The document addresses social structures, trust in relationships, cohabitation, sexual exploitation, abuse, and homosexuality, the latter of which has drawn the most attention and controversy.
The report acknowledges that there is neither a consensus nor an emerging one in the denomination on homosexuality and also states that the denomination cannot responsibly consider any changes to its policies unless it is able and willing in some way to recognise lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships. At the same time, it recommends that the ELCA commit itself to finding ways to recognise such relationships.
The document was formally introduced on Tuesday to the 1,045 voting members at the biennial assembly.
Opponents of the statement argue that adopting it would constitute abandonment of Scripture.
"This is God's law and we cannot change it," said Roy Gibbs of the Northwestern Ohio Synod, according to the ELCA News Service. "Everyone of us here today knows what is right and what is wrong. Our father has written it on our hearts and on our minds."
Task force chair the Rev Peter Strommen said he doesn't expect all ELCA members to agree with the social statement in its entirety.
"We can no longer assume that people in our society, or even many in the Church for that matter, hold a shared understanding of Christianity's core beliefs, let alone those of Lutheran ethics," he said, according to the denomination’s news service.
"As important as issues over human sexuality might be, the first order of business for the ELCA is its missional challenge. We cannot afford to be inarticulate about what is most important in regard to our faith," he added.
The social statement emphasises two principles – trust and bound conscience – which were again highlighted by task force members at the assembly.
