ELCA Bishops Hear Early Plans for Sexuality Studies

VANCOUVER, B.C. (ELCA) -- Saying "we are engaged in the discovery of our God-given capacities as church," the Rev. James M. Childs Jr. discussed with the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) early plans for studies of homosexuality and human sexuality.
The Conference of Bishops is an advisory body to the church. Its members include the church's 65 synods bishops, ELCA presiding bishop and ELCA secretary. The ELCA bishops met here March 7-12 at the invitation of the bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
Childs was appointed director of ELCA sexuality studies effective Feb. 1. He is presently on leave from a faculty position at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, an ELCA seminary in Columbus, Ohio. At Trinity Seminary he is the Joseph A. Sittler Professor of Theology and Ethics.
The 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly called on the church to study issues related to homosexuality and human sexuality, including issues related to ordination of gay and lesbian clergy in committed relationships, precluded by present church policy. The assembly's action asked for an interim report to be presented at the 2003 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, and a final report with recommendations to be brought to the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly for consideration.
In November 2001 the ELCA Church Council, the church's board of directors, authorized $250,000 as start-up funds for the mandated study.
In his report to the bishops Childs said "there are no preconceived conclusions as to the content of the recommendations" to be presented in 2005 and subsequent churchwide assemblies. "It is the spirit in which I and a task force will approach this issue," he said.
A 13-member task force to assist in the project is to be appointed by the boards for the Division for Ministry and Division for Church in Society. The ELCA presiding bishop and executive committee of the ELCA Church Council will also be involved in the appointments. The diverse group will share "a common conviction to serve the church above and beyond all else," Childs told the bishops.
Communicating the progress of the study is important, Childs said. He emphasized that the study plan includes a commitment to "the free flow of information." Soon, the church will launch a Web site for the project, through which synods and congregations can communicate and report on their work with members related to the study, Childs said.
At present a book is being prepared "under the auspices of the seminaries of the ELCA," dealing with aspects of the issue of homosexuality in the church, Childs reported. Childs is also preparing a draft proposal for a study guide to accompany the church's existing message, "Sexuality: Some Common Convictions," for the initial meeting of the task force, May 3-5. The study guide is to be made available to the church this fall, Childs said.
"Distinguished scholars, church leaders and theologians have offered compelling arguments all along the spectrum of views on these matters," Childs said. "However, as important as these contributions are, they find their appropriate place in the community of faith and its deliberations. It has always been that way."
"These church deliberations will require unbending love for one another, rigorous honesty, and the courage that comes from trust in the Spirit," he said.
Childs said the church should be "counter-cultural" in its discussions, "in the sense that to the extent that we impose discipline on ourselves, we shall not do so out of fear, and to the extent that we are accepting, that it is not mere tolerance or permissiveness," he said.
Whatever is decided, "it should well up from what we all know is the heart of our biblical faith and in the service of the calling we share to witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ," Childs concluded.
"Just listening to you lowers my anxiety level," the Rev. Allan C. Bjornberg, bishop of the ELCA Rocky Mountain Synod, Denver, told Childs following the presentation. It is important the conversation about homosexuality and human sexuality be replicated in as many places as possible, he said.
Bjornberg also expressed concern that ELCA pastors not become "targets" during the study period. Instead, they should be "a voice at the table," Bjornberg said.

For information contact:
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