Lutherans talk homosexuality

Lutherans made the national news this weekend. Here's why you should care.

The ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) met in a churchwide assembly this past week in Chicago. There were 1068 voting members, including a mix of lay and clergy voters.

Among other things, they discussed issues around Lutheran pastors who are gay/lesbian and in relationships.

The assembly voted 538 to 432 to "encourage the ELCA's synods, bishops and presiding bishop to "refrain from or demonstrate restraint in disciplining" people and congregations who call qualified leaders on the professional rosters of the ELCA "who are in a mutual, chaste and faithful, committed, same-gender relationship." “

Background, Jargon explained, Theological implications, Congregational implcations and Wider implications to follow.

Background: ELCA gay/lesbian pastors are required to be celibate. Those who chose to be in relationships are subject to removal from the roster. However, some congregations and bishops have elected not to discipline such pastors.

Jargon explained: The assembly this weekend encouraged congregations and bishops to refrain from discipline. Let gay/lesbian pastors in relationships continue to serve.

Theological implications: None, really. No theological statements were made. The assembly did not assert that homosexuality was wrong nor did it give its blessing. It only asked for permission to "bend" the rules while the ELCA and its members keep studying this issue.

Congregational implications: If your pastor is not gay/lesbian, this doesn't change a thing. If your congregation doesn't want to call a gay/lebian pastor, you don't have to. If your congregation has a gay/lesbian pastor, you may get to keep him/her.

Wider implcations: The ELCA is a diverse body with myriad viewpoints. While I recognize the debates around homosexuality have been very divisive, they also teach us how to disagree and stay in relationship. We are ALWAYS going to have disagreements. As a denomination, we're learning how to take tough issues head on. We're learning we can state our thoughts and feelings and still love someone with the opposite point of view.

I HOPE we learn that while this is an important conversation, there are things that are EVEN more important. Our common grounding in God's love and how we share that love...that's the real news story.