Title: ELCA Bishops Hear Early Plans for Sexuality Studies
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 14, 2002

ELCA BISHOPS HEAR EARLY PLANS FOR SEXUALITY STUDIES
02-048-JB

     VANCOUVER, B.C. (ELCA) -- Saying "we are engaged in the discovery
of our God-given capacities as church," the Rev. James M. Childs Jr.
discussed with the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) early plans for studies of homosexuality and
human sexuality.
     The Conference of Bishops is an advisory body to the church.  Its
members include the church's 65 synods bishops, ELCA presiding bishop
and ELCA secretary.  The ELCA bishops met here March 7-12 at the
invitation of the bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
     Childs was appointed director of ELCA sexuality studies effective
Feb. 1. He is presently on leave from a faculty position at Trinity
Lutheran Seminary, an ELCA seminary in Columbus, Ohio.  At Trinity
Seminary he is the Joseph A. Sittler Professor of Theology and Ethics.
     The 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly called on the church to study
issues related to homosexuality and human sexuality, including issues
related to ordination of gay and lesbian clergy in committed
relationships, precluded by present church policy.  The assembly's
action asked for an interim report to be presented at the 2003 ELCA
Churchwide Assembly, and a final report with recommendations to be
brought to the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly for consideration.
     In November 2001 the ELCA Church Council, the church's board of
directors, authorized $250,000 as start-up funds for the mandated study.
     In his report to the bishops Childs said "there are no
preconceived conclusions as to the content of the recommendations" to be
presented in 2005 and subsequent churchwide assemblies.  "It is the
spirit in which I and a task force will approach this issue," he said.
     A 13-member task force to assist in the project is to be appointed
by the boards for the Division for Ministry and Division for Church in
Society.  The ELCA presiding bishop and executive committee of the ELCA
Church Council will also be involved in the appointments.  The diverse
group will share "a common conviction to serve the church above and
beyond all else," Childs told the bishops.
     Communicating the progress of the study is important, Childs said.
He emphasized that the study plan includes a commitment to "the free
flow of information."  Soon, the church will launch a Web site for the
project, through which synods and congregations can communicate and
report on their work with members related to the study, Childs said.
     At present a book is being prepared "under the auspices of the
seminaries of the ELCA," dealing with aspects of the issue of
homosexuality in the church, Childs reported.  Childs is also preparing
a draft proposal for a study guide to accompany the church's existing
message, "Sexuality: Some Common Convictions," for the initial meeting
of the task force, May 3-5.  The study guide is to be made available to
the church this fall, Childs said.
     "Distinguished scholars, church leaders and theologians have
offered compelling arguments all along the spectrum of views on these
matters," Childs said.  "However, as important as these contributions
are, they find their appropriate place in the community of faith and its
deliberations.  It has always been that way."
     "These church deliberations will require unbending love for one
another, rigorous honesty, and the courage that comes from trust in the
Spirit," he said.
     Childs said the church should be "counter-cultural" in its
discussions, "in the sense that to the extent that we impose discipline
on ourselves, we shall not do so out of fear, and to the extent that we
are accepting, that it is not mere tolerance or permissiveness," he
said.
     Whatever is decided, "it should well up from what we all know is
the heart of our biblical faith and in the service of the calling we
share to witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ," Childs concluded.
     "Just listening to you lowers my anxiety level," the Rev. Allan C.
Bjornberg, bishop of the ELCA Rocky Mountain Synod, Denver, told Childs
following the presentation.  It is important the conversation about
homosexuality and human sexuality be replicated in as many places as
possible, he said.
     Bjornberg also expressed concern that ELCA pastors not become
"targets" during the study period.  Instead, they should be "a voice at
the table," Bjornberg said.


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