wfn.org | ELCA Assembly Addresses Homosexual Ordination

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 13, 2001

ELCA ASSEMBLY ADDRESSES HOMOSEXUAL ORDINATION
01-CWA66-LJG

     INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- By a vote of 624-381, voting members of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 2001 Churchwide Assembly
requested the Church Council, the Conference of Bishops, and the
Division for Ministry to create a specific plan and time line leading
toward a decision concerning the rostering of homosexual persons in
committed relationships.  The plan and any changes that would require
assembly approval will be placed before the 2005 ELCA Churchwide
Assembly. Presently, ELCA policy states that ordained ministers who are
homosexual in their self-understanding are expected to abstain from
homosexual sexual relationships.
     The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the
ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center.  There
are about 2,500 people participating, including 1,039 ELCA voting
members.  The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known:
Sharing Faith in a New Century."
     Voting members amended the original proposal by calling for "a
specific plan and time line leading to a decision concerning the
rostering of homosexual persons" who are in committed relationships.
They also said the specific plan and time line to be developed is not
limited to changes in the ordained clergy standards document, changes in
the church's discipline guidelines, amendments to the ELCA Constitution
and Bylaws and changes in all other related governing documents.
     The resolution said that if changes in ordination policies are
required to be acted upon by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, "such actions
shall be placed before the 2005 Churchwide Assembly for adoption or
ratification."
     The 2005 time line conformed the resolution to the assembly's
earlier action Aug. 13, in which it directed that the church implement a
study on homosexuality. In that action, the assembly said a final report
on the homosexuality study is to be presented at the 2005 Churchwide
Assembly "complete with action steps for full implementation."   During
debate, voting members discussed the implications of having a churchwide
study on homosexuality and a process for an ordination decision in place
at the same time.  Others were concerned that a request for a change in
ordination policy would pre-empt the homosexuality study.
     Also on Aug. 13, the assembly referred to the ELCA Church Council
a motion to create a Commission for Gay and Lesbian Persons.  The Church
Council's response is  to be reported to the 2003 ELCA Churchwide
Assembly.  The idea of forming a commission was referred after voting
members raised budget and constitutional concerns.
     Commissions exist in the ELCA for Women and for Multicultural
Ministries.  Each has a steering committee and staff people who monitor
and work with the program units of the church.
-- -- --
     Information about assembly actions is at
http://www.elca.org/assembly/01 on the ELCA's Web Site.  Recorded
updates during the assembly are available by calling 773/380-2477.

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