The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America last Friday (August 21) approved the implementing resolutions to the human sexuality statement of the Church passed earlier in the week. Basically the resolutions stated that the Church would find ways to ordain gay and lesbian candidates in healthy committed relationships and who are otherwise qualified to be Pastors in this Church. Ordination can only happen when a congregation calls a candidate. Because of all the dissension in other denominations over this issue, there is concern that about a third of Lutherans in the ELCA are opposed to these actions. Some churches and members will leave. The resolutions call for respecting those on both sides of the issue who are bound by conscience.
At St. Martin's I have been surprised that this whole issue has been somewhat a yawner. There are a few folks that would not have voted to go in this direction, but don't plan to leave the church. They do recognize that there are gay and lesbian churches in our more metropolitan areas who would benefit from clergy of the same persuasion. Back in the early 70's we ordained our first Chinese Lutheran Pastor (not a sin, btw) and placed him in a congregation in northern Wisconsin. It didn't work out very well! Later they placed him in a Chinese community where he thrived and grew the church. I spent a lot of time teaching some of the viewpoints from the scriptures on homosexuality, how they viewed it in the early centuries and why they wrote as they did inspired by God. The classes were well attended and only one family left as a result believing that homosexuality is a sin and not a part of the creation of God. That is usually what it boils down to.
Of course the media did not say anything about the more spectacular resolutions from a Christian perspective--full communion with the United Methodist Church; the multi-millon dollar Aids and Malaria initiative, continuing emphasis on youth and evangelism....all lost because when we talk about sex, people listen.
The sun will rise tomorrow; the Church isn't going down the tubes; some folks will leave; and we who stay will continue to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people. We will leave the judging to God. Our youth throughout the ELCA said "It's about time!" So, in the last 150 years, we abolished slavery; in the 60's got rid of segregation; in the 70's ordained women; and in 2009 knocked down the walls that keep ernest Christian gay and lesbian people in committed relationships from ordained ministry. The Church is lead by the Holy Spirit; there are wonderful Lutheran people on both sides of the issue. Both love the scriptures, yet seem them differently.
But, the sun will rise tomorrow, God willing
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I absolutely agree.
ReplyDeleteWe are all God's creation. When we begin judging and making substantial decisions based not on people themselves, but old, closed-minded thoughts, we run the risk of sending the message to others that their God-given gifts aren't as good as ours. That's the complete opposite of what I'm teaching my daughter.
All are welcome. It's that simple.
LF-B
Beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteI've thought so much about the various reasons given to justify segregation and discrimination. How is the world can anyone justify this behavior?! The notion of this literally makes me sick to the very pit of my stomach?!
Interestingly enough, it's in those moments that I catch a glimpse into that world and begin to gain insight into the anger and fear that drives people to discriminate. I am determined to remain vigilant that I DO NOT become that which I am against - meaning that I must not discriminate against those who discriminate! So for this reason, I send to you - who are anti-gay, anti-jewish, anti-Hispanic, anti-black, anti-asian, etc, I send you my love, I send you my compassion, and mostly I send you my unending prayers for your well-being.