Journey Together Faithfully

The decade of the 1960s are sometimes called a period of 'sexual revolution.' As new insights into human behavior, sexuality and moral questions came to light Lutherans began processing the questions before us. Social Statements on marriage and family from the Lutheran Church in America and American Lutheran Church were adopted in 1970 and 1980 respectively. A growing engagement with questions around Gay and Lesbian sexuality and status is evident it these statements. With the merger of these two church bodies into the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 1988 it was clear that more work was waiting to be done.

Journey Together Faithfully was an effort begun by the ELCA in 2001. The goal was a Social Statement on human sexuality, speaking to our church and the broader community from a Biblical/Lutheran perspective. The journey has been challenging. We have not always felt "together." However, we have remained faithful to the task. The first official draft of a proposed Social Statement was released by the ELCA Sexuality Task Force on March 13, 2008. Now is the time for our church to engage the issues one more time and finish the good work we have decided to do.

As bishop of the Oregon Synod of the ELCA I am encouraging all members and congregations to actively participate in this final leg of our journey. A letter to congregations of the Oregon Synod lays out my recommendations for engagement. This page will be used to keep you up to date on offerings, hearing dates and other helpful information. I thank you for your prayers, passions and support of healthy relationships for all God's children!

Bishop Dave Brauer-Rieke