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WordAlone Book
A compilation of essays and comments by concerned pastors, theologians and laypersons, challenging denominations who are denying Christ’s resurrection, ‘demythologizing’ Scripture, blessing same-sex relationships, ordaining non-celibate homosexuals.
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Resolution
—to Wait for Social Statement in 2009
Date unknown
WHEREAS the ELCA concluded an exhausting four-year study and debate over ordination of non-celibate homosexual persons at its 2005 Churchwide Assembly in Orlando by declining to change current policies; and
WHEREAS the continuing conflict over this matter is divisive and distracting from the mission of the ELCA; and
WHEREAS the task force on sexuality is scheduled to present a social statement on sexuality to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly; and
WHEREAS the disciplinary case of Pr. Bradley Schmeling in the Southeastern Synod has been used as a pretext for reopening this question; and
WHEREAS the Schmeling disciplinary committee heard no evidence supporting the current guidelines and exceeded its authority by improperly recommending that this year's synod assemblies seek to overturn the decisions made at Orlando; therefore be it
RESOLVED that [This synod] memorialize the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly at Chicago not to reopen the issue of ordination of non-celibate homosexual persons before the report of the Task Force is received in 2009.
Background information
The 2005 ELCA churchwide assembly defeated the third sexuality recommendation, which would have allowed for exceptions to the ELCA policy that practicing homosexuals not be ordained.
The 2001 ELCA churchwide assembly called for a two-step process: a four-year study leading to recommendations in 2005 on the questions of blessing same-sex unions and ordaining practicing homosexuals; a social statement on sexuality to be considered by the 2007 churchwide assembly (which was delayed until the 2009 churchwide assembly).
ELCA Pastor Bradley Schmeling informed his synodical bishop last year that he was living in a sexual relationship with a man. His bishop filed discipline charges. The discipline hearing was held in January. The hearing committee recommended that Schmeling be removed from the ELCA roster on August 15, but also asked that synod assemblies memorialize the 2007 churchwide assembly to direct the churchwide organization to change the ELCA’s standards for ordination to allow for ordaining practicing homosexuals. The latter exceeds the committee’s authority. ELCA constitution, 20.21.21, specifies the committee’s authority to be:
The discipline hearing committee shall render its decision in writing. The written decision shall be in two parts: a. Findings of Fact. In this part, the committee shall set forth what it has found to be the relevant facts, that is, what it believes to be the truth of the matter. b. Determination. In this part, the committee shall state whether, based upon the facts that it has found, it believes discipline should be imposed and, if so, what discipline it has chosen to impose.