ELCA bishop: Tears of ‘joy and sorrow’ over gay-clergy vote
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- September
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Bishop Robert Rimbo, leader of the ELCA’s Metro NY Synod, reflected this week on his denomination’s much-publicized recent decision to allow people who live in committed, monogomous same-sex relationships to serve as ministers.
He writes, in part:
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I fully expect that our call process will fundamentally remain the same, with congregations finally determining whom to call as their pastor in a process guided by the Holy Spirit. I am grateful for the spirit of communal discernment in our church and at our Churchwide Assembly. Through it all we have come to recognize the deep love people have for this church, even as our views might vary about how best to live this out. This love was evident in the tears in the eyes of many in the Assembly hall upon the announcement of all of the critical votes. There were tears of joy and tears of sorrow and I found the tears in my own eyes to be a mixture of the two.
When difficult decisions are made, trust levels are often shaken. So let me offer some thoughts on why I believe there is reason for trust in our church to be affirmed:
The process was consistently open and democratic, sometimes to the dismay of those who wanted the authorities in our church to dictate what could or could not be. Debate was robust and outcomes were not known until announced. The 1,045 voting members made these decisions.
There was impressive respect for the deep feelings of others as votes were announced. Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson reminded us that given the gravity of all of these decisions, the announcement of results should be followed by respectful silence and prayer rather than clapping or outbursts. And that’s exactly what happened: response was always restrained and prayerful. I think these are important signs of our care for each other and the growing maturity of our church.
The depth of people’s engagement on the floor of the Assembly and in many gatherings throughout our time before and during the days in Minneapolis is a clear sign of people’s great love for this church. I find hope in that, and I trust that we can continue to listen attentively to one another.
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When I interviewed Rimbo a year ago, shortly before he became bishop, he told me: “After years of personal struggle, of study, of conversations, I believe that people who are gay are created that way. Who am I to deny something that God has created?”
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on Thursday, September 3rd, 2009 at 10:21 am by Gary Stern.
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The world of religion, we don't have to tell you, is vast. The purpose of this blog is for Stern to note, flag and comment on some of the more interesting religious developments on the scene – weighty and quirky, somber and laughable, far away and just down the road. He won't interpret Scripture, take sides in conflicts or judge anyone. But he will take advantage of the journalist's license to observe.
I was present during the assembly as a volunteer for Goodsoil, an LGBT advocacy group. I can attest to the ‘tears of joy and sorrow’ that Bishop Rimbo references. I also blogged extensively before, during, and after the conference. Here is a snippet from today’s post featuring former Presiding Bishop Herb Chilstrom and his experience of the Goodsoil crowd after the votes:
“The final votes had been taken. On Friday evening many of us gathered to worship and reflect on what had happened. The room at the Minneapolis Convention Center was filled to near capacity [Goodsoil Central]. We were a mixed group: a synod bishop, straight couples like Corinne and me, straight and gay singles, gay couples, clergy and lay, young and old—a microcosm of the ELCA.
There was no shouting, ‘We won!’ There were no banners proclaiming, ‘Victory at last!’
The mood was one of quiet and calm …”
I just interviewed a priest on different topics including gay marriage. You can hear a little of what he said here: http://blogs.journalism.cuny.edu/interactive2010/2009/10/09/father-jim-at-st-marys-by-the-sea/
True Christianity is founded upon the Word of God, not the opinions of men. God is not double-minded. The Bible is clear about his distain for homosexuality, so why on earth would he create people to have that tendency? There are other forces at work here. When we are quick to dismiss the Word of Truth, we fall into error and miss God’s enlightenment on issues. Jesus bore all sin on the cross so we could be delivered of it by faith in him. It is a slap in his face to embrace sin after all he did in order to deliver us from it’s grip. Clergymen have a responsibility to be examples of Jesus’ ways. All of us have the command to Love. But love does not mean to disregard God’s Word. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” We are not to condemn the sinner, but we are to reject the sin. This has been a dark day for the ELCA, and I pray that those who truly love God and his Word will repent from bowing down to this idol of homosexuality and seek the deliverance which he offers so freely. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you..” If we lie against the Word of God and try to fashion scripture to support our own comfortable and carnal ideas, then we not only grieve the Holy Spirit, we hurt ourselves. “The Truth shall set you free”, but if we deny the Truth of God, what hope do we have? Surely, we set fire to our own bridge.