In order to lift restrictions on gay clergy, the assembly must approve each of the following resolutions before the next could be
considered:
— That the ECLA is committed to allowing congregations and synods to recognize and support “lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships.”
— That the ELCA is committed to finding a way for people in such relationships to serve as clergy in the church.
— That the ELCA agrees to “respect the bound consciences” of churchmembers who disagree on the issue.
— The ELCA must agree to remove the blanket ban on partnered gay clergy.
Task Force leaders said the church must deal with underlying issues — how it feels about gay relationships and the lack of consensus in the church — before it can amend its rules.
It that’s what they want to do, why not just do it? Don’t bore me with excuses and justifications like TEC does. Obviously the die is cast, so get it over with.
Head for the hills the dam broke!!
“lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships.”
Oh, you mean like this one:
[blockquote]The Associated Press
Tuesday, February 3, 2009; 6:12 PM
BOSTON — A lesbian couple who led the fight for gay marriage in Massachusetts has filed for divorce. Julie and Hillary Goodridge were among seven gay couples who filed a lawsuit that led to a court ruling making Massachusetts the first state to legalize same-sex marriages in 2004. The couple became the public face of the debate in the state and married the first day same-sex marriages became legal.
The divorce case was filed last week in Suffolk Probate and Family Court and was not unexpected. The couple announced they were separating in 2006. [/blockquote]
While it appears that the ECLA has spent a great deal of effort to work out some of the kinks of changing the corporate bylaws, one wonders how much time has been spent answering the theological concerns. The question (and probably the answer) is the same in both TEC and the ACofC.
It is nearly Lent. Enough cheap grace.
This is a denomination that treats the Book of Concord like ECUSA treats the 39 Articles. This is why I chose LCMS when I could not find an orthodox ECUSA parish here.
re #3 – exactly. Seems like they’re doing exactly what heterosexuals are doing.
If only they’d learn that straight people aren’t exactly the best models for marriage.
— “That the ELCA agrees to “respect the bound consciences” of churchmembers who disagree on the issue.” Like TEC respected the bound consciences of those against WO? This is just another transition point is it not? The ELCA is not the LCMS and definitely not the Wisconsin Synod. The latter two need to reconcile.
#6 John Wilkins,
“If only they’d learn that straight people aren’t exactly the best models for marriage.” Did you have a better model in mind?