This week our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America met in a churchwide assembly with voters from all the synods to conduct the work of our national church. The theme of the assembly was"God's Work, Our Hands". I encourage all of you to go to the ELCA website to read and watch videos of the weeks events. http://elca.org. Our synod's voters also have a blog at bishopmike.posterous.com.
The most controversial issue by far were the votesin support of the new social statement on sexuality called, "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust". You can read about it at: http://www.elca.org/What-
This teaching document allows the church to have a standing disagreement about the ethics of homosexuality and lifelong same sex relationships. The statement does not support any position, but just states the obvious that there is conflict on this issue in the ELCA. The statement calls for all members to respect "the bound conscious" of each other on this issue.
The assembly also voted to allow ordination of clergy who are in lifelong, publically accountable same sex relationships on a local basis. You can read this statement at http://www.elca.org/What-
The statement allows for a "structured flexibility". What this means is that no congregation will be forced to call a pastor they do not want and congregations will have the flexiblity, in certain approved circumanstances, to call the pastor they do want. The statement tries to find a middle ground. We are still waiting to see how the national church will implement these new ministry guidelines.
Even in our own congregation there is division on these sexuality issues. Here is my guidance.
First and foremost the church is always and forever local. What matters most in our congregation is our proclamation of the Gospel and our living out this evangelical mission in our community. God has sent us here and we stay focused on how we believe the Spirit is leading us to do mission and ministry in this community. What this means is that we do not let ourselves become distracted with issues that are not relevant to us. No pastor in a same sex publicly accountable relationship is seeking to serve our congregation. Same sex marriage is illegal in the state of Texas.
We have enough challenges as a church without adding controversy that is not directly relevant us.
Second, we affirm the great gift of baptism and the love poured out on all people. We do not preach condemnation, but John 3:16, "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". What this means is that we respect everyone's conscience on this matter. We lay before people the teachings of the Word of God on sexuality and let them decide how they should respond. We do not excommunicate people about this issue.
Furthermore, I am not comfortable discussing sexuality in public and I leave it as a private matter as long as it is not abusive or exploitive of others. Because of my reluctance, I will not preach about this or have classes. If you want to discuss this privately, I am available.
The bottom line is this: God needs our hands to do his work here in our area. Let us roll up our sleeves and concentrate on the mission field before us. We have children to nurture. We have care to offer. We have the hungry to feed. We have prayer and worship to do. We have great truths from scripture to learn. We have a Gospel centered community to build. We have people lost in brokenness and despair all around us and we have a Gospel to share with them.
Remember: Stay focused on God's work, our hands.
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