Defrocked Lutheran minister Bradley Schmeling. Photo by Paul Nixdorf______
At the Biennial Evangelical Church in America ( ELCA ) Churchwide Assembly held in Chicago, Lutherans passed a resolution 538-431 that urges bishops to refrain from punishing gay and lesbian members of the clergy who are in committed, life-long relationships. The vote took place Aug. 11 after an emotional two-day debate.
The vote was a step toward LGBT inclusion in the church, but proposals to ordain gays and lesbians and bless same-sex unions were postponed until 2009, when an ELCA task force will release its findings from a human sexuality study. Current church policy requires gay and lesbian clergy members to remain celibate; however, this vote encourages bishops to refrain from punishing clergy, or at least show restraint in disciplining them for being in committed same-sex relationships.
The debate followed the recent defrocking of Atlanta, Ga., pastor Bradley Schmeling, as well as the release of a booklet passed out to voting members during the assembly, in which 82 LGBT Lutheran ministers chose to speak out against the policy.
Schmeling was defrocked in July for having a life partner. Although he was removed from the clergy roster, he still remains pastor of Atlanta's oldest church, St. John's Lutheran, which boasts 350 members, and is continually growing.
During the assembly, Schmeling was headquartered with Goodsoil, a gay Lutheran advocacy group, along with his immediate family and many devoted members of his congregation.
Schmeling told Windy City Times that he had a chance to have meaningful conversations with various voting members, many of which opposed striking the celibacy ban for gay clergy. 'The reaction to our presence has been really positive,' Schmeling said.
Prior to the vote, Schmeling and members of his congregation sat down with Windy City Times. Many present agreed that the congregation was able to take a terrible and disheartening experience and turn it into a celebration, going so far as to say that there was also a 'real joy' to what had happened. They felt the openness and honestly of their pastor and his partner, as well as their ability to band together and create a stronger bond then they had ever had before, was worthy of celebrating.
'What's happened with the congregation is we're a lot closer than we ever have been,' said congregation member Paul Arne. 'We are very united, and we are having just a wonderful faith experience at our church.' He later added that the church's experience has even caused a ripple effect: 'Our church has been a forum to allow other churches to explore this issue.'
St. John's has since started several new programs, many of which involve helping the community. Many expressed an increased desire in becoming more socially conscious and active in the community as a result of the experience.
'It has been an opportunity to talk more about our faith with people we wouldn't have done so before, whether that is with our neighbors or our coworkers,' said 24-year member Barbara Arne.
Laura Crawley agreed that the experience has strengthened the congregation's faith and caused everyone to become more committed to social justice. Although that desire was always there, the experience 'ignited that desire.' She noted that there has been an exponential increase in visitors, and the church now has to 'run to catch up to the energy that is flowing in.'
Schmeling noted that, no matter the outcome, St. John's would walk away with at least something. 'We were really focused on coming and telling our story, showing our faces, meeting people and trying to be present here in a way that demonstrates we are a vibrant and growing congregation,' he said. 'It really focuses more on giving witness and telling our story.
'I think that is what will finally move the church. Whatever happens in Chicago, we can go back feeling like we were able to participate in the conversation.'
The congregation had felt that prior to coming to the assembly, their side of the story had not been told. 'There are people who have made up their minds already,' Barbara Arne said.
However, Crawley felt that being at the assembly would at least put a face on the issue that people would carry away with them when they returned home. Being there was physical proof that the ban has real consequences for real people. 'It denies the humanity of actual people,' she said. 'The policy rejects real people. Putting a face on that is important. We are a community of actual people.'
'This isn't just Bradley; it's his sisters, his brothers, his friends,' said Schmeling's mother. 'He comes with a host of people. When there is rejection of your family, you also feel the hurt.'
