ELCA NEWS SERVICE

April 2, 2009

Three Members of the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality Share Dissent
09-080-MRC

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Three members of the Task Force for the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) Studies on
Sexuality issued a public statement March 28 to express their
dissent over the content of two documents released by the task
force. The chair of the task force responded to the statement.
     On Feb. 19 the task force released a proposed social
statement on human sexuality and a report recommending a process
to consider changes to ministry policies that could make it
possible for Lutherans in committed same-gender relationships to
serve as ELCA associates in ministry, deaconesses, diaconal
ministers and ordained ministers.
     Recommendations for both documents will be considered at the
2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the church's chief legislative
body, Aug. 17-23 in Minneapolis.
     Because of theological and pragmatic concerns and because
the proposed recommendation allows the ELCA's 65 synods and
individual congregations to "determine their own practice," the
Rev. Scott J. Suskovic, the Rev. Corrine R. Johnson and the Rev.
Carol S. Hendrix said they felt compelled to offer a dissenting
position, which is featured in the Appendix of the task force's
report (Dissenting Position 1).
     Suskovic, Johnson and Hendrix began their statement with
thanks and gratitude for the opportunity to serve on the task
force. Although in disagreement with the other 27 members and
advisors of the task force on "traditional biblical
interpretation and theological principles," they said they were
regarded with "great kindness, dignity and respect."
     Suskovic is pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Charlotte,
N.C. Johnson serves as director for development and public
relations, Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp, Crystal Falls, Mich.
Hendrix, a retired pastor, served as bishop of the ELCA Lower
Susquehanna Synod, Harrisburg, Pa., from 2001 to 2007.
     The pastors said changing current policies would sever the
ELCA from the "ecumenical church and the Christian consensus down
through the ages."
     They contend that the task force's report and
recommendation, "which advocate same-gender unions and the
ordination of non-celibate homosexual persons, have little
biblical, historical and traditional support."
     Of critical importance when considering sexuality is the
role of God's commandments in the "moral ordering of the
Christian life," they said. "We are convinced that God's
intention for marriage -- life-long covenant of fidelity between
a man and a woman -- established as the First Institute in
Genesis 2 and reaffirmed by Jesus in Mark 10: 6-9, serves as the
center around which all Christian sexual ethics are defined."
     The pastors recommend that voting members of the assembly
"affirm and uphold" current ELCA ministry and discipline
policies, and affirm the pastoral guidance in a 1993 statement of
the ELCA Conference of Bishops. The statement says 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." Pastors within their local contexts
are to "provide pastoral care for all whom they minister."
     The church is deeply divided on the issue of human
sexuality, the pastors said. The recommendations of the majority
of the task force represent a "radical change" that is not only
contrary to Scripture but one that "will splinter our
congregations, alienate many of our members, further divide the
unity of this church" and "grieve the heart of God," they said.
     The Rev. Peter Strommen, Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran
Church, Prior Lake, Minn., and task force chair, called the
dissenting statement "unfortunate and unnecessary."
     "It was unnecessary because their dissenting view is already
included in the Report and Recommendations Appendix, which was
distributed widely February 19. It is unfortunate because by
identifying their names and characterizing the process, they
acted contrary to agreed upon protocol and ELCA practice. For
instance, their statement might be interpreted to indicate that
everyone else was of one mind when in fact the views of task
force members were quite varied and diverse," Strommen said.
     "Normally the chair of a task force is the person who speaks
publicly on behalf of the task force. I do not believe it was
their intent to disrespect the process but note that while
individual task force members are free to express their personal
views, it is not appropriate for task force members to make
formal public statements or initiate what may be perceived as
their own news release," he said.
- - -
     The "Statement by Three Dissenting Members of the ELCA Task
Force on Human Sexuality" is at http://tinyurl.com/djwgop
on the Web.
     The task force's "Report and Recommendations on Ministry
Policies" is available at http://www.ELCA.org/faithfuljourney on
the ELCA Web site.

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