March 10, 2009

ITASCA, Ill. – Reporting that its own conversations "expressed the diversity of opinion that is common throughout the church," the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) addressed the church in a "pastoral word" concerning the contents of two ELCA documents.

Last month the Task Force for the ELCA Studies on Sexuality released a proposed social statement on human sexuality and a report recommending changes to ministry policies that could make it possible for people in committed same-gender relationships to serve as ELCA associates in ministry, deaconesses, diaconal ministers and ordained ministers.

The conference issued its pastoral word at the conclusion of its March 5-10 regular meeting here. Members met in closed, off- the-record sessions discussing the proposed social statement, "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust," and the "Report and Recommendation on Ministry Policies." The ELCA Churchwide Assembly will consider recommendations related to both documents when it meets Aug. 17-23 in Minneapolis.

The ELCA Conference of Bishops is an advisory body of the church, consisting of bishops who lead the 65 synods of the ELCA, plus the ELCA presiding bishop and ELCA secretary.

In its pastoral word, the conference said its members are convinced of two things: that the time of preparation for the 2009 Churchwide Assembly "is a hopeful time" and that the Holy Spirit is guiding deliberations. "This same Spirit increases our ability to listen patiently and speak honestly to one another," the conference wrote.

Referring to the proposed social statement, the conference said it rejoiced in "the strong affirmation of the gift of marriage, sexuality and family," and it affirmed "the faithful exposition of Holy Scripture and Lutheran Confessions." The conference said it supported the proposed statement's "bold confrontation of the commercialization of human sexuality" in the culture and acknowledged "the unity of the Church is the Holy Spirit's continuing gift."

Referring to the report and recommendation on ministry policies, the conference said "this document articulately names the breadth of opinion on the possible rostering of persons in committed, faithful same-gender relationships." Rostering refers to structures and processes by which people are approved for the ELCA's official church ministry.

"Further, it presents one option for working through a process for discernment and decision-making. We recognize that both the content of the resolutions and the proposed process for considering them arise from the task force's deep respect for the faithful diversity they find present in this church," the conference wrote.

"We prayerfully trust that God will guide this whole church in the coming months as we walk together in our deliberative processes," the pastoral statement said. "We know that our human decisions are often imperfect, but we are confident of God's persistent forgiveness. We are deeply committed to the unity of this church. Whatever decisions the assembly makes, we trust that God's Spirit will form the wisdom of God's faithful people gathered in deliberative assembly. We are prepared to stand together united in our continued service to the Church."

The conference expressed gratitude for the faithful work of the Task Force for the ELCA Studies on Sexuality, which produced the report and proposed social statement. Its "work over the past eight years has been a profound gift to this church," the statement said.

The full text of "A Pastoral Word to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America from the Conference of Bishops" is at http://tinyurl.com/54cu99/, on the ELCA Web site.

ELCA News Service