Posted on 01/13/2005 10:01:46 PM PST by kattracks
A Lutheran task force handed a victory to homosexual rights groups yesterday by recommending that although the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America should not change its policy against ordaining homosexual clergy, it should not censure churches that break the rule.
But "those who feel conscience-bound to call people [as pastors] in committed same-sex unions should refrain from making the call a media event either as an act of defiance or with the presumption of being prophetic," the task force warned. The 14-member task force pronounced itself conflicted and unable to agree about how the ELCA should proceed.
What emerged in their report — released at church headquarters in Chicago — was a compromise in which congregations could hire homosexual clergy without making this the official policy in the 4.9-million-member denomination.
The compromise came as three recommendations:
•That Lutherans "learn to live together faithfully," while disagreeing, thus avoiding the splits over homosexuality that have dominated the Episcopal Church, which has shared sacraments, clergy and ministry with the ELCA since 2001.
•That the ELCA continue to have no official policy on same-sex unions, but "respect" a 1993 ELCA bishops' statement that does not approve such ceremonies as official church acts;
•That the denomination not discipline churches that hire homosexual clergy, nor the clergy themselves. At least 14 openly homosexual seminarians or clergy serve in ELCA churches, according to the San Francisco-based Lutheran Lesbian and Gay Ministries.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
I should say that's what it's like in the churches I've been in. I don't know if that's the case across all churches in the synod.
Believe me, I sympathize. For the faithful remnant still in the ELCA, who have protested Official ELCA's many departures from God's Word all across the board for many years--for you, I have great sympathy. My "scorn"/satire is directed at the "stiff necked proponents" of false doctrine and aberrant practice within the ELCA.
What's more, I am equally as critical--no, more so--of the errors in doctrine and practice condoned, approved, and defended by the current administration of my own LCMS!
Hold on there, pardner!
The ELCA ain't the Lutheran church...the ELCA ain't Lutheran.
You describe the tenure of CFW Walther, 1st President of the LCMS
Being Lutheran means you never have to say "I decided".
Well, a strong Biblical argument can be made against that - starting with the Samaritan woman at the well.
It is the Bible that condemns such as these (Romans 1) not the organization.
And really, "rather significant part" is just so much hyperbole.
No. XPians live by Grace through Faith in Christ. Lutherans do not deny the existence of XPians in any other Trinitarian denomination.
We teach that those who hold to a "symbolic communion" are not properly conforming to the Church (Body of XP) as established by Him.
Ephesians 2:8-9
It is not condemning...is is not condoning. No one is being judgemental except those who would condone. To condone by acceptance is judgemental of that which is unnatural, perverse and an abomination. If someone or a church accepts non-repentant, practicing homosexuals, then they have cast the first stone of judgement.
Additionally, they have given homosexuals a false hope that because churches who call themselves Brides of Christ accept them and their perversion that God will also accept them in heaven. They are guilty of the same abomination and an even worse one as setting themselves up as God and making judgements.
Racists? Wow, talk about throwing stones..you just tossed a rock.Nobody's talking about race here.
And belonging to a part of a group that condems a significant part of society? Homosexuals are less than 10% of society, and Lutheran homosexuals would be (I am guessing) less than 5% of that...so should the wish of many be overridden for the sake of a few? That is not what democracy is about. And I never considered homosexuals to be "signficant"...
I had to check to make sure this was not the Missouri Synod Lutherans. They are the closest to my Protestant Denomination.
Do you think God's laws and statutes are designed to harm homosexuals ? Do you really think he hated homosexuals so much he created laws regarding immorality that were designed to make their lives miserable ?
Sorry, my God loves everyone too much.
The Episcopalians thought this up until a gay bishop was ordained. Its not going to stop and there are probably way more for it than you know.
You are right. We left the ELCA ten years ago. They were "studying" sexuality issues then. ELCA partially funded Re-Imagining workshops which was feminist theology at its worst. They substituted milk and honey for communion, milk and honey represented life giving fluid from women. One lesbian speaker said she had no need of the blood of Jesus. When we talked to our small congregation requesting to with hold funds from the ELCA, we hit a brick wall. They were afraid not to support the heirarchy. Besides, those issues would never effect this country congregation, or so they thought. They just got rid of a woman preacher that voted in favor of gay issues at the synod assembley. One of the people that thought we were kooky was shocked, shocked I tell you. Her job went down from there. I still wonder if she had been more likeable if people would have been so stern about her beliefs. One member told me they felt that the council seemed more concerned to get rid of preacher lady so that members would come back to church and not as much concerned about the stance on the issue, or so they thought. I am glad to be out of that but it is sad for so many still trying to fight. Ever heard of "Word Alone" network.
What happened to "Go and sin no more."
They ALWAYS leave that part out.... : )
Yea, go sin, have fun! But, you'll Pay in the end! so have fun, I'm not worried about me, but maybe you should worry??
Do you think God's laws and statutes are designed to harm homosexuals ? Do you really think he hated homosexuals so much he created laws regarding immorality that were designed to make their lives miserable ?
God's law is designed to point out man's sin. You might want to substitute the word "murderer" or "robber" for your word homosexuals. No difference. They are all sins and in need of Christ's forgiveness. The law was not designed to make lives miserable but to bring people to Christ seeking his forgiveness and living in the light of God's love. God loves the sinner but He also hates the sin.
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