Bishop's Bits - Since You Asked
Follow Up on the '09 Churchwide Assembly > Since You Asked

Dear Partners in Ministry:

Since you asked...

In the years and months leading up to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, I believed my calling was to lead discussion and discernment around difficult and contentious topics in the most helpful way possible, trusting the work of the Holy Spirit in the process. There were enough voices being offered. I did not believe an additional voice would be more helpful. But since the assembly, more and more I have been asked my opinion.

Since you asked...

I voted "yes" for the social statement "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust." I believe this statement offers important insight regarding issues of traditional marriage and family, issues that need to be addressed in a society where marriages continue to have only a 50% chance of survival...where 40% of infants are born out of wedlock...where living together outside of marriage is more and more frequent, and not just among our young adults. There are two pages in the social statement that address homosexuality and our varied stances as members of the ELCA. Some have said that because of our inability to speak on that topic with authority, the entire statement should be rejected. I believe just the opposite, that in spite of our disagreement about homosexuality, the rest of the statement offers important direction for Christians living in a world obsessed with sexuality. I often wonder if it isn't part of our human sinfulness that causes us to so focus our attention on the sins of others, while ignoring those sins that more directly affect us.

Since you asked...

I voted "no" regarding the rostering of people in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships. I am more conservative theologically. I believe that those inspired by the Holy Spirit to author the Scriptures did believe that homosexuality was a sin. Biblical scholars have varied interpretations of the most commonly noted texts, but I do believe there still was an underlying assumption that homosexuality was wrong.
I do not hear parents cheering when their children come out of the closet. I do not hear individuals themselves giving thanks when they realize they are homosexual. I believe homosexuality is other than what God intended...and other than what we ourselves would hope for.

It is also obvious that the ELCA is divided over this issue. In the midst of such confusion, I did not think it wise or prudent to change our policies regarding rostering. As I shared at the churchwide assembly, if we were not even able to receive the support of 2/3 of the voting members gathered at the assembly, how would we expect congregations to vote by 2/3 to call people in publicly accountable lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships?

I voted "no"...but I wonder. For I also believe that the Biblical references to homosexuality more often describe what we today know as rape, not the relationship the ELCA resolution describes. I also believe that most often people are born homosexual, just as I was born heterosexual. There are people for sure who are confused about their sexuality. They need our support and counsel. But I have never met anyone who has chosen to be homosexual, who would in this culture? So what do we say to those who love the Lord their God with all their heart and soul and mind but also seek the companionship that sustains us as heterosexuals? And how do the Scriptures report that Jesus responded to the outcasts in that society, even those who Scripture condemned? And what of the Scriptures that report on the early church welcoming those who before were clearly unwelcome?

I voted "no," so now what do I do with a decision I do not agree with? I stay close to my call, which is to pastor the Southeastern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. I believe there are Christians on both sides of this issue who take the Scriptures seriously. I believe there are many issues we disagree on, even as together we continue to confess our salvation rooted in the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. I believe my task is not to convince one side or the other of their lack of faithfulness. That is not what this is about. My task is to call Christians together to be about the work of Christ and to do so with the respect and dignity all of God's children can expect. I will continue to interpret the policies of the ELCA in this synod, and I will continue to serve the congregations who are the synod. And especially in the congregational call process, I and my staff will continue to invite and respect your decisions as to the type of candidate you would consider to serve as your pastor.

Shalom,

Harold Usgaard
Bishop