ELCIC Bishop “Susan Johnson” and “National Church Council (“NCC”)” have“refused” to distribute “a congregational petition proposing a conflict of interest policy” for ELCIC decision-making bodies, including the NCC.
This refusal radically alters the long-standing ELCIC policy of distributing congregational petitions in the Book of Reports (“BOR”) sent to delegates for their perusal, prior to the convention
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Resolution Regarding ELCIC Conflict of Interest Policy
Motion:
That any member of any ELCIC decision-making body only be permitted to vote on a motion “if they do not have a direct or indirect interest in the outcome of the motion”. Decision-making bodies of the ELCIC include an ELCIC Convention, a Synod Convention, any decision-making body composed of members elected at an ELCIC Convention or any decision-making body composed of members elected at a Synod Convention.
Rationale:
The minimum accepted ethical standard for both profit and non-profit organizations is to restrict voting on motions to individuals who have no direct or indirect interest in the outcome. If members of a decision-making body are permitted to vote on motions in which they have a direct or indirect interest, such action taints the integrity and trustworthiness of the entire organization. Minimum corporate and government ethical standards restrict individuals from receiving a personal benefit at the expense of the organization they were chosen to serve.
ELCIC and Synod decision-making bodies should follow the minimum ethical standards employed by congregations of the ELCIC. For example, if a Congregational Council member has made an offer to purchase the Congregation’s parsonage, he/she will be excluded from voting on the acceptance of his offer since he/she has a direct conflict of interest. In order to enrich himself/herself, he/she will attempt to pay the lowest possible price. A direct conflict with his/her desire for personal gain is his/her responsibility to insure that the congregation receives the highest possible price for the parsonage. The only logical course of action that recognizes his/her inherent conflict of interest is for the congregation to insist that he/she be excluded from voting on his/her offer to purchase the congregation’s parsonage.
Members of ELCIC decision-making bodies have a moral and legal duty to safeguard and protect the assets and minimize the liabilities of the relevant ELCIC organization. It is impossible for members of these decision-making bodies, in good conscience, to discharge their legal duty if they will receive a direct or indirect personal financial or other benefit from the motion before the decision-making body.
Members of ELCIC decision-making bodies can also have a non-financial conflict of interest.
For example at the 2008 Eastern Synod Convention individual pastors who participated in the illegal ordination ceremony of Lionel Ketola were permitted voice and vote on the motion regarding Synod disciplinary action of their participation.
The behavior of members of decision making bodies of the ELCIC should be above reproach in both fact and appearance. It is unethical, improper and illogical for any decision- making body to be entrusted with the stewardship of church resources if individual members of the decision-making body are permitted to participate in decisions that will benefit their personal interests, both financial and non-financial.
This conflict of interest resolution transcends the mere minimum requirements for good, transparent and ethical governance of church affairs in the earthly kingdom. Concern over the efficient administration of church resources has been an issue since the beginning of Christianity. The early church fathers recognized the critical importance that proper administration of church resources played in both the practical and theological mission of the church. Peter addresses the responsibility of church leaders in I Peter 5:2,3:
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve, not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
Some may view individuals elected by ELCIC conventions and Synod conventions as selected by the Holy Spirit and therefore these individuals are not required to disqualify themselves from participation in decisions that impact their direct or indirect personal interests. This view is not in accord with the Scriptures, the Lutheran Confessions, or logic, since Lutheran theology recognizes that all individuals, while living on earth, are never entirely free from sin.
