Tuesday morning: Bishop's report

[Richard Johnson]

Plenary 3

Began again with another pitch for a commitment to the ELCA Malaria Campaign, calling attention to the pledge cards on the table.

Bp. Hanson turned chair over to VP Pena, who promptly invited Bp. Hanson to bring his report. (Cute.) "I've come to this assembly more hopeful than I've ever been . . . We are a church with clarity about who we are and about our shared commitment to being engaged in God's mission for the life of the world. . . . I thank God for bishops who have been clear our unity is in Christ even while accompanying congregations discerning their future in the ELCA . . .  We are called in Christ to cross the lines of religious purity . . . Let the ELCA be known, not only as a church that serves the poor, but a church that will work tirelessly to bring poverty to an end . . . This assembly can say to LGBTQ people who are bullied, 'not in this church! There's a place for you here, child of God.'"  More comments and stories about new congregations formed from "remnants" of congregations which have withdrawn from ELCA.

Report was vintage Hanson: inspirational, activist, pietistic—even ending with the singing of "I Love to Tell the Story." Standing ovation at the end.

In answer to a previous question, no mention yet of any grief over congregations that have left; just celebration of "remnants" who have withdrawn from those congregations and stayed ELCA.

[peter_speckhard]

Maybe people who left the ELCA were called by Christ to cross lines of progressive purity.

[James_Gale]

Plenary 3

Began again with another pitch for a commitment to the ELCA Malaria Campaign, calling attention to the pledge cards on the table.

Bp. Hanson turned chair over to VP Pena, who promptly invited Bp. Hanson to bring his report. (Cute.) "I've come to this assembly more hopeful than I've ever been . . . We are a church with clarity about who we are and about our shared commitment to being engaged in God's mission for the life of the world. . . . I thank God for bishops who have been clear our unity is in Christ even while accompanying congregations discerning their future in the ELCA . . .  We are called in Christ to cross the lines of religious purity . . . Let the ELCA be known, not only as a church that serves the poor, but a church that will work tirelessly to bring poverty to an end . . . This assembly can say to LGBTQ people who are bullied, 'not in this church! There's a place for you here, child of God.'"  More comments and stories about new congregations formed from "remnants" of congregations which have withdrawn from ELCA.

Report was vintage Hanson: inspirational, activist, pietistic—even ending with the singing of "I Love to Tell the Story." Standing ovation at the end.

In answer to a previous question, no mention yet of any grief over congregations that have left; just celebration of "remnants" who have withdrawn from those congregations and stayed ELCA.

Did Bp. Hanson say anything about heterosexual people who are the targets of bullying?  Or did he mention only "LGBTQ people"?  In other words, is his concern "bullying," whatever the precipitating cause?  Or is it advancing the "LGBTQ" agenda?


Did Bp. Hanson make any positive comments about those remaining in the ELCA whose "bound consciences" have led them to believe that same-sex sexual relationships are inherently sinful?  Or did he hold up for celebration only those who believe that same-sex sexual relationships can be God-pleasing? 

[Richard Johnson]

Now Jim, you know the answers to those questions.

[James_Gale]

Now Jim, you know the answers to those questions.

I guess I'd say that I had very strong suspicions.  Thanks for confirming them.

[J. Thomas Shelley]

Report was vintage Hanson: inspirational, activist, pietistic—even ending with the singing of "I Love to Tell the Story." Standing ovation at the end.

Since we have already suffered the subjugation of Scripture and Confessions to the pseudogospel of "full inclusion" I suppose the hijacking of hymnody was inevitable.

Sigh.

[Gary Hatcher]

It is also interesting to see that Bp Hanson is talking about LBGTQ et al as if we voted on 'full inclusion' for all the letters of alphabet in 2009.  The rest of LCNA goals will come without any vote, it will just happen.

[frluther1517]

Report was vintage Hanson: inspirational, activist, pietistic—even ending with the singing of "I Love to Tell the Story." Standing ovation at the end.

Since we have already suffered the subjugation of Scripture and Confessions to the pseudogospel of "full inclusion" I suppose the hijacking of hymnody was inevitable.

Sigh.

No offense Pr. Shelley...the hymnody was hijacked long ago. 

[James_Gale]

It is also interesting to see that Bp Hanson is talking about LBGTQ et al as if we voted on 'full inclusion' for all the letters of alphabet in 2009.  The rest of LCNA goals will come without any vote, it will just happen.

Come on, now.  Bp. Hanson is arguably taking an incremental approach.  I've seen some argue for the acronym "LGBTQQIA."  Bp. Hanson didn't even mention the "QIA" persons, whoever they are.  Imagine how excluded they must feel.

[revklak]

It is also interesting to see that Bp Hanson is talking about LBGTQ et al as if we voted on 'full inclusion' for all the letters of alphabet in 2009.  The rest of LCNA goals will come without any vote, it will just happen.

Come on, now.  Bp. Hanson is arguably taking an incremental approach.  I've seen some argue for the acronym "LGBTQQIA."  Bp. Hanson didn't even mention the "QIA" persons, whoever they are.  Imagine how excluded they must feel.

Not to mention those who's selves (individual plural self - i.e one person) identify as 2S (2 spirited - my personal fav: why pick one category of male/female when I can be both?)

Seriously, though, I kept wondering about all this talk of the longer alphabetical designations when we only, and very specifically within parameters (as my former ELCA bishop said to me), set out to allow PALMSGRs, but not redefining marriage, thereby assuring me that we are not on the "slippery slope" (though I never used that word) of opening the door to going much beyond that, other arrangements, lifestyles, etc.  While I was accused of drawing an arbitrary line (based on scripture), I was "informed" that the ELCA policy drew a line on further incursion of the BTQI2S options, etc...  At least, that was the implication, though his words were something like "We will stay within these limits"

Yup, we are...

[PTMcCain]

I'm a quia guy, when it comes to subscription to the Lutheran Confessions.

Is this what you guys are talking about?

[Jay]

It is also interesting to see that Bp Hanson is talking about LBGTQ et al as if we voted on 'full inclusion' for all the letters of alphabet in 2009.  The rest of LCNA goals will come without any vote, it will just happen.

Come on, now.  Bp. Hanson is arguably taking an incremental approach.  I've seen some argue for the acronym "LGBTQQIA."  Bp. Hanson didn't even mention the "QIA" persons, whoever they are.  Imagine how excluded they must feel.

A google search led me to this site:

http://oregonstate.edu/pridecenter/terms-and-definitions

What do the letters LGBTQQIA stand for?

Lesbian
 Gay
 Bisexual
 Transgender
 Queer
 Questioning
 Intersex
 Ally

•Questioning: Someone who is exploring their Queer potential.
•Intersex: An individual whose biological birth does not correspond with conventional expectations of male/female anatomy or genetics. Some intersexuals consider themselves transgender and some do not. The older term, hermaphrodite, is considered by many to be offensive.
•Ally: Anyone who is politically aligned with the Queer movement.

[Team Hesse]

I'm a quia guy, when it comes to subscription to the Lutheran Confessions.

Is this what you guys are talking about?

So sixteenth century of you, Paul! LOL

Lou

[Erma S. Wolf]

Did Bp. Hanson say anything about heterosexual people who are the targets of bullying?  Or did he mention only "LGBTQ people"?  In other words, is his concern "bullying," whatever the precipitating cause?  Or is it advancing the "LGBTQ" agenda?

Actually, LC/NA does a better job of this than the presiding bishop.  In their "resource" which is being distributed by them at this assembly, they do speak of people being bullied for other reasons than their sexual orientation.  And they make a point of pointing that out on the opening pages.  I will give them credit for that. 

However, in terms of incremental change that won't need to take a vote, I also note this passage found on page 17 in the reflection "How Will We Use Our Freedom?"

"It is fitting that the theme of the 2011 Churchwide
Assembly is "Freed in Christ to Serve," since that is
a central principle underlying the Social Statement
on Human Sexuality, adopted by the 2009 Churchwide
Assembly—and in many ways, adopting that social
statement has freed the ELCA from the seemingly endless
process of establishing this church's teachings on sexuality.
Now that the ELCA has resolved that congregations are
free to call qualified ministers in a same-gender relationship
and that pastors can preside over same-gender marriages
(where they are not prohibited by civil law), we are free, as
ELCA members, to focus on issues other than sex." (Emphasis added.)
http://www.lcna.org/images/stories/downloads/resources/050_where_hands_will_reach_resource_edition.pdf

  Now, this is an LCNA person speaking in an LCNA publication; this is not anyone speaking officially for the ELCA.  But, I also agree, there will be no real refutation from the ELCA for this; and eventually, if LCNA says it often enough, with no refutation, then it will be assumed to be true.  Of course, the 2009 CWA did not pass this; but it won't matter.  And the person who headed a program unit who I heard say clearly at a church council meeting that the social statement did not approve this and this was not a proper interpretation?  Well, he is no longer working in churchwide. 

[Richard Johnson]

Yes, I noticed that as well. Just to be precise, however, this publication is produced by Goodsoil, not LC/NA per se. Not that there's a huge difference, but it's at least worth noting.