The following motion was passed by St. Luke Council on April 12, 2010
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ROSTERED STAFF: Saint Luke Lutheran Church, as a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, understands that it has a right to call, or refuse to call, as a pastor or rostered lay leader any person who is on the roster of ordained ministers or lay roster or any candidate approved for those rosters.
Saint Luke Lutheran Church, in accordance with the 2009 Churchwide Assembly which resolved that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America "make provision in it policies to recognize the conviction of members who believe that this Church should not call or roster people in a publically accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationship," declare that this congregation will not call a pastor or lay rostered leader who is or intends to be in such a same gender relationship.
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SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE: Saint Luke Lutheran Church declares that marriages, civil unions, or blessing of persons in a same gender relationship will not be performed in this Church building, on its grounds, or authorized by this congregation. Saint Luke Lutheran Church's called and ordained minister(s) may not perform marriages, civil unions, or blessing of persons in a same gender relationship off church property.
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Pastor Cliff Sexuality Statement
Many of you are aware that at the August 17-23, 2009 ELCA Church Wide
Assembly the elected voting delegates passed a new social statement,
“Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust.” This study did not take a stand on
homosexuality or gay marriage; instead it admitted that ELCA Lutherans
are sharply divided on this issue.
However, once the social
statement was passed, a “Recommendation for Assembly Action” was
presented that allows “individuals in publicly accountable, life long,
monogamous, same-gendered relationships” to serve as ordained pastors if
they have been approved by a synod candidacy committee and a
congregation calls them. No congregation would be forced to call anyone
against its will. But even with these limitations this is a major change
for the ELCA. This decision has caused much concern in our denomination
and in our St. Luke congregation.
Many of you have expressed
your concerns to me and asked how St. Luke will respond. The first thing
to acknowledge is that this debate over sexuality in our church and our
society has been ongoing for many years. The debate will continue.
Responses are being prepared by both Lutheran leaders who favor and who
oppose these changes. It will take time for all the different options to
become clear.
I do want you know my position. I believe that
scripture is very clear that sex is a gift from God and is to be enjoyed
in the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman. In the
scripture all sex before marriage (fornication) and outside of marriage
(adultery) and sex between the same genders are considered outside God’s
moral code. Modern medical science has also shown that living a chaste
life before marriage and staying true to one’s marriage partner is the
only 100% certain way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
Following God’s laws is good for us medically, emotionally and
spiritually.
One type of sexual sin is not greater than another
type of sexual sin. Many in our society and our churches condemn some
forms of sexual sin while ignoring others. God’s law and ethics still
have relevance for us today. It is also clear in scripture that those
called to the ordained ministry are held to even higher standards. I am
very much against the actions taken by the ELCA to allow the ordination
of pastors who are sexually active outside of the covenant of marriage.
How
will we respond? Your church council will study our options during the
next several months. We did not get into this situation overnight and it
will take some time to formulate a response. Lutheran CORE (Coalition
for Reform), a reform movement in the ELCA that opposed the changes,
will be presenting several options to ELCA churches in the next few
months (www.lutherancore.org).
In conclusion we must admit we
are not of one mind as a denomination or as a congregation. Lutherans in
the past have been known to differ on social statements, while keeping a
strong Biblical foundation. My greatest concern is Biblical authority.
At the present time St Luke Lutheran Church can do much good by
continuing to be active in word and deed in the ELCA. I advocate these
three things: first, that we pray for guidance, study scripture, and
maintain our focus on growing as disciples of Jesus Christ. We need to
pray for our national, synodical and local leaders. We need to remember
to pray for those who suffer from sexual sin and guilt. Second, let’s
listen to each other even if we don’t agree. Jesus called sinners to
freedom, but he did it with humility and love. And third, let’s keep the
main thing the main thing. The church is defined by its faith in Jesus
Christ, the resurrection of Jesus, and our calling to serve God and our
neighbor. I refuse to let this one issue define my church.
As
always, I thank you for your partnership in ministry. What a gift it is
to serve the Lord along with you.
Your partner in ministry,
Cliff
Bahlinger
Senior Pastor
St. Luke Lutheran Church
Cordova, TN |
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