MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Lutherans have been discussing their beliefs about human sexuality since the formation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) 21 years ago. The discussion continues at the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in anticipation of an action that may allow Lutherans in same-sex relationships to serve as professional leaders in the church.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 17-23 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. About 2,000 people are participating, including 1,045 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "God's work. Our hands."
In a 90-minute "quasi committee of the whole" Aug. 20, voting members talked about a report and recommendation on ministry policies put forth by the Task Force for the ELCA Studies on Sexuality. The report includes a recommendation that will make it possible to change current ELCA policy that requires the denomination's professional leaders to abstain from "homosexual sexual relationships."
Some voting members support the continuation of current policies, while other voting members advocate for change.
"Today, we children of God can proclaim that the gospel compels us to uncompromising inclusion that allows gay and lesbian people to serve our church and live a life of accountable partnership," said Kirsten Nelson Roenfeldt, ELCA Rocky Mountain Synod, who spoke in favor of the recommendation. She said voting members have an opportunity to be evangelists. "Let us embrace our opportunity for evangelism and speak to those who have been excluded."
Speaking in opposition John M. Prabhakar, ELCA Northern Illinois Synod, said he finds "no compelling reason" theologically, biblically or historically "to roster gay and lesbians in committed, lifelong monogamous same-gender relationships." He said although he wished he could support the recommendation, "I simply cannot do that with a clear conscience. The arguments I've heard so far seem to be emotional and personal."
Speaking to voting members who oppose the recommendation and ponder the possibility of "breaking fellowship with the church," the Rev. Jay M. McDivitt, ELCA Rocky Mountain Synod, made a plea for them to remain in the church. "Please stay. We need you and you need us," he said. "We need (you) as pastors, preachers, provocateurs and prophets."
According to Terri Stagner-Collier, ELCA Southeastern Synod, many Lutherans compare the ordination of "practicing homosexuals" to the ordination of women or the ordination of divorced people. "As a divorced woman pastor, I feel that these are not comparable issues. Unlike homosexuality, there are many passages in Scripture which speak positively about the role of women proclaiming God's word. [Regarding] homosexuality, there are no such positive passages that outweigh the scriptural passages which speak against it."
Earl L. Janssen Jr., ELCA Delaware-Maryland Synod, said the ELCA is a "very broad church. We already have many differences that exist, and we have found ways to live within those differences. This really is no different."
Speaking to those who are watching the assembly in person and on the Web, the Rev. Janice A. Campbell, ELCA Southwest Texas Synod, said, "I do not want you to be misled. This issue is certainly not about judging others." The church has a "solemn duty to criticize certain actions that diminish and impoverish life," she said, adding that the church has an obligation to criticize sexual behavior "whenever and wherever it happens, so that life may be preserved. It is the loving thing to do. Campbell spoke in opposition of the recommendation.
"Many point to the worldwide Anglican communion and say that the worldwide Lutheran church is headed for a similar schism. But this just isn't true," according to Allison A. Guttu, ELCA Metropolitan New York Synod, who spoke in favor of the recommendation. "We Lutherans have a communion that is defined solely by the proclamation of the gospel and the celebration of the sacrament," she said. "Word and Sacrament, not our ordination rules, are what keep us united as Lutherans. By voting to respect each other's conscience, we are not threatening Lutheran unity. We are indeed affirming the very source of that unity."
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Information about the 2009 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
