FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Rev. Ed Skutshek
Pastor Grace Lutheran Church, Kelowna
and President of Solid Ground Ministry/Canada
(250) 769-5685 (w); (250) 979-3767 (pager)
Ed.Skutshek@gracelutherankelowna.com
www.solid-ground.ca
Lutherans Lament Eastern Synod Actions
Kelowna, B.C., July 17, 2006 - The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada's (ELCIC's) Eastern Synod Convention, meeting in Waterloo, voted July 6th to allow individual congregations to decide whether same-sex unions may be blessed in their parishes (so-called 'local option').
A similar resolution brought forward by the Eastern Synod did not receive approval at the ELCIC's 2005 National Convention. This leads, Rev. Ed Skutshek, president of Solid Ground Ministry/Canada, a network of clergy and laity within the ELCIC, to conclude, "By disregarding and defying the decision of the National Church, the Eastern Synod has essentially declared itself to be outside the jurisdiction and authority of the ELCIC as to this matter." Adds Skutshek, "If the Eastern Synod's action is not challenged, it will set a precedent which encourages our other synods to take similar actions, thereby eroding the unity of our church more and more."
The Eastern Synod's resolution purports to give individual congregations subject to its jurisdiction (southern Ontario to the Maritimes) a rite of blessing which is forbidden by the National Church following a constitutionally valid vote. "Therefore", says Skutshek, "if same gender blessings occur, our church will have crossed a line and cannot take it back. Congregations and individuals within those congregations in the Eastern Synod that oppose the 'local option' have to consider the implications of being subject to the jurisdiction of a Bishop and Synod Council who approve and encourage actions in opposition to stated church policy. I fear many will consider a structure other than the Eastern Synod within which to continue to belong to the ELCIC or worse, separation from the ELCIC."
Solid Ground calls upon the ELCIC's National Church Council to convene at its earliest opportunity to take appropriate action to address this crisis in the church. "In the meantime", says Rev. Skutshek, "I would encourage Biblically-faithful members of the ELCIC, particularly those afflicted people in the Eastern Synod, not to take any precipitous action, such as leaving the church, but to wait for further developments to unfold."
For additional information, contact Rev. Ed Skutshek or visit www.solid-ground.ca.
ABOUT SOLID GROUND MINISTRY/CANADA - Solid Ground is a network of Lutheran clergy and laity within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) calling for their church to remain faithful to the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions in accord with the church's constitution.
