August 9, 2006

Bishop of the Southeastern Synod files formal charges against Pr. Bradley Schmeling for being in a committed same-gender relationship

Bishop Ronald Warren of the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) filed formal charges against Pastor Bradley Schmeling of St John's Lutheran Church, Atlanta, Georgia, for being in violation of ELCA "Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline…" for ordained ministers. Bradley is charged with behavior incompatible with the character of the ministerial office for being in a committed relationship with Darin Easler, formerly an ELCA pastor, already removed from the roster because of their relationship.

The charges were filed with the Secretary of the ELCA, Lowell Almen, on August 8, 2006. Bradley has refused to resign from the ELCA clergy roster or from being pastor of St John's, so the matter will go to a disciplinary hearing in accordance with Chapter 20 of the ELCA constitution. Disciplinary hearing is the term used in the constitution for an ecclesiastical court, and does not involve the civil courts.

The next step in the process is the selection of a jury of 12, the Disciplinary Hearing Committee, six from a national pool of the ELCA and six from the Southeastern Synod. Bradley has the right to pick two of the national pool jurors. The ELCA selects the other 10. Bradley has the right to reject one of the ELCA selected jurors.

Once the jury selection is completed, the ELCA will hold the hearing within 60 days and render a finding within 15 days of the completion of the hearing.

The church council and congregation of St John's stand behind Bradley and Darin, have welcomed Darin into the congregation, and held a party when Bradley and Darin announced their commitment to their relationship.

Reflecting on the charges and upcoming process, Bradley said, "I am absolutely committed to being part of this process in a way that points to the love of Christ, and absolutely clear about my decision not to resign. I feel great clarity in the goodness of God. This disciplinary process will provide a means to move the church forward in its understanding of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. It will provide a means to witness to the gifts of gay clergy and to demonstrate the destructive consequences of the church's current policy. I'm determined to win the case, praying that the jury will understand that this is a time for understanding and restraint. This is not a time in the church's history when a contested policy that is inconsistent with the Lutheran confessions should be enforced. I ask for your prayers for Darin and I, for the congregation of St. John's, for the Bishop and those who will be involved in this process, and for the ELCA, our church."