Lutherans can't decide: Are gays good for the church?

The largest organization of Lutherans the world is mulling over how best to include gays and lesbians in its ministry, and the answer thus far is: they don't know. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which has around 5 million members, released a draft document this month outlining suggestions for the church's positions on issues related to sexuality.

The document, called the "Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality" says the church is willing to be more open about the issues surrounding sexuality, and while the document stops short of blessing same-sex couples and allowing gay and lesbians to lead congregations, the ELCA seems open to a realistic, non-judgmental dialogue.

Even so, the sharp criticism from those more conservative sects of Lutheranism should be seen as a positive for gays and lesbians in the church. If conservative Lutherans are upset that it might open the door for more acceptance of gays and lesbians, then the ELCA must be doing something right. The document will remain open to feedback from any ELCA member church until November 1, 2008, and will be voted on by the ELCA membership in Minneapolis in 2009.

The "Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality" [download the PDF] is important in a number of respects:

It expresses regret for the treatment of gays and lesbians by the church: "At this particular point in history, this church confesses with regret the way in which Lutheran historical teachings concerning homosexuality sometimes have been used to tear apart families with gay or lesbian members."

It affirms the fact that gays and lesbians are not solely defined by sexual activity: "It is therefore a misunderstanding to think that sexuality is a matter of sexual or erotic desire alone. Erotic desire, in the narrow sense, is only one component of the relational human bonds that humans crave as sexual creatures. Although not all companionship is sexual, at some level, all sexual relationship is about companionship. We need and delight in companionship and are vulnerable to loneliness."

It allows clergy working with gays and lesbians advocate for lifelong, monogamous relationships similar to marriage: "In their pastoral response, some pastors and congregations will advocate repentance and celibacy. Other pastors and congregations will call our same-gender-oriented brothers and sisters in Christ to establish relationships that are chaste, mutual, monogamous, and lifelong. These relationships are to be held to the same rigorous standards and sexual ethics as all others."

It recognizes the right of the state to set the definition of civil marriage, while recognizing the "historic origin" of the term: This church recognizes the historic origin of the term “marriage” as a life-long and committed relationship between a woman and man, and does not wish to alter this understanding. It recognizes, however, that some states have enacted or are in the process of enacting legislation in which the term “marriage” is used. This is the prerogative of the state, which is the realm in which civil marriage and the laws governing it exist."

It recognizes that sex people often have sex outside of marriage, and encourages healthy decision-making: "While this church does not encourage such relationships, it insists that every sexual relationship entails responsibility. All sexually active people have the responsibility to protect the other person from emotional as well as physical harm. All sexually active people have a particular responsibility to protect themselves and their partners from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV."

While these statements might seem to create a more inclusive church, the document is merely to serve as a resource for teaching and creating church policy. It's doesn't set the policy. And it still considers homosexuality, in any context, a sin.

The document plainly spells out a lack of agreement on the issues. It reads, "After many years of study and conversation, this church does not have consensus regarding loving and committed same-gender relationships."

Despite the document's lack of teeth, it's inclusive message has raised the ire of some Lutherans from outside the ELCA who see a homosexual conspiracy.

"The draft statement would change the definition of marriage by implication. This is a cause of great concern," said Rev. Paull Spring of the Lutheran Coalition for Reform in a press release last week. "Lutherans have traditionally defined marriage as 'a lifelong covenant of faithfulness between a man and a woman.' The statement calls marriage a relationship of love and trust between two people. From this perspective, the statement opens the door to supporting same-gender committed relationships."

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, a conservative branch of Lutheranism didn't like the document. "The report does not speak clearly and authoritatively regarding homosexual behavior and the ordination of those who are openly involved in such behavior," a statement from LCMS read. "This goes contrary to the historic and universal understanding of the Christian Church regarding what the Holy Scriptures teach about homosexual behavior as contrary to God's will and about the biblical qualifications for holding the pastoral office."

The reaction from gay and lesbian Lutherans was mixed. "This draft merely tolerates rather than celebrates the presence of same-gender families in the church," Emily Eastwood of the Twin Cities-based Lutherans Concerned/North America told the Star Tribune. "If the church wishes to hold persons in same-gender relationships to the same ethical standards as heterosexuals, then the church must offer the same standards of support and benefit."