wfn.org | ELCA Council Places Trust In Voting Members On Recommendation

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ELCA Council Places Trust In Voting Members On Recommendation Two
CWA-01-05-MRC

     ORLANDO, FLA. (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) expressed its
"trust and confidence" in voting members of the 2005 ELCA
Churchwide Assembly to discern what "pastoral care" implies
concerning same-gender relationships and if the blessing of same-
sex couples is precluded or provided for within this pastoral
care.
     The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and
serves as the legislative authority of the church between
churchwide assemblies.	The council met here Aug. 7 on the eve of
the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly at the Orlando World Center
Marriott Resort and Convention Center, Aug. 8-14.
     The Synod Council of the ELCA Southwestern Pennsylvania
Synod, Pittsburgh, asked the Church Council to provide
clarification on the intention of a second of three
recommendations that address whether or not the church will bless
same-sex relationships and whether or not the ELCA will allow
people in such relationships to serve the church as professional
lay and ordained ministers.  It also requested that the Church
Council relay that clarification to voting members of the 2005
Churchwide Assembly.
     Recommendation Two proposes that the ELCA "continue to
respect the guidance of the 1993 advisory statement of the
Conference of Bishops" and "that this church welcome gay and
lesbian persons into its life . and trust pastors and
congregations to discern ways to provide faithful pastoral care
to same-sex couples."  The 1993 advisory statement said the ELCA
Conference of Bishops finds no basis in Scripture for blessing
homosexual relationships and do not approve of such a ceremony as
an official action of the ELCA's ministry.
     In response to the synod's request, the Church Council
expressed concern that any additional information it can provide
regarding Recommendation Two may "further complicate rather than
clarify" information prepared by the Church Council, which has
been distributed and discussed across the church.  The council
also anticipated that voting members' "ongoing dialogue and
discernment will establish the clarity" sought by members of the
Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod.
     The three recommendations to appear before the assembly were
developed during the first part of a study process known as the
ELCA Studies on Sexuality.  A study director and a task force
developed a report and recommendations, which were made public
Jan. 13.  Members of the ELCA were encouraged to respond to the
recommendations; their responses were provided to the Church
Council as it considered resolutions for assembly action.
Recommendation One proposes that the ELCA -- its members,
congregations, synods, churchwide organization, agencies and
institutions -- "be urged to concentrate on finding ways to live
together faithfully in the midst of disagreements, recognizing
the God-given mission and communion that we share as members of
the body of Christ."  Recommendation One and Recommendation Two
require a simple majority vote for adoption.
     Recommendation Three would "create a process for the sake of
outreach, ministry and the commitment to continuing dialogue,
which may permit exceptions to the expectations regarding sexual
conduct for gay and lesbian candidates and rostered leaders in
life-long, committed and faithful same-sex relationships who
otherwise are determined to be in compliance" with the conduct
the church expects of its ministers.  Recommendation Three
requires at least a two-thirds vote from the assembly for
adoption, since constitutional bylaws must be amended.
- - -
Information about the ELCA Churchwide Assembly is at
http://www.elca.org/assembly/05 on the Web.

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