Resolution
No. 8
A RESOLUTION CONCERNING HUMAN SEXUALITY
WHEREAS,
The traditional understanding of marriage as a divinely instituted union
between one man and one woman has been challenged in recent times by those who
advocate the blessing of same-sex unions; and
WHEREAS,
The expectations for ELCA rostered persons as outlined in the documents
"Visions and Expectations" that those who are homosexual in their
self-understanding shall refrain from homosexual relations has also been
challenged by those who advocate that the ELCA permit the rostering of those who
are in committed, homosexual relationships; and
WHEREAS,
The ELCA, at the 2001 Churchwide Assembly, responded to such challenges
by setting in motion a study process with a full report and possible
recommendations to be brought before the 2005 Churchwide Assembly; and
WHEREAS,
Congregations and individuals have been encouraged throughout the past
four years to be in study and prayer and discussion about these issues; and
WHEREAS,
It is our commitment in the ELCA that the Holy Scriptures be "the
authoritative source and norm of our proclamation, faith, and life" as
stated in the constitution of the ELCA; and
WHEREAS,
Homosexual sexual activity is condemned in the Scriptures, without
exception, in every passage in which it is discussed or portrayed, in both the
Old and New Testaments; and
WHEREAS,
No credible argument has been made from Scripture for the overturning of
this consensus judgment concerning homosexual sexual activity; and
WHEREAS,
The 2003 Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly accepted the statement below as
"an important perspective in the conversation on human sexuality"
without adopting it, therefore, be it
RESOLVED,
That the Northeastern Iowa
Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America adopt the following amended
version of “A Pastoral Statement of Conviction and Concern” on human
sexuality in accord with what the church has taught and confessed on these
issues since apostolic times.
l. The Bible and the Christian Tradition, including the Lutheran
Confessions, see sexuality as integrally related to the doctrine of marriage.
Marriage, an institution ordained by God, is the life-long union of one man and
one woman for the creation of human life and for their mutual love and care.
Sexual intercourse is not a fundamental private right or psychological
necessity, but a gift of God. Its purpose is to serve as a means of uniting
husband and wife and continuing God's life-creating work. The confessions teach
that we are to "live chastely in thought, word, and deed in (our)
particular situation" (Large Catechism 394:2l9, Tappert trans.).
Sexual intercourse is part of the vocation of marriage and is misused in any
other context.
2. The Gospel frees us from the curse of the Law, that is, the judgment
that falls on us because we are sinners. It does not free us from the righteous
life that the Law summarizes. "You, having been set free from sin, have
become slaves of righteousness" (Romans 6:l8). The freedom of the Gospel
does not make the forbidden permissible; rather, that freedom encourages and
enables us to embrace joyfully a life of faithful service and holy living. In
Christ we are given the grace, by the Holy Spirit, to "know how to control
(our) own body in holiness and honor" (l Thessalonians 4:4).
3. We view any change in the church’s doctrine of marriage as a grave
error. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is currently studying whether
the church may bless homosexual relationships, and whether the church may ordain
sexually active homosexuals to the office of the ministry. Such proposed changes
in Christian doctrine distort the Biblical record, appeal to questionable
scientific theories, suppress inconvenient data, and rely overwhelmingly on
individual experience which has been conditioned by contemporary culture and
values. We believe that
conversations on this issue should focus on the teaching of Holy Scripture and
the theological and confessional witness of the church. We call the church to
recognize that personal experience is not a reliable interpretive key to the
Word of God.
4. Several strategies have been proposed by those who wish to change the
present policy. One is “ordination to place,” in which a non-celibate
homosexual is ordained exclusively to serve one congregation. A second is
“synodical option,” which permits synods to set their own standards in this
matter. A third strategy might be termed “conscientious pluralism,” in which
traditional and revisionist perspectives on these matters are allowed to coexist
in the church. A fourth strategy is
to set up a "non-geographic synod" within the ELCA of congregations
willing to be served by rostered persons living in a committed homosexual
relationship. Any of these
proposals would destroy the unity of the ELCA and of its ordained ministry.
5. We acknowledge the genuine suffering and challenge that our
homosexual brothers and sisters face. We repudiate all forms of prejudice and
hatred, but we believe that Christian love requires the clear proclamation of
God’s truth which alone can free and reconcile us. Sensitive pastoral care for
homosexual persons will include compassion, encouragement and the same call to
repentance and chastity that God continually places before us all.
Because we love the whole church, many of us are facing a potential
crisis of conscience regarding the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We
earnestly desire to remain actively engaged in the life and mission of our
church. We therefore pray that our
church's reflection on human sexuality be determined by an obedient listening to
the Word of God and by a faithful witness to that Word; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That we commend the
aforementioned statement to the ELCA Task Force on Human Sexuality, Dr. James
Childs Director; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That we memorialize the
ELCA Churchwide Assembly to adopt the aforementioned statement at the 2005
Assembly.
Submitted by:
Marion Lutheran Church (Gunder), Elgin, Iowa; Norway Lutheran Church, St.
Olaf, Iowa; St Peter Lutheran Church, Greene, Iowa; St. John Lutheran Church,
Nashua, Iowa; St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Hudson, Iowa; Bethany Conference
Assembly; Shepherd of the Hills Conference Assembly; Wartburg Conference
Assembly; Upper Iowa River Conference Assembly.
ACTION OF THE
RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE:
Background:
The Resolutions Committee seeks to provide the opportunity for debate and
discussion on this resolution.
Recommendation:
Presented without prejudice
Status:
Upon presentation by the Resolutions Committee, this resolution will be
considered by the Assembly for action.
Vote required for
Adoption: Majority
RESULTS:
RESOLUTION PASSED
Vote by Ballot: YES - 204; NO - 156; ABSTAIN - 14
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