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| What of Sexuality? |
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In a mere matter of days, the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality will release a long-awaited Social Statement on Human Sexuality. The draft document will be available at
http://www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/
as of 13 March 2008 at 1:00PM ET.
In no way do I want to pre-empt the document and discussion thereof. I think that it is fair to say that the work of this Task Force is daunting in a climate of fear of and resistance to substantive change in attitudes and policies that are entrenched historically and culturally. I think it also fair to say that the discussion we can and should have -- as families, as church, and as Christian community -- is one we too often choose to avoid, or by agreement, bury -- I think -- to our detriment. We ought to be strong enough in our faith to wrestle with the issue of how God intends for us to live in relationship to one another -- and that includes dealing with LGBT people who seek God's love and our welcome into the church.
Join me in prayer that we can have an open, respectful dialogue that helps heal wounds and make the body of Christ whole. |
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Something that I do believe it is time for this community of Peace to adopt is an Affirmation of Welcome for GLBT people and their families.
As a community of the people of God, we are called to minister to all people in our world, knowing that the world is often an unloving place. Our world is a place of alienation and brokenness. Christ calls us to reconciliation and wholeness. We are challenged by the Gospel to be agents of healing within our society. We affirm with the apostle Paul that in Christ "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female" (Galatians 3:28). Christ has made us one. We acknowledge this reconciliation extends to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Because gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons and their families are often scorned by society and alienated from the Church, we wish to make known our caring and concern. It is for this purpose that we affirm the following: - that people of all sexual orientations and gender identities share the worth that comes from being unique individuals created by God;
- that people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome within the membership of Peace Lutheran Church upon making a common, public Affirmation of faith; and
- that as members of Peace Lutheran Church, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of this congregation.
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Yesterday the ELCA released its Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality. You may view the document from the website cited above.
I am reasonably certain that the Statement will provoke discussion. there is considerable effort to lay out the church's current thinking on God's intent for us as sexual beings, informed by Scripture. There will be those that dislike the church's position on how to read, interpret, and apply the Bible as God's living Word. There will be those that dislike the church's conclusion that there is no consensus within the body (of Christ) on the sinfulness [or not] of same-gender relationships. From my own perspective, the document appears to set the stage for listening, discerning, and acting consistent with God's call for us to love one another -- which we can use a lot of.
With respect to being a welcoming congregation:
"Although this church [the ELCA] lacks consensus [regarding public accountability for loving and committed same-gender relationships], it calls for all people to live out their faith in the community of the baptized. Following previous decisions of this church, we call on congregations to welcome, care for and support same-gender-oriented people and their families, and to advocate for their legal protection."
I have formally proposed to our Leadership Council that we adopt an Affirmation of Welcome such as the one above. I'd like to see Peace Lutheran added to the list of congregations that have stepped forward in a public manner to be recognized as a Reconciled in Christ congregation. There are but two in Virginia -- one of those is St. Mark Lutheran in Charlottesville.
--eric |
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