Posted on 04/23/2009 6:35:45 PM PDT by lightman
Former ELCA Presiding Bishop Endorses Task Force Documents
09-095-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Herbert W. Chilstrom, the first presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), endorsed two documents from the Task Force on ELCA Studies on Sexuality. Chilstrom served two terms starting from the church's inception in 1987 to 1995.
On Feb. 19 the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality released "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust," a proposed social statement for the church.
It also released that day a report and recommendation for a process to consider changes to ministry policies that could make it possible for Lutherans in committed same-gender relationships to serve as ELCA associates in ministry, deaconesses, diaconal ministers and ordained ministers.
The 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly -- the highest legislative authority of the church -- will consider both documents Aug. 17-23 in Minneapolis.
"I'm impressed with the work of the task force," Chilstrom wrote in an assessment of the documents. "After some 20 years of wrestling with this complex and potentially divisive issue, I believe they have given us a statement and a (recommendation that) the broad membership of our church can accept."
Chilstrom said the phrase "conscience-bound belief" -- a key idea of the proposed social statement and recommendation -- is not a new concept. "In fact, we live with it all the time."
Chilstrom cited the example of how a close friend and he have differing conscience-bound beliefs on the legitimacy of the death penalty. "Though we disagree on this specific social issue, our respect for each other keeps us in close friendship. We agree to disagree on the subject," he said.
In relation to the "status of homosexual persons in our church," he said, "it is not likely that we will come to consensus on this issue in the near future. But can we disagree in this area without breaking faith and unity with each other? Yes, I believe we can."
Lutherans have changed their minds about some conscience-bound stances, Chilstrom wrote. "Churches that once excluded minority persons now openly welcome them. Congregations that once refused to call women as pastors now accept and affirm them. Only a few years ago only persons who had been confirmed could receive the Lord's Supper. Now younger children are encouraged to participate."
In the more than 20 years since the ELCA first tried to adopt a statement on human sexuality, "many have also changed their minds regarding the place of homosexual persons in church and society," Chilstrom wrote.
But change was not easy, he said. "Long tradition, rooted in our understanding of the Bible, meant that we clung tightly to our convictions. But as we became acquainted with gay and lesbian persons and read literature about the nature of sexual orientation many came to a new understanding of the issues. We changed our minds."
In response to the recommendation, Chilstrom said the task force has placed before the church a way to respect varied positions.
"I wish everyone in our church were at the same place where we could simply say, 'It is time to include responsible brothers and sisters in Christ in same-gender relationships among the rostered ministries of this church.' That is, for me and many others, our conscience-bound belief," he said.
"But I am a realist. Though we have taken some significant steps in the last 20 years, our church is not at the place where we can do more than what is proposed in the recommendation," Chilstrom wrote. "We can no longer go on with the status quo, with one bishop trying to press the literal implications of our current policies and another looking the other way."
He said the task force's recommendation provides some of the 65 synod bishops, synods and congregations "the integrity they long for in openly welcoming our talented and deeply committed sisters and brothers into our family of shepherds and servants of the Gospel."
- - - The text of former Presiding Bishop Chilstrom's assessment is at http://OT-studies.com on the Web.
The task force's "Report and Recommendation on Ministry Policies" and "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust" are available at http://www.ELCA.org/faithfuljourney on the ELCA Web site.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
Sorry, your excellency, I cannot consider those who "persist in sin that grace may abound" to be "responsible".
Note that this was published on the day when many Christains of both the East and West commemorate St. George the dragon-slayer.
Where is St. George when we really need him?
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
Be sure also to read:
Statement by Three Dissenting Members of the ELCA Task Force on Human Sexuality
It’s Not About Homosexuality--Not Really
“Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust”: A Critique by Carl E. Braaten
When There Are No Biblical or Theological Grounds to Change, Don’t
WordAlone Network responds to ELCA human sexuality proposals
Lutheran CORE leaders urge rejection of ELCA task force recommendations
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In relation to the "status of homosexual persons in our church," he said, "it is not likely that we will come to consensus on this issue in the near future. But can we disagree in this area without breaking faith and unity with each other? Yes, I believe we can."
It is truly pathetic the lengths some will go in order to legitimize sin.
Hey, in ELCA land one guy luvin another is no different than Mary and Joseph.
I grew up LCA (in the 1960’s) and my Pastor was an incredibly strong influence on my life. I am now a ELCA member (non-active for the past several years). My clear impression is that the ELCA hierarchy is very leftist/elitist, but others in the hierarchy work very hard to hide that from the congregations.
Yes, another tragic bereaved parent’s misguided crusade for “justice”.
Very similar to the modern day prohibitionists masquerading as MADD.
In addition to the public schools indoctrinating young people about the virtues of homosexuality, we have apostate churches piling on reinforcing the idea.
Shame on all of them.
My husband and I left the ELCA many years ago over issues such as this. Good riddance.
That started opening my eyes in 1988. We bailed about 1992 for the LCMS.
Thanks for the post - I find it disappointing that a cousin denomination would fall to relativism. My church has just been talking about this, as my wonderful state of IA, fell as well. My pastor is unashamedly against such normalization while trying to send a encourage us to befriend homosexuals so as to earn the right to speak as friend to friend and individual to individual about the truth.
Greg
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
When I resigned from the clergy roster of the ELCA in 1989 Bishop Chilstrom responded in a cordial letter, “My prayer is that you will one day return to the ELCA.” As I read the letter aloud my five year old son said, “Bishop go for laugh—NO GET!”
There ARE still Christians within the ELCA—but the ELCA is no longer a Christian denomination. I am very thankful to serve now in the AFLC.
........Sexual Fulfillment: For Single and Married, Straight and Gay, Young and Old (Paperback)
by Herbert W. Chilstrom (Author), Lowell O. Erdahl (Author))........
.....Augsburg Fortress Publishers (February 2001)......
‘Nuf said!
Check your FReepmail.
Chilstrom said that the ELCA has struggled with the same issue for 20 years. If he read Bible verses, that mention homosexuality, he would have known, in fewer than five minutes, that no Christian church should consider ordaining gays.
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