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
Deborah
I find it interesting how people forget THE COMMANDMENT Jesus gave us when he said, “Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself.” A person’s sexual tendencies are formed inutero. How can we judge that as good or bad? It simply is. And God creates all living things. Therefore, I think we need to remember that before digging up a few scripture passages that applied to a certain group at a certain time in history. Jesus left us with “Love your neighbor…”, which is the overriding theme of all Scripture.
Sep 8th, 2008 10:30 pm
bobbie reier
Dear Deborah,As a retired psych nurse I can say that all studies on homosexuality were halted in the 1970s because the pro gays lobbied the American Psychiatric Assoc and got it removed from DSM.The same lobbying has pushed so that children grow up thinking it is normal thru what isput in their textbooks,gays adopt and their children think it normal—–with the increased instability of families ,children suffering sexual abuse and being unsure of their sexuality we are going to see more and more of this activity -even from those who otherwise would not gravitate to this behavior.
A bad connection with a same sex parent during the growing up years,sexual abuse at a young age all effect this behavior——we should notpick and choose which verse of scripture we accept and then dismiss four other ones but n take it in whole– it is not unloving to have a Biblical standard and -to set limits on behavior . -Sincerely,Bobbie
Mar 4th, 2009 9:00 pm
Detroit Al
He did say “love your neighbor” but He didn’t say if it feels good do it. God never changes despite the prevailing winds that sway people.
Aug 23rd, 2009 2:20 am
Stephen Baumbach
Deborah do you think “love your neihbor” means have sex with him or her? I’m no expert on the Bible but God does tell us 1 man 1 woman. Please don’t discount God’s wisdom He loves us and wants what’s best for us all.
Aug 24th, 2009 8:50 pm