wfn.org | Canadian church affirms action welcoming gays and lesbians

[FRANK_IMHOFF.parti@ecunet.org (FRANK IMHOFF)]

Other debates on homosexuality defeated

REGINA, Canada/GENEVA, 21 July 1999 (lwi)   Delegates attending the
Seventh Biennial Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
(ELCIC) strongly affirmed the action of the ELCIC's National Church
Council (NCC) in taking steps to create an environment that assists the
church in becoming a more inclusive and welcoming place for gay and
lesbian persons.

The resolution developed on the floor of the 7 to 11 July 1999 meeting
after consideration of three submissions from congregations related to
homosexuality.

According to the ELCIC News, no action was taken on a resolution from
two Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, congregations-Zion and Grace-that asked the
ELCIC to endorse a resolution similar to the one adopted by the
(Anglican) Lambeth Conference, when it was noted that, in 1993, the
ELCIC had already stated that it does not ordain openly practicing
homosexuals, nor does it bless homosexual unions.

Delegates to the ELCIC convention did not endorse a resolution from Our
Saviour's, Hussar, Alberta that asked delegates to "clearly state that
any sexual activity outside the boundaries of a heterosexual marriage is
unpleasing to God. In the debate, delegates indicated that they found
the wording too ambiguous. "What exactly would we mean by 'any' sexual
activity?" the ELCIC News quotes a delegate asking. Another wondered
whether polygamy would be included since it is a form of heterosexual
marriage.

Also rejected was a "reparative therapy" of homosexual persons in NCC's
discussion of ministry to homosexual persons. It was noted that "Caring
Conversation," a model which has been developed for use in
congregations, already calls for a broad spectrum of experience
regarding homosexuality to be included. However, it was stressed at the
convention that anyone who participated in such conversation must be
willing to listen to what others had to say and to limit questions "to
those that seek to understand versus make a point."

Later during the convention, a resolution was approved to make available
to the ELCIC congregations "Six Studies on Homosexuality," a resource
that was published in 1985 by the Division of Social Services, the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada. The resolution was proposed by
the Rev. Darryl Roste in view of "the need for scholarly and faithful
reflection on the scriptural testimony from a Lutheran perspective."

NCC member Betty-Anne Mossman asked delegates not to read more in the
Council's action to make the ELCIC a more welcoming place than was
intended. She indicated that, while she would prefer to have a solid
bridge of concrete and steel clearly ahead, at present it felt more like
the ELCIC was taking a timid step onto a suspension bridge. "I'm not
totally comfortable with the footing, but I believe that God will be
with us in the endeavor," she said.

(The LWF is a global communion of 128 member churches in 70 countries
representing 58 million of the world's 61.5 million Lutherans. Its
highest decision making body is the Assembly, held every six or seven
years. Between Assemblies, the LWF is governed by a 49-member Council
which meets annually, and its Executive Committee.)

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