There have been two recent developments in the ELCA regarding the issue of same-sex relationships and the leadership of the church. Both are challenges to the policy of the church, and the decisions made by the 2005 Churchwide Assembly:
1) The New England Synod of the ELCA has produced a document entitled: “Guidance for Pastors and Congregations of the New England Synod, ELCA Regarding the Blessing of Unions of Same-Sex Couples - A Statement by the Synod Council of the New England Synod, ELCA.” In contradiction to the 1993 Conference of Bishops Statement, that “there is basis neither in the Scripture nor tradition for the establishment of an official ceremony by this church for the blessing of a homosexual relationship” – that is precisely what this document does. The guidelines provide a "how to" list of instructions for same-sex blessings in various situations. The document, however, offers no protection, guidance, or acknowledgement of synod pastors who would choose NOT to perform such ceremonies. (Those who are interested in reading the document can seek it on the New England Synod website. Bishop Margaret Payne assured me by email that it would be made available soon. – ed.)
2) In the first “test case” of whether the ELCA will remain faithful to its ordination standards, a Discipline Commitee has ruled that Pastor Bradley Schmeling be removed from the ELCA clergy roster. Schmeling, who reported to his bishop that he is in a homosexual relationship with another man, is pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Atlanta. The Committee's reluctant ruling, however, went on to recommend that the ELCA overturn the Orlando Assembly’s action by eliminating standards related to homosexual conduct from “Vision & Expectations for Ordained Ministers” and to change the ELCA Constitution to reinstate all pastors who resigned or were terminated on that basis. An article can be found on the ELCA website at: http://www.elca.org/ScriptLib/CO/ELCA_News/encArticleList.asp?article=3521
1) The New England Synod of the ELCA has produced a document entitled: “Guidance for Pastors and Congregations of the New England Synod, ELCA Regarding the Blessing of Unions of Same-Sex Couples - A Statement by the Synod Council of the New England Synod, ELCA.” In contradiction to the 1993 Conference of Bishops Statement, that “there is basis neither in the Scripture nor tradition for the establishment of an official ceremony by this church for the blessing of a homosexual relationship” – that is precisely what this document does. The guidelines provide a "how to" list of instructions for same-sex blessings in various situations. The document, however, offers no protection, guidance, or acknowledgement of synod pastors who would choose NOT to perform such ceremonies. (Those who are interested in reading the document can seek it on the New England Synod website. Bishop Margaret Payne assured me by email that it would be made available soon. – ed.)
2) In the first “test case” of whether the ELCA will remain faithful to its ordination standards, a Discipline Commitee has ruled that Pastor Bradley Schmeling be removed from the ELCA clergy roster. Schmeling, who reported to his bishop that he is in a homosexual relationship with another man, is pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Atlanta. The Committee's reluctant ruling, however, went on to recommend that the ELCA overturn the Orlando Assembly’s action by eliminating standards related to homosexual conduct from “Vision & Expectations for Ordained Ministers” and to change the ELCA Constitution to reinstate all pastors who resigned or were terminated on that basis. An article can be found on the ELCA website at: http://www.elca.org/ScriptLib/CO/ELCA_News/encArticleList.asp?article=3521
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