Looking for accountability in a bishop?

Looking for accountability in a bishop? Hanson says it ain't his fault.

"In an interview Friday, Hanson said he doesn't minimize the importance of the debate, but that he worries that "we're on the verge of defining the church on sexuality" rather than on "the Gospel of Jesus Christ as defined in word and sacrament."

"Hanson said he believes the debate of the sexuality issues has "matured" since the church's most recent study process began in 2001, but that it continues to be extremely polarizing in the culture and in the church. "There is increased anxiety about the impact" of decisions that might change church policy, he said.

"The recommendations of the national church task force and Church Council, he said, were designed "to provide some space for continued dialogue." He acknowledged, however, that they are likely to be viewed as going too far by those who believe Scripture is clear about the sinfulness of homosexual behavior and not going far enough by those who view the issues as matters of injustice.

"As I face Orlando," Hanson said, "I am deeply committed to the unity of the ELCA, but I've come to recognize that keeping the church together is not my task singularly.

"Unity is given to us as God's gift. Even if some people or congregations decide they cannot stay within the denomination, I would regret that, but I would still believe we are related in Christ's church universal."

"Hanson, who is also serving as president of the Lutheran World Federation, said he hopes the sexuality debate won't completely overshadow the other work the ELCA will be exploring at its Orlando meeting."

From The Roanoke Times report

Does you find it interesting that the man who has lead us into these controversial decisions states that he does not believe it is his job "to keep the church together"? Brilliant, Mark. You're right, of course, it's not your job to keep it together. That would be Christ's job. But it is not your job to tear it apart, and that is what you did by promoting this debate in the uneven way you did. Instead of appointing a lop-sided, leaning to the left task force on sexuality, you could have made the task force fair. It was so leaning to the left, Lutheran Commentator nailed it: "our prediction is twofold: 1) The Task Force will propose some form of local option permitting congregations who want clergy who are practicing gay, lesbian, or bisexual persons; and 2) The votes of Task Force members will probably line up 11-2 or 10-3." See article here. Disgustingly accurate.

In North Carolina, all three recomendations were voted down (YEAH!) but interestingly "Rev. Leonard H. Bolick, the presiding bishop, declared the motion to pass, but members of the opposition requested a written ballot, which was counted quickly."

"The assembly voted 319-251 to adopt the resolution, which calls on the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Churchwide Assembly to welcome people regardless of their sexual orientation — but to continue to not recognize or bless same-sex unions and to not ordain practicing homosexuals as clergy."

Written ballots were the way to go in NC!

"By passing the resolution, voting members struck down an opposing call to adopt three recommendations the ELCA approved in April that would ask church members to try to live together despite disagreements and allow exceptions to the policy of not ordaining homosexual clergy.

Proponents of the passed resolution based their arguments on a strict interpretation of scripture and the perceived ambiguity of the ELCA's recommendations.

"The recommendations are purveyors of mischief," said Larry Yoder, a member of the Covenant Theological Work Group, a team of North Carolina clergy appointed in 2002 to study sexuality issues."

We haven't the time to check other synods, and recommend you go to www.goodsoil.org and see!