July 19, 2010

HOUSTON – In the final hours of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) convention here, delegates requested "a thorough response" to the 2009 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) social statement, Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust.

With little debate delegates voted 934-18 to adopt the resolution July 17.

The resolution stated that the social statement "suggests a concept of ‘bound conscience' as a ‘distinctly Lutheran' principle of theology." It also said the concept "was central to the rationale" of the ELCA assembly's actions which made it possible for people in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as clergy and other professional workers.

The resolution asked that the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR), in consultation with LCMS seminary faculties, "develop a thorough, biblical, confessional analysis of a response to Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust, with particular attention to the concept of ‘bound conscience.'"

The Rev. Donald J. McCoid, executive director, ELCA Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, said the ELCA welcomes engagement with its social statements. He also pointed out that the 2009 assembly adopted the social statement after a multi-year process that included multiple opportunities for congregations and individuals to review drafts and comment, including review and comment by ELCA seminary faculties and theologians.

"After the assembly actions, the ELCA continues to have and helps facilitate internal dialogue about understanding ‘bound conscience' and its application in the life of the church," McCoid said. "The ELCA social statement recognizes that there is not agreement on the concept of same-gender relationships, and we have pledged to respect the bound consciences of all, while maintaining our unity in Christ above all."

In a separate action convention delegates also adopted 861-119 a resolution amending a bylaw to allow for the LCMS president to declare "altar and pulpit fellowship" with emerging confessional churches.

Normally the LCMS convention approves altar and pulpit recognition of church bodies. The action allows the LCMS president, in consultation with senior LCMS leaders, to declare altar and pulpit fellowship with "small, formative or emerging" confessional Lutheran church bodies that ask for such recognition. The action also requires the next LCMS convention to endorse the president's declaration.

Speaking for the resolution, the Rev. Joel Lehenbauer, CTCR executive director, said this is a "time of unprecedented crisis and a time of opportunity" to connect with groups that may disagree theologically with other Lutheran church bodies, such as the ELCA or organizations such as the Lutheran World Federation.

He said the action gives the denomination the flexibility to "take advantage of such opportunities."

ELCA social statements are at http://www.elca.org/SocialStatements/, on the ELCA website.

ELCA News Service