September 23, 2009

To the editor:

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to the public as a parish pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in America (ELCA).  Recently, a number of brother pastors of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) wrote you to give their response, predominantly in the words of their denominational president, to resolutions adopted by voting members of the biennial legislative assembly of the ELCA that put the ELCA on a path that will lead to openings for gay and lesbian Christians in partnered relationships to become pastors in the ELCA. 

Lutherans, both ELCA and LCMS, treasure and seek to maintain our fidelity to the faith of the apostles and to the theological heritage of the Reformation.  In the ELCA and LCMS alike, we also affirm our fidelity to the Scriptures.  Speaking for the ELCA in particular, I quote a portion of the confession of faith in our denomination’s constitution: “The canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the written Word of God.  Inspired by God’s Spirit speaking through their authors, they record and announce God’s revelation centering in Jesus Christ.  Through them God’s Spirit speaks to us to create and sustain Christian faith and fellowship for service in the world.  This church accepts the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and life.”

Differences among us arise, both between denominations and within denominations, as we attempt to interpret and apply God’s Word.  We in the ELCA are united, nevertheless, in our conviction that we all approach God as sinners in need of the reconciliation won for us in the sacrificial death and life-giving resurrection of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.  None of us is perfect; none of us is sinless.  Because we fervently wish for all people, heterosexual and homosexual, to hear the Word of God and to receive the Sacraments for the sake of reconciliation with God, ELCA church doors have long been open to all, straight and gay alike. 

This is a difficult time in the ELCA, both for those among us who welcome the approaching changes in the denomination’s ministry policies and for those among us who lament the approaching changes. 

At the same time, let me draw your attention to some of what does not change in the ELCA, drawing on three comments from the bishop of the ELCA’s Northwest Minnesota Synod, Rev. Larry Wohlrabe:

·         Jesus Christ is Lord of all.  God is on a great mission in the world.  We who make up the church – in all our ups, downs, gifts and challenges – continue to serve God’s mission;

·         Neither individuals nor congregations are bound by these assembly decisions in their day-to-day lives. No person and no congregation will be “forced” to believe, say, or do anything they believe is not in accordance with the Word of God;

·         Congregations will continue, as they always have in the Lutheran Church, to decide who they will call to be their pastors or rostered lay leaders.

Finally, I want to thank all those Christians, ELCA and otherwise, who have talked openly with me about their questions and concerns, who have prayed for me and with me, who have expressed their love and empathy even as we have differing positions, and whose own faith and graciousness have shown Christ to me in our journey together in hope.

S. John Roth