There’s Reason to Hope
August 21, 2009
ELCA NEWS SERVICE
August 21, 2009
ELCA Assembly Opens Ministry to Partnered Gay and Lesbian Lutherans, Urges
MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) – The 2009 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) voted today to open the ministry of the church to gay and lesbian pastors and other professional workers living in committed relationships.
The action came by a vote of 559-451 at the highest legislative body of the 4.6 million member denomination. Earlier the assembly also approved a resolution committing the church to find ways for congregations that choose to do so to “recognize, support and hold publicly accountable life-long, monogamous, same gender relationships,” though the resolution did not use the word “marriage.”
The actions here change the church’s policy, which previously allowed gays and lesbians into the ordained ministry only if they remained celibate.
Throughout the assembly, which opened Aug. 17, the more than 1,000 voting members have debated issues of human sexuality. On Wednesday they adopted a social statement on the subject as a teaching tool and policy guide for the denomination.
The churchwide assembly of the ELCA is meeting here Aug. 17-23 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. About 2,000 people are participating, including 1,045 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is “God’s work. Our hands.”
Before discussing the thornier issues of same-gender unions in the ordained ministry, the assembly approved, by a vote of 771-230, a resolution committing the church to respect the differences of opinions on the matter and honor the “bound consciences” of those who disagree.
During the hours of discussion, led by ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson, the delegates paused several times each hour for prayer, sometimes as a whole assembly, sometimes in small groups around the tables where the voting members of the assembly sat, debated and cast their votes.
Discussion here proved that matters of sexuality will be contentious throughout the church. A resolution that would have reasserted the church’s current policy drew 344 votes, but failed because it was rejected by 670 of the voting members.
Pastor Richard Mahan of the ELCA West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod was among several speakers contending that the proposed changes are contrary to biblical teaching. “I cannot see how the church that I have known for 40 years can condone what God has condemned,” Mahan said, “Nowhere does it say in scripture that homosexuality and same sex marriage is acceptable of God.”
But others said a greater acceptance of people who are gay and lesbian in the church was consistent with the Bible. Bishop Gary Wollersheim of the ELCA Northern Illinois Synod said, “It’s a matter of justice, a matter of hospitality, it’s what Jesus would have us do.” Wollersheim said he had been strongly influenced by meetings with youth at youth leadership events in his synod, a regional unit of the ELCA.
Some speakers contend that the actions taken here will alienate ELCA members and cause a drop in membership. But Allison Guttu of the ELCA Metropolitan New York Synod said, “I have seen congregations flourish while engaging these issues; I have seen congregations grow recognizing the gifts of gay and lesbian pastors.”
During discussion of resolutions on implementation of the proposals, Bishop Kurt Kusserow of the ELCA Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod asked that the church make clear provision in its policies to recognize the conviction of members who believe that this church cannot call or roster people in a publicly accountable, lifelong, monagamous, same-gender relationship. A resolution that the denomination consider a proposal for how it will exercise flexibility within its existing structure and practices to allow Lutherans in same gender relationship to be approved for professional service in the church. That resolution passed by a vote of 667-307.
One of the first lesbians in ministry I had the opportunity to know was Susan. Susan was a pastor of a small congregation in a rural area of the Northwest. Susan had been in a committed, monogamous same-sex relationship for more than 15 years but because of her denominational (the ELCA) requirement that only non-practicing homosexuals be allowed to serve in ministry within the church, Susan and her partner lived their lives and love in the closet. During the 15 years of their relationship, Susan and her partner lived in separate homes five miles apart and outside of a small circle of queer friends no one knew that Susan was gay or in a relationship. Susan was put into a position by the church that to safeguard her love for serving the church and pastoring God’s people she had to deny her other great love; the woman who God have brought into her life.
I don’t know where Susan is today or what her life looks like but as I read this news coming from the ECLA’s General Assembly, I can’t help thinking about her. I wonder if she and her beloved are still together or if the tension of living a hidden love eventually became too painful to endure. I wonder if she was finally forced into a position to give up her ministry or give up her relationship. I wonder if her life has continued on the same course so that now it’s 25 years spent denying her wholeness and her relationship out of a passionate commitment to hold onto the ministry and people to whom God had called her. Wherever she is today and whatever her life presently looks like, I’m thinking of her today, as I’m thinking of all the closeted gay and lesbian Lutheran seminarians I came to know and respect during my own seminary training. I hope their hearts and burdens are lightened with what is unfolding at the General Assembly of the ELCA, and I pray that in the future they will experience the joy of serving the church they love in wholeness and truth.
There’s reason to hope. May it be so.
Posted in Affirming Voices From Inside the Church, News and Events
Sweet Hope Cookies
August 21st, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Yay for you, the Susans, and all the other queer people of God in the ELCA. I imagine the joy you are feeling is akin to what we LGBT Episcopalians were feeling a month ago. My congratulations and love to you all. And may God be with those who did NOT vote for the resolutions. God soften their hearts, and hold all the Church together as you move forward from here.
August 21st, 2009 at 4:52 pm
“…the tension of living a hidden love eventually became too painful to endure.” 39 years ago I met my first love and partner; we were together for 9 years, raising 5 young children together while going through seminary. When she was called to pastor a church, our relationship didn’t survive the strain of being hidden. Our children were badly hurt as well. My tears today were for all the losses and pain and the death of our first and deepest love. I pray an end to that for others.
August 21st, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Wow, this is huge! I knew someone on the committee that forwarded the policy, and I knew her heart on this matter. But I have a question, how can they say that they will ordain and allow to serve GLBT pastors, and yet not have every church be open and affirming? I wouldn’t mind going back to the ELCA after 25 years away, but none in my town are open. Or does anyone know if that changed as well?
August 21st, 2009 at 5:30 pm
TDK–>My understanding is that the vote allows each congregation to make their own decision on the matter so obviously congregations that aren’t “Reconciling in Christ” may well not accept queer clergy, those congregations that are will be free to do so without correction or discipline by any governing body. As I understand it, the ELCA has basically taken the same step that the UCC and the DOC have already done. As someone ordained by the Disciples of Christ, I was ordained by the region in where I live and served openly in ministry in one congregation however had I sought ordination by another region that wasn’t O&A I could have been refused ordination and a pastorate even though the DOC General Assembly has taken a welcoming position. Such is the situation in denominations where every region and congregation has a level of self-governing (a good thing in my opinion) as opposed to denominations like the Southern Baptists where policy is determined at a national level.
August 21st, 2009 at 9:09 pm
I was *so* happy to see this news yesterday, John Piper’s “voice of doom” comments notwithstanding…
As for my reaction, well… I’m ELCA, and a few years back (when the statement on sexuality was being taken under consideration), I actually wrote to someone at the HQ in alarm, thinking that the church was going down the wide road to hell (or something like that…).
Who’da thunk I’d be commenting here one day, very much in favor of the way the vote went?!
August 22nd, 2009 at 8:15 am
So if a church doesn’t say if they are open and affirming, maybe you should talk to the pastor to find out his/her opinions. They may have just never taken a vote? I know the UCC in town has an inclusion statement on their bulletin, and the pastor is totally fine with GLBT issues, but she said they had never had a vote. However, there is at least one other couple. It is very confusing, and it should not be so hard to find a place to worship God. But I continue to pray, the day is coming and this vote was a huge step!
August 22nd, 2009 at 5:07 pm
I am a member of the ELCA, and I thank God for the voting members of the churchwide assembly so that we are now a more inclusive church.
August 22nd, 2009 at 7:18 pm
I’ve been a member of the LCMS for my whole life and in just a few days time I’ll be off to college in the (semi) big city. Only recently did I begin to accept my sexuality as a gift from God, but sadly the LCMS finds me to be an abomination which depresses me to no end. When I attend church every Sunday I’m saddened to the fact when I sit in my pew that everyone’s love, including my Pastor’s, isn’t unconditional if they learned about my sexuality… I don’t want to leave, because I absolutely adore Lutheranism and I can not picture my life without it. ELCA has become a beacon of hope to me, so I’ve been keeping ELCA in my prayers and thoughts as of late. I am greatly enjoyed and am in awe that the Lutheran Church (well at least ELCA) is becoming more accepting of folk such as ourselves. I feel less like an outsider now.
^___^ I love your blog Lady Anita! アニタさま！ ありがとう ございます！！！
August 23rd, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Andrew – the ELCA might be refreshing to you in a number of ways. (Communion is open, not closed like LCMS, and that’s just for starters.) Be prepared to look around a bit, as ELCA congregations are pretty diverse in their approaches. (Not unlike the Anglican communion, with ultra-high church to very “low” church and everything in between.)
And it’s great to see another Lutheran posting here!
August 26th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Thanks for such a welcoming response! I believe there is an ELCA near the college that I’ll soon be attending (On Sunday! *gulps* O__O) I’ll have to find my way there sometime to give it ago. To be honest I want to remain at my current church as long as I can. After all I was confirmed there and my current pastor who confirmed me is battling cancer, so I feel a bit a loyalty towards it and my Pastor. Not to mention that my parents attend it as well. Coming out to them in a few years should be fun. Heh…
I was wondering, would you please explain the difference between high and low church to me? Thanks!
August 26th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Andrew–> I appreciate your loyalty and commitments to the LCMS as someone who spent the first 40 years of my life in one denomination that held many cherished memories, people I loved, and was where my own faith originally blossomed. At the same time there are realities that will probably come to a head for you at some time Andrew, because if you’re going to seminary to pursue ministry, ministry will never be open to you in the LCMS if you choose to live as an out gay man…at least I wouldn’t ever imagine it happening in your life time anymore than I could imagine the doors swinging open in my former one. Regardless, how wonderful to hear you’re moving forward in your calling to ministry and I pray that you keep your heart open to where God directs you and at the time God directs you.
As to high and low church, generally what people mean by high church are those congregations that stress priestly leadership, religious ceremonies and liturgy, The Catholic church (in general) would fall at the highest end of what we normally classify as “high church.” On the other hand, “low church” are those congregations that have a style of worship that doesn’t necessarily include such things as a set order or service, limited rituals, and vestments for clergy. Many Protestant churches and certainly those that are evangelical or charismatic would fall in that category. And as e2tc suggests within certain denominations (including the ECLA as well as many others) there are churches that are more committed to a formal and traditional style than to a more contemporary and casual style.
Anyway, glad to have you with us Andrew
August 26th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Actually I’m going to art school to become an illustrator… Sorry about the mixup. I should have been more clear.
I do not plan on remaining a member of the LCMS forever, just until I’m done with college and I’m financially independent. They’re quite sturdy on their opinion on homosexuality and I agree that they will not change anytime soon. I came to this conclusion myself after reading the president of the LCMS’s statement about ELCA’s decision. It upset me quite a bit, not to mention that there’s a good chance that many of ELCA’s congregations are going to leave over this…
I would have to say I’m more of a high church type of guy. It doesn’t help that I was raised that way either. I absolutely adore the more traditional service personally, but not to the point where I’d refuse to attend a contemporary service or church. High church is what sparked my interest in art anyway. I’m a sucker for ceremony and pomp. My parents are afraid I’m going to be seduced into Roman Catholicism for this very reason. There’s no chance in that occurring though.
Anyway, I’d like to thank you again for writing these wonderful blogs! They have truly been instrumental in my long and arduous process of accepting myself as one of God’s children, and I don’t think it was an accident that I stumbled upon this blog. ^__^
August 27th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Gah! I should have just said “High chruch = more like LCMS” and been done with it.
sorry for the confusion, Andrew!
August 27th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Andrew—> I have no idea how I came to the assumption of seminary unless my synapses just misfired at the wrong moment. Regardless, my apologies for the confusion. The reason for you remaining in the LCMS with your financial dependence as you enter college makes perfect sense and is certainly not an uncommon dilemma for many younger gays and lesbians. The ECLA congregation I go to has a strong commitment to the arts and its relationship with spirituality which has definitely increased my own interest over the years. Unfortunately, while I see great works of art in my head, when those same visions reach the paper under my pen we’re talking about stick figures that even children find somewhat amusing. Nothing like having a 7 year old patronize you on your drawing skills
Blessings, Anita
August 31st, 2009 at 8:04 pm
I am so thrilled! I’m returning to church after a 10 year hiatus (18 years from the ELCA), and while the decision of the ELCA to accept and ordain gay and lesbian ministers who are in committed relationships neither sways my decision to return to church nor *directly* affects my life (I’m straight), it’s still a decision that makes me happy. It’s a sign that my denomination of choice is one or two steps closer to what I believe in my heart in regards homosexuality.
September 1st, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Gina–> While equality for all God’s people should have broken through the walls of every church years ago, there’s no way to not rejoice in this latest action by the ECLA and to receive it as a positive moment in the church’s history. Thank you so much for taking a break from your knitting to post your comment