Dublin Core
Title
James Bischoff
Contributor
James Bischoff
Identifier
1198
Coverage
Unknown, (USA)
Stole Item Type Metadata
Honoree
James Bischoff
Stole Text
Advent and the color blue are very much centered on hope. Hope is what I have for the ELCA. Hope that the Spirit of God will be at work to bring an end to a policy that discriminates and is harmful to both clergy (including prospective clergy) and congregations.
I know first-hand about those hurts. After twenty-three years of ordained ministry in the ALC and the ELCA I have been dismissed. My ministry gifts were reaffirmed and recognized but since I was in violation of the policy my participation, as a pastor, was no longer needed. How simple to end a life-long journey of prayer, study, commitment, and love. How simple it was for the church that has been a part of me since conception and played a major role in my development to say “Thanks, but no thanks. All of a sudden, you’re not acceptable. You’re outside of the policy.”
All of this from a church that claims to be built on God’s grace, mercy, and justification. All this from a church whose history is built on throwing church policies aside. All of this from a church that claims to be welcoming and inclusive except…
I still have hope. I still have hope that no other pastor, deacon, associate-in-ministry, or seminarian will ever have to live in fear that the church will reject them because they dare to live life as God created them.
I know first-hand about those hurts. After twenty-three years of ordained ministry in the ALC and the ELCA I have been dismissed. My ministry gifts were reaffirmed and recognized but since I was in violation of the policy my participation, as a pastor, was no longer needed. How simple to end a life-long journey of prayer, study, commitment, and love. How simple it was for the church that has been a part of me since conception and played a major role in my development to say “Thanks, but no thanks. All of a sudden, you’re not acceptable. You’re outside of the policy.”
All of this from a church that claims to be built on God’s grace, mercy, and justification. All this from a church whose history is built on throwing church policies aside. All of this from a church that claims to be welcoming and inclusive except…
I still have hope. I still have hope that no other pastor, deacon, associate-in-ministry, or seminarian will ever have to live in fear that the church will reject them because they dare to live life as God created them.
Contribution Date
2015
Contribution Story
Originally a part of the collection of stoles housed by ReconcilingWorks (formerly known as Lutherans Concerned), this stole was donated by them to the Shower of Stoles Project in 2015.
Denomination
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America