Heartache in the ELCA

A couple of weeks ago Sean's (my son) church left the ELCA and subsequently his Bishop asked that he choose between being put on leave without call or resigning from the ELCA. Sean sent him a letter of resignation which he copied me. I knew it was coming but it still broke my heart. It felt like a death in the family. Sean is now rostered in the LCMC (Lutheran Congregations in Mission For Christ). This group has about 200 churches. I sent him a note saying that while I disagreed with his decision and the decision of his congregation, I was proud that he had the courage of his convictions.

He didn't leave the ministry. He didn't beat his wife. He wasn't jailed for murder. He just left the ELCA. Why? It is over the interpretation of scriptures and an understanding of the Lutheran Confessions scripted in the late 1500's.

When the ELCA meet last August, the assembly voted to accept the sexual statement of the Church and further voted to allow the ordination of gay and lesbian Pastors in healthy and committed relationships. At each point the assembly deliberated, and prayed many times. When the vote was taken, it passed by the 2/3s majority.

This was the final straw for some churches and Pastors. Their fundamental belief is that homosexuality is a sin. The folks in the Old Testament thought so (along with other "sins" that no longer concern us like eating shell fish, pork and the like). The precious few passages in the New Testament point that way as well even though Paul in Romans lumped those people with idolators. In each case, the people in those days didn't have an understanding of homosexuality in the sense that they had no category of people who were homosexual. They believed that all were heterosexual and some of those heterosexuals would engage in homosexuality for "something extra."

We have learned some things since those writings. We call that contexual understanding of the scriptures. In the context of ancient people and writings, homosexuality was sinful. In today's context we know something different. St. Augustine in the 4th century said "Science informs faith, faith does not inform science." (City of God). When the Lutheran Confessions came out in the 16th century, there was still no understanding of the issues before us.

Those on the other side of the issue today do not believe that modern context should inform or be on an equal footing as the scriptures. Really fine Christians are divided on this. I am sure we have in our congregation at St. Martin's people who might side with the more traditional view, but to their great credit they have not let it divide us and our mission for Christ which is far more urgent than figuring out what is going on in the bedrooms of our people!

Are there sinful gay and lesbian people? Of course. Do they sometimes engage in sinful sexual behavior? Of course. Are there sinful heterosexual people? Of course. Do they sometimes engage in sinful sexual behavior? Of course. Any behavior is sinful that takes the gifts of God and misuses them in selfish and dehumanizing ways. We do not expect that behavior out of Christian committed people straight or gay.

My second son, Joel serves in a Lutheran church which will also leave the ELCA. I am ready for that. What remains is that they are my sons; I love them and respect them but I don't agree with them! I suspect I am not the first parent to be in this position nor will I be the last. Thanks be to God that they are Christian men, raising Christian families. I follow Christ, they follow Christ, its just this understanding the Bible thing that gets in the way!

Peace