By Michael Gryboski, Editor Christian Post. (image: Zelle Duda/Unsplash)
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will not remove conscience protections for members who oppose same-sex marriage, according to a church official.
In 2022, the progressive mainline denomination voted to approve an editing process for a 2009 document, which, among other things, required the denomination to respect different opinions on LGBT issues among members.
Some expressed concern that the edits could lead to the removal of conscience protections for member congregations that are theologically opposed to recognizing same-sex marriages.
However, Ryan P. Cumming, program director for the ELCA’s Theological Ethics, Education, and Community Engagement, has stated that this will not be the case.
In comments emailed to The Christian Post on Wednesday, Cumming said that the “reconsideration is editorial only” and the proposed changes “do not alter the substantive meaning of the 2009 social statement.”
“Discussions of human sexuality and marriage naturally raise significant concerns among many throughout the church,” he said. “It is important to remember, as well, there are many different convictions involved, including the concerns of those who have experienced marginalization or discrimination because of beliefs that their sexuality is sinful and that they ought not have the right to marry.”
“There are thus complex concerns among many people within the ELCA, including among members of the diverse task force.”
Instead, according to the Rev. Roger A. Willer, director for ELCA Theological Ethics, proposed alterations to the 2009 document will include several phrase changes in keeping with overall social changes since the document was adopted.
For example, while references to “husband and wife” were replaced with “both spouses” or “the couple,” Willer told CP via email that the original meaning of the sentences remained as it was in 2009.