ELCA Bishops Comment On Sexuality Studies Task Force Report

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Many of the 65 synod bishops of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) wrote letters to
professional church leaders, issued public statements or news
releases in the wake of the Jan. 13 release of the long-awaited
ELCA Studies on Sexuality task force report and recommendations.
While the bishops differed on whether they agreed or disagreed
with the recommendations, many sounded a pastoral tone in their
responses, encouraging further conversation and discussion
throughout the church about the report and recommendations.
The report recommended that the ELCA:
+ concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in
the midst of disagreements.
+ continue to respect the pastoral guidance of the 1993
statement of the ELCA Conference of Bishops regarding the
blessing of homosexual relationships. Currently, the ELCA has no
policy on such blessings. The conference said its members could
find no scriptural basis for such ceremonies and did not approve
of them, but it affirmed efforts by pastors "to explore the best
ways to provide pastoral care for all to whom they minister."
The Conference of Bishops can only advise the church, and its
statement has no legislative authority.
+ continue under the ELCA standards regarding sexual conduct
for professional lay and ordained ministers as set forth in
"Vision and Expectations" and "Definitions and Guidelines for
Discipline," but that, as a pastoral response to the deep
divisions in the ELCA, the church may choose to refrain from
disciplining those who in good conscience, and for the sake of
outreach, ministry and the commitment to continuing dialogue,
call or approve partnered gay or lesbian candidates whom they
believe to be otherwise in compliance with "Vision and
Expectations" and to refrain from disciplining those ministers so
approved and called. Current ELCA policy expects ministers to
refrain from all sexual relations outside marriage, which it
defines as "a lifelong covenant of faithfulness between a man and
a woman."
The recommendations will be discussed in a variety of venues
throughout the ELCA this year, leading up to the ELCA Churchwide
Assembly in Orlando, Fla., Aug. 8-14. The assembly is expected
to make decisions on whether or not the ELCA should have a policy
on same-gender blessings and whether or not it will ordain and
consecrate people who are gay or lesbian and in committed
homosexual relationships.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, did not
comment on the report's contents but reminded the ELCA that the
"work is not done, nor have decisions been made."
"The task force report and recommendations give focus to our
continuing conversations moving toward decisions at the 2005
Churchwide Assembly in Orlando," Hanson said. "I am deeply
thankful for and proud of the people of this church for the way
we have discussed sensitive issues. I have witnessed a church
praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, studying the
Scriptures, engaging in dialogue, challenging and listening in a
climate of mutual respect. These conversations have taken place
within a deep concern for the unity of the church and the mission
to which God calls us for the life of the world. I trust these
will be the marks of our continued work as we pray, study and
share comments on this report and recommendations."
Hanson also expressed his appreciation to the director,
staff and members of the task force.
Here is a sampling of comments in letters, news releases and
statements from ELCA synod bishops:
+ The Rev. Roy G. Almquist, bishop of the ELCA Southeastern
Pennsylvania Synod, Norristown -- "I am frankly encouraged that
so much of the recommendations by the task force encourages us to
address this sensitive issue pastorally rather than
legislatively. .We need to address issues of poverty and
injustice in our nation; we need to focus on outreach and
witness, particularly to young Americans and immigrant people;
and we need to strengthen and undergird our congregations. These
concerns require that we come together and rise above any one
divisive topic."
+ The Rev. Edward R. Benoway, bishop of the ELCA Florida-
Bahamas Synod, Tampa, Fla. -- "While I understand and appreciate
that the recommendations affirm the present practices of the
church as is reflected by the majority response in the church, it
is also good to hear the position of the minority and to be open
to discover ways in which to follow the Spirit's leading in not
only welcoming but also including those who are different from us
in the ministry that God gives us."
+ The Rev. Robert D. Berg, bishop of the ELCA Northwest
Synod of Wisconsin, Rice Lake -- "The task force believes this is
not a change in policy, but as I see it, it clearly is at least a
change in practice which is not consistent with the current
policy. For this reason, I expect there will be considerable
debate regarding this [third] recommendation."
+ The Rev. Paul J. Blom, bishop of the ELCA Texas-Louisiana
Gulf Coast Synod, Houston -- "This [first] is by far the most
important recommendation. It is the foundation of the entire
report as well as the basis of further discussion on any topic
where we disagree."
+ The Rev. Stephen P. Bouman, bishop of the ELCA
Metropolitan New York Synod -- "The report is honest about our
disagreements, does not seek to force a false unity, declined to
change existing policy regarding same-sex unions (left to
pastoral discretion) and standards for ordination (celibacy
outside of marriage), but left pastoral room and space in the
application of these standards. . Those hoping that the proposals
would call for full inclusion of gay and lesbian persons into the
church will be disappointed. Those hoping [for] no change in the
policies and no pastoral discretion in their applications will
also probably be disappointed."
+ The Rev. David L. deFreese, bishop of the ELCA Nebraska
Synod, Omaha -- "We are a church that has always publicly nailed
issues to the door so all could discuss them. ... The church can
offer a safe, insightful place to talk about hard issues. I am
grateful for how our church has conducted this conversation."
+ The Rev. Richard J. Foss, bishop of the ELCA Eastern North
Dakota Synod, Fargo -- "The first recommendation is crucial,
i.e., [that] the task force urges us all to continue to find ways
to live together in the midst of various issues upon which we
don't all agree. ... The report clearly states that the biblical-
theological case of changing our current policies has not been
made, and thus recommends maintaining our current standards; at
the same time, they [task force members] tried to find a way to
create space to live together acknowledging strong and differing
understandings. . I believe that the task force had excellent
intentions, did hard, faithful work on our behalf, and has
provided a clear picture of the current complexities in this
church."
+ The Rev. Carol S. Hendrix, bishop of the Lower Susquehanna
Synod, Harrisburg, Pa. -- "As bishop of the Lower Susquehanna
Synod, I will continue to advocate for establishing consistent
policies and practices in the ELCA that maintain our current
standards for ordination and that do not provide for the blessing
of same-sex relationships. At the same time, I affirm the ELCA's
position to welcome gay and lesbian people to participate fully
in the life of its congregations and to reject discrimination,
assault and harassment of these individuals."
+ The Rev. Callon Holloway Jr., bishop of the ELCA Southern
Ohio Synod, Columbus -- "Caring for all people, regardless of
their place in life, is always a very high priority and
responsibility of us all. That will guide my exercise of
responsibility and how I will seek to amend this particular