We continue our Lenten discipline by looking at our synod’s resolutions to make the world a place that better reflects the will of God. A video about this resolution is available here.

Resolution on Gender Equality in the NW Synod of Wisconsin

WHEREAS, scripture declares, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but the it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, NRSV); and, the Apostle Paul writes, “there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28, NRSV);

and WHEREAS, we acknowledge there is sexism and gender inequality in our congregations, in our culture, and in our church as whole;

and WHEREAS, we acknowledge in the ELCA female pastors on average earn 86% of what male pastors with the same level of experience earn; and WHEREAS, we acknowledge nationwide 44.8% of female pastors are paid below synod guidelines;

and WHEREAS, we acknowledge nationwide less than a quarter of pastors serving as a senior pastor are female;

and WHEREAS, we acknowledge 62.4% of ELCA female pastors have reported hearing inappropriate or sexual comments about their attire from congregation members;

and WHEREAS, we acknowledge 56.7% of ELCA female pastors have reported experiencing genderbased discrimination in their congregation;

and WHEREAS, we acknowledge 32.2% of ELCA female pastors have reported experiencing sexual harassment from congregation members;

and WHEREAS, our Christian faith calls us to love one another as ourselves, treat each other as Christ treats us, and to act where injustice is found;

therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin curate and provide training materials for the synod staff, candidacy committee, call committees, councils, and congregations that address the topic of equality in compensation and benefits for all rostered positions;

and be it further RESOLVED, that the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin curate and provide anti-sexual harassment training materials to assist congregations in developing and implementing anti-sexual harassment policies;

and be it further RESOLVED, that the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin make both sets of training materials available to all congregations. Submitted by the NW Synod Gender Justice Group, the NW Synod Justice Team, and the NW Synod Council.

About Philip Ruge-Jones

After I served for eighteen years as a professor of theology at Texas Lutheran University, my family decided to return to the Midwest where my wife and I grew up, attended college and seminary. Read more...