Lutheran assembly OKs gay unions
Ordination of gay ministers also approved at meeting
By Adam Parker
Yoos
Previous story
Agreeing to disagree: Evangelical Lutheran Church of America adopts statement that could mean more open gay clergy policy, published 08/21/09
In a major theological shift, the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States voted Friday to permit congregations to bless same-sex unions and to find ways in which gays and lesbians in life-long, monogamous relationships can serve as leaders in the church.
In effect, the votes at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America's annual Churchwide Assembly set the stage for the possible development of marriage rites and for the ordination of gays and lesbians in committed partnerships, repealing a 20-year ban.
More than 1,000 delegates representing 65 church districts, called synods, attended the week-long Minneapolis meeting. On Wednesday, a two-thirds majority of delegates approved a "social statement on human sexuality" which recognizes prejudice against gays and lesbians, acknowledges their positive contributions and calls for "structured flexibility" in permitting them to obtain rostered positions in the 4.6 million-member church. The social statement set the theological groundwork for Friday's policy changes, which needed a simple majority to pass.
The resolution on recognizing same-sex partnerships passed 619-402. The resolution on allowing gays and lesbians to assume leadership positions passed resoundingly 763-236. The new policies do not define specific methods for blessing gay marriage or ordaining gay ministers, nor does it require congregations to do either, though a related resolution on developing a way to facilitate the rostering of gays and lesbians passed 559-451. Another resolution, the first to be considered, asking the church to "make decisions so that all in this church bear the burdens of the other, and respect the bound consciences of all" passed overwhelmingly, 771-230.
The Rev. Dr. Herman R. Yoos, bishop of the South Carolina Synod, said the debate was passionate but never acrimonious.
"People have been extremely respectful and thoughtful of one another in extremely tense circumstances," just what the resolution called for, he said. "That's the heart and essence of the church," Yoos said. "I thought it was a very healthy stand."
In a phone conversation before the afternoon session, during which delegates would decide the issue of ordination, Yoos said he voted in favor of recognizing same-sex unions but that he planned to vote against ordaining gays and lesbians in committed, publicly accountable relationships.
"My position is we need to live with same-sex unions blessed and recognized for a period of time to discern whether to take the next step or not." Yoos said he is not necessarily opposed to the idea, but he is cautious about moving too fast. He called the new policy a profound and historical change but worried that two such changes in quick succession might be one too many.
Proponents of the new policy pledged to work with the church to achieve reconciliation.
"Today I am proud to be a Lutheran," Emily Eastwood, executive director of Lutherans Concerned/North America, said in a statement. "The ELCA has always had gay ministers, now those and all ministers are free to claim who they are and to have the love and support of a life-long partner, regardless of orientation or gender identity, which is all we ever asked."
The Rev. Steve Plonk, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Mount Pleasant, said the debate certainly has infiltrated his congregation, which includes some who want the church to lead on the issues of gay marriage and ordination, others who embrace a more orthodox view and insist the church shouldn't even discuss the matter and still others who hope for careful, gradual progress.
"Many are longing for a peaceful conversation and wish it were going slowly," Plonk said. They expect that, over time, the controversy could die down and gay unions and ordination could become acceptable, he said.
Plonk said the social statement does a good job presenting aspects of human sexuality, describing various related social concerns such as abuse and harassment and acknowledging disagreement in the church. He said he supports the decision to recognize committed same-sex unions, but worries about what the new policies could do to the church.
Some congregations have indicated they will break away from the denomination, he said.
Because the resolutions empower congregations to make decisions about how they want to proceed, Plonk said he anticipates the debate will continue for a while.
That's what he is recommending at St. Paul's. The congregation is likely to vote in September on "further study and conversation," he said.
"I think there will be a difficult conversation for quite some time in some places," Plonk said. "There are folks who would prefer that it not claim too much of our attention, drive our ministry or take too much of our energy."
Policies pertaining to human sexuality weren't the only big items on the agenda of the annual meeting, Yoos said.
Evangelical Lutherans voted overwhelmingly to enter into full communion fellowship with the United Methodist Church, which means a Lutheran minister can celebrate communion in a Methodist church and vice versa.
Church polity might be different, but fundamental Christian tenets are shared, he said.
The assembly also resolved to work with the United Nations, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and Bill Gates to eliminate malaria and to fight HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, Yoos said.
"It is really a matter of justice," he said.
Reach Adam Parker at 937-5902 or aparker@postand courier.com.
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Comments
NativeSon (anonymous) says...
What fellowship can light have with darkness?
No more than demoncrats who call themselves Christian while continuing their anti-God ways can enter the Kingdom.
August 22, 2009 at 4:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sardis12 (anonymous) says...
Adam, meet Steve...
August 22, 2009 at 4:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MarkMcKinney (anonymous) says...
Makes me have hope. We are moving forward as a nation. Yay Lutherans!
August 22, 2009 at 7:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
karmann (anonymous) says...
The Luterines may approve this, but God doesn't, and His view is what matters the most.
August 22, 2009 at 7:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MarkMcKinney (anonymous) says...
Karmann,
MY God approves it. That's all I need to know.
August 22, 2009 at 7:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BlackReign (anonymous) says...
MarkMcKinney says...
"Karmann,
MY God approves it. That's all I need to know."
LOL, thats great. Which god is yours?
August 22, 2009 at 9:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kyjello (anonymous) says...
What a great ozymoron: Evangelical-lutheran!@#$% How much more God will take is anyone's guess but brother with the demoncRATS in power and BO in the white house, we are edging ever closer to condemnation. Remember, God is a holy God, who cannot look upon sin. One slip with Israel and I believe The Lord will take His Holy hand off of America.
August 22, 2009 at 9:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MarkMcKinney (anonymous) says...
Well, my God made me gay. He made you heterosexual. I do not judge, like you BlackReign.
August 22, 2009 at 9:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
notthatlow (anonymous) says...
The story told in the Old Testament starting in Genesis is not and can not be the complete story of the beginning of mankind. Anyone who thinks critically or with the ability to comprehend beyond that of a 3rd grader would realize that who/m did Cain and Abel had to go out and find someone to be fruitful with yet somehow the recorders of the story failed to mention any of these details. As the rest of the laws, morals, mores, etc. are developed to ensure that the Hebrew people flourished the earth laws were recorded. Were they handed down by God himself? Perhaps if that is what one chooses to believe literally. It is all complicated and several sets of laws according to Levitical Law. If we all followed all these laws today, there would be no Sunday or Monday night football as we know it or there would be something other than the "pig skin" tossed about! No mixing of fabrics for clothes, you read the laws folks before you decide what is good for the goose and gander. And Sardis, I suspect Adam already has met Steve!
August 22, 2009 at 10:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tides (anonymous) says...
... And the Bible says all homosexuals go to hell. Some church they are, huh?
August 22, 2009 at 10:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MarkMcKinney (anonymous) says...
Amen, notthatlow.
August 22, 2009 at 10:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlestonnative1963 (anonymous) says...
Next thing you know the church will say its ok to eat shrimp, sell your wife and children into slavery, sit in a chair that a mentrating woman has sat in, stone a couple accused of adultry and allow cooking on the sabbath. Thank God the Lutheran Church undderstands, now if we can get the others to understand the historical significance of scripture.
August 22, 2009 at 10:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blacman (anonymous) says...
Mark
Your God didn't make you gay any more than he made a deformed baby inside the womb; He simply allowed it. Why? Who knows. You need to repent and ask The Lord for his forgiveness and the God of all men will hear from Heaven and intervene. Try a church where members carry their Bibles with them, you'll know you are on the right track.
August 22, 2009 at 11:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RuleNumberOne (anonymous) says...
I don't think God is a registered Republican. There are many Democrats and Independents that are committed CHristians too.The reason the Republicans have touted "family values" is because they smelled VOTES. But it turns out it's only election year lip service, as we're finding out on the state and national level.They had eight years and all the power they needed but never did advance a pro-life agenda.
August 22, 2009 at 11:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LutherVanderhorst (anonymous) says...
Yoos sounds like the consummate Milquetoast. "not necessarily opposed to the idea, but he is cautious about moving too fast" I can see him measuring his works with teaspoons, delivering them with the most pleasant pastoral diction and impotence. You are neither cold, nor hot. I spit you out.
August 22, 2009 at 11:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Takebackurcountry (anonymous) says...
Love Bible quoters. Pick what you want and leave the rest. Homosexuals go to hell. HA HA, that's funny. It also says the way to heaven is through Christ. Does that mean Jews, Muslims, Hindus, etc. all go to hell? Please. The Bible was written by MEN, not God. If homosexuality is such a forbidden sin, why isn't it a commandment? Did he forget? How about trying to love thy neighbor?
As a Lutheran, I am proud of the ELCA to take it's head out of the sand and truely pursue God's will.
August 22, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lowcountrydawg (anonymous) says...
WWJD??
August 22, 2009 at 11:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
twa (anonymous) says...
Door of Hope course at Setting Captives Free
This interactive course will teach you to enjoy a newfound relationship with the Lord and how to find complete freedom from homosexuality. It is possible, and you can learn how.
http://settingcaptivesfree.com/door_h...
August 22, 2009 at 12:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MarkMcKinney (anonymous) says...
Ummm...twa...I happen to love being a homosexual. Just as you must love being a heterosexual. I love the God that MADE ME THIS WAY!
August 22, 2009 at 12:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
twa (anonymous) says...
By your own admission you said you liked being homosexual, that sir, is a choice. If you want a different path in this life, these people can help. They will not beat you up, they are there to help.
August 22, 2009 at 12:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Takebackurcountry (anonymous) says...
Just as Al Qaida is only there to "help" people find their way...
August 22, 2009 at 12:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
notthatlow (anonymous) says...
twa-- if you don't want to be gay, heterosexual, or whatever it is you aren't happy being, then you go right ahead and do whatever you feel is needed to make that change, the EXODUS group and all these other groups are scam artists, preying on people who do not think/believe that they have other options. Truth will set them free, see Truthwinsout.org where Alan Chambers president of Exodus International, the nations largest EX-Gay organization, tells clients that homosexuals should not be expecting to go into heterosexuality.
August 22, 2009 at 12:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
desspec (anonymous) says...
While they're at it, they might as well toss the Bible and say it's out-dated. Harold Camping is right; run from the Church.
August 22, 2009 at 1:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
twa (anonymous) says...
I am in the middle east fighting Al Quida as we speak. The Time is 21:10 and the temp has cooled down to 102.
August 22, 2009 at 2:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
studley (anonymous) says...
God a republican? Look out for lightning bolts!
For all you right wing, bible thumping, Mark Sanford supporting, religious right, Promise Keeping, Family Values type here is a flash for you - Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the greatest liberal is the history of mankind.
August 22, 2009 at 2:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bootsey (anonymous) says...
I have come in late on this, but I agree with ky and Blacman...also, twa, thanks, for fighting for our freedom and the freedom of those where ever you are, and may God bless and protect you.
August 22, 2009 at 4:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kittygables_farm (anonymous) says...
peace be with you
August 22, 2009 at 5:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mammamia (anonymous) says...
twa - I sometimes say that I love being a woman. That doesn't mean that I chose it.
August 23, 2009 at 10:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyyeball (anonymous) says...
I'm a committed atheist so I don't have a dog in this fight but I find it hysterical that a church can just pick and choose what they want to believe from their so called "WORD OF GOD" manual(BIBLE). What a bunch of wishy washy hypocrites, either believe the myth or don't but don't be a cafeteria Christian, that's just pathetic.
August 24, 2009 at 9 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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