Most in the crowd this weekend were individuals or couples. Roughly one-fourth were pastors; many represented congregations deeply split by the controversy. Of the denomination’s 65 sitting bishops, organizers said they believe only about 10 are sympathetic.<\/p>\n
But what was a gathering that a few months ago expected only about 400 people at Christ the Savior Lutheran Church in Fishers exploded into a standing-room-only, 1,200-plus affair that had to be moved to Holy Spirit Catholic Church at Geist.<\/p>\n
“The ground has shifted, and it is still shaking,” said the Rev. Paul Ulring, a pastor from Columbus, Ohio, and a reform leader. “The real question before us is, what do we do next? The church has changed a lot. There’s no going back.”<\/p>\n
Before the gathering ended, the crowd stood and sang “God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage.” For many, that defines a key element behind the outrage — that the ELCA’s acceptance of same-sex relationships was a turn from biblical principles.<\/p>\n
“We saw this decision as a slap in the face of the authority of the Scripture,” said the Rev. Larry Gember, pastor of St. James Lutheran Church in Greenfield. “I think there is outrage. We’re trying not to be bitter. At this point, we are trying to move forward in a positive way.”<\/p>\n