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Dear
Saints:
Many
of you are aware of the recent elevation of a practicing homosexual
pastor to the office of Bishop in the Episcopal Church in the USA and
the conflict that has resulted because of it. You probably are
aware, too, of our own ELCA sexuality study, the final results of
which are now available.
The
Task Force for Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Studies on
Sexuality has released these results along with its Report and Recommendations,
which may be accessed at the ELCA
web site. Click here
to view the complete report in Adobe® Reader® PDF format.
The
next step in the process is for these Recommendations to be
discussed at the Synodical assemblies and ultimately to be voted on
at the Church-wide Assembly later this summer.
The
two issues are these: First, will the ELCA accept practicing
homosexuals in rostered leadership positions (i.e., clergy,
associates in ministry, etc.)? And, second, will the ELCA
approve the blessing of same-sex relationships?
The
ELCA Task Force on Sexual Studies offered these three
recommendations in their report: 1) That the ELCA concentrate on
finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of our
disagreements. 2) With respect to the blessing of same-sex
relationships, the ELCA should continue to respect the pastoral
guidance of the 1993 statement of the Conference of Bishops.
This statement says that since the bishops could find no basis in
Scripture or tradition for officially blessing same-sex
relationships, it could not approve such a rite. But, they
would continue to support and dialogue with pastors and congregations
who offer pastoral care to such persons. 3) With respect to the
ordination, consecration, and commissioning of rostered leaders, the
ELCA should adhere to its current position established in the
document Vision and Expectations: Ordained Ministers in the ELCA and
Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline. Vision and
Expectations says, "Ordained ministers who are homosexual in
their self-understanding are expected to abstain from homosexual
sexual relationships." Yet, the Task Force recommends,
"that, as a pastoral response to the deep divisions among us,
this church may choose to refrain from disciplining those who in good
conscience, and for the sake of outreach, ministry, and the
commitment to continuing dialogue, call or approve partnered gay or
lesbian candidates whom they believe to be otherwise in compliance
with Visions and Expectations and to refrain from disciplining those
rostered people so approved and called."
In
his response to the Report and Recommendations, our synod's Bishop,
Ronald B. Warren, said in a pastoral letter on January 13, 2005,
"I find sections of the report of the Task Force confusing, and
because I think 'Recommendation Three' is contrary to this church's
present position on sexual ethics . . . , I am, therefore,
unable to support the report and its recommendations in their present
form." You may access his letter through the Southeastern
Synod website. Click here
to view Bishop Warren's pastoral letter in Adobe® Reader®
PDF format.
For
at least two reasons, I am reluctant to pursue this issue with our
congregation: 1) due to our recent struggles from which we are still
healing, and 2) due to the fact that we are the only ELCA church in
the Columbus area.
However,
as our own Southeastern Assembly is fast approaching, I believe I
owe it to you to clarify where I stand in relation to these issues
and the Task Force's Report and Recommendations. To say it as
succinctly as I know how—I support the ELCA's current position
on both issues mentioned above. I am also in full agreement
with Bishop Warren's remarks concerning the Report and Recommendations.
If
you have any questions or concerns that you would like to discuss
with me, please feel free to contact me by e-mail at Pastor@StMatthewColumbusGa.org
or call me at 561-3406 or 565-0847. And, may I urge you all to
be in prayer for our denomination and its congregations over the
coming months.
Grace
and peace,
Pastor
Larry |
