Dear Christians,

Except for the Sundays in the Easter Season, we begin each service with confessing our sins, failures and shortcomings, and hearing the amazing words of loving forgiveness proclaimed to us. We do this each week because scripture tells us to confess our sins and make peace with one another before we come to the Lord's Table.
We do this act at the beginning of the service so that we can clear our hearts and minds of guilt and shame in order to worship God with joy and the confidence that we are reconciled to God. It is a way to clear the air so that we may worship and be fed, be nourished and blessed, without burden and free from distractions. This seems a fitting time to clear the air.
I know most of you read the newspaper articles about my time in Chicago. I would like to say a few words about them.
A pet peeve of mine is for pastors to spend most of their time talking about their own lives. It seems arrogant to me. I am constantly reminded that to call to ministry is not about me but about our ministry together. The church is not the pastor and the pastor is not the church. Personal agendas get in the way, and worship can often revolve around the pastor and not around the Word and Sacrament.
For me, my sexuality is a deeply personal and intensely private matter. I am not comfortable discussing private matters in public forums. In fact, it is particularly embarrassing to read about in the paper.
My position on this matter has been to disclose honestly when asked directly. Several people in our congregation have talked to me about my sexuality and I have disclosed honesty. I have never lied about it, and God willing, I never will.
I made the assumption that where two or three people in a church know something, then everyone knows. This congregation seems better than most at keeping confidences and respecting privacy.
Three weeks ago, I went to Chicago with Gladys, Elaine and Sharla for the Mission Investment Conference. It was there that I decided to disclose to the wider church that I am gay because I was repeatedly asked to do so. A number of my friends and people that I respect and admire have been ostracized, denied a call, or removed from the clergy roster, and have been victims of lies and fallacious accusations. I was convinced that the Holy Spirit was moving our church to change a policy that is contrary to Scripture, theologically unsound, and contrary to the Lutheran Confessions.
I can only say that after deep prayer and conversation with my colleagues, Assistant to the Bishop Schantzenbach, and a few members of the Council, I felt that my presence at the National Assembly may help right a wrong. I believe that it did. I have learned in the past that when you feel the Holy Spirit is prodding you, it is best to listen.
I did not foresee the crazed media attention that this would cause. My confession to you this morning is that I am sorry many of you had to read things about me in the paper without hearing them directly from me.
I did not know, but should not have been surprised, that my name was going to be released to the Associated Press. I was equally surprised that some folks, including our parish administrator, were called at home for personal details of my life. Phone calls began at 6:30 Wednesday morning --- a time that as most of you know I am not exactly running on all cylinders. Because they are so supportive of me and our denomination, my family was there with me. I found myself in a hotel room with my mom sleeping, my pregnant sister fighting morning sickness, and my six-year-old nephew Jake chopping me in the leg with a foam rubber tomahawk. Not a perfect time for a Press conference.
I had to decide to talk with the reporter or not. Believing that when asked, I would be truthful. I responded the best I knew how.
Now the results:
The decision, after three days of often tense debate complicated with diabolical lies and false witness against gay and lesbian pastors, was reached to table the debate for two more years. Bishops were urged to restrain and refrain from seeking discipline against pastors in committed relationships until the church reaches a decision in 2009.
This is important for several reasons:
1. Congregations are now free to celebrate their diversity without the immediate threat of censure.
2. It is the right thing to do.
3. Other churches in our country look to us to see what will happen. (It may surprise you to know that a similar debate with a positive outcome in the UCC, the only mainline church denomination that is growing.)
4. Christians around the world, especially in Africa where there are many Lutherans, look to us as an example. The church in Nigeria has the horrid reputation of being one of the most Christian nations on the continent while leading the world in the execution of gay men. To continue to deny gays and lesbians full participation in our church is to condone and contribute to this violence.
I am not ashamed of who I am and what I have done.
I am willing to speak with anyone further on this matter.
I believe that the Holy spirit will use this event (and even the media circus) to strengthen our congregation and perhaps invite those who feel alienated from God into our fellowship.

Peace,

The Reverend Gary C. LeCroy