Homosexuality & the ELCA

Last week the Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA voted by 56-44% to adopt a document that allows for local congregations to choose as their pastor a gay person who is engaged in a committed monogamous relationship. Since that time, it would seem as if all "hell" has broken loose. This is unfortunate.

While I understand there are those who believe this is an issue of scriptural authority and thus argue that the ELCA has chosen to ignore scripture in its attempt to be cultural relevant. I would disagree. Having read the documents, and having studied some of the issue, what i see is a church that takes the scriptures so seriously that we are not going to allow our prejudice to blind us. Quite honestly, there are scholars who disagree about the passages in question. Quite honestly, there is a serious question of biblical hermeneutics that leads to a division of the house. Over the centuries the church has had to struggle with issues of inclusively or exclusivity, universality or uniqueness, and law or gospel. Ultimately for me, I see God's movement in history toward inclusion of those who were once considered to be outside the pale of God's grace. I believe this to be God's movement in my life.

Others believe this is a question of tradition, and that the ELCA has broken with the long-standing traditions of the Christian faith. Yes, I would agree this is a momentous event and its importance should not be diminished. Yet if we look at the tradition of the Lutheran "tribe," one can only appreciate that this is a movement of God's people that will not allow the church to be held captive by custom and tradition. This is a church that was founded by a heretic who stood before the throne of Christendom and yet was unwilling to compromise simply because he stood alone. Armed with a sense of the Holy Spirit, Luther's response to tradition and authority was to boldly expand the churches understanding of God's grace. Today we give thanks for the heretics of yesterday for they serve as our heroes today. Here too, I stand.

Another concern is that we are breaking with our ecumenical partners around the world. Yes, different ecclesiastical orders see this differently. Yet, there already is division within the Body of Christ as to who is prepared and fit for ordained ministry. Some deny that married clergy can serve. Others would say that divorced clergy or that women cannot serve. Despite these differences, we nonetheless can work together as we agree on the one essential of Christ's saving action at the cross. This may make life together messier, but then that is the nature of relationships as we seek to be graced by the different gifts of one another.

Finally we get to the pastoral issues. What will we teach and how will we live in community together when we disagree on such matters. I am not too concerned as to what we will preach, as again I believe that we have disagreed about many passages in the Bible in the past (as well as our theological reflections) and yet we are able to commune one with another. I would suggest that this is a time for us to remember our sacramental identity. In baptism we believe God calls and chooses us. We believe that the Holy Spirit is released among us. Whatever we believe about the nature of one's sexuality we are united in the promise of our baptism. The same is true in the promise of the Eucharist. This is not an action dependent upon our worth, for we know our anthropology, but this is God's work uniting his people around the great command Jesus gave his disciples, "Love one another as I have loved you." As God has loved us, it is founded in such love that the church will bind itself together.

I understand that people are hurting and disappointed. Of course there are others who are truly rejoicing. For some it feels as if that which we believed was true has been taken away from them. Others feel that the walls of legalism have finally been battered down by God's grace. Regardless of how you read this issue, I for one believe this is a time for us to cast off all idols and trust in the Holy Spirit working through the church as a Body as we share in a bond of love found in Christ. Let us focus on what unites us rather than what divides us. Let us know that the journey of faith is not for the faint of heart, but trusting that God will not allow us to make this journey alone.

Peace.