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Declaration by Bethany Ev. Lutheran Church Regarding Pastoral Care and Support of all Men and Women in Lifelong, Monogamous Relationships
Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Together with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church understands that it has “a pastoral responsibility to all children of God. This includes a pastoral responsibility to those who are same-gender in their orientation and to those who are seeking counsel about their sexual self-understanding. (HS:G&T, pg. 10*)
Together with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church understands that “pastors carry both legal and religious responsibilities for marriage. In carrying out these responsibilities, pastors hold and exercise pastoral discretion for the decision to marry in the church. In the community of the church they preside over the mutual promises made between a couple seeking the lifelong, monogamous, and faithful relationship of marriage. (HS:G&T, pg. 9*)
Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church declares that this congregation shall hold all men and women in committed, lifelong, monogamous relationships to the same sexual standards, sexual ethics, and status; and that all men and women in such relationships should avail themselves of social and legal support for themselves, their children and other dependents, and seek the highest legal accountability available for their relationships. (HS:G&T, pg. 11*)
Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church declares that it understands “the highest legal accountability” for relationships to be marriage.
* ELCA Social Teaching Statement: “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust”
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Bethany Lutheran Church |
