PHILADELPHIA (ELCA) -- A "status report" on conversations in church policy and practice on the ordination of non-celibate gay and lesbian individuals of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is due by its next churchwide assembly. More than 1,000 voting members of the ELCA, gathered here Aug. 14-20 for the fifth biennial assembly, established the due date.
"Voting members made it clear that the church is not yet willing to propose that the ordination of non-celibate gay and lesbian persons be allowed this year," said Sandra G. Gustavson, Athens, Ga. Members of this church "want to continue conversations about the issue," she said. Gustavson, a member of the ELCA Church Council, presented the issue to the assembly.
The church's current "expectation" is that "ordained ministers who are homosexual in self-understanding are expected to abstain from homosexual sexual relationships." Practicing homosexual individuals are "precluded" from the ordained ministry of this church.
The Rev. Hans O. Andrae, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Jeannette, Pa., argued that the church's current standards for ministry are "biblical and confessional" and do not require change. Other speakers argued that the ELCA should continue "moral deliberation" and affirmed the need "to keep this dialogue going."
Carol Silvoy, Catasauqua, Pa., described many "beautiful people" in her life who are homosexual, bisexual and trans-gendered, to whom she said, "Come, meet my God." She said that it was "unfair" to prohibit clergy who are homosexual from having a committed relationship.
The ELCA's Division for Church in Society is assisting the church to explore models of conversation and moral deliberation on issues related to human sexuality, including homosexuality. Members voted to affirm that work and asked that a status report on the findings from these conversations be brought to the 1999 Churchwide Assembly.
"The church needs to discuss, pray and to take a stand, but we need to come together as a church," said Timothy L. Barr, Rosenberg, Texas.
For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
