ELCA Issues Materials to Facilitate Deliberation on Homosexuality

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "Talking Together as Christians about Homosexuality" is a guide for congregations to gather information and to conduct organized discussions about what has been a difficult topic for the church. The Division for Church in Society of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) developed the materials and issued them at the end of August through Augsburg Fortress, publishing house of the ELCA.
The materials include a 75-page book, a leader's guide and two = 90-minute=20 videotapes. One videotape contains two lectures, and the other consists of a dozen people telling their personal experiences with homosexuality.
"When the ELCA attempted to set forth its understanding of human sexuality in a social statement in 1993, it became clear that, on the topic of homosexuality, though the inherited tradition continues to guide the consciences of many people, it does not express for others an adequate understanding of the Christian life in light of the gospel and human experiences," said the book's introduction.
"In 1996, the ELCA Church Council adopted 'Sexuality: Some Common Convictions,' which intentionally did not address ethical questions related to homosexuality because of a lack of consensus within the ELCA," it said.
The book includes chapters on "The Bible and Homosexuality," "Scientific Perspectives," "Marriage and Committed Relationships" and "The Ordination of Non-celibate Gay and Lesbian People."
"Two Ethical Perspectives" is a chapter in the written material and the name of one videotape. In the video, two ethicists look at homosexuality from different points of view.
The Rev. Gilbert Meilaender Jr., a pastor of The Lutheran Church-Misso= uri=20 Synod and professor of Christian ethics, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind., presented "The First of Institutions." For Christians, any discussion of homosexuality must focus first on marriage -- more than a relationship, God's framework for sexual love, he said.
"By turning against the created meaning of our humanity as male and female, homosexual behavior claims the freedom to give our own meaning to life and thereby symbolically enacts a rejection of God's will for creation," said Meilaender. St. Paul of the Christian New Testament "was familiar with a range of homosexual behavior not unlike the range in our world, and that range of behavior he condemned."
"We dare not permit the church's public teaching on the matter of homosexuality or any other matter to be taken over and determined by a desire -- however sincere and well-intentioned -- to affirm every person in whatever state he or she may be," said Meilaender. "To articulate the Christian norm for life is not the church's only task, but it is a necessary task."
The Rev. Paul T. Jersild, an ELCA pastor and professor of theology and ethics, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C., presented "On Homosexuality: The Need for Reassessment." He describes his task as "to make clear the need of the church to reassess its tradition on this subject."
St. Paul "includes those engaged in homosexual acts -- or at least this is what we have assumed he means -- among the people whom God in his wrath has given up to evil passions and the worship of idols. How can we relate such people to the homosexual persons we know who are in Christ and share with us the baptismal covenant, the sacramental meal, the hearing of the Word?" Jersild asked.
"As a Christian community we need to move away from the kind of rational, universal thinking about human sexuality that coerces everyone into the same heterosexual mold, often with great human cost," he said. "We should be more concerned to address a people's humanity than their sexuality and to understand their sexuality as much more than genital activity."
The Rev. M. Wyvetta Bullock, executive director, ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries, introduced "Stories of Gay People and Family Members," the other videotape. "This videotape contains stories of gay people and family members. It is designed to help congregations hear the struggles and joys experienced by gay men and lesbian women and their family members," she said.
The tape includes blank space between each of about 10 segments. "You may wish to stop the tape for reflection or discussion," said Bullock.
Part one of the videotape holds the stories of five people. "Dottie, Dan, Margaret, Dave and Diane are all associated with Eagle's Wings Ministry, whose purpose it is to minister to all who desire freedom from homosexuality," said Bullock.
Eagle's Wings Ministry, based in Minneapolis, is a non-profit Christian organization not associated with any one church body. Its work is based on the views that a person's sexual orientation cannot be controlled, but sexual behavior can be, and that God's boundaries for acceptable sexual expression are between one man and one woman committed to each other for life.
Part two of the videotape shows Margaret, Chuck, RosaLinda, Emily, Jan, Roberta and Charlie telling their experiences as gay and lesbian Lutherans. "Some of their views challenge the church's position on homosexuality," said Bullock.
The leader's guide includes tips of how to organize small group discussions around Bible study, storytelling, questions and deliberation, depending on the number of participants and the time allotted for the program. The guide has several pages that can be photocopied and distributed to participants, as well as suggestions about additional resources.

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