Gulping in the Spirit - Day Three of the Assembly

As I left the parking garage and walked to the convention center, I walked through and around several choirs- both organized and some spontaneous, singing great hymns of faith. It was an inspiring way to begin the day. Each day we begin with worship and song, followed by a full communion service at 11:30am... then periodically throughout the day we sing and pray... song and prayer really do help one's focus. In between, we do the legislative work of the church.

I began my personal day today, reading Romans chapters 9 and 10... I just opened my bible, and these were the texts that God gave to me this morning.... "So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy".... These chapters and this verse set me firm in the day. Then, our Central States Synod Bishop gathered us... we from Kansas and Missouri for a strengthening word of prayer and intercession...

Today was a big day. We passed for our HIV/AIDs strategy- with a 10 million dollar goal. This is a big deal, as it relates to poverty and the marginalization of those individuals within our society. This initiative will address funding for prevention, treatment and care. This passed with a 96% majority.

We voted with a 92% majority to have our church advocate for changes in immigration policies and processes and to urge suspension of immigration raids... after hearing the devastation these raids bring to families and communities.

It was a 99% majority that passed a directive to have the church increase the amount of worship and education materials available in Braille, large print and other forms of technology for the visually impaired.

Our Bible Study this afternoon re-rooted our Lutheran way to approach the Bible... where we experience the Word as Law, the Word as Gospel and the Word that delivers Christ to us.

Finally, after much discussion on amendments and changes, this Assembly of the ELCA passed the Social Statement on Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust. It was evident that there is no consensus, but the Assembly spoke. It required a 2/3rd majority to pass, and the vote was a 66.67% majority.... probably passed by 1 or 2 individual votes.

I note that I have had tears in my eyes numerous times over the past 3 days... tears of joy and sorrow... listening to the opinions voiced by others who obviously have strong passions... listening to the Word, and being consoled by the Holy Spirit.... The Spirit really does console!!!

I have eaten, spoken and worshiped with people on both extremes... I have spoken with theologians, current synodical Bishops and with a former Bishop of the ECLA... I have communed with a gay pastor with a church in downtown San Francisco...The tears I have shed have been for people on all sides of this issue... and what I am sad about, is that this statement has so much to say about our stance as a church on issues of sexual exploitation, the explosion of sexuality in advertising and the film industry, cohabitation, marriage and trust in relationships, yet our focus was on the issues of homosexuality. A link to the statement can be found at ELCA.org.- then to "What We Believe", then to "Social Issues". I would encourage you to read it for yourself, especially the first several pages that lay the foundation for our "uniquely Lutheran approach to this issue".

The statement has passed and we as a church will move on. What I am encouraged by is that the leaders of Lutheran CORE, the primary organizing group against this statement have stated, and have told me personally that this should not divide the church.... In spite of all of our differences, these men and women love the church....

I guess, bottom line is that I am so proud of who we are as a church. We are not perfect, but in spite of our differences, we are truly trying to live out our faith... focused on the One who first loved us... Jesus Christ.

We in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are doing good things... In our churches you will hear the Gospel preached... and you are sent to reflect God's love in the world. We really can and do make an impact on the world...

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America... God's Work, Our Hands.