Positive reaction to the decisions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly

Press Release from the LCN

Phil Soucy, Director Communications LC/NA, communications@lcna.org [Currently known as Reconciling Works]

Actions:

• Tell your community that you are in support of the decisions of the assembly
• Make sure your bishop and pastor know that you support full inclusion and the assembly’s actions
• Seek out someone of your acquaintance you know is conflicted, listen to them, tell them of your support for the assembly’s action and full inclusion

We have not exulted about the decisions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly regarding the Social Statement on Human Sexuality and the change in ministry policies. We have been mindful that there were sisters and brothers in Christ who were pained by the decisions, and we wanted to treat their pain with the respect it deserved.

However, that caution may have led to the impression in the church and the larger society that the only reaction to those decisions is that of the small minority of virulently opposed individuals and congregations who have appeared in the press, either independently or as a result of attending a meeting in Indianapolis. Much has been said in the public arena by those in their pain that is inaccurate, slanderous, and complete fabrication. What is actually true is that there are many, many individuals and congregations throughout the church who are pleased with the decisions, who feel that the decisions are theologically and Scripturally sound, who believe the decisions have placed the church in a better position to live out the message of the Gospel, and who feel that the decisions have set the church at long last on a Scripture-led path that affirms that sexual orientation and gender identity are not the basis upon which to judge anyone, heterosexual or otherwise.

If you are an RIC congregation, if you are in a congregation that is supportive of the decisions taken in August, if you yourself believe the decisions to be led by the Holy Spirit and to have made the church a better place and better able to be in mission to others, it is time to both celebrate that, and to let the light and voice of that belief be seen and heard in no uncertain terms.

What are the ways your message of support gets out in a meaningful way?

In the case of congregations:

• Statements on the outside bulletin boards of the church stating the support of the congregation for full inclusion and support of the decisions of the August assembly
• Letters to the editors of your local mainstream, county, and community newspapers and news directors of local broadcast media stating the congregation’s support for the decisions and the hopes for the future that the decisions now make possible, particularly where there have been or are opinions expressed that are counter to the decisions or characterize the church in very negative terms. You don’t have to wait for someone opposed to express an opinion to which you respond.
• Posting the support of the decisions to the congregation’s website
• Special mention in the prayers of the day for the continued guidance of the Holy Spirit as the church, the synod, and the congregation seek to fully live out the message of full inclusion
• Communicating the congregation’s support of the decisions to your conference, to your synod staff, and to your bishop. Even if you believe they know of your support because of your general stance on full inclusion, write to them – they, like you, benefit by being reinforced in their beliefs.

In the case of individuals:

• Think about your family, friends and co-workers. If you know of someone who is conflicted about the decisions of assembly, open a dialogue with them. Get them to tell you of their conflict. Listen. Tell them of your comfort and joy about the decisions, and why you are comforted. Help them with their conflict if only to provide them with a friendly conversation about the decision. Help them to remember that it is ok to be conflicted about serious subjects. Help them to remember that church is exactly the place to bring conflicts to God, while continuing to work together doing the work God wants done. They don’t have to agree with you, but they do have to know that disagreement need not impair the life of the congregation.
• Tell others of your support for the decision; don’t assume they know it.
• Tell your pastor and council leadership of your support. It is important they hear the voices of those supporting the decisions.
• You too, as an individual, can tell of your support for the decisions in letters to the editor or news directors, and you do not have to wait for someone who is opposed to express a negative opinion. You also do not have to respond directly to any allegations made. You can simply state for the record your support of the decisions and support of full inclusion.

Take every and any opportunity to speak forthrightly of the joy in Christ that the decisions brought to you and the opportunity the church’s support for full inclusion presents to deepen the church’s commitment to Scripture, the spread of the Gospel, the care for those less fortunate than us wherever they are found and whatever their needs are, and the gathering of worshipful, faithful Lutherans in celebration.