ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 2, 2009

ELCA Presiding Bishop Emphasizes Unity in Message to Church Leaders
09-145-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) expressed "heartfelt commitment" to the unity of
the ELCA and "deep confidence" that unity will not be lost because of
decisions that will be made at the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
     The Rev. Mark S. Hanson commented on church unity in light of a
proposed social statement on human sexuality, and a report and
recommendation on ELCA ministry policies to be considered by the
assembly. His remarks were contained in a June 30 message to ELCA
professional leaders. The ELCA Churchwide Assembly meets Aug. 17-23
in Minneapolis.
     Hanson wrote that he is thankful for "thoughtful and respectful"
discussion on both proposals at spring assemblies of the church's 65
synods. However, he wrote he's aware that ELCA members have a variety of
opinions about the proposals and such differences have raised concerns
about whether the ELCA is headed toward "a church-dividing decision."
     "Sometimes, when I hear concerns about division in the ELCA, I worry
that they express a fear that unity depends on the actions of church
leaders or assemblies," Hanson wrote. "Our unity, however, comes to us
because God gives it freely and undeservedly in Jesus Christ. Although
everyone in leadership shares responsibility for stewarding our unity in
Christ, it will not be won or lost at the churchwide assembly in a
plenary session vote."
     Hanson invited ELCA leaders to view the assembly as an opportunity
for "faith-filled witness to the larger human family that struggles with
division, and yearns for healing and wholeness that is real and true."
     "We live in a polarized culture equates unity with uniformity and
equates differences as a reason for division," Hanson wrote. "This
moment, and our witness as a church body in the midst of it, deserves
something better from us. We have the opportunity to offer the witness of
our unity in Christ -- diverse, filled with different-ness and
differences, broken in sin, and yet united and whole in Christ. This
moment deserves the witness of a community that finds and trusts its
unity in Christ alone, engages one another with respect, and seeks a
communal discernment of the Spirit's leading."
     The presiding bishop said he is not advocating for any position on
the proposals to be decided. "It is an honest expression of my conviction
that the gospel of Jesus Christ, God's mission for the life of the world,
and the members of this church deserve this witness from us: In Christ we
are members of one body serving God's mission for the life of the world."
     Hanson invited the professional leaders to join him "in confident
hope, grounded in Christ, where we meet one another not in our agreements
or disagreements but at the foot of the cross."
     A task force developed the proposed social statement, "Human
Sexuality: Gift and Trust." Social statements are theological and
teaching documents that form the basis for policy in the ELCA.
The "Report and Recommendation on Ministry Policies" asks the assembly to
consider a process to change ministry policies that could make it
possible for Lutherans who are in "publicly accountable, lifelong,
monogamous, same-gendered relationships" to serve as ELCA associates in
ministry, deaconesses, diaconal ministers and ordained ministers. Both
documents were mandated by previous churchwide assemblies.
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     The full text of the presiding bishop's message is at
http://tinyurl.com/m2gq82 on the ELCA Web site.

     Information about the 2009 Churchwide Assembly is at
http://www.ELCA.org/assembly on the ELCA Web site.

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