INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Three actions by voting members at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly on Aug. 13 will focus on examining policies and beliefs about human sexuality. Voting members requested a four-year, comprehensive study on homosexuality and asked for a plan to decide by 2005 on ordaining homosexual persons in committed relationships. The assembly also initiated the process for a social statement on human sexuality.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center. There are about 2,500 people participating, including 1,039 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Sharing Faith in a New Century."
"A daunting assignment -- not small in any way nor insignificant" is how the Rev. Joseph M. Wagner, executive director of the ELCA Division for Ministry described the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly's assignment to study homosexuality. The Division for Ministry will be the lead unit in undertaking the study, and will work cooperatively with the ELCA Division for Church in Society, the presiding bishop, ELCA Church Council, ELCA Conference of Bishops and other units of the church.
"It's a nervous thing to do, but we're not afraid," said Wagner. "We have confidence that if we listen to one another's opinions ... all can be understood and expressed in the context of being faithful and alive Christians."
"I think it's possible for people to think that all we talk about in the ELCA is sexuality and homosexuality," Wagner said. "It's of more importance how we teach the Gospel to a rapidly changing secular world; how we deal with ambiguous questions of ethics and morality in the world. This is not our obsession -- [it's] simply a piece of business we need to take care of."
"There will be a very serious attempt to have a balanced set of views on the group that will lead the study, to represent different perspectives within our church," Wagner said. The Rev. Charles S. Miller, director of the ELCA Division for Church in Society noted that a formal invitation to be part of the committee will be implemented later, although assembly voting members have been offering names of people they believe could contribute to the assigned studies.
While both considerations of homosexuality are to be presented to the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, an action Aug. 13 to initiate the process of a social statement on human sexuality gave no time line, nor deadline for either beginning or ending such a process, said Miller.
"To try to do both [the homosexuality study and the social statement on human sexuality] in tandem would be almost impossible," Miller said. "Initiating a social statement would require hearings and focus groups. It is the will of the assembly to do a social statement on human sexuality, but it is not reasonable to ask church to do both simultaneously. It will be later rather than sooner."
Social statements are the ELCA's most authorative form of social policy. As teaching documents they provide guidance, help share the conscience of Christians, probe for shared convictions, set forth principles and directions that become policy. Since 1991 the ELCA has adopted seven social statements. A proposed social statement on economic life will come before the 2003 Churchwide Assembly. A proposed statement on human sexuality was ended in 1993.
The 2005 Churchwide Assembly time line is the deadline for both a final report on the homosexuality study "complete with action steps for full implementation" and "a specific plan and time line leading toward a decision concerning the rostering of homosexual persons in committed relationships."
During debate, voting members discussed the implications of having a churchwide study and a limited process for a plan regarding the ordination of non-celibate homosexual persons in place at the same time. Others were concerned that a request for a change in ordination policy would pre-empt the homosexuality study.
Also on Aug. 13, the assembly referred to the ELCA Church Council a motion to create a Commission for Gay and Lesbian Persons. The Church Council's response is to be reported to the 2003 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The idea of forming a commission was referred after voting members raised budget and constitutional concerns.
Commissions exist in the ELCA for women and for multicultural ministries. Each has a steering committee and staff people who monitor and work with the program units of the church. --- --- ---
Information about assembly actions is at http://www.elca.org/assembly/01 on the ELCA's Web Site. Recorded updates during the assembly are available by calling 773/380-2477.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.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
