Human Sexuality / Homosexuality

ELCA Churchwide Assembly Action CA91.07.51

Passed by the 1991 Churchwide Assembly in Orlando, Florida.

Resolved
To affirm that gay and lesbian people, as individuals created by God, are welcome to participate fully in the life of the congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America;

To refer the request of the Sierra Pacific Synod and Greater Milwaukee Synod for study of such issues as:

the direction of the ELCA’s ministry to gay and lesbian individuals, this church’s level of affirmation of gay and lesbian identity and lifestyles, and the acceptance of gay and lesbian persons who are in "covenantal relationships,"

to the Commission for Church in Society, as it develops a social teaching statement on human sexuality, which currently is scheduled for a report at the 1993 Churchwide Assembly;

To refer the memorial of the Greater Milwaukee Synod to the Division for Ministry, as it engages in the study of the ordination of homosexual persons; and

To encourage individuals and congregations throughout the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to engage strictly in the process of deliberation and discernment that will shape the social teaching statement on human sexuality, prior to action by the Churchwide Assembly.