ELCA NEWS SERVICE

October 12, 2007  

Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality Works on Draft of Social Statement
07-165-MRC/JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Task Force for the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Studies on Sexuality surveyed
biblical, ethical and theological material that may be included
in a draft of a social statement on human sexuality, and offered
further instructions for its writing team when it met here Oct.
5-6.  A proposed social statement on human sexuality is due in
early 2009.
     The Rev. Peter Strommen, bishop, ELCA Northeastern Minnesota
Synod, Duluth, and task force chair, said a primary objective of
the meeting was for the task force "to continue work on the
development of a first draft" of a social statement.  The draft
is scheduled to be made available to the church in early 2008.
     "The church has given us the responsibility of writing a
social statement, and we are working hard to do our best.  We
want it to be helpful to the church and faithful to its core
convictions.  Our task force, like the whole church, represents
diverse backgrounds.  There is genuine respect for one another,
reflective of our unity in Christ, but we do not see all things
in the same way," he said.
     The task force's discussions on the draft material were
conducted in closed, off-the-record sessions.  "When social
statements are in the actual process of being written, things are
very fluid," said Strommen.  "We are determining the statement
design and structure and whether we have something that will do a
good job," he said.
     The task force is approaching its work from a biblical,
ethical and theological perspective, said Strommen.  "We ask
ourselves, 'Will our approach be effective and fresh?  Will it
help us to explore the interconnection of individual, family and
society on these important matters?'" he asked.
     The draft of the social statement will be distributed across
the church for feedback, said Strommen.  On the basis of that
feedback the task force will reshape the document, he said.  The
task force will present a proposed document to the ELCA through
the ELCA Church in Society program unit.  The final proposed
statement goes to the ELCA Church Council with a request to place
the document on the agenda of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
for action.
     In an open session, the task force discussed the actions of
the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly with David D. Swartling,
Seattle, secretary-elect of the ELCA.
     In a separate open session, the task force received a
preliminary report on the church's response to "Free in Christ to
Serve the Neighbor: Lutherans Talk about Human Sexuality" -- a
study guide designed to engage members of the ELCA in thoughtful
discussion and theological discernment on topics that may be
addressed in an ELCA social statement on human sexuality.
Responses are due Nov. 1.
     In September the task force released an adaptation of the
study called, "Free in Christ to Care for the Neighbor:  Lutheran
Youth Talk about Human Sexuality" -- a study designed for senior
high-school-age members of the ELCA.  Responses from youth are
due Dec. 15.
     The task force met with the ELCA Conference of Bishops in
small groups on Oct. 6.  Members of the conference commented on
what they would like to see included in a draft of a social
statement on human sexuality and discussed their hopes for the
ELCA following the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.  The ELCA
Conference of Bishops is an advisory body of the church,
consisting of the ELCA's 65 synod bishops, presiding bishop
and secretary.
     Among the bishops' comments were suggestions that the
statement seek agreement on "core" teachings, that biblical
interpretation and authority guide the statement, that it express
a spirit of "humility," that the statement enhance mission, and
that it engage ELCA members to discuss the topics in dialogue.
Others expressed concern that the church somehow acknowledge that
many members and leaders are "fatigued" by the continuing
sexuality studies and process, and that they hoped that the
conference could lead in a way that promotes unity, not division,
in the church.
     The Rev. Rebecca S. Larson, executive director, ELCA Church
in Society, told the bishops that the social statement cannot
directly address a 2007 Churchwide Assembly directive that the
task force "specifically address and make recommendations to the
2009 Churchwide Assembly on changes to any policies that preclude
practicing homosexual persons from the rosters of this church."
She said social statements are not intended to specifically
address ministry policy.  Instead, the task force response to the
directive will be reported separately to the churchwide assembly
and will not be embedded in the social statement, said Larson.
     The Rev. Lowell G. Almen, ELCA secretary, agreed, saying the
assembly action does not bind the task force to embed its
response to the directive in the social statement.
     After the draft of the social statement is made public in
March 2008, a series of hearings will follow from March through
October 2008, which is standard procedure for preparing social
statements, said Larson.  The proposed social statement itself
will be made public in early 2009 and undergo review before it is
transmitted to the churchwide assembly, she added.
- - -
     Information about the ELCA Studies on Sexuality is at
http://www.ELCA.org/faithfuljourney on the ELCA Web site.
Information about "Free in Christ to Serve the Neighbor:
Lutherans Talk about Human Sexuality" is at
http://www.ELCA.org/faithfuljourney/study  and "Free in Christ to
Care for the Neighbor:  Lutheran Youth Talk about Human
Sexuality" is at http://www.ELCA.org/faithfuljourney/youth 
on the Web.

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