A Message From: Bishop Edward R. Benoway
RE:
Hearing on Draft of Social Statement on
Human Sexuality
As part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s process for moral deliberation, the Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly will include a hearing on the First Draft of a Proposed Social Statement on Human Sexuality. The draft is scheduled for released on March 13 and can be downloaded from the ELCA website at: www.elca.org/faithfuljourney.
Previously, the synod held several hearings across its territory in order to gather the broadest possible input on the issues of faith and human sexuality in contemporary culture. That information, along with input from the other 64 synods, was passed on to the task force charged with producing the proposed statement. The current hearing will gather input that could help improve the initial draft of the statement. Our hearing will be most helpful if participants have studied the draft and prepared comments that will improve it.
A wide range of moral opinions and questions on the topic of human sexuality are being considered in the development of this social statement. Among the various points of view, we come together as church, as the Body of Christ, to listen for the Spirit of God even as we listen to each other. There may even be strong disagreements among us. If the hearing simply becomes a listing of these disagreements, the process of moral deliberation will falter. The challenge before this church is to have a respectful conversation where faithful Christians interpret the Biblical Witness in various ways. The best suggestions for improving the draft proposal will be those that help the church live faithfully in the face of the many tensions that exist concerning human sexuality.
In order to invite the widest possible participation, the hearing will be conducted as a “safe place.” This means that participants will be asked to sign in, declare that they have read the actual draft, commit to respect the right of all to speak without fear of intimidation. The hearing encourages all persons who participate to speak with heart and mind to the draft.
An impartial convener trained in leading group discussions will lead the hearing. A member of the ELCA task force will be present to listen to the comments that are offered. The comments will be recorded by a volunteer and sent to the ELCA task force. Those who are unable to participate in the hearing can send their comments directly to the task force. Please see http://www.elca.org/faithfuljourney for details.