Posted on 04/13/2005 5:50:35 AM PDT by NYer
Washington DC, Apr. 12, 2005 (CNA) - The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America may become the first U.S.-based Lutheran denomination to approve the ordination of active homosexuals as clergy and lay ministers, reported the Christian Post.
The Church Council released a statement Monday with three resolutions that ask whether the church should bless same-sex unions and ordain non-celibate homosexuals, provided they remain faithful to their partner.
The statement has been forwarded to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, which is scheduled to meet Aug. 8-14 in Florida. Delegates will then decide to accept, reject or amend the three resolutions.
Current ELCA policy allows the ordination of celibate homosexuals but not active homosexuals.
Should the Churchwide Assembly adopt the new policy, the ELCA will likely become the only Lutheran denomination in the United States with official guidelines for such ordinations.
Don't all synods support the same national organization?
Not exactly. Like all of Protestantdom, we are fractured into various groups, we call ours synods. The largest, and most disgustingly liberal synod, is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). They are an amalgamation of several smaller synods that joined in the 80's. The 2nd largest synod is the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS, named sobecause its HQ is in St. Louis. Its also my synod). It is much more conservative than ELCA. Then the next largest is the Wisconsin Synod, a small but very very conservative group. There are several others (AALC, ELS, etc.) Most other Lutheran synods do not associate with the ELCA over their liberal stances on the authority of the Bible, female "priestesses", and homosexuality. I suspect that if they rule on the affirmative on these resolutions, the ELCA will dissolve, as there are many good churches in the ELCA who are stuck in a liberal denomination.
Good news... for other demoninations which want converts.
The horse of course would have to Lutheren. Mixed marriages are frowned upon.
No! Absolutely not. The synod makes the difference. Missouri Synod and Wisconsin Synod are much more conservative and faithful to both liturgy and doctrine.
If any belongs to this denomination they should get out now.
Yeah. But the issue is finally being addressed and I'm happy to report that American seminaries are seeing a hint of the tide turning as more and more orthodox, heterosexual Catholics of all ages are entering study for the priesthood.
There's a long way to go, however...
Why don't they start their own denomination, The Holy Church Of Buggery, or Lesbos of The Lord and see how many Join! BUT NOOO they have to destroy your church and mine by tearing the heart out of them. We must do the changing, not them! If they want to be members of main line churches STOP SINNING AND GET RIGHT WITH THE LORD.
Im afraid much of the world will be surprised when they find out that God is not tolerant.
How can anyone that reads The Bible think that God approves of homosexuality. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow..HE DOES NOT CHANGE.
I was unaware that Mr. Robinson committed adultery, that shows his character, what fruit has he bore?
I don't believe there is a national organization that functions as an umbrella organization for all the synods. I have never heard of one existing. I could be wrong.
We should fight the good fight against them.....but it just means we are closer and closer to going home.
That's for sure! I recall the sermon at Trinity Lutheran (at Pacific Lutheran University) twenty years ago when the pastor informed us of the obvious falsehoods in the old testament. He talked like a rump ranger back then.
It's been a long time coming.
Wife and I, her parents, my parents, brother and sister-in-law are going to Missouri Senate. Welcoming sinners to church is one thing, condoning the sin another.
WELS
We should fear and love God that we lead a pure and decent life in words and actions, and that husband and wife love and honor each other.
Missouri Lutheran Church
We should fear and love God that we may lead a chaste and decent life in words and deeds, and each love and honor his spouse.
United Church of Christ Church
We should fear and love God, and so we should lead a chaste and pure life in word and deed, each one loving and honoring his wife or her husband.
ELCA Church
We should fear and love God, so that we lead a chaste and decent life in word and deed, and that husband and wife each love and honor the other.
Oregon ELCA church
We are to fear and love God so that in matters of sex our words and conduct are pure and honorable, and husband and wife love and respect each other.
Missouri Seminary at Ft. Wayne IN
A. We must fear and love God, so that our words and actions will be clean and decent and so that everyone will love and honor their spouses.
I had a friend that attended PSLU and he started attending a conservative baptist church upon graduating.....LOL.
Amen
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.