Elca stand on homosexuality

Human Sexuality

Human Sexuality: Gift and Trustexpresses ELCA teaching on human sexuality. The utterance is grounded in the biblical witness to the relationship God establishes with creation as a model for relationships between human beings. God is absolutely trustworthy and faithful, and, therefore, with regard to sexuality, both human action and social structures are considered in relation to how they foster believe, commitment and protection for the flourishing and well-being of all people. In light of human sexuality as a gift and a trust, the remark considers the ways social structures and institutions shelter, sustain and protect personal, family and social relationships of love and trustworthiness.

The statement provides guidance on key matters, such as marriage, family, same-gender relationships, protection of children and youth, sexuality and the self, sexual intimacy and cohabitation. It addresses issues of sexuality in the public square, the operate place and within the church. This social declaration was adopted by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

SOCIAL Utterance (EN)

SOCIAL STATEMENT (ESP)

‍

Follow these links to find resources for understanding this social s

Resources for the LGBTQIA+ Community

This is Christ's church. There is a place for you here.‍

We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God's grace. Liberated by our faith, we adopt you as a whole person – questions, complexities and all.

ELCA social statement on human sexuality

Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust expresses ELCA teaching on human sexuality. A social statement is a learning and policy document that assists us in thinking about and discussing social issues in the context of faith and world. This statement was adopted in and provides guidance on matters like marriage, family and same-gender relationships.

Read the Statement

LGBTQIA+ voices and ministries in Living Lutheran

We are a church that values and encourages diverse voices and lively dialogue.

Find articles authored by LGBTQIA+ church leaders and stories about ministries that affirm people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in Living Lutheran magazine and on

Living Lutheran

Evangelical Lutheran Worship Service of Marriage:
Supplemental Resources

This marriage service supplement offers inclusive language for all cou

ELCA vote opens door to nixing conscience protections for same-sex marriage opponents

By Michael Gryboski, Editor

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has approved a suggestion to possibly revise a social statement that respects the conscience of members who oppose same-sex marriage.

At the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Columbus, Ohio, delegates voted in favor of potentially revising a social statement passed on the issue of "bound conscience."

Motion K, also known as "Revision to Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust Social Statement," passed overwhelmingly last Thursday in a vote of to The ELCA will create a task force to review the issue and make recommendations to the Churchwide Assembly.

Get Our Latest News for FREE

Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the uppermost stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Upload. Be the first to know.

Most attendees who spoke on the motion supported the measure. Considerable applause broke out after Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton confirmed its passage.

Michael Schulte of the Southeastern Synod spoke in favor of the motion, saying he was raised in a church that considered homosexuality a sin.

"I know firsthand how harmful

As compared with most Evangelical denominations, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's policy concerning homosexuality is both open and clear. Homosexuals are invited to be full members, to divide in the sacraments, and to be treated in all ways as heterosexuals. They may even be ordained and called as clerics, serving in pulpits and other ministries. But homosexual conduct is considered sin, and those who would be ministers must refrain from such actions, and must promise as much if their homosexuality is known.

The more conservative wing of Christendom would consider this position too liberal. Homosexuality is, to many, a particularly offensive sin, one which no Christian should practice; any church member doing so should be removed from the membership roster. But this equal attitude is applied by them to many habitual sins of the flesh. The alcoholic is tossed out on his ear for drunkenness, the lecher for his persistent infidelities. There is a truthful issue within the Church Universal concerning how much sinful conduct should be tolerated, and how to deal with those who exceed our admittedly somewhat artifical limits.&n