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1993 Reconciling in Christ Resolution WHEREAS, the Confession and Constitutions of the ELCA, this synod and member congregations Define the Church as the assembly of all believers in which the Gospel is rightly preached and the Sacraments rightly administered (Augsburg, Article 7), Declare that the Church exists both as an inclusive fellowship and as local congregations gathered for worship and Christian service (3.02); and WHEREAS, these same documents declare that in order to participate in God’s mission this church shall Proclaim God’s saving Gospel of justification by grace for Christ’s sake through faith alone (4.02a), Carry out Christ’s commission by reaching out to all people to bring them to faith in Christ (4.02b), Serve in response to God’s love to meet human needs…advocating dignity and justice for all people...(4.02c), Manifest the unity given to the people of God by living together in the love of Christ…(4.02f); and WHEREAS, this church, in faithfulness to the Gospel, is committed to be an inclusive church in the midst of the division in society…(5.01b); and WHEREAS, the social context of our time and place exhibits many disturbing signs of inhospitality and even open hostility toward persons of homosexual orientation; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this assembly of the Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America understands this church’s constitutional language and confessional language, such as “inclusive fellowship,” “all people,” “assembly of all believers,” “unity of God’s people,” to include homosexual persons; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this assembly of this synod understands its confessions and constitution to commit this church in all of its expressions to extend to homosexual persons the same welcome and invitation to participate in the worship, service study and live of the Body of Christ as we are obligated and privileged to extend to any other person; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the congregations of this synod be encouraged to become Reconciled in Christ congregations, making use of such appropriate materials for their study and deliberation of this issue as are available from the Synod Resource Center, the Division for Church in Society of ELCA, and Lutherans Concerned North America; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Rocky Mountain Synod seek to provide additional resources to assist congregations in this study; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Lutheran Concerned/North America – a Christian Ministry for Gay and Lesbian Understanding. Submitted by: Pastor Lutheran Johnson Pastor Steve Loy Pastor Susan Burchfield Pastor Patricia Holman Pastor Red Burchfield Pastor Jim Gearhart Intern Diane Gummeson Resolution as amended was adopted by the Rocky Mountain Synod in assembly, June 5, 1993
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1993 Assembly
In 1993 the
Rocky Mountain Synod passed a resolution that among other "resolves"
states that "the congregations of this synod be encouraged to become
Reconciled (ing) in Christ congregations, making use of such appropriate
materials for their study and deliberation of this issue as are
available from the Synod Resource Center, the Division for Church in
Society of the ELCA, and Lutherans Concerned North America.."
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