Response to ELCA Sexuality Studies

WHEREAS, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is constitutionally committed to the Holy Scriptures as “the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith and life;” and

WHEREAS the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s current standards of conduct for ordained ministers are enumerated in Visions and Expectations:  Ordained Ministers in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America which includes the following statement regarding the sexual conduct of ordained ministers:

 “The expectations of this church regarding the sexual conduct of its ordained ministers are grounded in the understanding that human sexuality is a gift from God and that ordained ministers are to live in such a way as to honor this gift. Ordained ministers are expected to reject sexual promiscuity, the manipulation of others for purposes of sexual gratification, and all attempts of sexual seduction and sexual harassment, including taking physical or emotional advantage of others. Single ordained ministers are expected to live a chaste life. Married ordained ministers are expected to live in fidelity to their spouses, giving expression to sexual intimacy within a marriage relationship that is mutual, chaste, and faithful. Ordained ministers who are homosexual in their self-understanding are expected to abstain from homosexual sexual relationships;” and

WHEREAS, the ELCA Conference of Bishops has affirmed that “There is basis neither in Scripture nor tradition for the establishment of an official ceremony by this church for the blessing of a homosexual relationship. We, therefore, do not approve such a ceremony as an official action of this church’s ministry” (1993 Statement); and

WHEREAS the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is involved in a study of human sexuality and exploring the specific issues of blessing same-sex unions and ordaining gay and lesbian persons living in committed relationships; and 

WHEREAS individuals, congregations and synods have been asked to provide responses regarding the appropriate action for the ELCA Churchwide Assembly to take in 2005; and

WHEREAS, this will be the last opportunity of the South Dakota Synod to provide a formal response to the Task Force for ELCA Sexuality Studies prior to its formation of recommendations for the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Dakota Synod affirms and endorses the current standards of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America regarding the sexual conduct of its ordained ministers as articulated in Visions and Expectations:  Ordained Ministers in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Dakota Synod affirms and endorses the 1993 statement of the ELCA Conference of Bishops regarding the question of blessing same-sex unions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Dakota Synod asks the Task Force for ELCA Sexuality Studies and the ELCA Church Council to affirm the current ELCA policies regarding the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of gay and lesbian persons in committed relationships as articulated in Visions and Expectations:  Ordained Ministers in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and in the 1993 statement of the ELCA Conference of Bishops; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Dakota Synod Assembly memorializes the 2005 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to formally adopt and affirm the current ELCA policies regarding the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of gay and lesbian persons in committed relationships as articulated in Visions and Expectations:  Ordained Ministers in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and in the 1993 statement of the ELCA Conference of Bishops; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Dakota Synod Assembly direct the South Dakota Synod Council to forward this resolution to the to the Task Force for ELCA Sexuality Studies and the ELCA Church Council and that the South Dakota Synod Bishop communicate our position to the ELCA Conference of Bishops.

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