The 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly concluded Aug. 2 at the Phoenix Convention Center. Day six included a service of Holy Communion and the 11th plenary session.

Lucille “CeCee” Mills was installed as ELCA secretary during the closing worship service, which included a prayer led by Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop, with intercessory response from the voting members and church leaders.

Wyvetta Bullock, ELCA executive for administration, offered the sermon. She preached on the theme “Sent as the Body of Christ for the Life of the World.” Referencing the Gospel text of John 21, Bullock asked, “When Jesus asks the ELCA, ‘Do you love me?’ What do we say? What have our actions shown?”

During the final plenary, voting members tried to finish as much business as they could before everyone returned to their home congregations. The assembly also honored the outgoing synod bishops and officers and celebrated Church Council members who are finishing their terms.

The first order of business focused on the final considerations of constitutional amendments and resolutions from the Reference and Counsel Committee. Prior to the work, however, there was a series of laments and apologies, seeking reconciliation for wrongs that were felt throughout the session, including from the debates during amendments considered during the plenaries.

The actions included:

  • Motion F – failed (102-540): The bylaw (13.22.03) would have limited serving as presiding bishop to two terms, or 12 years. The subsequent Motion G would have created a new bylaw (13.42.03) that would also have limited serving as secretary to two terms, or 12 years. The motion was withdrawn.
  • Motion H – failed (404-211): The amendment would have removed language from 19.04.02 that stated that lay membership in a synod would need recognition that they reside within the territory of the synod or the area close to the synod geographical footprint. The layperson would still be a member of the synod if they hold membership in a synod congregation.
  • Motion J – adopted (584-15): The resolution refers to the Office of the Presiding Bishop, Theological Discernment, Service and Justice and ELCA Advocacy, in consultation with the Office of the Treasurer and Information Technology, consideration of the ethics and morality surrounding AI, including creating safeguards both in privacy and usage, as well as to develop a “faith and AI” study guide, among other steps, to try to keep up with the rapidly evolving technology.
  • Motions K through X – adopted. A resolution giving thanks to Church Council members whose terms are ending and to churchwide organization staff for their work on the assembly. Resolutions of appreciation—Eaton for her service; Imran Siddiqui, ELCA vice president, for his work during the assembly; Sue Rothmeyer, ELCA secretary for her service; Lori Fedyk, treasurer of the ELCA; Yeheil Curry, ELCA presiding bishop-elect, and Mills for taking up their new roles; the nominees who ran for both presiding bishop and secretary; Churchwide Assembly committees; ecumenical and interreligious partners for their attendance at the assembly; and separately incorporated ministries. Resolutions of thanks—for ELCA seminaries, colleges and universities; for the time in worship and the worship team. A resolution of thanksgiving for hospitality to the City of Phoenix, the Grand Canyon Synod, Region 2, and the nations who call these lands their own—the Hohokam, O’odham and Piipaash people. And thanks for the Indigenous leaders who provided the educational experience through the powwow, AMMPARO for its prayer vigil and the many volunteers involved, the Phoenix Convention Center, Hyatt Regency, Hilton Garden Inn and Sheraton Inn, including the staff at the hotels for hosting and caring for the many members attending the assembly.

The remaining motions and resolutions left unfinished were referred to the Church Council for deliberation at their next meeting.

After the business completed, the assembly honored the synod bishops whose service is ending this year or have ended since the last assembly. Eaton also congratulated the new bishops who have started or will soon start their service in their respective synods. The next recognition went to the synod vice presidents, treasurers and secretaries who served and continue to serve in each of the 65 synods.

The last recognition went to the Church Council members whose terms end this year. Siddiqui thanked them for their work and honored them with a citation for their years of service.

As the assembly closed, Eaton shared a video announcing that Des Moines, Iowa, will be the site of the 2028 Churchwide Assembly, Aug. 7-11. It will be the first assembly to gather in the city of 213,000, located in the heart of the Corn Belt.

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Religious news & social issues   2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, ELCA structure, Leadership, Worship