Related National Church Council and Convention Motions The Bishops' Statement on Homosexuality

(Meeting of Bishops, January 9-13, 1989)

Faced with the need to respond to questions concerning the ordination of homosexual persons in the ELCIC, the bishops of the Church state their practice as follows:

A self declared and practicing homosexual is not to be approved for ordination and, if already ordained, is not to be recommended for call.

Regarding the Church's ministry with all of its members, including those of homosexual orientation, the bishops urge the church to undertake a careful study of human sexuality based on the biblical witness so that the ELCIC may be helped to provide ministry in the love of Christ.

National Convention and National Church Council Actions Related to Homosexuality and the Church

National Convention 1991

NC-91-48 That the ELCIC seek to minister to those who commit violence against all people, most especially women, children and lesbian and gay people, those victimized by such violence and those who observe it and do nothing; that the ELCIC repent occasions when we have permitted such acts of violence to pass by unnoticed and unchallenged; and that the church study, seek to understand and work to overcome the verbal, emotional and physical violence that is rooted in our social structures.

National Convention 1993

Resolution #2, presented by the Reference and Council Committee:

That the ELCIC in convention endorse the Bishops' statement on the ordination or certification of its homosexual members, ie. "A self-declared and practicing homosexual is not to be approved for ordination and, if already ordained, is not to be recommended for call."

The convention took this subsequent action:

NC-93-16 That since this has been the practice of the bishops, and since it was reported to the National Church Council and received by the 1989 ELCIC convention without alteration, it remains the practice of the church.

National Church Council 1999

CC-99-182 As a long-term goal, the ELCIC strive to create an environment to enable the development of policies and ministries that will assist the church in becoming a more inclusive and welcoming place for gay and lesbian people:

1. That the ELCIC develop and articulate a model where members of the ELCIC, particularly at the congregational level, are able to listen to the experiences of gay and lesbian people and their families.
2. That this model be commended to all ELCIC congregations.
3. That the process be lead and facilitated by the NCC appointed task group and that Lutheran Concerned Canada be utilized as consultants to the NCC task group in the development and implementation of the listening events.
4. That NCC members participate in the listening events and plan to conduct a collective listening experience at the Fall 1999 meeting.
5. That NCC offer a workshop during the time of the 1999 convention to describe the model and process to interested delegates.
6. That one of the discipleship visits held during the convention provides an opportunity for delegates to interact with gay and lesbian Lutherans and their families.
7. That NCC consider program initiatives to follow up on NC 91-48 which calls for protection of gay and lesbian people against violence.

National Convention 1999

NC-99-25 That the convention affirm the action of Council in taking steps to create an environment that assists the church in becoming a more inclusive and welcoming place for gay and lesbian persons.

NC-99-49 That the ELCIC make available to its congregations, Six Studies on Homosexuality, and a current bibliography of materials representing different perspectives regarding this issue.

Subsequent to these motions, a model called Caring Conversations was developed that enabled members of the ELCIC to listen to the experiences of gay and lesbian people. Also, Dr Erwin Buck edited his Six Studies on Homosexuality into a document called Studies on Homosexuality and the Church which was distributed to all ELCIC congregations in 2002.

National Church Council 2003

In July 2003, the Conference of Bishops issued a letter to pastors regarding the practice blessing same sex unions. The letter said in part:

In the Federal announcement the government was clear in stating that religious leaders will not be compelled to perform same sex marriages. Regardless, the churches still face questions about the blessing of such relationships. Since the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada has no official policy authorizing clergy to bless same sex relationships, pastors are not permitted to perform such rites and will be disciplined for doing so. For the sake of the unity and good order of the church, it is important that any changes to this practice be authorized by this church acting together.

In responding to the Bishops' position as stated in the letter, National Church Council took the following actions:

CC-03-88 That the National Church Council encourage discussion in the different expressions of this church to engage the question of the practice of blessing same sex unions, and communicate with this church that:

1. there are specific and compelling reasons to engage this question such as concern in congregations and among pastors about their pastoral practice, questions in the wider society regarding the practice, religious freedom and its protection in Canada and our commitment to a church united in the gospel;
2. this is a difficult issue for the ELCIC and the participation of the whole church is needed to address the question;
3. we affirm the high level of interest and deliberation already expressed as a sign of vital engagement with issues of importance;
4. we encourage congregations, clergy gatherings, conferences and synods to use the constitutional process of this church to examine the issue and give direction to this church's deliberations; such examination should include prayer, biblical and confessional study and responsible engagement with one another with insights from scientific and sociological disciplines and with awareness of implications for our ecumenical relations; and
5. we will receive input from across this church in order that the ELCIC may act together on this issue.

CC-03-89 That National Church Council commit (itself) to become informed about the issue (of same sex blessings) by agreeing to sample the (ELCA) study Journey Together Faithfully at the March 2004 meeting and if appropriate, commend the study to congregations.

Journey Together Faithfully is available in pdf format on the ELCA website at http://www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/.

CC-03-90 That National Church Council affirm the Conference of Bishops' interpretation of the ELCIC's present policy as stated in their pastoral letter of July 2003. Given that current policy is determined by the 1970 LCA statement Sex, Marriage and Family, affirmed by the ELCIC convention in 1991, National Church Council recognizes the pressing need to review this and if appropriate, to develop a new directive. The church is encouraged to engage at all levels in the process outlined in CC-03-88 as a means of doing so.

After the November 2003 meeting the following information was added to the minutes:

The information given in CC-03-90 is incorrect. In 1991, National Church Council took the following action:

CC-91-28 To adopt the document, The Public Witness of the ELCIC: A Policy on How the Church Addresses Social Issues. Within that document, the importance of the statements from the predecessor churches is recognized and they are "received as resources for instruction and guidance for the life and witness of the ELCIC" on the recommendation of the Division for Church and Society (DCS-86-41).

National Church Council 2004

CC-04-38 That CC-03-90 be rescinded.

CC-04-40 That National Church Council affirm the Conference of Bishops' pastoral letter of July 2003.

CC-04-42 That National Church Council request the National Bishop to provide a report to the September NCC meeting advising on the process to develop a social statement for the ELCIC on sexuality, marriage and the family.

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