below are some reactions from goodsoil members to what happened in Orlando.
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Cathy+
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) defeated, BY A MARGIN OF JUST THIRTEEN VOTES, [later corrected - failed by 172 as it needed 2/3] Recommendation #3 of the Church Council, which would have authorized an exception so that congregations desiring to do so could call and ordain pastors who are in committed same-gender relationships.
I am deeply disappointed and enraged by this decision, though not surprised. The only beautiful thing about the debate was the fact that Goodsoil claimed the front area of the Assembly hall and stood in silent witness of exclusion by the ELCA. Through a half-hour of parliamentary maneuvering, a majority of the Assembly refused to force the protesters out. Perhaps that was a small piece of the Realm of God present even amidst a bigoted Assembly leading an oppressive church in preserving a discriminatory policy.
The speaker immediately following "Beautiful Savior" was the President of the LCMS, against whose generally fundamentalist approach to Scripture the ELCA used to stand in contrast: a difference that allowed the ELCA to be my own path out of the oppressive Christianity in which I was raised. Sadly, today marks more convergence than distinction between the two ways of Lutheranism - and, really, two warring visions of the faith. Which will prevail? That is the question of Christianity's third millennium.
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Though I've been a lifelong Lutheran (perhaps it is time for those of us who are gay/lesbian/bi/trans to request that our names be dropped from the membership roll. One of the reported fears (at least what I read in the AP wires) is that the church was worried about losing members and also the reaction of the church worldwide if they dropped the discriminatory policy. Well, what about losing us? It's 2005! How much longer should we lend our names to a church that will take our money, our art, our teaching abilities, our service to the poor, our music, our nurturing of their children, our dedication and time, but won't acknowledge OUR FAMILY. Maybe it's time to "shake the dust off our feet."
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I found the "protest stand" by registered guests both intrusive and unhelpful. I was angered by it. When people are fearful that changes in policy will lead to confusion and disorder in the church, the LAST thing you want to do to "help" the cause is create confusion and disorder.
Would motion #3 have carried with 2/3 had it not been for the intrusion? Probably not. But the disruption of the meeting and the disregard for the Presiding Bishop were NOT, I believe, at all helpful. Those participating obviously thought the "statement" and definace would be helpful, I believe that was a gross miscalculation.
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Of course, asking for a two-third majority was a tall order to command. And the measure did receive almost 50% of those present. That, actually, is quite amazing.
Along with the speeches from the incredibly misinformed - still comparing homosexuality with alcoholism! and still thinking that we can be cured, and worse, that we can just ignore our sexuality and ability to fall in love while the beligerent majority enjoys theirs - there were extremely poigniant and intelligent speeches giving vast support. Prejudices die hard. So, again, I was impressed that we received so many votes.
And something else to think about: the resolution which failed could have been looked upon as simply outrageous considering that it would have made gay clergy third class disciples of Christ. As someone pointed out, suppose the same resolution would have been made concerning women back 35 years?
Bishop Hanson had to be commended for his great care in handling the Assembly. I too think the demonstration was out of order. It embarassed me. And I don't know why - but I'm going to have to think about that.
Now, more to the point of leaving and protesting in our own congregations. That's a personnal matter and dependant upon the local conditions. From hearing so many pastors who were in support as well as congregants, there is much support for gay and lesbian people in the ELCA. Leaving at this time is wrong - there is much work still to be done. Think of future generations - not just thirty years from now but to next year and the year after, when children of our own begin to become sexually aware - and discover that they are gay or lesbian. Who will be around to give comfort and be an example of being unashamedly gay?
No, leaving is not an answer. We have to continue to show that we are full blooded humans, with God's gift of sexuality - the same as everyone else. The tyranny of the majority must be shown for what it is - and that is unGodlike, unChristlike. And that we have plenty to give.
What is needed is for the prejudiced majority to be shown, first, that their understanding of God's Word is just plain wrong. That still seems to be a tough nut to crack. Some this week were quite elequent in explaining that the Bible certainly was not talking about the committed relationships of which we speak. It was proven that marriage of today is exactly that - a concept born only recently. Marriage just a few centuries ago was simply a contract of property and power.
