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Ask Pr. Sophie
Abstract: Do Bishops ever lie?
Pr. Sophie Fortresson, our resident expert on all matters of theology, Lutheran etiquette, and social protocol, answers questions submitted by our readers and occasionally simply volunteers advice when no question has been asked. If you have questions (and who among us doesn't?) send them to pr_sophie@lutheranconfessions.com.
Dear Pastor Sophie: My partner and I have been members of a Lutheran church for the last 10 years. We came out to the congregation 8 years ago, and people have been very supportive. Last year we decided that we were ready to have our relationship solemnized, and we asked our pastor and the church council if we could have a service of blessing at church later this year. We were thrilled when they said yes and we started making plans.
Last week, the pastor called to say there might be a snag: she'd mentioned the service to the bishop and apparently the bishop got all huffy and told her the service couldn't be at our church and if she did go ahead with the service, she'd lose her job.
We need a reality check. Is that for real? Could our pastor really be fired for presiding at our commitment service or for letting us have the service at church?
Thanks,
Bud and Dude
Location Withheld
Dear Bud and Dude: First, congratulations on having found each other and having found an accepting congregation. Pr. Sophie is sure your Wedding will be simply fabulous and she wishes you well.
Now, about your pastor's predicament: ordinarily, a bishop could not fire a pastor outright, but could initiate disciplinary proceedings by filing written charges. According to the ELCA constitution (and everyone should read the constitution), a disciplinary process against a pastor may result in censure, suspension from the pastoral office, or removal from the roster. However, those outcomes don't invalidate the congregation's call to its pastor. If your pastor is called by the congregation, the bishop could cause some bad things to happen, but could not simply fire your pastor.
In the case of synodical calls, however, the bishop has a great deal more influence. Interim pastors, for example, serve under a letter of call from the synod council and are appointed by the bishop. Presumably the bishop could also terminate an interim's appointment or request that the Synod Council revoke its call to an interim.
Pr. Sophie believes that in human interactions, and especially interactions with people in authority (bishops, clergy, etc.) it is best to keep in mind the doctrine of original sin. Inevitably, the person before you will do some self-serving thing, take unfair advantage, fail to be charitable or possibly do something even worse. We all fall short. Your pastor and your bishop are no holier than you, no less likely than you are to misrepresent things. The trick is to identify these lapses (again, read the constitution!), to protect yourself as well as you can when they occur, and to cultivate the grace to be forgiving.
