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Churchwide Assembly 2009 will be remembered for dealing with tough issues and stormy weather.

In all, there were 1,045 voting members registered at the Churchwide Assembly. The members tackled the difficult subject of human sexuality as they voted 676-338 to adopt a Social Statement on Human Sexuality. Later in the week, they voted to adopt four task force recommendations regarding ordination of individuals involved in same-gender, publicly accountable, monogamous relationships.

The proposed social statement was drafted by a task force. An initial draft was released in 2008. Following discussion and comments from throughout the church, the draft was revised and a proposed social statement was released in February 2009. The document was reviewed by church leaders and transmitted by the ELCA Church Council to the Churchwide Assembly. A two-thirds majority vote is required to adopt social statements in the ELCA.

“Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust” addresses key Lutheran principles about human sexuality by:

  • taking a stand against sexual promiscuity and nonmongamous, casual sexual relationships;
  • opposing cohabitation outside of marriage;
  • strongly condemning child pornography;
  • expressing that marriage is between a man and a woman;
  • attacks society’s view of promiscuous sexuality as normal and inconsequential;
  • stating that, as God’s people, this church has high expectations for all its members in regard to their sexuality; and
  • acknowledging strong disagreement among this church’s members about their understanding of homosexuality and the Biblical calling.

The four ministry recommendations proposed by the task force also were adopted.

The Assembly voted 771-230 for a resolution asking members of the church, in making decisions on the recommendations, “to bear the burdens of others and respect the bound consciences of all.”

The Assembly voted 619-402 for a resolution committing the church to find ways for congregations and synods that choose to do so to recognize, support and hold publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships.

The Assembly voted 559-451 for a resolution committing the church to find a way for people in such publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as professional leaders in the ELCA.

The Assembly voted 667-307 for a resolution providing congregations and synods with structured flexibility in decision making so that they may choose whether or not to approve or call people in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same gender relationships to serve on ELCA rosters.

Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson complimented Assembly members for their effort and civility in the midst of a difficult debate.

“I am deeply grateful to you for your preparation, your patience, your commitment to this work and for your good spirit,” Bishop Hanson said.

During the third day of the Assembly, storms struck the Twin Cities metropolitan area, including a potential tornado that damaged the steeple atop Central Lutheran Church across the street from the convention center where the Assembly was being held.

Assembly members gave $8,561.87 in the following day’s offering to be given to Central Lutheran in response to the storm damage. Central Lutheran announced that they would use the funding to help support the Lutheran Malaria Initiative instead.

Other highlights of Churchwide Assembly deliberations included the following:

The Assembly voted 958-51 to approve an agreement for full communion with the United Methodist Church. The agreement will allow the ELCA and the UMC to work together for joint mission and witness in the world, as well as allow clergy and laity to move freely between the two churches.

The Assembly voted 989-11 to approve continued development of the Lutheran Malaria Initiative. The initiative is aimed at addressing the spread of malaria as “a disease intensified by poverty within the context of comprehensive and sustainable community development.”

The Assembly voted 884-41 to initiate an effort over the next three years to raise $10 million to support the church’s HIV and AIDS strategy.

The Assembly voted 873-82 to commit the ELCA and the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service to work toward comprehensive reform that “balances respect for the law with a recognition of due process and respect for humanitarian principles”; to urge comprehensive reform of U.S. immigration policies; and to call for the suspension of immigration raids until comprehensive reform is enacted.

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