ELCA NEWS SERVICE
February 8, 2007
ELCA Discipline Hearing Committee Rules in Atlanta Case
07-020-JB
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- A discipline hearing committee of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) ruled Feb. 7 that
the Rev. Bradley E. Schmeling be removed from the ELCA clergy
roster effective Aug. 15, 2007. Schmeling, who reported to his
bishop that he is in a committed relationship with another man,
is pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Atlanta.
The committee met Jan. 18-24 in closed session in Atlanta to
hear the case. Seven of the 12 members of the discipline hearing
committee voted to remove Schmeling from the roster.
In addition, the committee's written opinion made some
specific suggestions for changes in ELCA clergy standards, and it
suggested those changes be brought for consideration to the ELCA
Churchwide Assembly, the church's highest legislative authority.
The next assembly is here at Navy Pier, Aug. 6-11.
The Rev. Ronald B. Warren, bishop of the ELCA Southeastern
Synod, Atlanta, filed charges against Schmeling on Aug. 8, 2006.
Warren explained in "A Pastoral Letter of Disclosure" that
Schmeling admitted to him that he was in violation of the ELCA's
"Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline" for ordained
ministers.
"Specifically, Pastor Schmeling disclosed to me that he is
in a sexual relationship with an adult male. He has declined my
requests for his resignations from his call to St. John Lutheran
Church and the ELCA clergy roster," Warren's letter said.
Warren explained in his letter that he submitted the matter
to the ELCA disciplinary process because an ELCA bishop does not
have authority to "unilaterally remove any ELCA pastor from the
ELCA (clergy) roster."
Normally the churchwide organization does not release the
contents of decisions of discipline hearing committees, but in
this case the parties themselves released the complete written
decision.
The text of the decision indicated that the committee was
nearly unanimous in its concern that "Definitions and Guidelines
for Discipline" and "Vision and Expectations: Ordained Ministers
in the ELCA" "are at least bad policy, and may very well violate
the constitution and bylaws of this church." The committee said
it was specifically concerned with a sentence in "Definitions and
Guidelines" that states: "Practicing homosexual persons are
precluded from the ordained ministry of this church."
The committee said that if it was relieved of that
requirement, it would find "almost unanimously that Pastor
Schmeling is not engaged in conduct that is incompatible with the
ministerial office, and would find with near unanimity that no
discipline of any sort should be imposed against him."
The committee "respectfully" suggested that, through normal
legislative processes, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly initiate a
process to:
+ reconsider and revise "Definitions and Guidelines," removing
language that specifically precludes practicing homosexuals from
the ordained ministry
+ reconsider and revise "Vision and Expectations," removing
specific prohibitions against homosexual sexual relationships
+ reconsider and revise the policy on reinstatement to the ELCA
clergy and professional lay rosters to permit immediate
reinstatement of persons who have resigned or have been removed
from the rosters of the ELCA solely because they entered into a
loving, lifelong partnership with another person of the same sex
that is mutual, chaste and faithful. Normally people who seek
reinstatement to the official rosters must wait at least five
years.
Responses to the committee's decision
In response to the discipline hearing committee's decision,
Warren said: "The decision to seek Pastor Schmeling's removal
from the ministry of this church was difficult because of my deep
respect for the pastor and the congregation at St. John."
"But the policy of this church is clear, and it was my
responsibility as bishop of this synod to enforce the established
standards of this church, particularly when the 2005 Churchwide
Assembly decided that the church would not create a process for
possible exceptions to existing behavior expectations for
pastors," Warren said in a written statement.
"As this church continues prayerfully to consider the issue
of clergy who are gay or lesbian and in committed relationships,
both the synod and I will continue to work on finding ways to
live together faithfully in the midst of our disagreements," the
bishop said.
In a telephone interview with the ELCA News Service,
Schmeling said he is "grateful that the committee heard my story.
They listened, took seriously the ministry of St. John, and I was
delighted they affirmed my ministry," he said. Schmeling said he
is encouraged that the committee asked the churchwide assembly to
change policy.
Between now and Aug. 15, Schmeling emphasized that his first
responsibility is to be "the best pastor I can be at St. John."
The process leading up to the churchwide assembly will give him a
chance to talk about what it's like to be gay and be called to
the ministry, and to explain how difficult that is under current
ELCA policy, he said.
Schmeling noted that Aug. 15 is the 7th anniversary of the
day he began his call at St. John. "I'm looking forward to
celebrating that anniversary," he said.
"My prayer is that we can find a way to be faithful
together," he said, referencing a resolution of the 2005
Churchwide Assembly which urged the ELCA to concentrate on
finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of
disagreements. Schmeling said he had not yet discussed a
possible appeal of the decision with his legal team.
"We're very grateful that the committee heard the words of
members of St. John and Pastor Brad," said Laura Crawley, St.
John congregation president. "We are glad they recommended the
conversation continue."
"We've been a family of faith. I think that's where the
congregation is now," she said.
Crawley said she does not know what, if any, role the 140-
year-old congregation might take with regard to seeking change in
ELCA policy. "We're just happy that Pastor Brad is still with
us, and we're looking forward to what comes next," she said,
adding that "we pray every week for the unity of the whole
church."
The Rev. Lowell G. Almen, ELCA secretary, manages the
official clergy and professional lay rosters for the ELCA, and
oversees the discipline process on behalf of the churchwide
organization. He said both parties have 30 days in which to
appeal the committee's decision. Any appeal would be considered
by the 12-member Churchwide Committee on Appeals, whose
membership is split evenly among lay members and clergy. The
decision of the appeals committee is final.
---
The discipline hearing committee's decision is at
http://www.ELCA-ses.org/Hearing.htm on the ELCA Southeastern
Synod Web site.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
