CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. David L. Tiede told the 2007
Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) that the greatest promise, richest gift received is the
presence of Christ. Tiede, professor of vocation and religion,
Augsburg College, Minneapolis, led Bible study Aug. 8-9 at the
assembly.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of
the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 6-11 at Navy Pier's Festival Hall.
About 2,000 people are participating, including 1,068 ELCA voting
members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Living in God's
Amazing Grace: Thanks be to God!"
Tiede, a member of the ELCA Task Force for Studies on
Sexuality, began the second part of the Bible study with thanks
to the assembly for its participation in the Bible study and its
deliberations, particularly on human sexuality.
"Imagine how rich our conversations and witness as a church
will be as we allow ourselves to listen not as partisans on
issues, but as forgiven sinners beloved by God. We have no
illusions that the deliberations, debates and decisions will be
untroubled," he said. "Our Lord did not promise it would be easy
for us, but He did promise to be present with us."
The assembly's Bible study focused on the topic of human
sexuality using the Book of Galatians -- Apostle Paul's letter to
the people of Galatia. Tiede wrote the theological framework on
Galatians for the task force's study, "Free in Christ to Serve
the Neighbor: Lutherans Talk about Human Sexuality."
"In his letter Paul draws us into the faith of Christ, the
love of Christ, and even the law of Christ. Paul is, of course,
encouraging our faith in Christ Jesus, our love for Jesus, and
our obedience to our Lord," Tiede said. "But, (Paul) is also
disclosing a deeper mystery -- (that) the faith of Christ is
truly Christ's faithfulness to us."
Tiede used the task force's study to share with the assembly
two insights that could "aid our listening to hear God's word of
promise." First "it's all about the promises. Paul's rich and
complicated history lesson scores the point that God began with
promise," he said. Second, "it's all about Christ Jesus.
(Paul's) conviction is that faith is not only that we believe,
but that our trust in Jesus is the bond which Christ's own
faithfulness comes alive in our lives."
In response to these two insights, Tiede offered the
assembly two questions for discussion -- "When are your
relationships not just running by the rules but alive with
promise," and "when have you sensed Christ living in your
relationships?"
"My prayer, dear friends, is truly that the word of Christ
may dwell in all of us richly. That we may truly be ... caught
up in Christ's bold, compassionate mission of love, inspired by
his self-giving to the point of death," said Tiede.
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Information about the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly can be
found at http://www.ELCA.org/assembly/ on the Web.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
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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
