Lutheran Student Movement-USA

1988

 

1988-7POSITION PAPER REGARDING GAYS AND LESBIANS IN THE LUTHERAN CHURCHES

 

Lutheran Churches in America state contradictory views regarding the acceptance of gays

and lesbians. 

 

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod states that:

 

-         homophile behavior is recognized as intrinsically sinful and is categorically prohibited.

 

-           Having condemned all homosexual acts…,(the church) must stand ready to offer its assistance to those who seek to overcome the temptation which beset them and who desire to remain chaste before God despite their homosexual orientation.1

 

In a pastoral letter from Bishop Herbert W. Chilstrom of the ELCA, Chilstrom states:

           

-         “Our ELCA has greed to use the social statements of those predecessor churches as guidance until new statements are developed.”

 

-         “The implication of those statements is that those who say they cannot change are expected to refrain from homosexual practice.”2

 

The predecessor statements are as follows:

 

-         Lutheran church in America

 

The church cannot support homosexuality because it is sinful.  At the same time, it is not to be considered greater than any other sin.3

 

-         American Lutheran Church

A distinction must be made between homosexual orientation and homosexual behavior.

 

Homosexuals, however, are in need of God’s grace – as are all of us.  We should not condemn.4

 

WHEREAS, in a 1985 resolution LSM-USA states the “full participation of gays and

lesbians in the whole life of the church is compatible with the gospel and Luther’s teachings.”5

 

WHEREAS, in a 1982 resolution LSM-USA went on record as “supporting the

ordination of all qualified ministerial candidates, regardless of sexual preference.”6

 

THERERORE, be it the position of LSM-USA

 

To recognize it is not our position or responsibility to judge individuals, but as Christians, affirm the  desire of individuals to share love and affection in committed partnerships regardless of sexual orientation, and that these committed partnerships be recognized and respected by the church..  And to further affirm the desires of gays and lesbians to serve in lay and ordained church positions, fulfilling a spiritual call.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

1.      That LSM-USA continue to encourage all affiliate groups to explore the issues of gay and lesbian reality. 

 

2.      To study “Call for Dialogue” and other resources of Lutherans Concerned/North America, “Now the Silence Breaks” from National Lutheran Campus Ministry, and a “Study of Issues Concerning Homosexuality” from the Division for Mission in North America, LCA. 

 

3.      That LSM-USA work to strengthen its relationship with Lutherans Concern/North America by continuing to endorse the above.

 

Authored by:

 

            Misato In, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

            John Luno, Northern Michigan University

            Lisa Phillips, Ohio State University

            Rodger VanWesten, University of Texas, Arlington

            John Zweck, Rice University

 

Reference:

 

1.      “Human Sexuality: A Theological Perspective,” CTCR, 1981.

 

2.      “A Pastoral Letter”, Bishop H. W. Chilstrom, ELCA, Fifth Sunday in Lent, March 20, 1988.

 

3.      “Sex, Marriage, and the Family”.

 

4.      “A Position Statement on Ministry with Gay and Lesbian Persons”, The Lutheran Campus Ministry at the Ohio State University.

 

5.      LSM-USA Resolution 1985-6 “Affirmation of Welcome of Gays and Lesbians in the Lutheran Church”.

 

6.      LSM-USA Resolution 1982-4”OIrdination of Persons Regardless of Sexual Orientation”.