Early ELCA Synod Assemblies Address Sexuality, Other Issues

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Several synod assemblies of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) meeting this spring addressed a series of concerns related to the current ELCA Studies on Sexuality. Most assemblies that adopted memorials addressed to the churchwide assembly or resolutions on the issues stated their opposition to or registered concerns about possible changes in ELCA policy. At the same time the assemblies encouraged congregations to be involved actively in the study process, according to reports on file in the ELCA Department for Synodical Relations through June 21.
Other issues addressed by assemblies included conflict in the Middle East, the war in Iraq, ordination and the historic episcopate, the environment, hunger, mission funding, lay leadership, ELCA church structure and HIV/AIDS.
Five bishops were re-elected to six-year terms at their assemblies this spring: the Rev. Murray D. Finck, Pacifica Synod; the Rev. Marcus C. Lohrmann, Northwestern Ohio Synod; the Rev. Robert A. Rimbo, Southeast Michigan Synod; the Rev. James R. Stuck, Indiana-Kentucky Synod; and the Rev. Gary M. Wollersheim, Northern Illinois Synod.
The ELCA Department for Synodical Relations routinely receives reports from synod assemblies through churchwide representatives. Reports from about 18 assemblies, most held in early and mid-June, had not yet been received by the department by June 21.
On sexuality, the assemblies addressed topics such as scriptural references, pre-marital sex, people who are gay and lesbian serving in church leadership positions, ratification of constitutional amendments, prohibiting policies to allow blessings of same-gender relationships, development of guidelines for clergy in same-gender relationships, support for specific congregations and programs, and church unity in the wake of sexuality policy decisions to be made in the future.
The 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly mandated the study process in preparation for decisions the 2005 assembly is to make on whether or not people in committed homosexual relationships should be ordained and whether or not the ELCA should have an official policy on blessing of committed same-gender relationships. In addition, a task force assigned to the studies is to develop a proposed social statement on human sexuality for the assembly to consider in 2007.
Current ELCA policy expects professional ministers to refrain from all sexual relations outside marriage. The church has no official policy on blessing same-gender relationships, but in 1993 the ELCA Conference of Bishops stated it does not approve of such ceremonies. The Conference of Bishops is an advisory body of the church.
Actions of synod assemblies are as follows:
+ Keeping the Holy Bible "First and Foremost": The Northwest Washington Synod assembly sent a memorial to the churchwide assembly asking the ELCA to reaffirm that "this church accepts the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith and life." The resolution asked the ELCA to reaffirm Martin Luther's statements about the Scriptures and reaffirm "sound principles of biblical interpretation such as using Scripture to interpret Scripture when it is unclear; interpreting texts in their literary and historical contests, and praying for guidance of the Holy Spirit. The resolution also asked the ELCA to reaffirm "the continuing presence of the Holy Spirit in using church doctrine, contemporary experience and scientific knowledge as tools for discerning God's will through the Holy Bible."
The Central/Southern Illinois Synod assembly adopted a resolution that said the synod affirms "the constitutionally stated Confession of Faith of the ELCA." It resolved that "pastors and [the] bishop of this synod be encouraged as they continue striving for fidelity to the Holy Scriptures, creeds and confessions in their proclamation, faith and life." It also resolved that synod congregations should "encourage and support the pastors and bishop in this endeavor."
+ Premarital sex: The Southwestern Texas Synod assembly sent a resolution to the ELCA Church Council that stated only sexual intercourse between those who are married is acceptable.
+ People who are gay and lesbian in church leadership: The Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod assembly asked the ELCA Churchwide Assembly to oppose allowing people "participating in homosexual relationships to hold positions of leadership, particularly bishops or pastors in the ELCA."
+ Same-sex lifestyles: The North Carolina Synod assembly asked the ELCA Church Council to "provide guidance, materials and support for local parishes that want to offer a Christian ministry specifically for persons who want to exit same-sex lifestyles."
+ ELCA Studies on Sexuality: Four synod assemblies -- Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana, Montana, Indiana-Kentucky and South Dakota -- asked the churchwide assembly to affirm scriptural principles and recommend no change to policies in "Vision and Expectations," the ELCA policy document that states standards for professional leaders in the ELCA. The Northwestern Minnesota Synod assembly referred a similar resolution to the ELCA Sexuality Studies task force which asks that the churchwide assembly "adopt no changes" in clergy standards regarding sexuality. The assembly said the resolution was an expression of one synod congregation, American Lutheran Church, Long Prairie, Minn. The South Carolina Synod assembly went on record affirming current ELCA policy.
The North Carolina Synod assembly called for completion of the four-year study process without further delay; the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod assembly directed its synod council to petition the ELCA presiding bishop and ELCA Conference of Bishops to "take whatever steps are necessary to delay the vote at the 2005 Churchwide Assembly" on sexuality issues until the adoption of a social statement on human sexuality. The La Crosse (Wis.) Area Synod said it would refrain from adopting a position on the sexuality issues until the task force releases its report and recommendations.
+ American Lutheran Church (ALC) social statement: The South Dakota Synod assembly asked the ELCA to affirm the former ALC statement on "Human Sexuality and Sexual Behavior," and "to adopt no change in current ELCA policies regarding the blessing of same-sex unions" and ordinations. The resolution also directed the synod bishop to communicate this to the ELCA Conference of Bishops.
+ Social Policy: The Central/Southern Illinois Synod sent a resolution to the ELCA Church Council suggesting that to "revise established teaching and policy regarding blessing of same-gender relationships and/or rostering of approved candidates who are in committed same-gender relationships" be considered as "exceptional social policy resolution(s)." It said that such resolution(s) should require "accompanying supporting foundational theological material and [a] two-thirds vote for adoption."
+ Consulting with partner churches: The Indiana-Kentucky Synod assembly requested that the churchwide assembly ask that the sexuality studies task force consult with partner churches on issues of ordaining people who are gay and lesbian and in committed relationships, and blessing of same-gender relationships.
+ Ratification of constitutional amendments: The Montana Synod assembly and the South Dakota Synod assembly adopted resolutions that said amendments to the ELCA Constitution and Bylaws ought to be ratified by three-fourths of the ELCA synods in assembly or a majority of congregations within one calendar year. The South Dakota Synod assembly also memorialized the churchwide assembly to "initiate action that would call upon each congregation of the ELCA to ratify any decision regarding the blessing of same-sex unions an