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Response to ELCA Vote on Human Sexuality

Rejoice Lutheran Church's Position on the ELCA's Human Sexuality Social Statement

Intro on Issue

Rejoice Lutheran Church (Rejoice) is a member church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).   The ELCA passed a resolution in 2009[i] to accept committed homosexual relationships as an acceptable expression of human sexuality and to commit to the ordination of homosexual clergy who are in a committed, monogamous relationship, including exception clauses based on conscience.  The resolution caused controversy within some member ELCA churches.   This statement describes the position of Rejoice to the ELCA resolution.

Overview on Rejoice

Rejoice is a fairly young mission parish that still reflects many of the attributes of a young congregation.  We started as a congregation in 1994 worshiping in school auditoriums.  We moved into a small new building in 2001 which we still occupy.  Our congregation is welcoming, energetic, and mission oriented.  We worship in a contemporary style.  Our leadership approach is permission giving and empowering which energizes the congregation members to see their own talents manifest themselves into wonderful expressions of the Holy Spirit.  As a young mission parish, we previously and purposefully avoided a strong association with labels to create an environment that is open and welcoming, all the while being a Lutheran Church as part of the ELCA.  As a reflection of this openness, we have attracted many, if not most, members who are not “life-long” Lutherans.  Today, we are not so shy about being a Lutheran Church, but still have not manifested a strong association with the ELCA.  Thus Rejoice has a bit of an independent identity or something we have sometimes referred to as “Lutheran Lite.”  It is your Council’s observation that Rejoice members have a very strong association and pride with the work and mission of Rejoice while having a weak association with the ELCA and its’ local Synod.

Input from Focus Groups

The strong association with Rejoice is reflected in this year’s focus group meetings.  We held nine focus group meetings and in no case was the ELCA position on human sexuality or any other ELCA issue raised as a discussion point.  When directly addressing the ELCA position on human sexuality at a meeting with Bishop Miller, some Rejoice members expressed various levels of dissatisfaction with the ELCA position. 

Conclusion

Your Council’s conclusion from this input is that Rejoice members see Rejoice as distinct from the ELCA.  This does not mean as a congregation that we condone or reject the ELCA position on human sexuality, but rather it is not our issue.  Further, making it our issue will very likely do harm to the constructive Christian ministry and mission that we offer and represent.  Although there are circumstances that may make this issue material to Rejoice at some future date, we believe it is best to address the issue when it occurs.  For now, the ELCA call process, administered by our Metropolitan Chicago Synod, gives us the autonomy to choose our own pastor who works best for Rejoice and to take our own position on homosexuality.  Further, given conscience clauses in the ELCA position statement, we are not forced to accept the ELCA position.

Alternatives - Leadership Examples

We recognize this decision will not be fully appreciated by all members.  To those members who are troubled by this position or believe we are condoning sinful acts, we suggest reflecting on two leadership styles; that of Jesus and Martin Luther.  Jesus did not break away from the Jewish Church even though he taught a different message.  The same can be said for Martin Luther.  He was a dedicated priest of the Roman Catholic Church who saw that the Church had gone astray.  In both cases, the leaders did not leave but worked for change from within.  The main-line churches may have kicked out the leaders, but the leaders did not volunteer to leave.  If your association with the ELCA is strong and you believe the ELCA decision was a mistake, we encourage individual direct engagement with the ELCA to influence change – from within.  In the meantime, we welcome your spirit, time, talents, and resources to continue Rejoice’s mission to be a positive force where “God is Experienced, Community is Shared, and Lives are Changed”. 

In His Service,

Rejoice Lutheran Church Council (2010)

Brian Conroy, President
Scott Fellin, Vice President
Don Goodrich, Treasurer
Pat Dever, Secretary
Adam Klomhaus
Connie Fuller
Laura Beatus
Lou Quetel, Pastor