For Parents

Free in Christ to Care for the Neighbor: Lutheran Youth Talk About Human Sexuality

The 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly mandated that this church prepare a social statement on human sexuality. Since that time we have together been on a journey of conversation and deliberation. As part of the process for developing this social statement, the Task Force for the ELCA Studies on Sexuality published three documents for congregational study. These focused on a wide range of issues related to human sexuality, including homosexuality. Their intention was help this church engage in a full discussion of sexuality and to inform the preparation of the social statement. As part of their discernment, the task force was profoundly aware of the many ways in which the subject matter of these studies matter to and impact youth.

Guiding the formation and Christian vocation of youth is a sacred trust that this church seeks to fulfill. Therefore, in the course of writing these studies, the task force identified the need to seek out the perspectives of youth. This study, an adaptation of the third task force study Free in Christ to Serve the Neighbor: Lutherans Talk About Human Sexuality was intended for use by senior high youth together with parents, pastors, and youth leaders.

It was the sincere hope of the task force that this study would invite the participation of youth into the discussion and deliberation leading to the formation of a social statement on human sexuality. I am pleased we could offer this resource for the youth of this church; the work of the task force was greatly informed by their knowledge, insight, and experience.