Documents related to a discussion of
Bound
Conscience
In preparation for the presentation
and discussion of this topic on October 1, 2011, here is a list of websites you
can visit to place this discussion in its context.
A.
You might start
with the Social Issues page: http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Social-Issues.aspx Among the many items on this page you will
see summary statements of how we address social issues and a list of the Social
Statements that have been passed by our church.
B.
If you want to
read the Social Statement on Human Sexuality, you can click on it or go
to http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Social-Issues/Social-Statements/JTF-Human-Sexuality.aspx The full text of the statement is here,
including the sections that use the phrases “conscience-bound” and “bound
conscience.” These all occur in the
section Lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships. See
also End Note #26.
C.
There are some
additional resources on the same page as the Social Statement on Human
Sexuality. If you look to the left
column, you should see links to topics such as Frequently Asked Questions
and A Message to Rostered Leaders.
Each of these pages have additional links that will take you to
further discussions of the topic of bound conscience (FAQs
on Bound Conscience, Reflections
on the Bound Conscience in Lutheran Theology, and Remarks
on 'Bound Conscience by the Rev. Dr. Timothy Wengert).
D.
Once the Social
Statement on Human Sexuality had passed, the 2009 Churchwide Assembly
considered changes to its ministry policies.
“Ministry Policies Resolutions Adopted. Voting members adopted resolutions
proposed by the Church Council based on those contained in a "Report and
Recommendation on Ministry Policies." The assembly determined Aug. 17 that
majority votes would be required on each resolution for adoption. The actions
direct that changes be made to churchwide policy documents to make it possible
for people in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender
relationships to serve as associates in ministry, clergy, deaconesses and
diaconal ministers in the ELCA. The assembly adopted the resolutions in the
following order:
Resolution 3: Adopted by a vote of 771-230 as amended:
"Resolved, that in the implementation of any resolutions on ministry
policies, the ELCA commit itself to bear one another's burdens, love the
neighbor, and respect the bound consciences of all."
Resolution 1: Adopted by a vote of 619-402: "Resolved, that
the ELCA commit itself to finding ways to allow congregations that choose to do
so to recognize, support and hold publicly accountable lifelong, monogamous,
same-gender relationships."
Resolution 2: Adopted by a vote of 559-451: "Resolved, that
the ELCA commit itself to finding a way for people in such publicly
accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as
rostered leaders of this church."
Resolution 4: Adopted by a vote of 667-307 as amended: This
resolution called on members to respect the bound consciences of those with
whom they disagree; declared the intent to allow structured flexibility in
decision-making about candidacy and the call process; eliminated the
prohibition of rostered (associates in ministry, clergy, deaconesses and
diaconal ministers) service by members in publicly accountable, lifelong,
monogamous same-gender relationships; recognized and committed to respect the
convictions of members who believe that the ELCA should not call or roster
people in committed same-gender relationships; called for development of accountability
guidelines; directed that appropriate amendments to ministry policy documents
be drafted and approved by the Church Council; and urged that the church
continue to trust congregations, bishops, synods and others responsible for
determining who should be called into public ministry.”
(NOTE: Section D copied from News
Release from ELCA NEWS SERVICE, August 28, 2009: http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4278).
E.
When these resolutions passed, it became
necessary to revise many policy documents.
You will find these revised documents at http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Vocation/Rostered-Leadership/Ministry-Policies.aspx
F.
On the same page as
the list of revised ministry policy documents you will find links to some other
documents: Proposed Board of Pensions
Documents (March 2, 2010):
G.
One more resource from the ELCA on current
usage of the phrase ‘bound conscience.’