[javachip]

After two steps, a third requires that the congregation be removed from the ELCA, he said.

Brilliant! The penalty for continuing attempts to disassociate with the ELCA is .... removal from the ELCA.

Maybe the simplest way to bail out is do everything possible to accelerate the disciplinary proceedings.

[AnalogReigns]

After two steps, a third requires that the congregation be removed from the ELCA, he said.
Brilliant! The penalty for continuing attempts to disassociate with the ELCA is .... removal from the ELCA.

Unfortunately, depending on state law (and the local Judge who hears the case...) this could also give ELCA a foothold to sue the congregation for control of the property.

This has happened many (MANY) times in similar conditions to Episcopalian, Presbyterian, and other mainline denominational churches trying to leave.

At least ELCA though, doesn't have an amendment to their denominational constitution which claims an "implied trust" on all congregations' properties...(like the 'piscis do...).