1991 Approved Resolution #3 (91-3)
Affirmation of Welcome

WHEREAS, We as a community of the people of God are called to minister to all people of the world, knowing that the world is often an unloving place, and our world is a place of alienation and brokenness, and Christ calls us to reconciliation and wholeness, and we are challenged by the Gospel to be agents of healing within our society; and

WHEREAS, we affirm with the apostle Paul that in Christ 'there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free there is neither male nor female' (Galatians 3:28), and that Christ has made us one, and we acknowledge that this reconciliation extends also to those whose affectional orientation is toward a person of the same gender; and

WHEREAS, Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual persons are often scorned by society and alienated from the Church and we wish to make known our concern; and

WHEREAS, Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual youth (along with students beginning college) are three times more likely than non-gay to commit suicide and that there are few Christian communities where Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual youths find acceptance, understanding, affirmation, and a place to grow; and

WHEREAS, Lutherans Concerned/North America has the 'Reconciled in Christ' program to identify congregations and ministries which affirm the inclusion of Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual people and thus far seventy-five congregations, Lutheran Campus Ministries and synods have been so identified; and

WHEREAS, by being included in this growing list of congregations and ministries we can better communicate our welcome and can draw on the support of other ministries;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lutheran Student Movement affirms that Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual people share with all others the worth that comes from being unique individuals created by God; and

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual people are welcome within the membership of this movement upon making the same affirmation of faith that all other people make; and

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as members of this movement, Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual people are expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of this movement; and

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lutheran Student Movement encourages Lutheran Campus Ministries to study the issues confronting Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Christians and adopt this affirmation of welcome; and

THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Lutheran Student Movement shall forward a copy of this resolution to Lutherans Concerned/North America and request designation as a Reconciled in Christ organization.

Sponsored by:               Markus Muller                IMOK Regional Representative

Jerry Kliner                   Rocky Mountain Regional Representative

Jay Erdahl                    North Central Regional Representative

Craig Moore                  PAC-SW Regional Representative

Marc Hander                 LSM-USA Secretary

Richard Flesvig              Secretary for Ecumenical Concerns

Stephanie Owen            Secretary for International and Multicultural Concerns

Statistics gathered from Concord (Newsletter of Lutherans Concerned/North America) 1990-411991- t