It is disappointing that the July 25 article "It’s ‘an expansion of God’s love’" was so one-sided. Rev. Kimberlynn McNabb, dean of the Atlantic conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), was of the opinion that most Nova Scotia Lutherans had already shown support for the new rules regarding same-sex marriages and ordination of gay clergy.
The accuracy of her statement is challenged by the vote at the ELCIC’s national convention approving of the marriage of same-gender couples by ELCIC clergy. The vote revealed a deep split over the issue, with 60 per cent of the delegates voting in favour and 40 per cent opposed.
In response to the query if Pastor McNabb plans to start performing same-sex marriages right away, she provides a rather ambiguous "No. Yes, but no" answer. She explains that she would discuss the matter with her church council and "make sure that the church is on board." However, the reality of the motion that was passed at the recent ELCIC national meeting is that while pastors are "encouraged" to "consult with the lay leaders in the congregation," ultimately the decision rests solely with the pastors to make "according to the dictates of their consciences."
The latter point was drawn to the attention of the ELCIC’s National Council by an open letter written about a month prior to the convention as a matter of concern by the staff of the ELCIC’s seminary in Saskatoon.
Responding to a question as to whether she thinks there will be a further split over this issue, Rev. McNabb refers to the Canadian Association of Lutheran Churches (CALC) as a "new group." CALC was established in 1994 — 17 years ago — through an act of Parliament. As well, her description of CALC as not wanting "any part of a church that is blessing same-sex marriages or rostered clergy who are gay" is an unfair characterization.
Aligned with the historic witness of the Christian Church over 2,000 years, what CALC "wants" is faithfulness to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, which the ELCIC declares in its constitution to uphold. However, neither of these foundational documents for Lutherans supports the position taken by the ELCIC.
Rev. Edward Skutshek of Kelowna, B.C., is president of the Canadian Association of Lutheran Congregations (CALC).
Although she has the official green light to officiate at weddings of same-sex couples, Rev. Jennifer Marlor doesn't plan to marry anyone in haste.
"I think God's word is for everyone, God's love is for everyone. And I think in some instances those tent flaps need to be opened up," says the pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Charleswood.
"But I'm not sure how this will play out in my congregation."
Last weekend, the delegates at the national convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada voted to allow ministers to perform same-sex blessings or marriages, according to the laws in their provinces, if they and their congregation choose to do so.
With 152,500 members in 607 congregations, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is the country's largest Lutheran denomination.
Local ministers and lay leaders are invited to a series of meetings across the province in mid-September to discuss the implications of this motion and two others passed at the convention, says the assistant to the bishop of ELCIC's Manitoba and northwestern Ontario Synod.
"I think these consultations will outline for them what the possibilities are," says Larry Ulrich. "Each congregation will be encouraged to make their policy declaration and decisions around that (same-sex marriages)."
Just after the vote,
Bishop Elaine Sauer issued a pastoral letter to the 64 churches in the regional synod, asking them to be conscious that not all churches welcome these motions equally.
"I hope and pray we can be respectful of each other as we experience this dual reality both within and among our congregations and rostered leaders in the synod," writes Sauer, who was not available for comment.
At the same convention, held in Saskatoon July 14 to 17, delegates also agreed that sexual orientation does not disqualify a candidate for ministry, rescinding a previous motion that did not allow practising homosexuals to be approved for ordination.
"We are hoping that congregations will make a big tent (where) everyone can find a place and no one is forced to extend same-sex blessings and no one is forced to call gay or lesbian pastors," explains National Bishop Susan C. Johnson, 53, who was elected to a second four-year term at the same convention.
Two years ago, the ELCIC's sister denomination in the United States, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, voted to permit non-celibate gays and lesbians to become clergy.
Johnson asks congregations to decide their position on same-sex blessings or weddings before a couple actually comes to them asking for such a ceremony.
"Our hope would be if a congregation would not provide (blessings or marriage), they would help the couple find another option."
Johnson says she doesn't know what the demand for performing same-sex blessings or marriages might be within her denomination.
But another Lutheran group in the country moved quickly to clarify its position regarding same-sex marriages and homosexuals in the pulpit.
The more conservative Lutheran Church-Canada, with 70,000 members across the country, released a statement indicating not all Lutherans support same-sex marriages, says incoming first vice-president Nolan Astley.
"We're not speaking from the margins, but speaking communally with others that for 2,000 years, marriage is for one man and one woman, and that homosexuality is sinful in God's eyes, and that a person who is homosexual is not able to serve in ministry," says Astley, pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kitchener, Ont.
He says his denomination also regards homophobia and actions against homosexuals as sinful.
Johnson says she understands the ELCIC's decisions may be controversial internally and externally, but she hopes to continue their relationship with the Lutheran Church-Canada through joint efforts with the Canadian Lutheran World Relief and the Lutheran Council in Canada.
Johnson says a handful of congregations have already left the ELCIC, and she expects more now that the motions have passed.
"We heard on the convention floor that there are some congregations, if we pass it, they will consider what their relationship with the national church will be," says Johnson.
brenda@suderman.com
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 23, 2011 J13
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ELCA Widens the Doors for Faster Congregational Exits with This News Release
Breaking News
July 21, 2011
The national convention of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
widened the church's welcome for gays and lesbians and restructured the
national church at its July 14-17 gathering in Saskatoon, Sask. The
152,500-member church will now allow same-sex marriages and the
ordination of gay and lesbian pastors.
Following more than two hours of debate, delegates approved 213-134 a
human sexuality social statement that developed out of a four-year national study of sexuality. The
statement calls the
ELCIC to "denounce discrimination, including sexual discrimination, in all its forms." The voting process for the
social statement
was contentious. Delegates defeated a motion that would have required
approval by a two-thirds majority, instead of the usual simple majority
vote.
In a statement,
Lutherans Concerned North America executive director Emily Eastwood, who was present at the convention, said the
ELCIC social statement is "more prophetic than that of the
ELCA" and "a major turning point in the Canadian church towards full inclusion."
Delegates sang "Lord Listen to Your Children Pray" as they voted 192-132 to allow
ELCIC
clergy to preside at or bless same-sex marriages, according to their
consciences and the laws of their provinces. Canada legalized
same-gender marriage in July 2005.
By a vote of 205-114, delegates rescinded past actions that banned
non-celibate gay and lesbian people from ordination and call. The action
states that sexual orientation is not in itself a factor that
disqualifies a candidate for rostered ministry.
"I can't see that anything good has come from the church's current policy on this issue,"
Eastern Synod
Bishop Michael Pryse said during the debate over ordination. "I've seen
the terrible results of this policy: broken people, broken families,
broken congregations, substance abuse, broken lives. That's what happens
when you demand celibacy of those who don't have the gifts to live
celibate lives. This motion provides the opportunity for willing
congregations to consider these candidates."
Delegates also voted 204-133 to affirm a statement that church
members who disagree with one another will remain in dialogue and unity,
and refrain from church-dividing actions.
In other action, delegates:
• approved in principle restructuring moves that re-organize the
ELCIC's
five synods into three synods; move from biennial to triennial national
conventions of reduced size; and reconfigure regional conferences into
area congregational groupings supported by leadership teams. Delegates
gave the
ELCIC N
ational Church Council the authority to implement the changes.
— Based on news releases from the ELCIC
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