wfn.org | ELCA Council Hears Progress Report on Studies on Sexuality

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 19, 2002

ELCA COUNCIL HEARS PROGRESS REPORT ON STUDIES ON SEXUALITY
02-271-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Studies on sexuality have begun in the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).	The ELCA Church Council
received a progress report from the studies' director, the Rev. James M.
Childs Jr., and its advisor to the studies' task force, Judy G. Biffle,
Houston.
     The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as
the legislative authority of the church between churchwide assemblies.
The council met here Nov. 15-17.  Assemblies are held every other year;
the next is Aug. 11-17, 2003, in Milwaukee.
     The 2001 Churchwide Assembly asked the ELCA Division for Ministry
and Division for Church in Society to lead a comprehensive four-year
study of homosexuality, with emphases on a policy on blessing same-sex
relationships and on having people in such relationships as lay or
ordained ministers.  Presently, ELCA policy expects ministers to refrain
from homosexual sexual relationships.  There is no official policy on
blessings of same-sex relationships, though the ELCA Conference of
Bishops has advised the church that it does not approve of such
ceremonies.
     The 2001 assembly called for a progress report to the 2003
Churchwide Assembly and for a final report with recommendations at the
2005 Churchwide Assembly.  The assembly also asked the Division for
Church in Society to prepare a social statement on human sexuality.
     The two divisions first assembled the Task Force for ELCA Studies
on Sexuality in May 2002.  It met again in September.  It is to assist
the divisions in developing study materials, recommendations and
proposals regarding the assembly mandates.
     Biffle, a member of the council, praised Childs and the task force
chairperson, the Rev. Margaret G. Payne, bishop of the ELCA New England
Synod, Worcester, Mass., for the "incredibly excellent job" the two have
done to reach consensus with people of various viewpoints.
     It was "a curious and awesome experience to be part of the task
force," said Biffle.  She described the members as deeply committed
people who know full well their work is being closely scrutinized.  Some
in the ELCA falsely accuse the task force "of putting words to a
preconceived outcome," she said.
     Biffle asked the council to pray for the task force and read
everything it produces with an open mind.  "Listen, listen and listen
some more," she told the council, because it will be important to know
what people across the church are saying about the task force's work.
She also encouraged council members to tell other ELCA members what they
know about the task force and its commitment.
     "The Holy Spirit is moving through this process," said Biffle.
She said God's involvement in the studies will work to relieve any
tension the church feels in discussing issues of sexuality.
     "A Message on Sexuality: Some Common Convictions," which the
council adopted in 1996, is the focus of "Journey Together Faithfully,
ELCA Studies on Sexuality: Part One," said Childs.  The materials have
provided a starting point for conversations in the church, he said.
     Childs told the council of many opportunities Lutherans have to
participate in the studies on sexuality.  He described his extensive
travel schedule and said it illustrated that ELCA members are taking the
studies seriously and that they want to talk.  He is also conducting
conference calls with groups of pastors.
     While calling some of his conversations "energizing" in the past
year, Childs said he feels "the burdens of the people concerned."  There
are "good Christian folks" expressing viewpoints on all sides of the
issues, he said.
     Childs thanked the board of Women of the ELCA for encouraging its
more than 8,000 congregational units to participate in the study process
locally.  He said he considered such support and participation
invaluable.
     Faculty members from most of the eight ELCA seminaries have been
involved in developing a book of essays on homosexuality and the church,
said Childs.  He said he was asked to edit that book prior to his
involvement with the studies.
     Childs told the council that Augsburg Fortress, the publishing
house of the ELCA, will issue the book in February, and it should prove
to be a helpful resource to the church's deliberations.  However, he
said, it is not a product of the task force and should not be confused
with its work.
-- -- --
     The ELCA maintains information about its studies on sexuality at
http://www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/ on the Web.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html