bishop
Bishop David deFreese
Nebraska Synod, ELCA

Greetings!

Recently, the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality publicly released the proposed social statement on “Human Sexuality” and its report and recommendations on ministry practices. I hope that you have had the chance to read it over yourself. It is available for download at http://www.elca.org/faithfuljourney. Let me share with you some of my pastoral reflections.

A sincere reality … Talking about human sexuality is never easy. Many of us were raised in homes where this topic was not readily discussed; no wonder it is awkward and difficult to talk about it at church. Candidly, these are controversial issues that I have not relished deliberating. The potential for the Task Force’s report to be divisive was huge and for those of us who love this church, this was not a day we looked forward to. That said, let me articulate a heartfelt response.

Genuine gratitude … I am grateful to serve in a church that is faithful to its Reformation heritage of discussing complex, controversial concerns with gospel grace and Spirit-directed insight. From the beginning, this work was done saturated in prayer and in honest, transparent, open conversations. Everyone in the whole church was invited to study and reflect biblically, theologically, and truthfully. Feedback from every voice was continually sought as this church strives to follow God’s leading.

No consensus … Good people of earnest Christian faith arrive at very different understandings on this subject. The report states: “The Task Force recognizes that these differences are deeply held and often conscience-bound positions by people of faith who love this church.” Biblical interpretation, traditional perspective, theological struggle, and human reason cause faithful disciples to reach different conclusions, and this reality is readily honored in the report.

I believe this is a truly Lutheran discussion of the topic … paradoxes are recognized, always holding God’s good gift of human sexuality in the tension of sinful humanity and the fallen world we live in.

Can we be different? … Our Lutheran movement began by Martin Luther “nailing” concerns to a door for public discussion, prayer, and sharing. Our current society does not understand how people can passionately disagree and yet compassionately care for and honor one another. Our society teaches us to polarize, demonize, and “seek to win over” those who do not think like us. Jesus calls us to love. In our discussion of this matter we are challenged to ask: “Can we witness to our society a ‘Jesus-style’ of interacting with each other on difficult subjects?”

Christian community … Reflecting the nature of life in Christian community, the Task Force wisely centered its recommendations on the issue of conscience and our Christian duty to act in ways not only directed by our deeply held beliefs, but also in respect for the conscience-bound convictions of others. To frame our discussion of these issues in this manner moves us from debate to respectful discussion. It moves us from a fight over who is right to the quest to find a faithful response that honors the Christ we love and all in the church.

The Task Force has placed before us four well thought out, carefully framed resolutions that lead us step by step through consideration of the subject. God’s will is sought and each time we are grounded in respect for the other person. A definitive statement is made in the Executive Summary under step 3 when it says, “This means that any solution that serves only the conscience-bound positions of one or another part of this church will not be acceptable.”

Faith, not fear … God will be God, whatever we humans may discern. It is with profound humility that we finite, vulnerable creatures seek the mind of our infinite, omnipotent Creator. The arrogance of certainty is not ours. Rather we simply trust that God will use and redeem the humble efforts to serve our God. God is to be trusted! And we are emboldened to live in faith, not fear.

Calling to be the Church … Our culture comes to this subject with a self-absorbed orientation that continually asks: “What’s in it for me? Whatever makes me happy.” Far too often, I have experienced this perspective on the various sides of this issue. The Body of Christ is called to frame the question of life very differently: “How can I serve our God and my neighbor?” We need to raise this question throughout our discernment. We are called to be the Church!

There will be time set aside at our Synod Assembly in Fremont in June to talk together about these recommendations and give direction to the Churchwide Assembly this August in Minneapolis. I have set up a team of pastors to work with the Assembly Planning team so that we make the most of our time together in Fremont, without overshadowing the important theme of our assembly: “Compelled by the Love of Christ…”

Please join me in praying for God’s Spirit to lead us in the discussion of these recommendations with respect for all in this church who love the Lord as we do.

“Strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrong doing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” (1 Corinthians 12:31-13:8)

Blessings,

Bishop David deFreese

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