The Ordination of Non-Celibate Gay and Lesbian Persons

ELCA Churchwide Assembly Action CA99.06.27

Passed by the 1999 Churchwide Assembly in Denver, Colorado.

Resolved
To receive with thanks the "Inter-unit Response to 1997 Synodical Memorials on the Ordination, Consecration, and Commissioning of Non-Celibate Gay and Lesbian Persons" as an adequate response to the 1998 memorial of the Sierra Pacific Synod;

To acknowledge the deep level of anxiety and anguish felt by many members, whether heterosexual or homosexual, lay or rostered, male or female, young or old, as this church addresses this concern;

To continue discerning conversations about homosexuality and the inclusion of gay and lesbian persons in our common life and mission and to encourage churchwide units, synods, congregations, and members of this church to participate in thoughtful, deliberate, and prayerful conversations through use of such resources as "Talking about Homosexuality, A Guide for Congregations";

To acknowledge that because there is no arbitrarily set timetable for concluding the discussion, we await a time of clearer understanding provided by the Lord of the Church and, in the meanwhile, pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance and work to the best of our ability;

To decline to propose at this assembly a change in the standards for rostered ministry related to non-celibate gay or lesbian persons; but

To reaffirm 1991 and 1995 actions of the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 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."