wfn.org | ELCA Publisher Releases Book on Homosexuality Perspectives

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 12, 2003

ELCA PUBLISHER RELEASES BOOK ON HOMOSEXUALITY PERSPECTIVES
03-098-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- A new book, "Faithful Conversation: Christian
Perspectives on Homosexuality," has been released by Fortress Press, a
division of Augsburg Fortress, the publishing house of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).  The book was commissioned by ELCA
seminary presidents, according to a news release from Augsburg Fortress.
     The 96-page paperback book "is aimed at engendering real
reflection and conversation by providing Christians with the basic tools
to engage the many dimensions of this question for themselves and with
each other," according to the news release.  The publication of the book
coincides with the current ELCA Studies on Sexuality.
     The ELCA is conducting the studies as mandated by the 2001
Churchwide Assembly. The assembly is the church's chief legislative
authority.  A purpose of the studies is to pose recommendations to the
2005 Churchwide Assembly for a policy on blessing same-gender
relationships and whether people in such relationships could serve as
lay or ordained ministers.
     The ELCA has no official policy on blessings of same-gender
relationships now, though the ELCA Conference of Bishops has advised the
church that it does not approve of such ceremonies. The church's
standards preclude anyone from ordained or lay ministry who engages in
sexual relationships outside of marriage.
     Another assembly mandate is to develop a social statement on human
sexuality that may be considered in 2007.
     "Faithful Conversation" was edited by the Rev. James M. Childs
Jr., currently on leave from his role as Sittler Professor of Christian
Ethics at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, an ELCA seminary in Columbus, Ohio.
Childs is currently director of the ELCA Studies on Sexuality.	His work
on the project began before he was named studies director.
     The book contains four essays, a "table talk" about how specific
issues in the church are affected by these perspectives, a select
bibliography of further readings and directions about how this resource
might be used, the Augsburg Fortress release said.
     Contributors to the book are ELCA seminary professors: Childs; the
Rev. Mark A. Powell, Trinity Lutheran Seminary; the Rev. James A.
Nestingen, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.; Dr. Martha Ellen Stortz,
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, Calif.; the Rev.
Richard J. Perry Jr., Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC); the
Rev. Jose David Rodriguez, LSTC; and the Rev. Daniel L. Olson, Wartburg
Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa.
     "This book should generate some solid discussion in our church,"
said the Rev. Paul T. Jersild, professor emeritus, Lutheran Theological
Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C.  "The variety of perspectives will
challenge readers, whatever their viewpoint, to examine their own
thinking about homosexuality. While acknowledging the subject's
importance and potential divisiveness, the authors recognize,
refreshingly, that our unity in Jesus Christ is a far more important
reality. The spirit of respect and civility that permeates this book is
a powerful model for each of us."
     "Building on a quarter century of learnings from studies and
deliberations in the United States, these authors probe for fresh
insights in how the church's responses can be grounded in what is
central in the Christian faith.  Their insights are worthy of
consideration," said the Rev. Karen L. Bloomquist, director of theology
and studies, Lutheran World Federation, Geneva, Switzerland.
-- -- --
     Information on Faithful Conversation: Christian Perspectives on
Homosexuality can be found at http://www.fortresspress.com on the Web or
by calling 1-800-328-4648.

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