Lutheran Eastern Synod Takes Steps Towards Endorsing Same-Sex Blessings

Delegates to the 10th Biennial Convention of the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) meeting in St. Catherines, Ontario, June 23-27, strongly supported three motions, related to “welcome”, “same-sex blessings” and “ordination”, which significantly advanced the pro-gay agenda within our church.

In March 2004, prior to the Convention, the Eastern Synod Council issued a letter (“Synod Council Recommendations” – See Appendix 1) recommending two motions, one related to a substitute “welcome” statement and the other related to “same-sex blessings”, for approval by the 2004 Convention delegates. Prior to the Synod Council motions coming to the floor of the Convention, Eastern Synod Bishop Michael Pryse, who presided as chair for the meeting, concluded his “Bishop’s Report” by encouraging the delegates “to strongly and demonstrably support the recommendations that the council is bringing before you”.

1. “Welcome” Motion

One offering from Synod Council was a substitute “welcome” motion for a motion forwarded by the 2002 Synod Convention to the 2004 Convention for consideration. The 2002 motion (Appendix 2) called for the adoption of a specifically worded statement of welcome (“Affirmation of Welcome”) to gays and lesbians. Upon adoption of this welcome statement, the Eastern Synod would then become eligible to be assigned the designation as a Reconciling in Christ (“RIC”) synod by Lutherans Concerned/North America, a gays and lesbians advocacy group, sponsors of the “Affirmation of Welcome” statement.

Unlike the “Affirmation of Welcome” statement, which focused on gays and lesbians and was linked to an outside organization (Lutherans Concerned), the Synod Council motion offered a broader “principle” of welcome:

That, within the context of our church’s constitutions and enactments, the Eastern Synod affirm the principle that all persons are welcome to full participation in the organizational and sacramental life of this church regardless of race, ancestry, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, age, record of offences, marital status, sexual orientation, economic status, family status, or disability.
and
That Eastern Synod congregations and specialized ministries be encouraged to examine their policies and practices and work toward embodying this principle in all aspects of their respective ministries.
and
That the Eastern Synod reaffirm its call for Canadians, both individually and in their public institutions, to respect the rights of all people regardless of creed, race, ancestry, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, age, record of offences, marital status, sexual orientation, economic status, family status, or disability.

However, Synod Council’s substitute “welcome” motion muddied the waters even more by moving the discussion away from a mere welcome to something approaching a human rights manifesto. This is not that surprising given that Synod Council, with its reference to specific categories of people who “are welcome to full participation in the organizational and sacramental life of this church”, borrowed heavily from the terminology found in Ontario's Human Rights Code [Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities, without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, same-sex partnership status, family status or disability.]

Although initially both “welcome” motions were on the floor of the Convention, the “RIC” motion was quickly dropped when the original mover of that motion in 2002 (Rev. Michael Mills, Advent, Lutheran Church, Toronto) expressed support for dropping the 2002 motion in favour of Synod Council’s substitute motion.

In the debate on the floor of the Convention with respect to Synod Council’s substitute “welcome” motion, a number of concerns about the adoption of such a motion were raised, particularly with respect to its legal perspective and its ambiguity both in terms of content and overall intent. Despite the concerns that were raised, the motion passed handily, garnering almost a 4:1 margin in a written-ballot vote (Yes: 283 votes; No: 79 votes).

With the passage of the Synod Council’s substitute “welcome” motion, an alternative motion (Appendix 3) which was simpler, less-controversial and less-divisive in nature never came to the floor.

2. “Same-Sex Blessings” Motion

In response to the “considerable attention within the ELCIC” in the past year with respect to the question of same-sex blessings, the Eastern Synod Council decided that it was “time for this matter to be formally addressed by the appropriate decision making bodies of our church”. Accordingly, “to bring further clarity and focus to the conversations presently taking place across our church”, the Synod Council recommended that the Convention delegates adopt a motion petitioning the ELCIC National Church Council to undertake a “study” of the possibility of authorizing a parish-based local option to perform same-sex blessings:

That the Eastern Synod petition the ELCIC National Church Council to initiate a study of the theological, ecclesiological, and pastoral implications of authorizing a parish based local option to perform same-sex blessings and bring appropriate recommendations to the 2005 ELCIC National Convention.

The Eastern Synod Council’s March 2004 communication defined a local option as:
1. Requiring the consent of the congregation or parish or employing agency.
2. Requiring the consent of the regularly called pastor.
3. Requiring the use of an ELCIC approved rite of blessing.

In the debate on the floor with respect to Synod Council’s substitute “same-sex blessings” motion, delegates sympathetic to the traditional Scriptural understanding as regards the issue of homosexuality raised a number of concerns about the adoption of such a motion, particularly with respect to inadequate discussion and not all voices being heard, the downplaying of the meaning (that is, endorsing same-sex blessings) and importance (“only a study”) of this motion, and its likelihood to contribute to serious fractures in the church. Despite the concerns that were raised, the motion passed handily, garnering almost a 3:1 margin in a written-ballot vote (Yes: 247 votes; No: 90 votes).

With the passage of the Eastern Synod Council’s “same-sex blessings” motion, a motion (Appendix 4) which would have re-affirmed the traditional Scriptural understanding of marriage as a union between one man and one woman never came to the floor.

3. “Ordination” Motion

Subsequent to the passage of the Synod Council’s recommended “welcome” and “same-sex blessings” motions, on the last day of the Convention a new motion related to ordination of non-celibate gays and lesbians was brought to the Convention floor (Appendix 5) by a group of Eastern Synod clergy. This motion was passed by the delegates (by show of hands) after including an amendment to defer the presentation of National Church Council recommendations on this matter to the 2007 (rather than the 2005) ELCIC National Convention

Bottom-Line

Together, the passage of these three motions signals a serious drift away from the authority of Scripture in determining the life and faith of this church and a disregard for the unity of this church. These events will alienate a large segment of our constituency and launches us down a road that cannot but lead to turmoil and disunity within our church.

top




Appendix 1

Date: March 15, 2004
To: Eastern Synod Pastors & Congregations
From: Bishop Michael J. Pryse
Subject: SYNOD COUNCIL RECOMMENDATIONS


Synod Council Recommendations March 11-13, 2004

1. Regarding the Affirmation of Welcome Motion

During their March 11-13, 2004 meeting, the Eastern Synod Council devoted considerable time to preparing a recommendation concerning the Affirmation of Welcome motion, which will be considered at Synod Assembly 2004.

In their deliberations, the council considered recommending the following options.

~ adoption of the motion as forwarded by Synod Assembly 2002.
~ defeat of the motion as forwarded by Synod Assembly 2002.
~ that no action be taken on this resolution.
~ adoption of an alternate statement of welcome.
~ adoption of a substitute motion(s).

Synod Council’s deliberation concluded with the unanimous adoption of a series of three motions that will be presented as a substitute to the motion forwarded by Synod Assembly 2002. Those motions read as follows:


That, within the context of our church’s constitutions and enactments, the Eastern Synod affirm the principle that all persons are welcome to full participation in the organizational and sacramental life of this church regardless of race, ancestry, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, age, record of offences, marital status, sexual orientation, economic status, family status, or disability.

and

That Eastern Synod congregations and specialized ministries be encouraged to examine their policies and practices and work toward embodying this principle in all aspects of their respective ministries.

and

That the Eastern Synod reaffirm its call for Canadians, both individually and in their public institutions, to respect the rights of all people regardless of creed, race, ancestry, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, age, record of offences, marital status, sexual orientation, economic status, family status, or disability.

Rationale

In preparing these recommendations, the council recognized that persons can experience exclusion for a variety of causes. Council also recognized that the church’s welcoming function is primarily exercised through its most localized expressions.

The welcoming role of synods is limited to that of extending participatory privileges to clergy and congregations who seek to affiliate with this church. Hence, while it is appropriate for churchwide bodies to ask congregations and specialized ministries to affirm certain principles in their practices of welcome, we need to acknowledge that the primary responsibility for enactment continues to reside with those more localized expressions of the church.

As such, the Synod Council believes that the synod should affirm a broadly articulated principle of inclusion that also acknowledges the continued authority of this church’s constitutions and enactments, and then, encourage congregations and specialized ministries to embody this principle in all aspects of their respective ministries.

Synod Council further believes that these discussions provide a welcome opportunity for us to encourage the application of these same principles of inclusion within the wider public sphere.

2. Regarding the Question of Same-Sex Blessings

In the past year, the question of same-sex blessings has received considerable attention within the ELCIC. The Eastern Synod Council believes that it is time for this matter to be formally addressed by the appropriate decision making bodies of our church. As such we are forwarding the following motion for consideration at Synod Assembly 2004. Synod Council’s intention is not to pre-suppose a particular outcome, but to bring further clarity and focus to the conversations presently taking place across our church.

That the Eastern Synod petition the ELCIC National Church Council to initiate a study of the theological, ecclesiological, and pastoral implications of authorizing a parish based local option to perform same-sex blessings and bring appropriate recommendations to the 2005 ELCIC National Convention.

For purposes of this motion a local option is defined as:

1. Requiring the consent of the congregation or parish or employing agency.
2. Requiring the consent of the regularly called pastor.
3. Requiring the use of an ELCIC approved rite of blessing.

top




Appendix 2

That the Eastern Synod adopt the Lutherans Concerned North America “Reconciling in Christ” statement entitled “The Affirmation of Welcome”:

As a community of the people of God, we are called to minister to all people of our world, knowing that the world is often an unloving place. Our world is a place of alienation and brokenness. Christ calls us to reconciliation and wholeness. We are challenged by the Gospel to be agents of healing within our society.

We affirm, with the apostle Paul, that in Christ “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female” (Galatians 3:28). Christ has made us one. We acknowledge this reconciliation extends also to those whose affectional orientation is toward a person of the same gender.

Because gay and lesbian persons are often scorned by society and alienated from the Church, we wish to make known our caring and concern. It is for this purpose that we affirm the following:

~ that gay and lesbian people share with all others the worth that comes from being unique individuals created by God;
~ that gay and lesbian people are welcome within the membership of this congregation (organization or synod) upon making the same affirmation of faith that all other people make; and
~ that as members of this congregation (organization or synod), gay and lesbian people are expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of this congregation (organization or synod).

top




Appendix 3


Relating to: An Alternate Welcoming Statement for the Eastern Synod

Submitted by: Ron Voss, Peeter Vanker, Bob Zimmerman, Harry Vibe, Ross Thomson, Martin Vierula, Rosalynn Tubbe, Harry Huff, Sheilah Fletch, Donna Hatten, Liz Pulley, Mary Becker, Sharon Schoenhals, Doug Kranz, David Wunderlich.

Motion: That the Eastern Synod adopt the following welcome statement, “As the regional expression of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, we invite and welcome all people to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the proclamation of the Word and the celebration of the sacraments and through service in Christ's name”.

Rationale: To avoid welcome statements which contain unclear or ambiguous phrasings, or which may not be transparent with respect to intended purpose, or which unnecessarily consume a lot of time and energy of the Synod Assembly delegates in terms of trying to come up with the perfectly crafted welcome statement that would be broadly acceptable, the following welcome statement is offered as a means for Synod Assembly to extricate itself from such a situation:

“As the regional expression of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, we invite and welcome all people to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the proclamation of the Word and the celebration of the Sacraments and through service in Christ's name”.

The rationale for this statement is that we do not think it necessary that we should make specific reference as to who is welcome to our church. It should go without saying that faithfulness to Christ's teaching requires us to welcome all people to hear the gospel and to worship. As Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28). Thus, we offer an all-embracing “welcome” statement which is more than adequate, couldn’t be any clearer and offends no one by omission:

“As the regional expression of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, we invite and welcome all people to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the proclamation of the Word and the celebration of the Sacraments and through service in Christ's name”.

The above was primarily composed by incorporating words (underlined portion) from the Synod’s mission statement and words (italicized portion) from the ELCIC’s mission statement.

The attractiveness of such a welcome statement for our Synod is that it would begin with something that is already well established and hopefully would not be subject to debate, namely, the mission statements for our National Church and our Synod. The welcome statement is simply created by sandwiching only a six-word phrase (in bold text above), that is, “we invite and welcome all people”, within the mission statements.

top



Appendix 4

Relating to: A Petition to the National Church with Respect to Same-Sex Blessings.

Submitted by: Doug Kranz, Ron Voss, David Wunderlich, Peeter Vanker, Bob Zimmerman, Harry Vibe, Sharon Schoenhals, Ross Thomson, Harry Huff, Martin Vierula, Sheilah Fletch, Rosalynn Tubbe, Greg Kjos, Donna Hatten, Liz Pulley, Mary Becker, Bob Bush.

Motion: That the Eastern Synod affirm and endorse as a faithful expression of biblical and confessional teaching the ELCIC's long-standing understanding of marriage as articulated in the 1970 Lutheran Church in America statement Sex, Marriage and the Family, which declares that:

“Christian faith affirms that marriage is a covenant of fidelity – a dynamic, lifelong commitment of one man and one woman in a personal and sexual union” and, furthermore,

That the Eastern Synod petition the Tenth Biennial National Convention of the ELCIC to affirm that there is basis neither in Scripture nor tradition for the establishment of an official ceremony by this church for the blessing of a same-sex relationship and to adopt no changes in its teaching or practice that contradict these principles.

Rationale: Whereas the ELCIC’s National Church Council in a press release dated November 6th, 2003, as well as affirming the Conference of Bishop’s July 2003 interpretation of the ELCIC’s present policy concerning marriage and same-sex blessings, encouraged “congregations, clergy gatherings, conferences and synods to use the constitutional process of this church to examine the issue and give direction to this church's deliberations”; and

Whereas Synod Council in its letter of November 6, 2003 to 72 Eastern Synod pastors concerning “the question of same sex blessings and/or marriage”, welcomed “resolutions from the congregations and conferences of our synod, inviting the Eastern Synod to recommend a particular course of action to the 2005 ELCIC Convention”; and

Whereas the Confession of Faith of the ELCIC constitution (Article II - Confession of Faith - Section 3), commits this church to upholding, “the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God, through which God still speaks, and as the only source of the Church's doctrine and the authoritative standard for the faith and life of the Church”; and

Whereas, the Scriptures testify that God created the gift of sexuality (Genesis 1 and 2; Mark 10:6-9; Ephesians 5:28-33); and

Whereas, the Scriptures clearly teach that marriage is a life-long bond of faithfulness between one man and one woman and the context for which sexual intercourse is reserved (I Corinthians 6:15-20; Hebrews 13:4; Galatians 5:16-19); and

Whereas, while the church is called to reach out and minister to people who struggle with all aspects of sexual sin, the church cannot in any way condone or approve of behaviour that is clearly identified in Scripture as sin (John 8:1-11); and

Whereas, that Biblical teaching about sexual life has shaped and continues to shape the moral fabric of civilization in profound and positive ways; and

Whereas, that Biblical teaching about sexual life is facing unprecedented challenges in society and the church; and, finally,

Whereas, a tradition so universal and valuable should not be changed without overwhelming Biblical and confessional warrant.

top





Appendix 5

Relating to: Motion on Ordination Study

Submitted by: Tim Dutcher-Walls, Jon Fogleman, Paul Bosch, Harold Remus, Michael Hackbusch, Tom Doherty, Dawn Hutchings, Michael Mills

Motion: That the Eastern Synod petition the ELCIC National Church Council to initiate a study of the theological, ecclesiological, and pastoral implications of authorizing the ordination to the ministry of Word and Sacrament of qualified, openly lesbian and gay persons, including those in committed relationships, and to bring appropriate recommendations to the 2005 ELCIC National Convention.

Rationale: Within the priesthood of all believers by virtue of their baptisms, some are called by the Holy Spirit to the ordained ministry of Word and Sacrament. Among lesbian and gay persons within the priesthood of all believers, some, it seems, are called to this ministry, without having to deny their sexuality by a necessary requirement of celibacy. Given this possible churchly reality, our obedience to God's Word (“some would be...evangelists, some pastors and teachers...” Eph. 4:11) would lead us as the church to conduct such a study.

top