2005 Synod Assembly
Resolution 2005-05:
Affirming Biblical Teachings
Failed
WHEREAS, 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
states: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness";
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the
Southeastern Minnesota Synod ask the Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA
to affirm the biblical teaching of:
A) Romans 1:26-27 (NIV):
"Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their
women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the
men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with
lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and
received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion."
B) 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NIV):
"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not
be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters or adulterers nor
male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the
drunkards nor slanderers
nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."
C) John 8:11 (NKJV): "…And
Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that
the Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly ask the 2005 Churchwide Assembly
of the ELCA to adopt "Dissenting Position One" from the Task Force report:
1. Affirm and uphold current
policy and practices consistent with past understandings of Vision and
Expectations and Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline, and
the social statements of the Lutheran Church in America and the American
Lutheran Church;
2. Admonish individuals,
communities, congregations and synods that any discipline that may result in
response to actions contrary to those policies be undertaken with all
humility in the knowledge that we see through a glass darkly. May we forgive
as we wish to be forgiven. Remembering the log in our own eye, may Christian
charity guide our ways;
3. Beseech individuals,
communities, congregations, and synods, who for reasons of conscience who
act contrary to the aforementioned policies, to graciously accept and endure
the discipline of the church for the sake of peace, secure in the knowledge
"that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the
glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18)"; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that
the Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly memorialize the 2005
Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA to adopt the following statement as official
policy of the ELCA: "…there is basis neither in Scripture nor tradition for
the establishment of an official ceremony by this church for the blessing of
a homosexual relationship. We, [the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]
therefore, do not approve such a ceremony as an official action of
this church's ministry" (Conference of Bishops 1993.10.25); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that
the Southeastern Minnesota Synod memorialize the Churchwide Assembly of the
ELCA to not approve the ordination of an openly practicing homosexual
pastor.
Submitted by 10 members
from the congregation of Hosanna Lutheran Church, Rochester. Signed by Mark
Korinek, Sarah Korinek, Jacob Korinek, Rachael Korinek, Leonard Koser, James
Karrer, Joan Karrer, Al Knutson, Elna Knutson, Barb Schepp
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