How Could This Be?

Some thoughts from our recent churchwide assembly

By Pr. John K. Stendahl, Lutheran Church of the Newtons, Newton Centre, Mass.

(Editor's Note: This is a second, longer reflection written by Pr. Stendahl as a result of his yearning to deal in more depth with the issues and comments raised by the 11^th Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA.)

At the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly I stood in line to speak during the debate on the controversial ministry recommendations related to sexuality. Those in favor of the proposed changes in policy had frequently cited portions of scripture in pleading their case, but the other side had unyieldingly held that the Bible’s word on this topic, along with nearly two millennia of Christian teaching, was absolutely clear and unmistakable. Advocates for change had been described as standing against the Word on the basis of selfish desire or self-centered experience, and I had wanted to provide some counterword that would explain how it could be that some among us understood, or believed, themselves actually to be faithful to the scriptures rather than in defiance of them when they argued for the possibility of same-gender relationships within the pale of Christian ethics. As one of those who so believed, I wanted to try to make that position understood and respected even if unshared and rejected.

As I stood and waited my turn at the microphone, however, it became clearer and clearer to me that my allotted two minutes would not suffice for all the words I had to speak, both scribbled on the pieces of paper I held in my hands and weighing on my heart. Moreover, not only wasn’t there enough time but it seemed to me that this was not the time: emotions were too high, the decision too close, and the time for thoughtful and patient conversation over complexities of interpretation had passed. One more argument would have seemed just that – more argument. When at last my turn came to speak I abandoned my notes and instead spoke simply of the feelings and thoughts that I have just described, closing with the hope that once the dust settled from this fight the conversations that should have happened earlier might again become possible and we would be able to talk across the divide.

To that end, and in response to several requests from people curious about what I had originally intended to say, I have typed up this now significantly expanded (and even endnoted) version of my scribblings. They are now less a speech than a short lecture, but still I write in the hope that these words will further the cause of understanding. And, oh, how often we human beings simply yearn to be understood!

Click HERE to read the rest of Pr. Stendahl’s reflection.