|
We continue to hear of the joy and commitment to the mission of the church and the message of full inclusion from all over the ELCA. People from other denominations and other countries continue to be encouraged and hopeful following the decision of the ELCA to find a way to honor committed, monogamous, same-gender relationships and to allow ministers in such relationships to serve in congregations that wish to call them.
Make no mistake: these were momentous decisions, but necessary if the church is to live out the true meaning of the Gospel and Christ's message. As you know, there are those who do not yet favor these decisions. Treating our brothers and sisters in Christ who disagree with the decisions with respect and kindness does not mean that we ought to allow theirs to be the only voices heard — our voices need to be heard strongly.
To question someone else's interpretation of Scripture, to disagree with them about the meaning or applicability of portions of Scripture to the lives of Lutherans and Christians, does not question the authority of Scripture in the life of the church, in the lives of its members, or the lives of those the church serves. Quite the contrary, it upholds the authority of Scripture. You should never allow to go uncontested anyone's assertion that their interpretation of Scripture is the only one allowed.
Scripture was used for centuries to justify the abomination of slavery. One year after the Emancipation Proclamation, a bishop wrote a book defending the institution of slavery on biblical grounds. Obviously, not everyone agreed on the interpretation of Scripture on that subject then. Now? It is doubtful that you could find any sane or serious religious leader or follower of Christ who would argue that slavery is ok before God. What had to happen was that those who saw the inappropriateness of slavery before God were relentless in voicing their opinion. Same is true with the issue of full inclusion before the church: you must speak out relentlessly.
We cannot encourage you too much to find out where discussions, hearings, Q&A sessions, issue classes, adult education sessions, and the like are being held on the subject of the decisions on full inclusion. We cannot encourage you too much to make time to attend these, and to speak up.
Contact your pastor, your synod office. Find out where and when to go. Support the decision that so filled you with joy, and will in the coming months and years fill the church with joy, freeing it to more fully live the life in Christ as it ministers to those in the world as He said it should.
Another way of speaking up:
Give consideration to participating in the life of the ELCA in a larger way. Working for full inclusion at the congregational, synodical and churchwide level. Be a member of your congregational council, share your ministry with others in your congregation.
Consider being a member of your synod council. I am just completing two terms on my synod's council. I knew very little about how the synod functioned before, but knew that this was one way to learn quickly and thoroughly what the ministry of and to the synod was all about. I have been blessed by what I have learned and seen of the ministry of church through the lens of the synod. It has been a very worthwhile experience and I have been able to work on many things of importance to the life of the synod and the church. I hope I have given in the same measure I have received by this service.
Consider putting your name forward to be a voting member at the Churchwide Assembly in 2011. This too is a ministry of and to the people of God. Having been to the last three churchwide assemblies as a visitor/observer, I have found them to be wonderful views on the total ministry of the church, here and abroad. Exhilarating, uplifting, and inspirational. All three of them.
Churchwide Assembly is a gathering of people who care deeply about the church and are committed to making the church the best it can be. All of them. They may not agree with each other about particulars, but they are one in their commitment to following Christ the best they can. At Churchwide you can see the breadth of the embodiment of the church as an agent for ministry to others. As a voting member you would be involved in helping the church live out its commitment to its members and the mission to spread the Gospel. Synods will this coming year select those who will be the voting members at the 2011 Churchwide Assembly. Some synods have already started their nomination processes. Seriously think about placing your name in consideration for this service to your church and your beliefs. I am going to put my name in consideration this year…
That light we talked about, the one left in the window, the light of Christ Jesus, we all have to tend it, make it grow, to ensure it is sustained as the bright beacon to the world it should be… |
