Reformed leaders within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) called the denomination’s January 13 report on homosexuality "duplicitous" and "disingenuous," and criticised it as nothing more than an "attempt to avoid an outright schism" in a theologically split denomination.

"The taskforce report is an apparent attempt to avoid an outright schism within the ELCA by calling for no official change in policy, but then caters radicals by asking bishops to refuse to enforce these very same policies in regard to the blessing of same sex unions and the ordination of clergy openly involved in same sex behaviour," explained the Rev. Christopher Hershman, President of the Evangelical Lutheran Confessing Fellowship

"Such maneuvers appear to be the last gasps of a dying church body. How can any church body be united in mission if it can't be united in theology, practice and biblical interpretation? How can an authentic expression of the Christian church allow for open departures from basic Christian teaching?" he added.

The report, entitled the ELCA Studies on Sexuality, essentially called on the church members to maintain the denomination’s policies opposing the ordination of homosexuals and blessing of homosexual unions, but at the same time encouraged ministers to tend to homosexual couples in "committed long term relationship" and called on bishops to refrain from disciplining those who violate those policies.

"In effect this means that the taskforce is actually recommending what is known as "local option," meaning that any bishop or congregation can do whatever they want on such issues, no matter how widely a practice may conflict with Christian teaching. Local option is not acceptable to traditional Christians because it creates chaos, confusion and division in the church by subverting genuine Christian teachings," explained Rev. Hershman.

"While the ELCA Sexuality Task Force may say it isn’t suggesting change in the ELCA standards for ordination, the recommendations in its report will bring about de facto change because they suggest that the standards not be enforced," said Pastor Jaynan Clark Egland, president of WordAlone, the largest reform and renewal movement within the ELCA.

"Looks like a duck, waddles like a duck, quacks like a duck, must be a duck. How stupid do they think we are?" said WordAlone director Pastor Mark Chavez.

Chavez said he regretted the committee’s decision to not answer the fundamental question that should have been addressed: "Are homosexual sexual practices sinful?"

Meanwhile, Bishop Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, said he was thankful for the work of the task force, but did not comment on his opinions about the content itself.

"On behalf of a grateful Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), I express my appreciation to the director, staff, and members ELCA Studies on Sexuality Task Force for their commitment to an important assignment on behalf of this church," said Hanson.

Hanson also reminded ELCA members that the "work is not done." The recommendations in no way represent the official policy of the ELCA.

"It is vital for the members of this church to remember our work is not done, nor have decisions been made. Rather the task force report and recommendations give focus to our continuing conversations moving toward decisions at the 2005 Churchwide Assembly in Orlando, Florida," he said.

To view the entire text of the Report and Recommendations of the ELCA Studies on Sexuality Task Force, visit: www.elca.org/faithfuljourney





Pauline J. Chang
Ecumenical Press