ELCA NEWS SERVICE
September 11, 2003
ELCA Issues Study Guide on 'The Church and Homosexuality'
03-168-FI
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) mailed about 18,000 copies of "Journey Together
Faithfully, Part Two: The Church and Homosexuality" on Sept. 5 to
the pastors and lay leaders of the church. A task force for ELCA
Studies on Sexuality compiled the 49-page study guide and its
background essays to help the ELCA's 5 million members consider
how the church will respond in 2005 to specific questions about
blessing same-sex relationships and accepting lay and ordained
ministers in such relationships.
In 2001 the ELCA Churchwide Assembly asked the church to
enter into a process of study on homosexuality. The churchwide
assembly is the ELCA's chief legislative authority. The 2001
assembly requested a final report with recommendations for
presentation to the 2005 Churchwide Assembly.
Current ELCA policy expects ministers to refrain from all
sexual relations outside marriage. Since the church has no
official policy on ceremonies blessing same-gender relationships,
this precludes homosexuals in relationships from ordained
ministry. In 1993 the ELCA Conference of Bishops, an advisory
body to the church, stated it does not approve of such
ceremonies.
The six-session study guide included the bishops' statement,
as well as a summary of current ELCA policies and practices, the
2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly resolutions, relevant excerpts from
statements of earlier Lutheran churches, a list of related
resources, tips on how to use the study guide, answers to
frequently asked questions, a brief glossary and a response form.
"For each of us, whatever our personal opinions, this
resource is an invitation to conversation," the Rev. Mark S.
Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, wrote in a letter that
accompanies the study guide. The guide "can help this church
consider matters that have elicited intense debate within and
beyond this church," he wrote.
"Journey Together Faithfully, Part Two, is a remarkably
balanced presentation of the key issues in the study of
homosexuality," said the Rev. Margaret G. Payne, chair of the
task force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality and bishop of the ELCA
New England Synod, Worcester, Mass. "It is unique in its careful
articulation of the various viewpoints, so that the strength of
each position can be studied and evaluated," she said.
"My main hope is that all ELCA members will take part in
this study, listen carefully to one another and provide feedback
to the task force. If we approach this task in a prayerful and
open manner, respecting each viewpoint, the church will not be
divided, but will grow in its ability to tackle tough issues and
will be strengthened in its unity," Payne said.
A message from the 13-member task force said, "In each
session of this study guide, we have made every effort to provide
examples of the various views people of the church hold. We
cannot be exhaustive, but we hope that we have been discerning in
our selection."
"It is important that matters of serious dialogue and
deliberation in the church take place in an environment of
worship and prayer. We seek God's guidance and blessing on our
efforts at every step of the way," said the task force message.
The task force wrote that each session of the study guide
"emphasizes one of the major themes of our faith:"
1. Our Identity
- Sexuality and Faithfulness: Our Experiences
- The Bible and Experience
- Biblical Authority and Interpretation: Lutheran Perspectives
2. Our Community
- The Creation Accounts
- Specific Passages Regarding Same-Sex Intercourse
3. Our Participation
- Christian Tradition, Sexuality and Marriage
- Bible, Tradition and Change
4. Our Center
- A Biblically Based Christian Ethic
- Christian Ethics and the Question of Blessing Same-Sex
Unions
5. Baptismal Vocation and Moral Deliberation
- Scientific Research: Limits and Contributions
- Scientific Research and the Bible
- Scientific Research and Tradition
6. Gospel Mission
- Possible Positions Regarding the Blessing of Same-Sex Unions
and the Ordaining, Consecrating and Commissioning of People in
Committed Same-Sex Unions
- The Nature of Disagreement Among Us
"I am not aware of another study document of this kind that
seeks to set forth in this comprehensive a manner the essential
features of the discussion on blessing gay and lesbian unions and
the rostering of persons in such unions," said the Rev. James M.
Childs Jr., director, ELCA Studies on Sexuality. "Rostered"
people are those whose names appear on the ELCA's rosters of lay
and ordained ministers.
"It is a document that seeks to represent accurately and
fairly all voices and to give participants an opportunity not
only to respond to the discussion as presented, but to add
additional insights and data they feel are important," Childs
said.
The study guide includes a response form for ELCA members to
return to the task force by Nov. 1, 2004. The form asks the
question: "Given what you have learned from this study about the
various views among members of the ELCA, what course do you think
our church should follow?"
The Rev. Arland J. Hultgren and the Rev. Walter F. Taylor
prepared a "Background Essay on Biblical Texts," which the ELCA
mailed with the study guide. Hultgren is a professor of New
Testament, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., and Taylor is a
professor of New Testament studies, Trinity Lutheran Seminary,
Columbus, Ohio. Luther and Trinity are two of the ELCA's eight
seminaries.
In addition to the study guide and background essay, the Web
site of the ELCA Studies on Sexuality --
http://www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/resources.html -- provides
background papers on sociological research by Wendy Cadge,
assistant professor of sociology, Bowdoin College, Brunswick,
Maine, and on scientific research by Dr. Thomas J. Kiresuk,
professor of clinical psychology, University of Minnesota Medical
School, Minneapolis.
The ELCA issued "Journey Together Faithfully, Part One: ELCA
Studies on Sexuality" in Spring 2002. That study guide presented
a four-session discussion of the ELCA's "Message on Sexuality:
Some Common Convictions."
-- -- --
"Journey Together Faithfully, Part Two: The Church and Homosexuality" is
available at http://www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/ on the Web. It is
possible for ELCA members to respond to study guide online.
Augsburg Fortress, the publishing house of the ELCA, sells
printed copies of the documents by calling 1-800-328-4648 with
the publication number 6-0001-6848-9.
Purchases are also possible through http://www.augsburgfortress.org/store/
on the publisher's Web site.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
