ELCA NEWS SERVICE

January 30, 2009  

ELCA Task Force Concludes Work on Social Statement, Ministry Standards
09-027-MRC

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Task Force for the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) Studies on Sexuality
finalized its work on a proposed social statement on human
sexuality, and it finalized a report with recommendations
on ministry standards regarding possible changes to policies
that preclude pastors in committed same-sex relationships
from the ELCA clergy roster.
     The two documents will be released to the public
Feb. 19.
     The task force concluded its work Jan. 23-25, according
to the Rev. Peter Strommen, Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran
Church, Prior Lake, Minn., and task force chair.  He said
the task force's "very difficult discussions" centered on
"how do we make good recommendations for the sake of the
church."
     "It is evident that there is a deep commitment on the
part of task force members to love (their) neighbor and
realize that their neighbors are more than the people with
whom they agree," he said.
     Members of the task force "are people of widely
different perspectives (from) across the church, and they
wrestle actively with a way through on this issue that can
somehow honor (their neighbors) and honor truth as they
see it.  This is a very complex and sometimes an
excruciating process that is profoundly different from
simply being an advocacy group," Strommen said.
     In the course of its work that began in May 2002, the
task force published three studies and a youth resource
inviting deliberation and response across the ELCA under
the "Journey Together Faithfully" banner.

Time line for process, decision-making
     The ELCA Conference of Bishops will review the two
proposed documents March 5-10.  The conference is an
advisory body of the church consisting of the ELCA's 65
synod bishops, presiding bishop and secretary.
     The ELCA Church Council will work to "recommend a
finalized text" of both the proposed social statement
and ministry recommendations when it meets here March
27-29.  The council is the ELCA's board of directors and
legislative authority of the church between churchwide
assemblies.
     The documents will be posted April 2 on the ELCA Web
site.  ELCA members will discuss and respond to the
recommended documents in synod assemblies held Apri
through June.
     The 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly will consider both
the recommended proposed social statement and the
recommended report on ministry standards Aug. 17-23, in
Minneapolis.
     Social statements are teaching documents that assist
Lutherans in forming judgments on social issues.  They
provide theological and ethical frameworks for discussion,
discernment and decision-making, set policy for the
church, and guide the church's advocacy and work in church
and society.
- - -
     Information about the ELCA Studies on Sexuality is at
http://www.ELCA.org/faithfuljourney on the ELCA Web site.

     Audio of Strommen's comments is at
http://media.ELCA.org/audionews/StrommenJan09.MP3 on the
ELCA Web site.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
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