July 12, 2007

Public statements made at the press conference at St John's Lutheran, July 5, 2007

Wanted you to have the prepared comments from the press conference held at St John's Lutheran, announcing the decision of Committee on Appeals to deny Pastor Bradley Schmeling's appeal and to remove him from the clergy roster immediately rather than waiting till August 15 as the Disciplinary Hearing Committee had said. The full set of public statements made that day, including these and those of St John's Lutheran, Lutherans Concerned / North America, Southeastern Synod Bishop Ronald Warren, and the ELCA will accompany the issue of Concord being printed right now.

Statement by the Rev Jane Fahey, Presbyterian Church (US), one of Bradley's Counsels:

We have lost our effort to overturn the decision of the discipline hearing committee to remove Pastor Schmeling from the clergy roster of the ELCA. In a decision dated July 2, the Committee on Appeals affirmed the decision that Pastor Schmeling should be removed from the roster because he has entered into a lifelong, loving partnership with another man.

The discipline hearing committee had set August 15 as the date for Pastor Schmeling's removal. But, at the urging of Bishop Ronald Warren of the Southeastern Synod, the Committee on Appeals also ruled that the discipline hearing committee should have made Pastor Schmeling's removal immediate. Therefore, Pastor Schmeling was removed from the clergy roster of the ELCA as of July 2, the date of the Committee on Appeals decision.

This ends the judicial process in the ELCA. The Committee on Appeals decision is final, and there is no further opportunity for appeal within the church courts. But, as the Committee on Appeals notes in its decision, it will report its decision to the Churchwide Assembly that convenes on August 6, and that "report to the Churchwide Assembly provides the opportunity for revision" of the policy that precludes pastors in same-gender relationships from serving as rostered clergy.

Statement by John Ballew, President of St John's Congregation:

Our congregation is both sad and angry today. We love and respect our pastor, and that respect has only grown during the past 14 months. We are sad that the church has failed to be the church today. We are angry because we find no word of grace or gospel in the decision of the Committee on Appeals. It is a cold and lifeless document.

St John's will continue to be the congregation it has always been. We are the oldest Lutheran congregation in Atlanta, and we remain committed to the Lutheran Church, despite this distraction. We are committed to justice. We are also committed to sincere dialog with church leaders who have taken these hurtful actions. We are not going away.

This is a place where the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed faithfully. We strive to be a place where everyone is welcome – no exceptions. We feed the hungry, clothe the naked and welcome the stranger.

The judicial process has run its predictable course. The ELCA must change its policy, and that is a legislative process that takes place at the Churchwide Assembly in August. Pastor Brad and the people of St. John's will travel to Chicago to tell our story. We call on other Lutherans, including other gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender pastors, to join with us in telling their stories. What has happened to our pastor and our congregation can happen to others, and this policy must change.

Statement by Pastor Bradley Schmeling:

I'm disheartened that the Committee on Appeals would remove me from the roster without ever meeting me; without meeting the people of St John's Lutheran Church; or without even coming to Atlanta to experience our congregation at work in the neighborhood. Their decision was made on paper, not face to face.

I'm afraid this confirms what so many think about that church: that it's a bureaucracy that's more interested in following rules than it is witnessing to the compassionate love of God. I'm ashamed that this document comes from the denomination that I have served for the last twenty years. I would have hoped that it might have, at least, mentioned Jesus or offered to pray for me and for this congregation.

I want my denomination to witness to the Jesus that I know and love; a savior who is more interested in relationships more than in rules. I think that has always been the heart of the Lutheran message: God is, first and foremost, a gracious and loving God. God isn't a heartless judge.

So I'm sad today; sad that the ELCA didn't do the compassionate thing; sad that the journey for justice goes on longer.

But I'm also encouraged; encouraged by the love of this congregation; encouraged by our determination to continue to be faithful participants in the church; encouraged that the ELCA will have a chance to change the policy in Chicago.

St. John's Lutheran Church has been an amazing community to serve. We have been growing and thriving these last seven years, and I expect that we will continue to do that. The congregation issued their call to me in 2000, and as far as we're concerned, that call has not changed. The good news for today is that we can now return to the ministry and mission that we have been called to do. We're going to continue to welcome everybody who comes through our doors; to work in our city for justice; to teach our children the Bible; and to be a faithful and loving voice in the larger church."