wfn.org | Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod Responds To ELCA Sexuality Report

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

April 9, 2005

Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod Responds To ELCA Sexuality Report
05-061-RL*

     ST. LOUIS (ELCA) ? Scriptural authority is the foundational issue in
dealing with the blessing of same-sex unions and qualifications for the
professional ministries, according to a Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod
(LCMS) statement in response to a report of the Task Force for the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Studies on Sexuality.
     The statement was shared during theological discussions here March 29
between leaders of the ELCA and Missouri Synod.  Twice a year,
representatives of both church bodies meet as the Committee on Lutheran
Cooperation.  The churches work together in disaster response, world
relief, military chaplaincy and various social-ministry capacities.
     "As the LCMS has wrestled with the sensitive issue of homosexuality,
it has had to return time and again to the more fundamental question of
how we go about addressing these questions in the first place: namely on
the basis of the Holy Scriptures as God's inspired and inerrant Word,"
said the LCMS response.
     Noting that the Bible identifies homosexual behavior as sinful, the
LCMS statement said the authority of Scriptures guides consideration of
other moral and ethical questions.
     On Jan. 13 the task force for the ELCA Studies on Sexuality released
a report on its first three years of work.  The report included three
recommendations for the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to consider in
August, when it is expected to answer two key questions on homosexuality:
Should the church bless same-gender relationships?  Should the church
allow people in such relationships to serve the church as professional lay
and ordained ministers?
     The ELCA task force offered three recommendations:
+ concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of
disagreements.
+ continue to respect the pastoral guidance of a 1993 statement of the
ELCA Conference of Bishops opposing the blessing of homosexual
relationships but remaining open to pastors wanting to provide pastoral
care for gay and lesbian Lutherans.
+ continue under current standards that expect unmarried ministers to
abstain from sexual relations -- defining marriage as being between a man
and a woman -- but, respecting the consciences of those who find these
standards in conflict with the mission of the church, the ELCA may choose
to refrain from disciplining gay and lesbian ministers in committed
relationships and from disciplining those who call or approve partnered
gay or lesbian people for ministry.
     The ELCA Church Council will consider the report at its April 9-11
meeting in Chicago and will prepare a resolution for the ELCA Churchwide
Assembly which meets Aug. 8-14 in Orlando, Fla.
     The LCMS statement commended the report for its reaffirmation of the
ELCA position that "marriage is a lifelong covenant of faithfulness
between a man and a woman" and its decision not to recommend a revision of
the current standards regarding sexual conduct for ministers in the ELCA.
     "However, the report does not speak clearly and authoritatively
regarding homosexual behavior and the ordination of those who are openly
involved in such behavior," the LCMS statement said.  "This goes contrary
to the historic and universal understanding of the Christian Church
regarding what the Holy Scriptures teach about homosexual behavior as
contrary to God's will and about the biblical qualifications for holding
the pastoral office."
     The LCMS statement described the Missouri Synod's own efforts to deal
with ministry to homosexuals.  When a 1973 convention resolution set an
official position that homosexual behavior is "intrinsically sinful," it
also spoke of "ministering the forgiveness of our Lord Jesus Christ to any
and all sinners who are penitent."
     The statement also cites other LCMS convention resolutions and
reports dealing with ministry to homosexuals and instances among
professional church workers, and it reflects concern that the topic of
homosexual behavior may further distance the relationship between the two
church bodies.
_ _ _
     The complete statement with the current list of signers is available
at
http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/Office%20of%20the%20President/CLC%2
0Memo%20to%20LCMS%20re%20ELCA%20Sexuality%20Report-March%202005.pdf

* Roland Lovstad is a freelance reporter from St. Louis.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news