over last year or to a minimum of $10 per member in the coming year; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That each cluster of the Nebraska Synod be encouraged to nominate one willing person from that cluster, clergy or lay, to serve on the World Hunger Committee for a period of one year.

Submitted by:
Pastor Ron Youngerman
On behalf of the Nebraska Synod World Hunger Committee

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Resolution 2006:3  (Faithful Steward retreats)

WHEREAS, We recognize that stewardship plays a key role in our faith life and our ministry together in the Nebraska Synod and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA); and

WHEREAS, As a community of faith, we hold the following as principle beliefs:

• We recognize God as the Creator and Owner of everything

• We believe God’s vision for ministry is larger then we can imagine

• We are children of God through our baptism, transformed through life in Christ

• We recognize and celebrate the gifts of the Creator

• We live a life that is a growing faith response to God

• We are created and called to share, give, serve and care for others in our communities and beyond; and

WHEREAS, The leadership of ELCA rostered persons and certified Parish Ministry Associates (PMAs) in our congregations is crucial to teaching how we translate these beliefs in our daily lives; and

WHEREAS, Providing growth opportunities for our present and future leadership in the area of stewardship will help equip, encourage and deepen their skills in teaching these principles; and

WHEREAS, The Nebraska Synod, with the assistance of a generous grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, will offer Faithful Stewards, a retreat for all Nebraska Synod rostered persons, PMAs and their spouses that will provide the opportunity for growth in stewardship and money leadership at no cost to the participants or their congregations; and

WHEREAS, The attendees of these retreats, their congregations and members, and those whom we are called to serve will benefit from such growth opportunities; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the 2006 Assembly of the Nebraska Synod encourage all rostered persons and PMAs of the Nebraska Synod and their spouses, if applicable, to attend a Faithful Stewards retreat; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the 2006 Assembly of the Nebraska Synod encourage all congregations and synodically related agencies and institutions to provide an additional two days of continuing education time for their rostered persons and/or PMAs to attend a Faithful Stewards retreat.

Submitted by:
The Nebraska Synod Stewardship Team

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The following resolution was submitted after the March 3 deadline. Resolutions submitted after the 90 day deadline are brought to the Assembly and require a majority vote to be debated on the floor and a two-thirds majority vote for passage. The Assembly voted to consider it.

Resolution SA2006: 4 (Candidacy Committee)

WHEREAS, Central to our understanding of the call to ministry is that each of us, being baptized people of God, is called to minister in the name of Jesus Christ. All of us have been given gifts and abilities which equip us to do ministry in our daily lives. Some of us, however, are given gifts and talents that move us into the area of providing leadership in one of the four rostered ministries of the Church; and
WHEREAS, The current Nebraska Synod constitutional bylaw provision, S11.23.10, creates the Candidacy Committee; and

WHEREAS, The current Synod constitutional bylaw provision, S11.23.11, calls on the Candidacy Committee to “fulfill the mission of the synod by enlisting prospective candidates for church occupations, providing guidance and support for them, reviewing their credentials, and evaluating their qualification for inclusion on the roster of ordained ministers and associates in ministry, deaconesses and diaconal ministers of the church”; and
WHEREAS, the number of people pursuing candidacy through the Nebraska Synod is steadily increasing, especially through the tremendous efforts of Operation IDEA, congregations, lay persons and pastors who encourage individuals to consider ministry as a vocation; and
WHEREAS, this increased growth in the number of candidates creates the wonderful problem of placing greater demands on the Candidacy Committee; and

WHEREAS, The current Nebraska Synod constitutional bylaw provision, S11.23.12, limits the size of the committee to no more than twelve members; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Nebraska Synod constitutional bylaw provision, S11.23.12, be amended as follows:

This committee shall be composed of no more than twelve sixteen members elected to terms of four years by the Synod Council for their expertise in this area. As nearly as possible, one-fourth of the committee shall be elected annually. No person shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms.

Submitted by:
Sue Stover, Associate in Ministry
Candidacy Committee, Nebraska Synod, ELCA

Resolution SA2006:4 was received after March 3, 2006. According to Nebraska Synod constitutional bylaw S7.41.22, this resolution requires a majority vote to be considered on the floor and a two thirds vote for passage.

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The following resolution was submitted after the March 3 deadline. Resolutions submitted after the 90 day deadline are brought to the Assembly and require a majority vote to be debated on the floor and a two-thirds majority vote for passage. The Assembly voted to consider it.

Resolution SA2006:5 (Loan and Grant Fund)

WHEREAS, The need continues to encourage our members to prayerfully consider ordained ministry;

WHEREAS, Members of the ELCA Churches and the Nebraska Synod are encouraged to support those who are preparing for ordained ministry in the ELCA;

WHEREAS, $30,000 is needed each year to fund the Nebraska Synod Loan & Grant Fund; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this assembly expresses support for the Nebraska Synod Loan & Grant Fund that is administered jointly by the Synod Staff and the Nebraska Synod Lutheran Men in Mission; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That each congregation in the Nebraska Synod be encouraged to support the Loan & Grant Fund by contributing annually through special offerings, foundations or endowments, or through an annual budget item, an amount equal to fifty cents per baptized member to financially support those students from the Nebraska Synod during their second through fourth year of seminary.

Submitted by:
Recently Ordained Ministers now serving in the Nebraska Synod and beneficiaries of the Loan & Grant Fund, the Executive Board of the Nebraska Synod Lutheran Men in Mission, and the Loan & Grant Fund Committee
Rev. Eric Bostrom
Rev. Rhonda Bostrom
Rev. Bryan Rice
Rev. Stuart Sell
Rev. Jerry Gilbreath
Rev. Frank Kerkemeyer
Rev. Gretchen Naugle
Rev. Kim Stover
Rev. Glen Thomas
Intern Justin Wiese

Executive Board, Lutheran Men in Mission
Dean Heairet, LMM President,
Loan & Grant Committee
Roger Zeeb, LMM Secretary
Jerry Johnson Ex. Secretary/Treasurer,
Loan & Grant Secretary
Bob Wriedt, Cluster Representative, Loan & Grant Chairperson
Bob Vandell, Cluster Representative
Milton Johnson, Cluster Representative, Loan & Grant Committee
Dwayne Dietze, Cluster Representative
Ralph Carlson, Cluster Representative, Loan & Grant Committee
Bill Culver, Cluster Representative, Loan & Grant Committee
Rev. Howard Rasmussen, Pastoral Advisor & Loan Beneficiary
Les Robbins, Past LMM President
Bill Sapp, Treasurer, Loan & Grant Committee
Jim Gerking, Loan & Grant Committee

Resolution SA2006:5 was received after March 3, 2006. According to Nebraska Synod constitutional bylaw S7.41.22, this resolution requires a majority vote to be considered on the floor and a two thirds vote for passage.

WHEREAS, Lutheran Campus Ministry will celebrate its centennial anniversary in the United States during 2007, the first campus pastor, Howard Gold, having been called to the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1907; and

WHEREAS, Lutheran Campus Ministry, among its many contributions to the church, is a primary arena for identifying, encouraging, and equipping future leaders of the church and an active participant in Operation IDEA, the Nebraska Synod’s strategy for raising leaders for Christ’s church, including those who will enter rostered leadership and those who will serve congregations as council members, officers, and ministry leaders, and teachers; and

WHEREAS, Nebraska Lutheran Campus Ministry is blessed to have staffed ministry sites at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, University of Nebraska – Kearney, Omaha and Wayne, as well as emerging Cooperating Congregations in Campus Ministry at Chadron, Beatrice and Hastings; and

WHEREAS, Lutheran Campus Ministry is an integral mission of our church to the highly unchurched young adult population on campus, dependent primarily upon funding from synods and the national church, and supplemented by contributions from alumni and friends; and

WHEREAS, The core funding of campus ministry provided by the Nebraska Synod and a churchwide grant is generous but unable to keep up with the basic needs of these ministries; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Nebraska Synod designate 2007 for special recognition and celebration of Lutheran Campus Ministry within the synod; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Nebraska Synod, at its 2007 Assembly, celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Lutheran Campus Ministry, including but not limited to:

• A recognition of our campus ministries during an assembly worship service

• A session dedicated to campus ministry during one of the breakout or workshop times

with the Nebraska Lutheran Campus Ministry from the synod providing coordination and resources for these and other activities that may be deemed appropriate; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That consideration be given to a special offering – designated for Nebraska Lutheran Campus Ministry – to be received at the Nebraska Synod Assembly, with each congregation of the synod encouraged to contribute at least $100 as a thank offering to ensure the next 100 years.

Submitted by:
Pr. Roger Sasse, President
Nebraska Lutheran Campus Ministry
Resolution SA2006:6 was received after March 3, 2006. According to Nebraska Synod constitutional bylaw S7.41.22, this resolution requires a majority vote to be considered on the floor and a two thirds vote for passage.

OPINION OF THE RESOLUTIONS REFERENCE & COUNSEL COMMITTEE:
If considered by the Assembly, it is the opinion of the Resolutions, Reference & Counsel Committee that Resolution SA2006:6 be adopted by the 2006 Assembly of the Nebraska Synod.

WHEREAS, S19.03 states, “Recognition of social ministry agencies and institutions shall be granted or withdrawn by the Synod Assembly in accordance with the standards and procedures established by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and upon the recommendation of the Synod Council,” and

WHEREAS, The Good Samaritan Society of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is already recognized as a social ministry agency of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Good Samarian Society of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, be recognized as an affiliated Social Ministry Agency of the Nebraska Synod, ELCA, with the privileges and obligations as stated in the Nebraska Synod Constitution S10.07.10.

Submitted by:
Nebraska Synod Council

Resolution SA2006:7 was received after March 3, 2006. According to Nebraska Synod constitutional bylaw S7.41.22, this resolution requires a majority vote to be considered on the floor and a two thirds vote for passage.

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Assembly 2006 Resolutions, defeated

Resolution SA2006:8 (Immigration)

Preamble: Our scriptures state in the Old and New Testaments: “When foreigners reside among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigners residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:33-34) and, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25)

WHEREAS, The ELCA Bishops, including Bishop deFreese, called for fair and just immigration reform; and

WHEREAS, In the body of Christ all are neighbors and none are aliens or foreigners; and

WHEREAS, Welcoming immigrants will enable us to practice what it means to be a neighbor; and

WHEREAS, Rural and Urban America would be best served by a balanced approach to immigration; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Nebraska Synod in Assembly as part of the body of Christ will encourage congregations to engage in conversation about what the Bible teaches about being neighbor; and

RESOLVED, That every ELCA congregation in Nebraska be encouraged to make available copies of Message on Immigration” adopted by the Church Council on November 16, 1998, to aid discussion; and

RESOLVED, That the Nebraska Synod in Assembly, recognizing our call to abide with Christ's teachings to aid and comfort our neighbors from foreign lands as they live among us, will encourage congregations of the Nebraska Synod to aid those who wish to become citizens; and

RESOLVED, That the Nebraska Synod in Assembly will support the right of congregations to declare themselves sanctuaries for immigrants and pastors who may be criminalized under future immigration laws. (stricken by Assembly vote)

RESOLVED: That the Nebraska Synod in Assembly will support the freedom of congregations to declare themselves sanctuaries for immigrants and pastors who may engage in non-violent civil disobedience to future immigration laws. (added by 2006 Assembly).

Submitted by:
Rev. Susan Butler
Rev. Maria Conner
Dr. Carl Ekstrom
Rev. Nathan Houfek
Rev. Robert Johnson
Rev. Dr. Damon Laaker
Rev. Lynn Parsons
Rev. Jodi Wangsness

Resolution SA2006:8 was received after March 3, 2006. According to Nebraska Synod constitutional bylaw S7.41.22, this resolution requires a majority vote to be considered on the floor and a two thirds vote for passage.

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Assembly 2006 Resolutions, referred to Synod Council

Resolution SA2006:9

WHEREAS, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, understanding the threats posed to God’s creation and God’s children, has spoken on the danger of nuclear weapons; and

WHEREAS, the nuclear weapons danger has increased recently; and

WHEREAS, “For People of Faith: An Urgent Call to End the Nuclear Danger” proposes a realistic set of steps that can be taken to reduce the nuclear danger; and

WHEREAS, Mark S. Hanson, the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, has endorsed “For People of Faith: An Urgent Call to End the Nuclear Danger,” now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Nebraska Synod in Assembly endorse “For People of Faith: An Urgent Call to End the Nuclear Danger,” and

RESOLVED, That the Nebraska Synod in Assembly urge the Justice Committee of the Nebraska Synod to distribute “For People of Faith: An Urgent Call to End the Nuclear Danger” to the congregations of the synod, and

RESOLVED, That the Nebraska Synod in Assembly encourage congregations to hold forums and discussions in their congregations and communities and urge endorsement of “For People of Faith: An Urgent Call to End the Nuclear Danger” by congregations and individual members; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Nebraska Synod in Assembly encourage members and congregations to share “For People of Faith: An Urgent Call to End the Nuclear Danger” with their elected representatives.

Submitted by:
Pastor Robert C. Johnson
St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Omaha, Nebraska

Resolution SA2006:9 was received after March 3, 2006. According to Nebraska Synod constitutional bylaw S7.41.22, this resolution requires a majority vote to be considered on the floor and a two thirds vote for passage.