A Call for a Social Statement on Education
Action Taken by the Churchwide Assembly, 2001

WHEREAS, there is no ELCA social statement on education in general, (2001 Pre-Assembly Report: Section IV, "Social Policy Resolution on School Vouchers," page 61); and

WHEREAS, social statements from predecessor church bodies recognize the vital importance of quality education and consider education a fundamental human right (2001 Pre-Assembly Report: Section IV, "Social Policy Resolution on School Vouchers," page 61); and

WHEREAS, the ELCA is committed to justice for all; and

WHEREAS, a correlation exists between education and poverty; and

WHEREAS, social policy resolutions normally rely upon or are consistent with the teachings and policy of social statements (2001 Pre-Assembly Report: Section IV. "Social Policy Resolution on School Vouchers," page 61); therefore be it

RESOLVED, that this Churchwide Assembly direct the Church Council to ask the Division for Church in Society to develop a social statement on education which addresses the numerous accomplishments and concerns of education in the United States and its territories and that the social statement be presented to the Churchwide Assembly no later than 2005.

Ms. Wu introduced the recommendation of Committee of Reference and Counsel:

MOVED;
SECONDED: To refer Motion O to the Division for Church in Society, requesting the division to bring a report and recommendation regarding this resolution to the April 2002 meeting of the Church Council, thereby allowing time for the proposed study to be considered within the sequence of staffing and budget considerations.

Ms. Joyce E. Gerstenlauer [Lower Susquehanna Synod] moved to amend by substitution:

MOVED;
SECONDED: To substitute the following for the recommendation of the Reference and Counsel Committee:

WHEREAS, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has been in existence since 1987; and

WHEREAS, there is no ELCA social statement on education in general, (2001 Pre-Assembly Report: Section IV, "Social Policy Resolution on School Vouchers," page 61); and

WHEREAS, social statements from predecessor church bodies recognize the vital importance of quality education and consider education a fundamental human right (2001 Pre-Assembly Report: Section IV, "Social Policy Resolution on School Vouchers," page 61); and

WHEREAS, the ELCA is committed to justice for all; and

WHEREAS, a correlation exists between education and poverty; and Whereas, social policy resolutions normally rely upon or are consistent with the teachings and policy of social statements (2001 Pre-Assembly Report: Section IV, "Social Policy Resolution on School Vouchers," page 61); therefore be it

RESOLVED, that this Churchwide Assembly direct the Church Council to ask the Division for Church in Society to develop a social statement on education which addresses the numerous accomplishments and concerns of education in the United States and its territories and that the social statement be presented to the Churchwide Assembly no later than 2005.

Ms. Gerstenlauer spoke to her motion, saying that quality education is a key to a compassionate world. She said that "we need to provide support to all schools: public, private, home, and cyber." She encouraged support for her original resolution.

Mr. Barry O. Smith [Lower Susquehanna Synod] spoke in favor of the motion to substitute. He said that a social statement is needed to guide decisions on educational issues that will come before future assemblies. It is risky, he said, to act on educational issues without a framework. He said that "we need to undertake the study and not just consider it."

The Rev. Charles S. Miller, executive director of the Division for Church and Society, said that he welcomed the intent that work be done on a social statement and expressed his trust that the recommendation from the division would endorse such a plan. He added that the division supported the recommendation of the Committee of Reference and Counsel, and then discussed staffing, budgetary, and timing concerns related to drafting a social statement. He said that it usually is a four-year process, requiring at least one-full time staff person, and would cost a minimum of $100,000. He added that the division currently is working on a health-care statement.

Ms. Evelyn F. Streng [Southwestern Texas Synod] said that she had been a long-time educator and that to develop such a statement on education is "mission impossible." She said it had to be more specific and that this is an unrealistic proposal.

Bishop Lee M. Miller [Upstate New York Synod] spoke in favor of the substitution, stating that it was broad and dealt with a host of issues. He added that "we need to get some sense of this church." Seeing no one else rising to speak to the motion to amend by substitution, Bishop Anderson called for the vote.

MOVED;
SECONDED;

Yes – 421; No – 437
DEFEATED: To substitute the following for the recommendation of the Reference and Counsel Committee:

WHEREAS, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has been in existence since 1987; and

WHEREAS, there is no ELCA social statement on education in general, (2001 Pre-Assembly Report: Section IV, "Social Policy Resolution on School Vouchers," page 61); and

WHEREAS, social statements from predecessor church bodies recognize the vital importance of quality education and consider education a fundamental human right (2001 Pre-Assembly Report: Section IV, "Social Policy Resolution on School Vouchers," page 61); and

WHEREAS, the ELCA is committed to justice for all; and

WHEREAS, a correlation exists between education and poverty; and

WHEREAS, social policy resolutions normally rely upon or are consistent with the teachings and policy of social statements (2001 Pre-Assembly Report: Section IV. "Social Policy Resolution on School Vouchers," page 61); therefore be it

RESOLVED, that this Churchwide Assembly direct the Church Council to ask the Division for Church in Society to develop a social statement on education which addresses the numerous accomplishments and concerns of education in the United States and its territories and that the social statement be presented to the Churchwide Assembly no later than 2005.

Bishop Anderson, seeing no one at microphones wishing to speak to the motion, proceeded with the vote.

Assembly Action

Yes–816; No–69
CA01.06.40  To refer Motion O to the Division for Church in Society, requesting the division to bring a report and recommendation regarding this resolution to the April 2002 meeting of the Church Council, thereby allowing time for the proposed study to be considered within the sequence of staffing and budget considerations.