From Goodsoil.org:
Goodsoil celebrates the passage today of the Social
Statement on Human Sexuality, “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust,” at the
biennial assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in
Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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 lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (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. We are encouraged and
hopeful that on Friday this foundation will result in the church’s
elimination of the current ban on ministers in committed same gender
relationships."
The Social Statement now serves as a teaching
document that describes the world and society that the ELCA lives and
works in to provide ministry and spread the Gospel. The Social
Statement provides the basis and guidance for the formulation of policy
and the creation of programs.
The Social Statement was eight years in preparation
and represents the work and contributions of thousands of Lutherans.
Contentious because of its subject and content, the Social Statement
now guides the work and understanding of the church as it relates to
the sexual component of the lives of everyone the church reaches.
We celebrate in particular the emphasis of the Social
Statement on the centrality of family in the life of the church and
society – all families without differentiation. For too long the church
has failed to recognize the centrality of family and acceptance in the
lives of its LGBT members. Now, the healing of the rift that leads to
wholeness can begin.
Goodsoil commits itself to working within and with
the church as it ends its reticence to speak boldly on full inclusion
as matter of the Gospel, and to celebrate the gifts that come with full
participation of all its members, regardless of sexual orientation and
gender identity. Our job is to assist the church in its move from
tolerance to celebration.
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