ELCA to Update “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust” Social Statement for 2025 Churchwide Assembly

The ELCA’s social statement “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust” is set for potential revision at the 2025 Churchwide Assembly. The changes, which focus on updating language to reflect current civil law and the church’s evolving understanding of family diversity, were initiated following a 2022 Churchwide Assembly decision to reconsider certain passages. The revisions aim to align the document with the legal recognition of same-gender and gender non-conforming marriages, which became widespread after the 2015 Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges.

The process to update the statement involved a task force appointed by the ELCA Church Council, which conducted a review, study, and editing of the text. A three-month churchwide comment period followed, during which feedback was gathered from congregations and members. Ryan Cumming, ELCA program director for theological ethics, education and community engagement, emphasized the importance of these conversations in recognizing the real lives and faith of those impacted by the document. “It helps us to humanize a document by realizing just how much this matters to people,” he said.

The proposed changes are described as language updates rather than substantive revisions, intended to ensure clarity and relevance without altering the core message of the social statement. The task force sought to balance diverse perspectives, acknowledging the wide range of opinions on the edits. Cumming noted that while feedback was mixed, there were positive responses, particularly regarding sections that reflect the diversity of family configurations.

The “Human Sexuality” social statement, originally adopted in 2009, was shaped by the legal landscape prior to the Obergefell decision. Before that ruling, only 36 states and the District of Columbia and Guam recognized same-gender marriages. The updated language seeks to reflect the broader societal and legal changes that have occurred since then, ensuring the document remains aligned with both civil law and the church’s current understanding.

The ELCA’s approach to revising the statement highlights a commitment to engaging with contemporary realities while maintaining theological integrity. The process underscores the importance of dialogue and reflection in shaping church policy, as well as the recognition that social teachings must evolve in response to changing contexts. As the 2025 Churchwide Assembly approaches, the revisions will be presented as a continuation of the ELCA’s ongoing efforts to articulate its understanding of human sexuality in a way that is both faithful and relevant.

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