The Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met in Minneapolis August 17 to 23, 2009. The Churchwide Assembly (CWA) meets every three years and is the chief legislative authority for the ELCA.

According to the voting member from Racine, Linda Rattle (Lutheran Church of the Redeemer), the week "was emotionally draining for me, but so spiritually uplifting. I just need to express to all that the Lord was certainly present. I have never been anywhere where I have felt the Holy Spirit as much as I did at Assembly.

"I have wept this week, laughed this week, strangers became friends and my relationship to God became stronger. I so love this church and each and every member. The respect and dignity shown throughout the week was unbelievable. The concern and love for fellow members was so apparent. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, united as one to do His work."

On Thursday, the CWA voted 958 to 51 to enter into full communion with the United Methodist Church (UMC). The move, previously approved by the UMC, facilitates partnerships between both church bodies, and enables ELCA and UMC pastors to preside over sacraments for either church congregation. It does not change either church’s understanding of the sacraments.

On Wednesday, by a vote of 870 to 67, voters agreed to urge comprehensive reform of U.S. immigration policies and processes, and to call for suspension of immigration raids until such reform is enacted.

Statement on Human Sexuality

On Wednesday, the CWA approved — by the exact 2/3 majority required —“Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust” as the tenth social statement of the ELCA. The vote was 676 in favor to 338 opposed.

While "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust” does not offer once-and-for-all answers to contemporary questions about sexuality, it states that it "seeks to tap the deep roots of Scripture and the Lutheran theological tradition" for Lutherans to discern what is "responsible and faithful action."

Speaking in favor of adoption of the statement, the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, bishop of the ELCA Northeastern Ohio Synod, said she hopes the assembly does not become "so narrowly focused on the issue of homosexual sexual behavior that we missed the point that we’re speaking a clear word that needs to be heard by our culture," particularly on topics about co-habitation outside of marriage, sex as a commodity, child pornography and more. She said the church has high expectations for all Lutherans, especially for ELCA professional leaders.

Speaking in opposition, voting member Curtis Sorbo, ELCA Eastern North Dakota Synod, said the social statement "should be a teaching tool. I don’t think that it is. Instead we have descriptions of different sexual relationships that we are asked to accept by bound conscience," he said. "We are asked to affirm a description of sexuality in today’s culture because of a new reality. Our church needs to address this issue based on the authority of the word of God, not a description of public opinion and personal desires."

"We took some risks in the writing of this in ways that we thought were appropriate for these times," the Rev. Peter Strommen said in a news conference following the plenary. Strommen chairs the Task Force for the ELCA Studies on Sexuality, which developed the document under the directive of the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

Ministry of Gay, Lesbian Clergy

On Friday, the CWA voted to open the ministry of the church to gay and lesbian pastors and other professional workers living in committed relationships.

The action came by a vote of 559-451. Earlier the assembly also approved a resolution committing the church to find ways for congregations that choose to do so to "recognize, support and hold publicly accountable life-long, monogamous, same gender relationships," though the resolution did not use the word "marriage."

The actions here change the ELCA's policy, which previously allowed gays and lesbians into the ordained ministry only if they remained celibate. A simple majority was required for the vote.

Before discussing the thornier issues of same-gender unions in the ordained ministry, the assembly approved, by a vote of 771-230, a resolution committing the church to respect the differences of opinions on the matter and honor the "bound consciences" of those who disagree.

Some speakers contend that the actions taken here will alienate ELCA members and cause a drop in membership. But Allison Guttu of the ELCA Metropolitan New York Synod said, "I have seen congregations flourish while engaging these issues; I have seen congregations grow recognizing the gifts of gay and lesbian pastors."

(Readers wishing to explore this issue further are strongly encouraged to listen to or read Bishop Hanson's remarks to the assembly after the vote.)

Other Assembly Actions

Voting members also approved, all by wide margins, memorials (resolutions brought from individuals and synods) that would advocate for justice for women; encourage providing worship and education materials for blind and visually impaired church members; and enable recruitment of people of color as clergy candidates.

On Saturday, voters resolved to advocate on behalf of a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The resolution also calls for care for the people of Gaza and support for U.S. financial assistance that funds "peace and cooperation for all parties to the conflict."

Also on Saturday, voters reelected Carlos Peña Vice President of the ELCA on the fourth ballot. Peña, 56, currently serves as president of two companies in the Galveston and Houston areas. He has served as the president of his local Lutheran congregation, and as vice president of the ELCA Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod. His task as vice president of the ELCA is to chair meetings of the Church Council.

For reports of other churchwide assemblies, we offer these links: 2005 - 2011