ELCA Approves of Gay Pastors
With a vote of 538 to 431, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (Wikipedia) has passed a motion to allow ministers to be in same-sex relationships as long as they are characterized by faithfulness and commitment—even though it is still against official church policy. These homosexual pastors are not to be disciplined.
The ELCA, which has 4.8 million members, had previously allowed gays to serve as pastors so long as they abstained from sexual relations.
. . .
Since the ELCA was founded in 1988, the group has ordered three pastors in gay relationships to be removed from their ministries. The most recent case was decided in July when the ELCA’s committee on appeals voted to remove an openly gay pastor from St. John’s Lutheran Church in Atlanta.
Read the whole article.
HT: Sermon Audio
See also:
- Christianity Today: Moving to ‘Acceptance’
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Randy
Interesting news. Wondering what the significance was thought of you leaving Lutheran out of their names in the first sentence.
Aug 14th, 2007 8:34 pm
Phil Gons
Oops! That was an accident. I’ve corrected it. Thanks for pointing it out, Randy.
Aug 14th, 2007 10:11 pm
marycontrary
As usual, the mainstream media is reporting things incorrectly. Earlier in the week the participants voted not to approve homosexual clergy. On Saturday, they voted that Bishops could refrain from bringing action against current clergy who may be in an active homosexual relationship given the fact that this issue will be voted upon following the completion of the current human sexuality study for the 2009 assembly. (What is this, the third human sexuality study that the denomination has now conducted?)
As a member of the ELCA, I am disappointed in the direction the denomination is going. All of my extended family has left the ELCA. The only reason I haven’t is because of my love and dedication to my own individual congregation.
There is no confusion in the Bible about the sinful nature of homosexuality, just as there is no confusion about stealing, murder, adultery, etc. all being sins.
God is not mocked. The Bible nowhere exclude personal accountability for one’s sins, whatever they may be. But the ELCA seems bent upon promoting a cheap grace that declares salvation without any need for repentance or even acknowledgement of sin. All so convenient, all so easy, all so wrong.
Aug 17th, 2007 11:20 am
receiver of miracles
Mary Contrary,
thank you for stating so very clearly what God’s word says.
Sep 21st, 2007 12:56 am
shawn
I am interested in learning how this would even be ok? What scripture does a gay pastor used to justifiy his or her actions?
Sep 28th, 2007 10:10 pm