August 26, 2009

Dear Friends in Christ Jesus,

Faith is a way of life, centered in the relationship with Jesus Christ. Faith is a shared way of life, lived in and through a local congregation. We gather as faith people to worship, pray, study, care and serve together. It is Jesus Christ who unites us. Jesus Christ defines who we are and what we are called to be about.

Jesus Christ calls us to faith that is rooted, grows and serves at Mount Olive Lutheran Church. As a faith community rooted in the Lutheran tradition our identity inspires and challenges. The recent vote at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly on the resolutions that accompanied the Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust social statement may be an inspiration or a challenge for you.  

The four resolutions that passed initiate a process to bring changes in church policy. The resolutions and human sexuality statement, as well as other resources, can be found on the ELCA web site: elca.org. Resolution one allows congregations to bless same-sex couples if they so choose. Resolution two commits the ELCA to a process of “finding a way” for homosexual pastors and rostered leaders in committed relationships to serve congregations that may wish to extend a call. Resolutions three and four acknowledge that we are not in agreement on these issues in the church and summarizes the complexity of moving forward while calling all to respect and trust.

What does all this mean for life at Mount Olive? The Lutheran Church is congregational. The local congregation is the center of mission in our church structure. Each Lutheran congregation has and will always have complete control regarding who they call as a pastor. Each Lutheran congregation has and will always have complete control in setting local policy.

What does this mean for your life at Mount Olive? That is a more personal question, inviting prayer, conversation, time and discernment. If a policy decision of the ELCA does not affect your life at Mount Olive, then all this has little or no impact. If you are in favor of the resolutions then it may strengthen your engagement in the life of Mount Olive. If this particular issue defines matters of faith and life, then it may deeply affect your participation at Mount Olive.

As you discern where you stand in response to the vote on the resolutions, give yourself some time. Allow God to lead and guide you as you reflect, worship and pray. As you discern, keep me posted. Yes, you can share that it really does not change life for you at Mount Olive. Yes, you can share that you celebrate the decisions. Yes, you can share that you are deeply troubled by the decisions.  

I offered an initial informational meeting on Sunday, August 23, after worship. I offer another information meeting and conversation on Monday, October 19, at 7 pm.  

I close with an invitation from the ELCA’s Presiding Bishop, Mark Hanson, offered after the vote: “I invite you into important, thoughtful, prayerful conversation about what all of this means for our life in mission together. What is absolutely important for me is that we have this conversation together. We meet one another finally -- not in our agreements or our disagreements -- but at the foot of the cross, where God is faithful, where Christ is present with us, and where, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are one in Christ.”

We are one in Christ Jesus. We live together in joy and sorrow, in certainty and uncertainty, trusting always in a God of love and mercy. On behalf of Pastor Kathie and Pastor Siri,

yours in Christ Jesus,

Pastor Peter Nycklemoe