Assembly calls for homosexuality document

Lutheran, The, Oct 2001

2005 deadline set for decisions on same-sex blessings and ministry questions

In three separate actions, Church-- wide Assembly voters speeded up consideration of gay and lesbian issues, which have been festering among the ELCA's 65 synods for several years. The assembly:

* Called for development of a study document on homosexuality by 2005, complete with proposals for action.

* Asked for a plan and timeline by 2005 that will lead to a decision about allowing gays and lesbians in committed relationships on ELCA ministry rosters.

* Authorized the development of a social statement on human sexuality.

The 1997 and 1999 assemblies called for conversations and the development of resources for discussion of homosexuality in congregations and synods. Voters at these assemblies refused to speed up work on the issue or to suspend disciplinary action against noncelibate gay and lesbian clergy. They insisted that the church needed more conversation before making decisions.

Since 1999, conversations have accelerated in many synods, and several synod assemblies have variously called the Churchwide Assembly to endorse and develop a rite of blessing for same-sex unions; to suspend the policy that requires celibacy for homosexual clergy and rostered lay ministers; to provide further guidance, including theological and educational materials on homosexuality and same-- sex blessings; and to develop a social statement on human sexuality.

These actions came before the 2001 assembly, which overturned several memorials committee recommendations related to the synod proposals. The committee, comprised of ELCA Church Council members and assembly voting members, makes recommendations on actions forwarded to the Churchwide Assembly from synod assemblies.

The committee called for ongoing discussions and the development of theological and educational resources. But the assembly voted to pursue the issues through the development of documents and studies and set deadlines for decisions.

Homosexuality document

Voting 899-115, the assembly called for a study document on homosexuality for use in congregations, synods, hearings and focus groups across the ELCA. Bishop Robert Rimbo, Southeastern Michigan Synod, offered this as a substitute motion, replacing the memorials committee recommendation to decline to develop such a document.

The document will "include study of the Lutheran understanding of the Word of God and biblical, theological, scientific and practical material on homosexuality." It will address the possibility of blessing committed same-gender relationships and the rostering of ministry candidates who are in such relationships.

A final report with action steps for implementation will be presented to the 2005 assembly. Beginning in 2002, the Church Council and synod assemblies will receive reports on the study process. The first edition and initial recommendations will be presented to the 2003 assembly.

The ELCA Ministry and Church in Society divisions will direct the study process, consulting with the Conference of Bishops, ELCA educational institutions and other churchwide units.

Ordination and rostering

In a related action, voting members directed (624-381) the Church Council, Conference of Bishops and the Division for Ministry to "create a plan and timeline leading to a decision concerning" the ordination and rostering of gay and lesbian people in committed relationships.

Anita Hill, a lesbian in such a relationship, had offered a motion calling for the church to take the steps necessary to allow "for the rostering of homosexual people" who are in relationships that are "mutual, chaste and faithful." In April, Hill was ordained in St. Paul, Minn., in a rite unauthorized and unrecognized by the ELCA.

But several speakers objected, saying Hill's proposal would preempt the assembly's earlier call for a thorough study of biblical, theological and scientific material on homosexuality.

The assembly then amended the proposal, calling for the development by 2005 of a plan and timeline leading to a decision on whether to allow gays and lesbians in committed relationships on ELCA ministry rosters.

Sexuality statement

In a third action on the same day, the assembly voted 561-386 to initiate a process "to develop a social statement on human sexuality." No timeline was established for the statement.

The South Dakota Synod assembly had requested such a statement, but the memorials committee had recommended against it, suggesting congregations engage in further conversation and study. The assembly adopted a substitute action that reinstated the call for such a study process.

Charles Miller, director of the Division for Church in Society, said the church in society and ministry units will seek ways to combine the study leading to the homosexuality document and the social statement. "Social statements require focus groups, hearings and forums [across the church]," he said, adding that the social statement process should be expected "later rather than sooner."