ELCA Assembly Holds Discussion on Sexuality Proposals

ORLANDO, Fla. (ELCA) -- Thirty-one voting members of the 2005
churchwide assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) addressed the assembly in a special one-hour session
devoted to informal discussion of the three proposals related to
homosexuality on Aug. 11. There were at least 50 more people
lined up to speak at the microphones when time ran out on the
session.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of
the ELCA, is meeting here August 8-14 at the World Center
Marriott and Convention Center. About 2,300 people are
participating, including 1,018 ELCA voting members. The theme for
the biennial assembly is "Marked with the Cross of Christ
Forever."
Rules governing the session precluded motions and
amendments, so the speeches, questions and comments were offered
on a first-come, first-served basis. Speaking was limited to two
minutes per person.
Of the 31 persons who spoke, 15 were generally in favor of
the Church Council recommendations before the assembly and 16
spoke against the proposals.
The ELCA has been engaged in a study process since 2001
aimed to answer two questions related to homosexuality. The
first is whether or not the church should bless same-sex
relationships and second, whether or not the ELCA should ordain,
consecrate or commission persons in committed, lifelong same-sex
relationships. Currently, there is no ELCA approved ritual for
blessing same-sex relationships, and although the church may
ordain homosexual persons, they are expected to abstain from
sexual relations.
Comments ranged widely in the one-hour session: some asking
for clarification of a perceived ambiguity; several decrying the
pastoral discretion implied by the recommendations; and others
telling stories of ELCA members "called to ministry" and bearing
"the gifts of ministry," but prevented from ordination in the
ELCA.
Many commentators echoed the Rev. Bryan S. Anderson, voting
member, ELCA Northwest Synod of Wisconsin. He shared his own
struggle beginning in seventh grade and said that allowing too
much discretion in the questions of homosexuality could leave a
struggling youth with "conflicting counsel based on which
congregation they belong to."
The Rev. James Boline, voting member, ELCA Southwest
California Synod, cited the biblical figure Jacob who wrestled
with and demanded a blessing from his mysterious assailant, said
that "I incarnate this issue" as a "third-generation pastor and
gay man who refuses to be banished from this church."
Toward the end of the hour, the Rev. David Housholder,
voting member, ELCA Pacifica Synod, spoke against the recommended
changes, but then added "I need to serve notice at Grace Lutheran
Church that we are staying with this [church] body...I invite our
brothers and sisters on the left to keep fellowship" as well.
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Information about the ELCA Churchwide Assembly is at http://www.elca.org/assembly/05 on the Web.

For more information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news