An Invitation from Bishop Current
Dear Ones of the Southeastern Iowa Synod,
As members of the ELCA, we have the gift of the Holy Scriptures, the Confessions, the powerful activity of the Holy Spirit, and the gift of a denomination that is committed to study related to issues that are important to our lives of faith. The ELCA publishes the work of Social Statement task forces (made up of lay and ordained members of our church nominated to engage in prayer, learning, and dialogue after a call/vote from the Churchwide Assembly), studies provided to the whole denomination and related surveys to garner feedback from the whole church, and then finally the published (after ELCA Church Council and Churchwide Assembly positive votes) as social teachings: Social statements (Churchwide Assembly- adopted policies), Social messages (topical ELCA Church Council documents addressing pressing issues, and Social policy resolutions (ELCA Church Council or Churchwide Assembly actions that express a position on a specific social question at a particular time.) Please see more information about ELCA Social Teachings.
I would like to clarify some misconceptions related to ELCA social teachings that I hear often:
ELCA social teachings do not represent the whole ecology of the ELCA membership.
ELCA social teachings emerge from the Churchwide Assembly which is the largest legislative body in our denomination. There are task forces for the development and reconsideration of social statements that deliberately represent our church’s representational principles. ELCA members are offered feedback opportunities in each social statement process.
ELCA social teachings are written by academics in Chicago and do not include the voices of regular ELCA members.
Social Statement Task forces consist of lay members and rostered ministers from the diversity of contexts throughout the ELCA. Task forces are supported by the Theological Ethics staff in the Office of the Presiding Bishop. Task forces follow a regular process of prayer, study, community building, and reaching out to the larger church for feedback through their work.
ELCA social teachings are written without input from the whole church.
Social statements are developed through the mandate of the Churchwide Assembly and follow a process for development that is often a multi-year process for a task force to discern. This process always includes collecting feedback from constituencies throughout the church and a public study and survey.
ELCA social teaching task forces are hand-picked and there is no room for a diversity of opinions.
Social Statement task forces are publicized, and nominations are invited for these task forces. The effort is always to follow the ELCA representational principles for fullest possible engagement across the church as well as a diversity of opinions and experiences for full and robust discernment.
Typically, when ELCA members talk with me about these misconceptions or other concerns related to our social teachings, I encourage them to go and read more about our social teachings and even dig into the Social Statements and Social Messages. I expect that most are surprised by the deliberate grounding in scripture, Lutheran theology, and the careful and clear communication of how each social matter intersects with our lives of faith.
We have an opportunity now to engage in a Social Statement reconsideration process. I invite you to take this invitation seriously. I encourage you to share this information with your congregation, your pastor, your deacon, and make plans to invite the congregation to participate. You might lead the study called “Conscience and Conversation: A Study During the Reconsideration of the Social Statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust,” and then invite responses to the survey (included in the study), which is open until September 30, though additional questions and feedback can be sent to the task force at Reconsiderations@elca.org.
For more information, here is a video invitation from the Human Sexuality Gift and Trust Reconsideration Task Force: May 2026 Task Force Video
In addition, I will lead the “Conscience and Conversation: A Study During the Reconsideration of the Social Statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust,” on Wednesday, August 12, and Wednesday, August 19, from 6:30 – 8:00 pm via Zoom. All are welcome to participate.
I invite you to study, learn, pray, and respond to the invitation to let your own voice be heard.
Peace,
This is the official invitation from the task force with links, etc:
Dear Siblings in Christ,
The task force leading the ELCA in reconsideration of a subsection of the social statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust is excited to share an opportunity for you and your community to participate in this important work this summer.
The task force has released a new study to foster conversation across this church and to generate feedback that will guide its work. The study, “Conscience and Conversation: A Study During the Reconsideration of the Social Statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust,” invites reflection on agreement and disagreement in a church called to pursue justice and peace together through “the unity of the Spirit” (Ephesians 4:3).
The sessions in the study come ready to use with prayers, hymns, Bible readings, conversation questions, and options for dividing the study into smaller sessions. There is a survey link for participants to share feedback with the task force.
Session One looks at what unites us as ELCA Lutherans and explores ways Christians have disagreed faithfully while seeking unity in the Spirit.
Activity 1: What Unites Lutherans?
Activity 2: Three Stories on Conscience
Activity 3: Lessons from the Stories
Session Two invites deeper reflection on disagreements and agreements regarding sexuality. The activities invite participants to a transformed understanding of each other and the church through the Holy Spirit.
Activity 4: Points of Agreement about Sexuality
Activity 5: Reconciliation and Transformation
The study also includes tips for leading the study in your congregation and FAQs about the process. Please prayerfully consider leading your congregation or small group in this study. Your feedback is essential as the task force prepares a first draft of the social statement for the church to consider. The survey is open until Sept. 30, though additional questions and feedback can be sent to the task force at Reconsiderations@elca.org.
Download the study and learn more about the reconsideration process at ELCA.org/reconsiderations.