ELCA NEWS SERVICE August 16, 2003 Former Presiding Bishop Says Time Has Arrived For Policy Change 03-CWA-47-JB
MILWAUKEE (ELCA) -- About 150 people attended a "Festival Worship" service Aug. 15 here, led and attended by people who want the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to be more welcoming to people who are gay and lesbian, and want the church to change its expectations for ordained pastors. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Herbert W. Chilstrom, a former ELCA presiding bishop.
The worship service, held here at St. James Episcopal Church, was sponsored by Lutherans Concerned/North America, a gay and lesbian rights advocacy organization. The service was held in conjunction with the 2003 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 11-17 at the Midwest Airlines Center. There are about 2,100 people participating, including 1,031 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: For the Healing of the World."
In the ELCA, people who are gay or lesbian may serve as ordained pastors, but they are expected to refrain from homosexual sexual relationships. The church has no official policy on the blessing of same-sex relationships; however, its Conference of Bishops has advised the church that it does not approve of such ceremonies. The conference has an advisory status within the church, not legislative authority.
The ELCA is presently undertaking a four-year study process exploring questions about the ordained ministry and whether people in committed homosexual relationships should be ordained, and whether the church should have an official policy on blessing same-sex relationships.
In his sermon, Chilstrom reflected on the meaning of tradition, and spoke about instances in the Christian Bible where traditions were challenged and in some cases, changed. He cited examples from the books of Corinthians, Deuteronomy, Luke and Acts.
"All are examples of how the word of the gospel breaks down honored traditions that get in its way," Chilstrom said.
The time is now for change in ELCA clergy policies, he said, to allow for those who are in committed homosexual relationships to serve as ordained pastors. In his sermon, Chilstrom spoke about about how he has changed his mind about the issue over time.
"Yes, the time has come," he said. "In fact, it is long, long overdue. I regret that it took so painstakingly long to make that change."
In his sermon, Chilstrom referenced a story in Acts 10, a story which is "really about the conversion of Peter," he said. In that story, God gives Peter a vision, which he resists, an example of how change is difficult, he said.
"I'm like Peter," Chilstrom said. "But I'm thankful God never gave up on me. For me, the "visions" were real human beings, sincere and beautiful daughters and sons of God who share my faith and deserve to share all my privileges."
Every morning, Chilstrom said he and his wife, the Rev. Corrine Chilstrom, pray that their friends who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered, will enjoy the same rights and privileges they have.
"It takes time," Chilstrom said. "I know that from my own slow change of mind. But we must have confidence that the powerful word of the gospel will prevail in the end, because that word is a word of freedom and hope."
Worship leaders were Anita Hill, St. Paul, Minn., and Jeff Johnson, Berkeley, Calif., whose ordinations are not recognized by the ELCA because they are not in compliance with ELCA clergy standards.
Among those attending the service were some ELCA pastors, bishops and churchwide staff, as well as representatives of The Lutheran Alliance for Full Participation, encompassing five gay and lesbian advocacy organizations. They are the Extraordinary Candidacy Project, Lutherans Concerned/North America, Lutheran Lesbian and Gay Ministries, Lutheran Network for Inclusive Vision and Wingspan Ministries.
-- -- -- Information about the 2003 ELCA Churchwide Assembly can be found at http://www.elca.org/assembly/03 on the Web.