ALASKA SYNOD
1847 WEST NORTHERN LIGHTS BOULEVARD #2 • ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99517-3343 OFFICE (907) 272-8899 • FAX (907) 274-3141 • EMAIL: aksynodbishop@alaska,net
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA

August 26, 2009

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Returning from the 2009 Churchwide Assembly, there are many things on which to report.  In the upcoming September OutFAST, I will share a more complete picture of many of the decisions made during the week of the Assembly.  These include the Full Communion Agreement with the United Methodist Church, Lutheran Malaria Initiative, HIV-AIDS Strategy, Restructuring for Evangelical Mission, Middle East Strategy, and a timeline for future social statements.

This week, many have asked for more immediate clarification of the decisions made in Minneapolis, specifically in regards to human sexuality and ministry policy.

Human sexuality was a topic of multiple conversations, debates, amendments and votes.  The ELCA has been working on a social statement on human sexuality for eight years, though questions were surfacing before the merger in 1988.  We were reminded that ELCA social statements inform this church, not define this church.  They speak to the ELCA and the broader community in confronting the brokenness and abuses in society.

The social statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust speaks to the Gospel, scripture, and Lutheran traditions while addressing a broad array of concerns including marriage, family, cohabitation, same-gender relationships, social impacts of the sexualization of society, commercialization of sex, domestic violence, the protection of children, and the actions this church needs to take.  This passed with precisely the two-thirds required by our constitution. 

As a separate issue, the ministry policy concerning same gender relationships and the implications to rostering were discussed, debated and voted upon.  Acknowledging the lack of consensus within the church, three key actions were approved:
a)  recognition that people of good faith and with scriptural integrity disagree regarding same-gender relationships and that each is to respect the integrity and faithful work of those with whom we disagree (Galatians 6:2);
b)  persons in same-gender relationships are in our congregations; this church should find ways to hold them publicly accountable to the values and expectations similar to those in the covenant marriage (e.g. lifelong, monogamous and trustworthy); and
c) while committing this church to eliminate the prohibition toward persons in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous same-gender relationships from serving on the roster of the this church, we will provide policies that respect those who believe that homosexual persons rostered in the church must remain celibate, and therefore, are not obliged to call leaders in same-gender relations. 

What does this mean? 
For some individuals and congregations, they are experiencing deep struggles and pain over these decisions.  They are concerned about what this mean for them and this church to which they have been deeply committed.  For others, it is a time of reconnecting to this church because of the exclusion they have experienced.  Now is a time for prayer and support for all.

In our congregation's life, very little will be impacted or changed. The education, formation and approval of candidates for ministry will remain much the same, as well as the Vision and Expectation statement that each candidate is expected to sign.  In the call process, the local congregation continues to be the decision maker for who is and is not called to serve a congregation.  The Alaska Synod affirmed this at the 2004 Assembly stating that the synod is obligated to disclose to the call committee any information that might impact a candidate's ministry and relationship with the congregation (e.g. health, addiction, personal relationships, or sexual orientation). 

It is in the best interest of the congregation, the candidate and the synod that appropriate persons be matched with calling congregations.  The ministry policy votes allow for more openness and honesty, not less.  The synod pledges no surprises, sabotage, or hidden agendas, and to faithfully honor the call process.

We all need to delve deeper into the scriptures, but more importantly delve deeper into the Living Word, Jesus Christ.  A Lutheran biblical perspective always begins and ends in Jesus Christ, not just what Jesus said while on earth, but what Christ is saying in our midst through Word, Sacrament, preaching, and teaching.

Finally, together, let us pray that we stay at the table…not an ELCA or even your congregation table… but Christ's table.  The Body of Christ has wrestled across its history with many internal conflicts including: welcome of Gentiles and "unclean" ones by Jesus and later the early church in Acts, the role of women as presiders, acceptance of soldiers into the faith community, the equality before God of freemen and slaves.  As imperfect, broken people, we gather at the table to receive forgiveness, hope, and life. We pray for the wholeness of self, of family, of church that we cannot come to ourselves…a wholeness that is only ours through the loving grace of God.

I would ask for your prayers for the whole Church, our congregations and each other.  You are encouraged to listen on line to Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson's word after the ministry policy decisions and those of Rev Ishmael Noko, General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation.
http://www.elca.org  click on Assembly.

I ask you to commit yourselves to tending the relationships within your congregation and the synod, as I commit to you to tend these relationships.  Let us find new ways to live into Christ's mission for the Church, and to deepen our connection as the Body of Christ for the sake of the world.

God bless us, Christ walk with us, Holy Spirit guide us.

Michael F. Keys
Pastor Michael F Keys
Bishop, Alaska Synod