wfn.org | Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality Holds First Meeting

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 10, 2002

TASK FORCE FOR ELCA STUDIES ON SEXUALITY HOLDS FIRST MEETING
02-113-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) is engaged in studies to answer specific questions about
homosexuality and to develop a social statement on sexuality.  A 13-
member Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality assembled here May 3-5
for its first meeting.
     "This is a group that wants to listen to the church, not to go
about its own agenda," said the Rev. James M. Childs Jr., director for
ELCA Studies on Sexuality.  "There is a keen desire to be very good
listeners to one another's views," he said.
     The Rev. Margaret G. Payne, bishop of the ELCA New England Synod,
Worcester, Mass., and task force chair, noted "the honesty of open
exchange that began to be more evident as the time went on."
     "The main thing that was accomplished was the establishment of a
working relationship and getting a grasp of the task that is before us,"
said Payne.  "I came back from the meeting with a new sense of certainty
that everyone was committed to doing this work together in prayer and
for the sake of the gospel, instead of any agenda," she said.
     The task force is to work with the director in setting directions
for the studies and in the preparation of reports and documents.  The
ELCA Division for Church in Society and Division for Ministry share
overall leadership for the sexuality studies.  Their boards appointed
the task force in March.
     In August 2001, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly mandated a study on
homosexuality that would help the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in 2005 make
key decisions about the church's positions on blessing same-gender
unions and on acknowledging clergy and lay leaders who live in committed
gay or lesbian relationships.  The churchwide assembly is the chief
legislative authority of the ELCA; it meets every other year.
     The ELCA has no churchwide policy on the blessing of same-gender
unions; its standards preclude homosexuals from ordained or lay ministry
if they engage in homosexual sexual relationships.
     The 2001 assembly also asked for a proposed social statement on
sexuality.  That proposed statement may be ready for consideration in
2007.
     The Rev. Joseph M. Wagner, executive director of the ELCA Division
for Ministry, told the task force its members were selected for their
ability to collaborate and to listen.  He said they will need to listen
hard for the church's conservative voices.
     Wagner said many people in the ELCA "don't want to be embarrassed
or feel they must defend themselves" in the open forums the church
normally sponsors in a study process to gain the perspectives of
Lutherans.
     The Rev. Terence E. Fretheim, professor at Luther Seminary, St.
Paul, Minn., and task force member, described a meeting he had with
about 35 ordained and lay ministers of the ELCA Montana Synod.  He
reported to the task force several points they wanted him to raise about
the studies' process and the ways the ELCA deals with possibly
contentious issues.
     Many task force members volunteered "to be present for events in
synods in the church, wherever possible, simply to listen, record and
bring back what the concerns and convictions are out there in the
church," said Childs.
     "I don't think we can listen enough," said Erin Clark, student at
Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, and task force member.
     Childs said the ELCA Church Council approved a total $1.15 million
to fund the six-year project, which, among other expenses, will make it
possible to hold about 32 hearings across the United States and
Caribbean.  The council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as
the legislative authority of the church between its churchwide
assemblies.
     The task force began to review and discuss existing resources,
such as the ELCA's 1996 message "Sexuality: Some Common Convictions" and
the church's "Talking Together as Christians about Homosexuality."  Some
members agreed to review books on related subjects for the task force.
     The group discussed subjects it would like consultants to address
at future meetings.
     The task force also began to make individual assignments.  When it
meets again in September, each member is to identify "the strongest
arguments both for and against change" of current church policies
regarding homosexuality.  That exercise will help the task force begin
"to envision and produce what will become a study document for the
church," said Childs.
-- -- --
     The ELCA Studies on Sexuality are featured 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