"Today I am proud to be a Lutheran": Lutheran LGBT coalition Goodsoil celebrates dual policy victories: the passage of the Social Statement on Human Sexuality; and the elimination of the ban against ministers in same-gender relationships
The following statement is from Goodsoil, a collaboration of organizations comprised of Arcus grantee Lutherans Concerned/North America, the Network for Full Inclusion and Wingspan Ministry that works for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and their families in the full ministerial and sacramental life of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)."Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust"
Goodsoil celebrates the passage of the Social Statement on Human Sexuality, "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust," at the recent biennial assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in Minneapolis.
Speaking for Goodsoil, Emily Eastwood, executive director, Lutherans Concerned/North America, said, "This is a day of progress and compromise. By a 2/3 majority the church has supported families of all kinds and has acknowledged without judgment the wide variety of views within the ELCA regarding LGBT inclusion. The document recognizes the ministries of congregations, which conduct blessings of same-gender relationships and same-gender marriages where such marriages are legal. The social statement is tolerant of our differences both in scriptural interpretation and practice. The social statement supports our unity without requiring uniformity. There is still much work to do, but the door to full inclusion of LGBT members and their families is now most definitely open."
The social statement now forms the basis for policy and advocacy on issues related to families and sexuality both for ministry and advocacy in church and society. It serves as a teaching document that describes the world and society in which the ELCA lives and works in to provide ministry and spread the Gospel, and provides the basis and guidance for the formulation of policy and creation of programs.
Recommendation on Ministry Policies
Goodsoil further celebrates the passage of the Recommendation on Ministry Policies, an action that eliminates the 20-year-old ban against ministers in same-gender relationships.
Eastwood said, "Today I am proud to be a Lutheran. Supporters and advocates of full inclusion have longed for this day since the inception of the ELCA, and for many of us what seemed like a lifetime. The ELCA has always had gay ministers, now those and all ministers are free to claim who they are and to have the love and support of a lifelong partner, regardless of orientation or gender identity, which is all we ever asked."
For the first time, the church has recognized the centrality of family in the lives of its LGBT ministers and made provision for the service in ministry of those ministers in committed, lifelong, same-gender relationships, ending the discriminatory two-tier system of the past and holding all ministers to the same high standard in their relationships.
At the same time, the church has demonstrated an understanding of the necessity for the bound consciences of its members to be respected by all. Congregations that wish to call a qualified minister in a committed, long-term, same gender relationship may do so without hindrance. And, congregations that do not wish to do so cannot be required to ever do so.
About Goodsoil:
Goodsoil is a collaboration of organizations working for the full inclusion of LGBT people and their families in the full ministerial and sacramental life of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The member organizations of Goodsoil commit themselves to providing resources and assistance within the church to aid the work of full inclusion as it seeks to recognize and celebrate the contributions of its ministers regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Goodsoil works to reconcile church policies and practices regarding same-gender marriage, blessings of covenanted unions, and the rostering of partnered LGBT ministers, harmonizing these with shared values of faith, trust, commitment, monogamy, mutuality and dignity.