On Feb. 19, 2009, the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality released the proposed social statement on human sexuality, Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust, and the Report and Recommendation on Ministry Policies.
Both documents will be reviewed by the Church Council at its meeting in Chicago, March 27-30, 2009. At this time the Church Council may amend the proposed social statement, the ministry policy recommendation or both. The Church Council is expected to transmit its recommendations to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly, August 17-23, 2009, in Minneapolis.
The assembly will consider both the recommended proposed social statement with impending resolutions and the ministry policy recommendation.
Please visit the frequently asked questions pages for the proposed social statement and for the Report and Recommendation on Ministry Policies.
Visit www.elca.org/faithfuljourney to find resources and up-to-date information about the process for the development of the social statement as well as historical documents related to the issue of sexuality.
Journey Together Faithfully: A Call to Study and Dialogue
In 2001, the Churchwide Assembly authorized a churchwide study on matters related to homosexuality and ministry, and to bring a report and recommendations to the 2005 Churchwide Assembly. It also, in a separate action, authorized the development of a social statement on human sexuality.
The Task Force for the ELCA Studies on Sexuality was formed to carry out these mandates and to lead the ELCA through a social statement development process, all under the banner of Journey Together Faithfully. The task force has released three studies to the church for review and response as part of this journey and many in the ELCA have participated in a variety of conversations and hearings.
In January 2005, the task force released its Report and Recommendations on matters related to homosexuality and ministry for consideration by the 2005 Churchwide Assemnebly. Two of the three recommendations were adopted by the assembly.
The task force released a Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality as the next step in the process of developing a social statement. ELCA members had many chances to respond to this draft statement, and the task force considered all comments in their deliberations. The task force has now released the proposed social statement, which is expected to be brought, through the Church Council, to the August 2009 Churchwide Assembly for consideration.
We are all continuing to Journey Together Faithfully as this social statement comes to fruition. Thank you for joining in this journey of discernment. |
