Voting members of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly are scheduled to consider two documents related to human sexuality. One is a proposed social statement on human sexuality, “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust.” Social statements are theological and teaching documents that form the basis for policy in the ELCA.
The other document is a “Report and Recommendation on Ministry Policies.” The recommendation asks the assembly to consider a process to change ministry policies to make it possible for Lutherans, who are in “publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships,” to serve as ELCA associates in ministry, deaconesses, diaconal ministers and ordained ministers.
Both documents were mandated by previous churchwide assemblies.
The assembly is the highest legislative authority of the ELCA. The theme of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly is “God’s Work. Our Hands.”
Pray for us in the ELCA. This is going to be one very rough assembly.
Katie,
I’ve seen this coming since at least 1994 when the first draft on sexuality was released. We’ve been on borrowed time for a decade and a half. And now it all comes apart. So it goes.
Brian, I agree. Still, it ain’t over till it’s over. (And maybe not even then!)
Brian,
If by “coming since at least 1994” you mean this has been on the agenda of leadership elements in the national ELCA since then, and pushed by the revisionist alliance since that time, then certainly I agree. However, if you mean “inevitable”, then I must disagree. There are heaps of evidence that demonstrate that a substantial majority of the folks in the pews in the ELCA do not agree with the proposed innovations. But not enough of them have stood up and gotten involved to stop the runaway train. Repentance begins at home. Certainly most of the leadership of the ELCA supports the revisionist agenda, and certainly most of our seminary faculties do as well, and those are powerful and difficult forces to oppose. But we start by admitting our own failings — we have not done enough to counter those forces. We have not done as much as we could. We humbly repent and ask forgiveness. At least, that’s how I see it.
Ryan Schwarz
Ryan,
I agree with all that you have written. The only thing I’d add is what happens after the vote. Once the folks in the pews realize what’s what, I suspect many of them will consider walking away from their congregation.
As per not doing enough, it cuts both ways. Pastors who have attempted to speak out on this issue, from an orthodox side, have been sidelined and marginalized by the larger church as well as defamed by the advocates. This battle has been going on beneath the surface of the church for years. There are reasons so many of our best confessional theologians, pastors and leaders have already left.
Brian of Maryland, #5, that is discouraging to hear, and so similar to what was happening in ECUSA before all the current uproar burst into the open. You have my prayers.