Last week, the ELCA voted on four resolutions under the title "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust." The General Assembly approved all four resolutions. In true Lutheran fashion, I must ask, "What does this mean?"
Step one asks the assembly whether, in principle, this church is committed to finding ways to allow congregations that choose to do so to recognize, support and hold publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships.
Step two asks the assembly whether, in principle, this church is committed to finding a way for people in such publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as professional leaders of this church.
Step three asks this church whether, in the future implementation of these commitments, it will make decisions so that all in this church bear the burdens of the other, and respect the bound consciences of all.
Step four proposes the specifics of how this church can move toward change in a way that respects the bound consciences of all.
Basically, we now love our neighbors, but we also recognize that some people don't. Those people just have to live with the fact that we do.
PRAISE JESUS!
Step one asks the assembly whether, in principle, this church is committed to finding ways to allow congregations that choose to do so to recognize, support and hold publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships.
Step two asks the assembly whether, in principle, this church is committed to finding a way for people in such publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as professional leaders of this church.
Step three asks this church whether, in the future implementation of these commitments, it will make decisions so that all in this church bear the burdens of the other, and respect the bound consciences of all.
Step four proposes the specifics of how this church can move toward change in a way that respects the bound consciences of all.
Basically, we now love our neighbors, but we also recognize that some people don't. Those people just have to live with the fact that we do.
PRAISE JESUS!