The country’s largest Lutheran denomination officially bars openly gay people from the ministry. But in a move that advocates for gay men and lesbians are hailing as a step toward changing that policy, the denomination is urging its bishops to refrain from disciplining gay members of the clergy who are in committed same-sex relationships.
A resolution to that effect was passed last weekend in Chicago by delegates to the biennial meeting of the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
Church officials said it did not signal a change in policy. But they said that a denomination task force was completing “a social statement,” or theological document, on human sexuality, to be discussed in 2009, and that the resolution allowed bishops to hold off, in the interim, on taking action against gay and lesbian ministers in their jurisdictions.
Robert Tuttle, counsel to the bishop of the synod of metropolitan Washington, D.C., said, “What it changes is that it gives bishops some cover who want to exercise discretion to not bring charges.”
Supporters of the ordination of openly gay men and lesbians hailed the vote.
Wow, great picture. Is that the future of mainstream protestentism in America?
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/08/17/us/lutherans600.jpg
Afraid so. Just call it “Ichabod Memorial Church”.
When I was a new believer over 25 years ago, I never understood how Israel could have turned away from the Lord and embraced the Ba’alim. Now I do. Infiltration by the Enemy through willing dupes and weak resistance by those who otherwise held fast (although resistance was certainly suppressed by Jezebel’s active persecution).
Elijah did find thousands who hadn’t bent the knee to false gods – and there are more of us that hold fast in the Church. Unfortunately, it seems we’re in for a bit of wholesale pruning/burning among demoninations that have ceased to bear fruit for the kingdom.
Remember not to make idols of a denomination – Christians first (and Lutheran, Episcopalian, etc. second or less).
#1 photo. This is a great illustration of my personal rule No. 1 for discernment of the spiritual nature of pastors: If they are wearing a rainbow, multi-colored or Sixties Style tie-dye stole, be careful, it’s a big warning sign they’ve got agendas other than the Gospel.
Boy they ALL look SO happy!
#4, my thoughts exactly!
#1-3, c’mon, lighten up on the women. Just because they’re wearing rainbows does that mean you have to disparage their looks? their demeanor? How adolescent… #4-5, could it not be that they are listening intently? What do [i]you[/i] look like when you’re seriously attentive?
Sheesh. Stick to the topic.
ANd you lighten up PW. The picture was a scream. Those Women-For-X with their rainbow stoles are exactly what Jim said. The rainbow scarf is the bumper sticker of people who are not driving. Like bumper stickers, this is what you display when there is nothing going on in your head.Great picture. Worth a thousand Spongs. LM
It *is* a great picture of the ELCA. No men.
MD Brian
I love the title: Advocates always hail what they advocate.
Sheesh. My denomination goes in the tank and all you guys talk about it a photo?
The story aboiut this article is that it was a more honest and accurate account of what happened than what was offered by the ELCA or the reform group, CORE. This was local option, there is no turning back, and in synods like mine in a metropolitan area, gay clergy have been “certified.”