ROSEMOUNT - In clear black letters the Community of Hope Church website states, "the Bible teaches that sexuality is a gift from God and directs us to appropriate expression in a marital relationship between husband and wife."
It supports its belief by directing web site viewers to the Bible's 1 Corinthians 7.
The Rosemount church firmly believes the Bible condemns other sexual relationships, so when the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America changed its stance on homosexuality, Community of Hope chose to separate itself from the organization.
For years the ELCA's social statement on sexuality aligned with Community of Hope's traditional family teachings. Then in August the ELCA changed its position.
During the church-wide assembly, held in Minneapolis, the ELCA voted to allow the ordination of homosexual men and women in committed same-gender relationships. Additionally the assembly voted to develop a process for the religious blessing of same-gender committed relationships.
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The decision hasn't gone over well with some churches.
Breaking ties
Community of Hope made the decision to separate from the ELCA this fall.
Pastor Per Nilsen said the assembly's August decision led to many internal conversations about the direction of Community of Hope and its affiliation with the ELCA.
Nilsen said he didn't agree with the decision and neither did most of the board of directors.
According to a letter Nilsen sent out to the congregation in October the results of a poll conducted at the church showed 93 percent considered the ELCA's decisions disturbing or challenging. Additionally, 91 percent concluded the church should separate from the ELCA. Only 2.6 percent encouraged Community of Hope to develop a stronger affiliation with the ELCA.
Conversations with St. Paul Synod Bishop Peter Rogness didn't change things.
In October the Community of Hope Board of Director's officially voted to separate itself from the ELCA. The separation became effective Nov. 1.
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"The most important part of the process, and one I want everyone to understand, is that we have worked very hard at being respectful in our disagreement. We have repeatedly put before the church the passage from 1 Peter where Peter encourages speaking boldly with 'gentleness and respect,'" Nilsen said. "We will continue to have constructive working relationships with many ELCA churches and pastors even after formal separation from the denomination."
Fundamentally Nilsen said Community of Hope stands by its traditional family-values teachings. He said the ELCA's decision contradicts the Bible's teachings about sexual expression and the requirements for leadership.
He also believes the decision shows a lack of affinity between the ELCA and the evangelical vision of Community of Hope.
In his letter to the congregation, Nilsen wrote that Community of Hope desires a spiritual covering that carries clear affinity
Changes
Day to day operations of the church will remain the same. Community of Hope continues its mission to bring the good news of Jesus to one million people in 20 years.
On the business side of things Nilsen said Community of Hope changed its health insurance and pension plans from the ELCA to another provider. He added that the church is also addressing financial commitments to the ELCA that were made when the church was established in 2002.
Not everyone in the congregation agrees with the board of director's decision to separate. And Nilsen said there has been some fallout from people outside the church. Nilsen said he will continue to have respectful conversations with people that don't agree with the decision but stands firm that this is the right direction for Community of Hope.
