wfn.org | LWI 2009-048 ELCA Assembly Adopts Social Statement on Human Sexuality

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ELCA Assembly Adopts Social Statement on Human Sexuality
LWF President Underscores Focus on Church Witness

MINNEAPOLIS, United States of America/GENEVA, 20 August 2009 (LWI) - The  2009 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America  (ELCA) has adopted a social statement on human sexuality, "Human Sexuality:  Gift and Trust" with a vote of 676 (66.67 percent) to 338 (33.33  percent). Its adoption on 19 August required a two-thirds vote.

"Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust" is the denomination's 10th social  statement. Social statements assist Lutherans in their moral deliberation,  govern the ELCA's institutional policies and guide the church's advocacy  work. The statement addresses a spectrum of topics relevant to human  sexuality from a Lutheran perspective.

The ELCA Churchwide Assembly is taking action on two separate documents  this week. In addition to the social statement, a proposal on ministry  policies could lead to policy changes allowing gay and lesbian pastors in  committed, same gender relationships to officially serve on the roster of  the 4.6 million member church.

Prior to the assembly vote, speakers opposed to the social statement said  they believed endorsing the document would abandon the church's reliance  on the Bible and separate the Lutheran denomination from the majority of  Christendom. But those favoring the document insisted that a greater  acceptance of gays and lesbians in the church and its ministry is  consistent with the command to care for one's neighbor and to build  trusting relationships.

Speaking earlier at a 17 August news conference as the ELCA opened its  eleventh biennial assembly, Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson said a  respectful discussion on sexuality by the church would demonstrate that  while Lutherans may not be "of one mind," they can still be "united in  faith and in our shared mission together."

Hanson is also president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), to which  the ELCA belongs.

"We have an opportunity this week to bear witness in a culture that often  wants to polarize and see all questions in their polar opposites," Hanson  noted. The bishop said he was confident that the church could learn to  live with its differences.

Questioned about his own preference on the sexuality issues facing the  ELCA, Hanson said he believed his call was to "shepherd this church"  through the discussion and, as LWF president, represent Lutherans  worldwide, including those who are strongly opposed to the changes being  discussed by the ELCA.

The ELCA will also vote on a proposal to establish full communion with the  United Methodist Church, allowing for combined congregations and exchange  of clergy and members, among other actions.

Addressing the assembly, Hanson asked "What shall be our witness this  week?" He suggested 15 ways the church might answer the question over the  next eight years. These included increased scriptural fluency, a fully  implemented strategy on HIV and AIDS, a totally green assembly in 2013, a  social statement on justice for women, and a commitment to mission by all  congregations, among other points.

He invited listeners to "think ahead eight years ... looking back from  2017," the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, on "what ... we  want our witness to have been."

"This assembly's discussions and decisions will shape our witness," Hanson  said. "So, too, will responses that are made to our actions," he added.  (541 words)

Information about the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly can be found at:
http://www.ELCA.org/assembly

(A compilation from ELCA News Service articles)

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(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran  tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF currently has 140  member churches in 79 countries all over the world, with a total membership  of 68.5 million. The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches in areas  of common interest such as ecumenical and interfaith relations, theology,  humanitarian assistance, human rights, communication, and the various  aspects of mission and development work. Its secretariat is located in  Geneva, Switzerland.)

[Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the LWF's information service. Unless  specifically noted, material presented does not represent positions or  opinions of the LWF or of its various units. Where the dateline of an  article contains the notation (LWI), the material may be freely reproduced  with acknowledgment.]

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