ELCA report on same-sex unions, gay ordination due Thursday

MPLS Star & Sickle ^ | 1-12-05 | tribune

[Rakkasan1]

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the state's second-largest denomination, will release on Thursday at 11 a.m. the recommendations of a task force on blessing same-sex unions and ordination of gays and lesbians in committed relationships. Neither of those actions is currently allowed in the ELCA. The task force report is the ELCA's most ambitious effort yet to resolve infighting over an emotional issue. More coverage of the issue will be available Thursday on startribune.com.

[Rakkasan1]

More coverage of the issue will be available Thursday on startribune.com. Gee, I wonder what their spin will be on this?

[aberaussie]

Any predictions?

[RobinOfKingston]

As an ex-elca member I predict they will recommend that the churchwide ass'y, this August, adopt the practice of ordination of practicing g & l, and blessing of ssu. It is already happening in some synods. What the average Lutheran will do remains to be seen.

[patriot_wes]

Rev 2:12 And to the angel of the church of Pergamus write: These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword: Rev 2:13 I know where thou dwellest, where the seat of Satan is. And thou holdest fast my name and hast not denied my faith. Even in those days when Antipas was my faithful witness, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. Rev 2:14 But I have against thee a few things: because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat and to commit fornication. Rev 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaites. Rev 2:16 In like manner do penance. If not, I will come to thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Rev 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches: To him that overcometh I will give the hidden manna and will give him a white counter: and in the counter, a new name written, which no man knoweth but he that receiveth it.

[NurdlyPeon]

Any predictions?

Ya. I think I'm gonna puke.

[The Loan Arranger]

This is why I went from ELCA (formerly ALC or LCA depending on where we lived) to the Missouri Synod branch of the Lutheran Church. Sad how a formerly great Church denomination is taken over by the radical left (just like the United Methodists(UMC)). When I attended UMC during my late, great marriage, we had a female pastor that could turn a sermon on any subject into an exhortation about "gay marriage" or "gay rights". Took me a year, but she went the way of the dodo bird.

[PLK]

Born and raised ELCA Lutheran, married in it, all 3 kids baptized in it; but this garbage is the reason my family (all 5 of us) converted to Catholicism several years ago.

[hinckley buzzard]

The ELCA Bishop said at a synod convention last year, that the outcome of this "process" was not going to rely on "seven passages of scripture."
This reveals the contempt with which the national church degrades the Word of God, and is part of why this whole "Task Force" report is a scam and a charade. For two or three years now, the Lutherans have been huffing and puffing and grunting and groaning at little meetings and "study groups" all over the country and for nought, since the decision and outcome were determined by the corporate hierarchy in Chicago before the whole carnival even began.

I am sad and angry, as one who came late to the church after years of prodigal living. And when the Father ran to meet me at the gate, it was the front door of a Lutheran church. I just don't think He lives there anymore, and sadly neither do I.

[aberaussie]

Yeah, I led one of those study groups last year. I felt really dirty, somehow, afterwards. It took me awhile to get over it.

My prediction: The task force will suggest some type of "local option" and suggest that people who have different ways of interpreting scripture certainly can coexist in the same church body. Of course, in effect, it will be a vote for ordaining practicing homosexuals and blessing same sex unions. The ELCA will continue to bleed members and money.

[Tax-chick]

I know some wonderful, Christian people in ELCA churches. This is so sad.

[jimbergin]

Yes, ELCA will most likely go the way of my former church, the Episcopal Church.

[longtermmemmory]

makes you wonder if any of that denominations religions believe in God. Sometimes it seems these leftist denominations have Atheists for Bishops/leaders.

They might as well print a new Bible consisting of a single word, "Whatever."

[sine_nomine]

Observers say that the bishops will seek a delay in action so they can go ahead and institute total gay activism, which is already well underway. They would like to do their nefarious work without a vote, since voting will decrease funds and increase acrimony. Already lesbian pastors are living with their partners with the blessing (or knowing wink) of the bishops. Ditto homosexual pastors.

The key term for the new trend is: "local option." If the local bishop favors it, anything goes.

ELCA began, Clinton-like, in pursuing the gay agenda, but now that activism is pushed in everyone's face and controlls the entire ecclesial apparatus. The debate is not whether but when to give all this the force of law.

At least 35,000 ELCA members have left with their property to form a new group. Those who know more about it should post information and links.

[longtermmemmory]

How much damage has been done to the ECUA? The media is gone stealth on the subject as if the nomination of the homosexual bishop carried no price.

Will this denomination be able to hold the same financial leverage over their local churches or will they be able to leave with their local church properties?

[RebelBanker]

Any predictions?
Ya. I think I'm gonna puke.

I'm with you, FRiend. I guess we just have to watch our aim...

My wife and I joined an ELCA church a couple of years ago mostly because the pastor is one of our neighbors. Every member I have asked says they will leave if the ELCA allows Sodomite "marriage" or the ordination of practicing Sodomites. We will have to see what happens...

[RebelBanker]

My wife and I were the only participants when our pastor tried to have a study group. I think some others read the material and sent in written comments but I can not be sure. I fear that the small response may have emboldened the pro-Sodomite lobby. Despite the almost uniformly negative comments, there were just not enough to convince the leadership that many of us actually take the Word of God more seriously than the latest politically correct bunkum.

[hinckley buzzard]

Yes, ELCA will most likely go the way of my former church, the Episcopal Church.

Since they (we) joined in common communion and pastors a few years ago, it seems the ELCA is bound and determined to follow in the ECUSA's footsteps. Same fatal arrogance at the top, IMO.

[hinckley buzzard]

"Yeah, I led one of those study groups last year. I felt really dirty, somehow, afterwards. It took me awhile to get over it. "

I used to be very active in my local church, including leadership roles. I think I know how you felt. I several times felt I was a tool being used to steer the congregation toward a predetermined outcome and carry out locally the wishes of the careerists at Higgins Road.

It is sad because the Lutheran theology, which was like water in the desert to me, is magnificent, but is no longer being honored by the church that bears his name.

[Nowhere Man]

My church is ELCA so I'm keeping an eye on this so I'll give this a BUMP!

[WOSG]

I dunno, but an accurate headline may be:
"Former Christian sect decides to reinvent itself as same-sex social organization"