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Words/Actions |
We commit ourselves to the following ‘word/actions’:
1. Truth-telling: we will do our best to make clearer to all (including ELCA members, ecumenical partners, interfaith groups, social service agencies, community leaders, and general humanity) our view that current ELCA policy towards lgbt (lesbian, gay, bi, transgendered) persons does not reflect Lutheran Christian theology at its best, nor does this policy reflect the diversity of faithful Biblical interpretations held by Biblical scholars of integrity as taught in our ELCA colleges and seminaries.
2. Discipleship: we will affirm and welcome lgbt couples, individuals and their families to the Lord’s table, and to all levels of servant and authoritative leadership in our faith communities. We will encourage the faith communities where we serve to be Reconciling in Christ ministries.
3. Witness: we will publicly preach, teach, and proclaim our conviction that current ELCA policy towards lgbt persons is a ‘policy of harm’, which we believe is in disharmony with God’s gospel and justice in Christ.
4. Accountability: we will communicate our convictions to our respective Bishops, synod Candidacy Committees, Seminaries, and the ELCA Presiding Bishop. We will remind each that current ELCA policy laws do not oblige obedience since they are unjust.
5. Ministry: when lgbt couples comes to us seeking the blessing of their union, seeking marriage, seeking counseling, seeking prayer or celebration, we will embrace them as we do any committed, loving, faithful, heterosexual couple seeking the same. We will find ways, using all public and private resources, to liturgically, publicly, and joyfully honor and bless their marriage and/or union.
6. Candidacy: we will encourage straight and lgbt candidates for ministry to openly and honestly dissent from ELCA policy throughout their Seminary and Candidacy processes. We will advocate for the endorsement of otherwise qualified lgbt candidates for ministry.
7. Hope: we wish neither to cause division in the ELCA nor to heal the wounds of God’s people lightly. However, the historic and current assault on lgbt couples, individuals and their families, fueled by culture and government and religion (including the ELCA) is to us lamentable. We believe this behavior by our church weakens the whole church and human family, and goes against God’s gospel and justice in Christ. As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we publicly stand against these principalities and powers and walk with those who have for too long been disavowed.