CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In an open letter to the 65 synod bishops
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lutheran
seminarians expressed their support for a recommendation that
would allow Lutherans in committed same-gender relationships
to be included on professional church rosters.
On Feb. 19 the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality
released a report and recommendation for a process to consider
changes to ministry policies that could make it possible for
Lutherans who are in "publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous,
same-gendered relationships" to serve as ELCA associates in
ministry, deaconesses, diaconal ministers and ordained ministers.
The task force also released that day a proposed social
statement for the church -- "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust."
The 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly -- the highest
legislative authority of the 4.7 million-member church -- will
consider both documents Aug. 17-23 in Minneapolis.
To date more than 160 members of the ELCA studying at
Lutheran and non-Lutheran seminaries have signed on to "An
Open Letter from Lutheran Seminarians to the Bishops of the
ELCA." Four members of the ELCA attending Union Theological
Seminary in the City of New York, wrote the letter.
"We applaud the ELCA's commitment to the dialogue on
sexuality and its affirmation of sexuality as a gift and trust
from God," the letter stated. "After careful consideration of
the issue at hand and its influence on the life of the church,
we stand in solidarity, affirming the recommendation for
structured flexibility within the rostering requirements of
the ELCA."
In the letter seminarians asked synod bishops to
"represent our voice faithfully in your involvement in the
deliberation process leading" to the churchwide assembly.
"Joining with you as people invested in the life, health and
ministry of the ELCA, we appeal to your commitment to the
gospel and the mission of the church."
In preparation for ministry, "we both see and experience
the harm of the current policy and its denial of the gifts
present in the whole Body of Christ. Because of the current
policy, gay and lesbian persons ignore calls to ministry,
candidates feel compelled to lie about their sexuality, mentors
are forced out of the church, and candidates leave the ELCA
for more inclusive denominations. The tragedy of these events
is weakening the integrity of the church," the letter stated.
The Lutheran seminarians said it is in the "best interest"
of the ELCA to affirm the recommendation of the task force at
the assembly. "The life of the church depends upon the full
recognition and inclusion of ministerial gifts engendered by
the Spirit."
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"An Open Letter from Lutheran Seminarians to the Bishops
of the ELCA" is available at
http://ELCAseminarianresponse.weebly.com on the Internet.
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
