Church: Lutheran
Report:
Recommendations: Studies on
Sexuality
Recommendation
For Assembly Action
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At its November 2004 meeting, the Church
Council approved a “ . . . process and time line for the ‘Report and
Recommendations’ of the Task Force for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America Studies on Sexuality as this church prepares for the 2005 Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America Churchwide Assembly” (CC04.11.66). In January 2005,
the task force’s Report and Recommendations were released and studied in
congregations and synods. The Church Council, in accordance with the plan
described in the November 2004 action, subsequently prepared “. . . a
resolution for Churchwide Assembly action in regard to the report and
recommendations from the task force for the ELCA Studies on Sexuality.” In the
preparation of the three-part resolution, the following information was
available for review by the Church Council:
1. Report and Recommendations from the Task
Force for the ELCA Studies on Sexuality;
2. Message from the Conference of Bishops;
3. Report of straw polls by the Conference
of Bishops and summary of advice on various options;
4. Reports from the boards of the Division
for Church in Society and the Division for Ministry; and
5. Resolutions and reports from Synod
Councils.
Members of the Program and Services
Committee had been present for meetings of the Task Force for the ELCA Studies
on Sexuality (December 2004), the Conference of Bishops (March 2005), and the
boards of the Division for Church in Society and the Division for Ministry
(March 2005). The working group included: Ms. Judy Biffle, the Rev. Jonathan G.
Eilert, Ms. Norma J. Hirsch, the Rev. J. Paul Rajashekar, and the Rev. Dean W.
Nelson, bishop of the Southwest California Synod. Following the April 2005
meeting of the Program and Services Committee, a draft report and
recommendations were distributed to the Church Council for review, discussion,
and action for transmission to the Churchwide Assembly.
The Church Council prepared legislative
language to implement—if adopted by the Churchwide Assembly—the understood
intent of the Report and Recommendations of the Task Force for the ELCA Studies
on Sexuality. A great deal of study, thought, discussion, prayer, and
discernment undergirded the formulation of the Church Council’s recommendations
to the Churchwide Assembly.
The seventh Churchwide Assembly of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, meeting in August 2001, directed this
church 1) to study homosexuality with reference to two issues—the blessing of
same-sex unions1 and the ordination, consecration, and commissioning of people
in committed same-sex unions;2 and 2) to develop a social statement on human
sexuality.3
In November 2001 and April 2002, the Church
Council bundled the two resolutions into one mandate for study and
recommendations. The council established the Task Force for the ELCA Studies on
Sexuality and called for the appointment of a director for the ELCA Studies on
Sexuality.
From the outset the task force attempted to
make clear that the study process was indeed a study, not a poll or a survey. The experience was to be a time of
learning and discerning that would:
1. Increase awareness of how Lutherans
understand the Word of God and interpret the Bible;
2. Provide reflection on the teachings of
our theological heritage;
3. Enable greater clarity on the findings
and contribution of social and scientific research;
4. Help members to understand each other
better as we explore with one another the diverse views we hold on questions of
homosexuality and the church;
5. Help the church to discern what is a
faithful response to the question of blessing same-sex unions and admitting
people in such committed unions into the rostered ministries of the ELCA.
As indicated in the report of the Task
Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality (2005
Pre-Assembly Report, Section V, page
13), important points for the study process included these convictions:
1. To remain clear on the distinction
between homosexuality, which refers to sexual orientation to people of the same
sex, and homosexual conduct, which refers to acts of sexual intimacy between
members of the same sex. Homosexual orientation in itself is not something this
church has condemned. The question of whether or not all acts of homosexual
intimacy are sinful is the question being debated among us.
2. To recognize that people who are
homosexual, like the heterosexual majority, are a diverse group in their moral
outlook. Our Christian sisters and brothers in this church who are lesbian or
gay and who seek the blessing of their unions and the admission of those in
such committed unions to the ministries of our church profess a commitment to
high moral standards of fidelity, love, and justice in their partnerships.
Their access to the possibility of communal recognition and support of their
partnerships and the church’s ministries is a focus of our study.
Note: For background material, refer to the report of the Task Force
for ELCA Studies on Sexuality [2005
Pre-Assembly Report, Section V, page
15].
Recommendation for Assembly Action Majority vote required
WHEREAS, the people of this church
are joined and united by the love of Jesus Christ;
WHEREAS, this unity is God’s gift
to us in Jesus Christ and we are called as a church to cherish, nurture, and
safeguard this gift;
WHEREAS, within this unity is also
a God-given diversity that we honor in the body of Christ; WHEREAS, we give
thanks to God for the precious gift of unity and the richness of diversity
within the body of Christ, for each other, and for the desire and strength to
live faithfully within our God-given unity and diversity;
WHEREAS, we respect the integrity
of convictions of conscience and faith “with all humility and gentleness, with
patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the
unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3); and
WHEREAS, we see throughout this
church that a commitment to the authority of Scripture is not solely the
concern of those who seek to maintain the tradition and similarly, compassion
for gay and lesbian persons and a commitment that they be treated justly are
not solely concerns of those advocating change; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America—its members, congregations, synods, churchwide
organization, and agencies and institutions—be urged to concentrate on finding
ways to live together faithfully in the midst of disagreements, recognizing the
God-given mission and communion that we share as members of the body of Christ.
Note: For background material, refer to the report of the Task Force
for ELCA Studies on Sexuality [2005
Pre-Assembly Report, Section V, page
15].
Recommendation for Assembly Action Majority vote required
WHEREAS, this church holds that
“marriage is a lifelong covenant of faithfulness between a man and a woman” (Message on Sexuality: Some
Common Convictions [1996],
page 3); and
WHEREAS, the Conference of Bishops
in October 1993 stated, “We, as the Conference of Bishops of the ELCA,
recognize that there is basis neither in Scripture nor tradition for the
establishment of an official ceremony by this church for the blessing of a homosexual
relationship. We, therefore, do not approve such a ceremony as an official
action of this church’s ministry. Nevertheless, we express trust in and will
continue dialogue with those pastors and congregations who are in ministry with
gay and lesbian persons, and affirm their desire to explore the best ways to
provide pastoral care for all to whom they minister” (CB93.10.25); therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, that the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America continue to respect the guidance of the 1993 statement
of the Conference of Bishops; and be it further RESOLVED, that this church
welcome gay and lesbian persons into its life (as stated in Churchwide Assembly
resolutions from 1991, 1995, and 1999), and trust pastors and congregations to
discern ways to provide faithful pastoral care to same-sex couples.
Background:
The Task Force for the ELCA Studies on
Sexuality issued its report and recommendations, making primary its
recommendation that this church “live together” during this time of tension and
disagreement on these matters. Throughout this church there exist differing
perspectives on homosexuality. Yet within this uncomfortable tension there
exists a widely shared yearning that sexuality issues not overshadow or weaken
the essential mission of this church to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and
serve the world.
What follows is a proposal for
implementation of a limited process for exceptions to the normative policies of
this church regarding the rostering of gay and lesbian people in committed,
same-sex relationships. This proposal holds the promise of enabling this church
to continue to journey together faithfully for the sake of the mission of this
church. The proposal is introduced by examples of two differing positions on
this matter which summarize voices heard in this church throughout this study
process. These positions are well documented in Journey Together Faithfully: Part
Two, and the report of the Task Force for ELCA
Studies on Sexuality [2005
Pre- Assembly Report, Section V, page
20]. Each position is accompanied by a rationale which could be used to support
the resolution that follows. Scriptural citations for both positions can be
found in Journey Together Faithfully:
Part Two. Note: For further background material, refer to the report of the Task
Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality [2005
Pre-Assembly Report, Section V, page
16].
[Comment by Kwing Hung: In the following, two positions are
established as contradictory but they are not. Position One is clearly taught
in the Bible. Therefore it is from God and is truth. Position Two is the
position of homosexuals and is not proved by science. Even if Position Two is
proved. There is no contradiction. A person may have been born with a tendency
to steal. Since stealing is a sin, he/she cannot claim that he/she has the
right to steal.]
Position One: Homosexuality as sin
and brokenness
Overview
of this position
As described in the report of the Task
Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality, there are those in this church who
understand homosexual behavior to be addressed several places in Scripture
always as sin. This view has been held virtually unanimously by the Christian
community throughout 2,000 years of history and continues to be the view held
by most Christian church bodies around the world today. Regardless of whether
an individual chooses such behavior or finds that orientation within himself or
herself, such behavior is understood to be contrary both to the scriptural
witness and to God’s creative design. Therefore, any church policy that seems
to approve of such behavior is a betrayal of the authority of Scripture and an
ignoring of the natural order.
Rationale
for Support of the Proposed Process
Every minister of the Church is a sinful
being. This church in its structures of oversight makes decisions about every
person who presents himself or herself for the rostered ministries of this
church. Where this church judges that a person might serve the Gospel and
mission of this church well, she or he is approved for ministry. The most
instructive parallel for this moment may be clergy who are divorced and
remarried, a condition specifically condemned in Scripture by Jesus. Without
contradicting scriptural teaching, this church examines such persons and their
witness, and may endorse their call to ministry. In a similar way, this church
could agree to a particular review of partnered gay and lesbian persons called
to specific contexts, and agree that they may be able to serve this church and
the Gospel well. Leaving the language reflective of the traditional view intact
and requiring the additional steps for granting exceptions respects what this
church believes to be the extra-ordinary nature of these calls.
Position Two: Homosexuality as
condition, not choice
Overview
of this position
As described in the report of the Task
Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality, there are those in this church who believe
that homosexuality is a condition, not a choice. There is recognition in
scientific studies and in personal experience that life-long, committed, loving
relationships are life-giving for homosexual persons, their congregations and
communities. Like all Christians, gay and lesbian people are baptized into the
body of Christ. There is significant study which suggests that biblical texts
that condemn same-gender sexual activity do not address homosexual people who
are in committed relationships. Rather, these texts are understood as
condemning behavior that is abusive or God-denying. The life in Christ to which
we are called in Scripture is a life lived in the radical grace of God, bearing
the fruits of the Spirit, and many see these fruits evident in the lives of gay
and lesbian people. There are growing numbers of congregations ministering to
gay and lesbian persons whose mission might both accept and be enriched by gay
and lesbian pastors and rostered leaders. People holding this view believe all
language excluding gay and lesbian persons in committed relationships is unjust
and should be removed.
Rationale
for Support of the Proposed Process
There can be support for this proposal for
two reasons: (a) while the language of “Vision and Expectations” continues,
there would exist an avenue by which gay and lesbian persons in committed
relationships may be called into the ministry of this church, and (b) just as
it took the Church and the world many years to understand other critical
issues, such as the re-marriage of divorced people, this process provides the
opportunity for continued discernment of where the Holy Spirit is leading the
Church.
Description
of the Proposed Process
This is a process for determining whether
an otherwise qualified gay and lesbian person in a committed relationship might
be granted an exception. The process would involve the following elements:
1. Any person considered for exception
under the bylaw is expected to be in compliance with the policies of this
church, except for being in a committed, same-sex relationship.
2. There shall be a reasonable assumption
or confirmation that a congregation or other ministry will extend or continue a
call to the person being considered for an exception.
3. If the bishop is in support of extending
or continuing such a call, he or she will seek endorsement by the Synod Council
and, upon endorsement, shall ask the Synod Council to make a request for an
exception to the Conference of Bishops, in much the same manner as other roster
exceptions are currently processed.
4. The Conference of Bishops shall consider
and act on the request of the bishop and the Synod Council.
5. If the exception is authorized and the
candidate is approved for call and enters the roster through this process, he
or she shall not be subject to discipline by a subsequent bishop or council
making a decision on the same set of facts.
6. It shall be the expectation that any
candidate or rostered minister who is in a same gender relationship shall be
subject to the same level of commitment and fidelity that we expect of
heterosexual pastors in marriage. We understand this to mean a commitment of
life-long fidelity. Deviation from this level of expectation will be subject to
the same discipline as exists for all others.
7. The recommendation leaves in place all
previous policies and guidelines. There exists no inherent right either of a congregation
or a candidate to stand apart from the possibility of discipline. Rather, the
recommendation opens the possibility of a bishop, synod, and a synodical
Candidacy Committee, reaching common agreement that the mission of this church
would be served by such a decision.
Two-thirds
vote required
WHEREAS, within this church we
continue to share a profound commitment to the authority of Scripture as the
norm for faith and life;
WHEREAS, we recognize there are
deeply held yet different interpretations of Scripture to which consciences are
bound;
WHEREAS, within this church we
confess that all people are sinful beings, including those who serve in
rostered ministry;
WHEREAS, within this church there
are both those who believe that same-sex sexual conduct is inherently sinful,
and those who believe that same-sex sexual conduct in a committed relationship
is morally defensible for those who are of homosexual orientation;
WHEREAS, there are those in this
church who believe that the ELCA should affirm and uphold current policy and
practice regarding people in same-sex committed relationships;
WHEREAS, there are those in this
church who believe that the Holy Spirit is calling into public ministry persons
who are in committed, same-sex relationships, and congregations are indicating
a willingness to call such persons to service; and
WHEREAS, within this church there
is a desire to maintain the continuity of the church’s traditional teaching and
practice while also providing opportunity for ongoing discernment of new ways
in which the Spirit might be speaking to this church in our time, and both may
be honored by taking the step to create a process for consideration of
exceptions; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America shall:
1. Affirm and uphold the standards
for rostered leaders as set forth in “Vision and Expectations”;
2. Create a process for the sake of
outreach, ministry, and the commitment to continuing dialogue, which may permit
exceptions to the expectations regarding sexual conduct for gay or lesbian
candidates and rostered leaders in lifelong, committed, and faithful same-sex
relationships who otherwise are determined to be in compliance with “Vision and
Expectations”;
3. Adopt the following bylaws to
permit implementation of this limited process for exceptions to the normative
policies of this church: 7.31.18. Ordination for Particular Service. For
pastoral reasons and for the sake of mission in the synod, under policy and procedures
approved by the Church Council, upon recommendation by a synodical bishop to
the Synod Council and upon endorsement by the Synod Council, a synodical bishop
shall seek an exception from the Conference of Bishops to permit the assignment
of a candidate who provides evidence of intent to live in a life-long,
committed and faithful same-sex relationship, and has been approved through the
synodical candidacy process. When such an exception is granted, the synodical
bishop may ordain—as authorized in the governing documents of this church and
policy adopted by the Church Council—a candidate who has received and accepted
a properly issued, duly attested letter of call for service in the ministry of
Word and Sacrament by a congregation that has indicated its openness to call a
candidate who provides evidence of intent to live in a life-long, committed and
faithful same-sex relationship. Likewise, upon recommendation by a synodical
bishop to the Synod Council and upon endorsement by the Synod Council, a synodical
bishop shall seek through the Conference of Bishops—under policy and procedures
approved by the Church Council—to maintain on the roster of ordained ministers
an individual, under call for service in an ELCA ministry setting, who provides
evidence of intent to live in a life-long, committed, and faithful same-gender
relationship. All requirements of policies of this church related to ordained
ministers apply to such an individual, except those that preclude living in
such relationships.
7.52.16. Approval for Particular
Service. For pastoral reasons and for the sake of mission in the synod, under
policy and procedures approved by the Church Council, upon recommendation by a
synodical bishop to the Synod Council and upon endorsement by the Synod Council,
a synodical bishop shall seek an exception from the Conference of Bishops to
permit the assignment of a candidate who provides evidence of intent to live in
a life-long, committed and faithful same-sex relationship, and has been
approved through the synodical candidacy process. When such an exception is
granted, the synodical bishop may—as authorized in the governing documents of
this church and policy adopted by the Church Council—commission as an associate
in ministry or consecrate as a diaconal minister or deaconess a candidate who
has received and accepted a properly issued, duly attested letter of call for
such service by a congregation that has indicated its openness to call a
candidate who provides evidence of intent to live in a lifelong, committed and
faithful same-sex relationship. Likewise, upon recommendation by a synodical
bishop to the Synod Council and upon endorsement by the Synod Council, a
synodical bishop shall seek through the Conference of Bishops—under policy and
procedures approved by the Church Council—to maintain on the roster of
associates in ministry, diaconal ministers, or deaconesses an individual, under
call for service in an ELCA ministry setting, who provides evidence of intent
to live in a life-long, committed, and faithful same-gender relationship. All
requirements of policies of this church related to the official lay rosters
apply to such an individual, except those that preclude living in such
relationships.
4. Amend bylaw 20.71.11. to allow
for the implementation of new bylaw 7.31.18. and bylaw 7.52.16:
20.71.11. The Committee on Appeals
shall establish definitions and guidelines, subject to approval by the Church
Council, to enable clear and uniform application of the grounds for discipline
in each of the above categories, provided, however, that nothing therein shall
require the application of discipline where bylaws 7.31.18. and 7.52.16. have
been applied.
5. Direct that the Church Council,
in consultation with the Conference of Bishops and the appropriate churchwide
units, adopt policy and procedures for the implementation of bylaws 7.31.18.
and 7.52.16.; and
6. Direct that this process be
evaluated periodically by the Division for Ministry and reviewed by the
Conference of Bishops and by the Church Council.
[1] 2001 Churchwide Assembly, action
CA01.06.28 (Yes–899; No–115):
To respond to the memorials of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, the Southeast
Michigan Synod, the Upstate New York Synod, the Metropolitan Washington, D.C.,
Synod, and the Virginia Synod by directing the Division for Ministry and the
Division for Church in Society, in consultation with the Conference of Bishops,
ELCA seminaries, colleges and universities, and other churchwide units, to
implement jointly a churchwide study on homosexuality; To provide that the
process include creation of a study document on homosexuality for use in
congregations, synods, and in sponsored hearings and focus groups across this
church. This document shall include study of the Lutheran understanding of the
Word of God and biblical, theological, scientific, and practical material on
homosexuality. The document shall address issues related to blessing committed
same-gender relationships, and rostering of approved candidates who are in
committed same-gender relationships. This study shall provide for the sharing
of information from and among members of this church;
To authorize the presiding bishop and
Church Council to approve the parameters and expense budget of this process and
identify the revenue source(s) to provide for this study;
To direct that reports on the study process
shall be presented to each of the regular meetings of the Church Council, and
to synod assemblies beginning in 2002 with response requested. A first edition
report shall be brought to the 2003 Churchwide Assembly along with initial or
interim recommendations. A final report, complete with action steps for full
implementation, shall be presented to the 2005 Churchwide Assembly;
To respect charitably one another as we
examine our understandings and practices, speaking the truth in love,
practicing the “mutual conversation and consolation of the brothers and
sisters” (Luther, Smalcald Articles,
III.4); and To request that the Division for Ministry, in consultation with the
Division for Congregational Ministries and the Conference of Bishops, identify
and make available materials to assist and support pastors as they provide
pastoral care and counseling for persons concerned with these issues.
[2] 2001 Churchwide Assembly, action
CA01.06.36 (Yes–624; No–381):
To respond to the memorials of the Saint Paul Area and Metropolitan Chicago
synods by requesting that the Church Council, the Conference of Bishops, and
the Division for Ministry create a specific plan and timeline leading to a
decision concerning the rostering of homosexual persons who give expression to
sexual intimacy only in a relationship that is mutual, chaste, and faithful,
including but not limited to:
1) changes in “Vision and Expectations”; 2)
changes in “Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline”; 3) amendments to the
ELCA constitution and bylaws; and 4) changes in all other related governing
documents.
In the event any of the above mentioned
changes require approval of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, such actions shall be
placed before the 2005 Churchwide Assembly for adoption or ratification.
[3] 2001 Churchwide Assembly, action
CA01.06.45 (Yes–561; No–386):
To initiate a process within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to
develop a social statement on human sexuality.
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