ELCA Assembly Declines to Change Policy

DENVER (ELCA) -- After more than one hour of debate, the 1999 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted a resolution "to decline to propose at this assembly any change in the standards for rostered ministry related to non-celibate gay or lesbian persons."
The assembly turned down an amendment, 716 to 267, that sought to suspend enforcement of ELCA policies that preclude the ordination of practicing gay and lesbian people and expect ordained ministers to abstain from homosexual sexual relationships. It also defeated an amendment, 559 to 414, calling for a churchwide consultation aimed at proposing "strategies which might allow for the ordination of non-celibate = lesbian and gay persons."
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 16-22 at the Colorado Convention Center. There are more than 2,500 people participating, including, 1,038 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Hope for a New Century."
The resolution, which does not change standards for rostered people, was adopted by a vote of 820 to 159. It was in response to a proposal from the ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod. In addition to maintaining current policies regarding ordination of gay and lesbian people, it also:
-- Received an inter-unit response to memorials, or proposed resolutions, sent by synods to the 1997 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
-- Acknowledged "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."
-- Continued discussion in the church of issues involving homosexuality and the inclusion of gay and lesbian people in the life and mission of the ELCA.
-- Said that there is no "arbitrarily set timetable for concluding the discussion" and that the church must "await a time of clearer understanding provided by the Lord of the Church."
-- Reaffirmed 1991 and 1995 Churchwide Assembly actions 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."
Most of the debate surrounded consideration of the two amendments offered from the floor -- to suspend current policies relating to ordination of non-celibate gay and lesbian people and to seek strategies that might allow for their ordination.
Jay McDivitt, a college student and vice president of the ELCA's Lutheran Youth Organization, told the assembly that he wants to "serve the church" when he is finished with his schooling. But that if he falls in love with another man -- "a definite possibility," he said -- he won't be able to do that, because of current ELCA policies. "It hurts me deeply because this is wrong," he said, urging "a vote for justice."
The Rev. James Hanson, voting member from the Northern Texas-Northern = Louisiana Synod, said "What is legal is not necessarily moral. It is not a justice issue; it is an issue of morality."
When two of the ELCA's predecessor church bodies first ordained women as pastors, they rejected a literal interpretation of a biblical admonition for women to be silent in church, argued the Rev. Darlene Muschett of the ELCA Upstate New York Synod. "Why then do we use such a literal, inerrant model of Scripture to prevent gays and lesbians living in committed relationships" from being pastors?
"At issue in this matter is nothing less than the authority of Scripture," said the Rev. John H.P. Reumann, retired professor of New Testament and Greek, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. He urged members to "look at the whole counsel of Scripture," not just individual passages.
Other issues raised in the debate included the consistency of welcoming gay and lesbian people "to participate fully" in the life of ELCA congregations, while prohibiting them from being ministers in the church; whether or not a sense of being called to ministry is enough for a person to be accepted into the ministry; and whether or not a deadline should be set for ending the church's discussion of the issue.
"This discussion shows how divided we are," said the Rev. William Saunders of the ELCA Southern Ohio Synod, who urged adoption of the resolution.
The Rev. David C. Wold, bishop of the Southwestern Washington Synod, also supported the committee, saying he "would not like to see conversation shut down by what would appear to be a pre-emptive strike."
At a news conference following the vote that supported the resolution, the Rev. Joseph M. Wagner, executive director, ELCA Division for Ministry, said the church believes conversation needs to continue regarding homosexuality and especially the ordination of non-celibate gay and lesbian people.
"The church cares about that issue," Wagner said. "The church is not trying to avoid the issue. It is concerned because it is a delicate issue and will take care that all voices be heard."

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html