Conference of Bishops Re: Recommendation 2

[buechler]

Anybody hear from the Conference of Bishops? I understand that some were going to take up the issue of whether or not Recommendation 2 included blessing same-sex unions under the guise of pastoral care.

Peace in the Lord!
Rob Buechler

[Chuck]

Anybody hear from the Conference of Bishops? I understand that some were going to take up the issue of whether or not Recommendation 2 included blessing same-sex unions under the guise of pastoral care.

They decided not to issue a letter or statement. I don't have all the details yet, but it was conveyed to me by one of the bishops that they are not anywhere near of one mind on what to say.

[buechler]

Thanks Chuck (no I'm not being Peppermint Patty like). I would like to know details as you get them. I am writing a parish news letter article, and would like to be as accurate as possible. That the bishops take no stand could mean the end of our parish's relationship with the ELCA.

Peace in the Lord!
Rob Buechler

[Chuck]

Unfortunately, the reality is we may not know anything until after the Conference of Bishops meeting in early October. That may be a bit long to wait for a newsletter article! <g>

[Brian Hughes]

  Did I read somewhere that Hanson has asked the chair of the conference of Bishops and Bishop Neils to draft a statement concerning recommendation two?

Brian H.

[kirk S. Moore]

For what it is worth, I was there at Orlando; we failed to get defintition from anyone on 2;  Somebody definitely needs to clarify 2, because if they (whoever "they" are) do not soon do that, things will get further from the truth(maybe that is the objective?)-ambiguity and double-mindedness are not useful in developing a worldview to address this issue.  I have seen articles in several media outlets some claiming victory for same-sex "marriage" and some claiming defeat......I fear with the 670-325 vote we have opened Pandora'a box......

[Gladfelteri]

I have seen articles in several media outlets some claiming victory for same-sex "marriage" and some claiming defeat......I fear with the 670-325 vote we have opened Pandora'a box......

I don't believe anyone seriously believed that the 670 - 325 vote would settle anything over time.  If the revisionists lost they were sure (and are sure) to continue to push their case until the next churchwide Assembly . . . again and again until they either win   or are forced out of the ELCA .    

Someone on this board wrote that there are two Church subsisting in the ELCA:  a liberal/neoliberal, revisionist one, and a traditionally orthodox, theologically conservative one.  That has been obvious to me for a long time; and this is true not only for the ELCA but for the ECUSA, UMC, PCUSA, UCC, Moravians, and even Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.  

As a sideshow, even Judaism has been going through this for decades with (in separate Organizations) Reform Judaism vs Orthodox Judaism (with Conservative Judaism split into "revisionlist" and orthodox camps.)

In any case this controversy over sexuality is only the tip of the iceberg of a much more profound controversy and disconnect between revisionists and theologically and biblically orthodox conservatives over (1) the nature and authority of scripture, (2) the existence and nature of ultimate truth (postmodernism vs other philosophical systems) and (3) the nature of God (a living, sentient, supreme being or some form or other of concept.)

[Pr_Mark_Fischer]

I'll find out more on Friday at Synod Staff meeting, and can let you know then.   However, I think Chuck is probably quite accurate.  

From what my bishop (Ralph Jones NWPA) has said in the past,  the Conference of Bishops is split about 5 ways on this.   There will be NO consensus.  

[Bergs]

From what my bishop (Ralph Jones NWPA) has said in the past,  the Conference of Bishops is split about 5 ways on this.   There will be NO consensus.  

Whatever the Bishops end up saying, let me report on how my small, liberal parish in Minneapolis is using Recommendation 2.  The pastor is quoting it as she announces that the church will host its first ever lesbian commitment ceremony in early November.  It is being used for cover.  The congregational council unanimously approved the pastors to conduct such blessings at our church.  They probably would have done it with or without passage of Recommendation #2.  But  there you have it in action.

Grace & Peace
Brian J. Bergs
Minneapolis, MN

[buechler]

Bergs wrote: "Whatever the Bishops end up saying, let me report on how my small, liberal parish in Minneapolis is using Recommendation 2.  The pastor is quoting it as she announces that the church will host its first ever lesbian commitment ceremony in early November.  It is being used for cover.  The congregational council unanimously approved the pastors to conduct such blessings at our church.  They probably would have done it with or without passage of Recommendation #2.  But  there you have it in action."

This is sad, but what will be of great interest is to see what the bishops do with this. If nothing, then I believe we have our answer as to whether or not #2 allows for local option, even unofficially.

Peace in the Lord Jesus Christ!
Rob Buechler