September 3, 2009

“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.  Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.  Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.”

[Romans 12: 9-12]

Dear Colleagues in Ministry,

Earlier I wrote a general letter to our entire synod, rostered leaders and congregations providing some reflections on the many actions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.  This letter is intended for you who serve as my colleagues in the rostered leadership of this synod.   I begin by giving thanks for your ministry and affirming the gifts that you bring to your many callings in life.

It goes without saying that our leadership is most important in times of anxiety and uncertainty.  We have been trained for such times.  Following the actions of the churchwide assembly of approving the social statement, “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust,” and the resolutions related to ministry policies, there are many within our congregations who have been deeply stirred by these decisions:  some rejoicing and others expressing great sorrow.

To the extent possible for you personally, I encourage you to model a non-anxious presence in providing opportunity for differing thoughts and feelings to be shared.  As would be expected, reactions have been varied and widespread.  It is important that all feel safe to express their joys, anger, concern, frustration or celebration within the body of Christ that we call the Church.

I further encourage you to help your members to speak well of those who differ in their thinking and feelings related to this matter.  As your bishop, I am deeply offended by the callous and often unkind comments that members of our faith community are making regarding sisters and brothers who hold different positions than themselves (this is happening in both directions).  I pray that we will seek to outdo one another in showing honor and respect for one another.  There are deeply faithful, biblically sound, theologically grounded, caring and loving individuals within our church who hold very differing views and interpretations related to the actions of the churchwide assembly.  Let us not be part of divisive party-spiritedness that would belittle, minimize or demonize those who differ with us.

Please understand that the actions related to the ministry policies will not superimpose requirements upon congregations in call processes.   Congregations continue to be responsible for decisions relating to those who will serve as their rostered leaders.  Call committees, councils and congregations gathered in meeting will determine the candidates that they feel will best serve the missional needs of their particular congregation.  The language of the resolutions are to “finding ways” for congregations, which desire to do so, to more fully embrace and minister to individuals living in lifelong, monogamous, publicly accountable, same-gender relationships, and to “finding ways” for persons living in such relationships to become rostered in the ELCA and serve in ministry where they are called and welcomed.  All of this will take time; the actions are calling for processes and procedures, as well as resources, to assist and guide the whole church.

As your bishop, I commit myself to continue to walk with and lead this synod in our common mission of sharing Christ, making disciples and doing justice in the world.  I will make myself and members of my staff available to meet with you, your congregations or conferences to have further conversations as our mutual schedules will permit.  I would also welcome hearing from you if you feel that you have the gifts and interest in assisting my office with such conversations in other congregations or within councils.

We are blessed to have our Conference on Ministry scheduled in two weeks!  We will gather together around Word and Sacrament to celebrate God’s promises of love and forgiveness in Christ Jesus.  We also have the joy of our Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson being present with us as our main presenter.  In advance of our gathering, I encourage you to read the several letters and responses that Bp. Hanson has provided us and I would ask that you visit the ELCA Website to review the many summaries of the actions of churchwide assembly.

I hope that you can sense my deep commitment to the Florida-Bahamas Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  I love this church.  While I do not always agree with everything that we decide to do as a whole church, I remain one who believes that we have the richest proclamation of the Grace of God of any denomination, and that together we have so many gifts to share with the world.

Paul beseeches that our love be genuine.  Such is my care and concern for each of you.  My zeal and enthusiasm for the mission that has been entrusted to us in this synod remains vibrant.  I look forward to our conversations and our ministry together.  May God bless you and your leadership at this time!  I hope to see many of you at the Conference on Ministry in two weeks.

In Christ and His Love,

+Ed

Edward R. Benoway, Bishop

Florida-Bahamas Synod, ELCA