ELCA Council Places Trust In Voting Members On Recommendation Two
CWA-01-05-MRC

    ORLANDO, Fla. (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) expressed its "trust and confidence" in voting members of the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to discern what "pastoral care" implies concerning same-gender relationships and if the blessing of same-sex couples is precluded or provided for within this pastoral care.
     The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between churchwide assemblies.  The council met here Aug. 7 on the eve of the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center, Aug. 8-14.
     The Synod Council of the ELCA Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, Pittsburgh, asked the Church Council to provide clarification on the intention of a second of three recommendations that address whether or not the church will bless same-sex relationships and whether or not the ELCA will allow people in such relationships to serve the church as professional lay and ordained ministers.  It also requested that the Church Council relay that clarification to voting members of the 2005 Churchwide Assembly.
     Recommendation Two proposes that the ELCA "continue to respect the guidance of the 1993 advisory statement of the Conference of Bishops" and "that this church welcome gay and lesbian persons into its life * and trust pastors and congregations to discern ways to provide faithful pastoral care to same-sex couples."  The 1993 advisory statement said the ELCA Conference of Bishops finds no basis in Scripture for blessing homosexual relationships and do not approve of such a ceremony as an official action of the ELCA's ministry.
     In response to the synod's request, the Church Council expressed concern that any additional information it can provide regarding Recommendation Two may "further complicate rather than clarify" information prepared by the Church Council, which has been distributed and discussed across the church.  The council also anticipated that voting members' "ongoing dialogue and discernment will establish the clarity" sought by members of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod.
     The three recommendations to appear before the assembly were developed during the first part of a study process known as the ELCA Studies on Sexuality.  A study director and a task force developed a report and recommendations, which were made public Jan. 13.  Members of the ELCA were encouraged to respond to the recommendations; their responses were provided to the Church Council as it considered resolutions for assembly action. 
     Recommendation One proposes that the ELCA -- its members, congregations, synods, churchwide organization, 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."  Recommendation One and Recommendation Two require a simple majority vote for adoption.
     Recommendation Three would "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 and lesbian candidates and rostered leaders in life-long, committed and faithful same-sex relationships who otherwise are determined to be in compliance" with the conduct the church expects of its ministers.  Recommendation Three requires at least a two-thirds vote from the assembly for adoption, since constitutional bylaws must be amended.
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Information about the ELCA Churchwide Assembly is at http://www.elca.org/assembly/05 on the Web.

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