Posted on 06/20/2006 12:59:42 PM PDT by Abathar
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Episcopal clergy and lay delegates Tuesday rejected a demand from fellow Anglicans that they temporarily stop electing gay bishops, leaving little chance the proposal could be revived at a national church meeting.
Anglican leaders, angered by the 2003 consecration of an openly gay Episcopal bishop, had asked the Episcopalians pass a moratorium — at least for now — on homosexuals leading dioceses.
But in a complex balloting system, a majority of the Episcopal House of Deputies voted against the measure, which church leaders had seen as critical to keeping the embattled Anglican Communion together.
The critical debate in the Episcopal Church came on a day when another American Protestant denomination, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), coincidentally planned to decide on whether to allow leeway on the ordination of gay clergy and lay elders and deacons.
Mainline Protestant groups, including the Methodists and the largest U.S. Lutheran branch, have been struggling for decades over the traditional Christian prohibition on gay sex as lesbians and gays push for full inclusion in their churches. The issue has frequently dominated debate at national Protestant assemblies.
The Episcopal General Convention ends Wednesday, and the House of Bishops could still try to resurrect the ban on gay bishops. But such a measure would still need the approval of the very same deputies who have now rejected it.
I guess one could say,they sure have a queer way of doing things!!
Maybe its just me but I dont want to be led by a man who puts his hee-hee into another mans ha-ha. Pretty simple.
Episcopal clergy and lay delegates, go to hell.
I saw that one too. I believe it is true. I am truly frightened at where so many of today's churches are heading.
Sorry to hear that. One's fellowship with other believers is an integral part of maintaining one's faith. That may seem problematic what with today's agendas, but it's true. We need the support of others in our daily lives; especially those who are true to the Word.
If a church proclaims the Bible as God's inerrant word then that church should be applauded. If it insists on making that word more amenable to today's lifestyle, then that church is an abomination.
I tend to use the phrase "The Church is supposed to change people's lives, not change itself to suit people's lives" a lot when in discussions with the more liberal. Not many have been able to come back against it.
The silver lining I see in this cloud is that it now may be possible to declare the homophile churches apostate and kick them out, preserving the property. I am sure there are lots of people smarter than me working on this, but I am trying to see the glass as half full ;-)
There's a thread or two posted here that talk about it.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1652320/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1652271/posts
Once great? That must have been some time ago.
Good point!
This situation makes me very sad. And angry.
So do they formally split now?
There are probably a good deal of assets at stake.
Not to mention souls!
Guess they have not read GOD'S best selling book. He will ask questions later.
We attend a Mennonite Church which has split from the Mennonite Council of Churches due to the acceptance of gays.
There has been quite a bit of discussion about who owns the real estate and other assets - the local church, the diocese/synod/? or who...
I leave it to individuals to look after their own souls, hopefully with the help of a good pastor. I tend to be more than a bit cynical around here because I have been called a lot of things for refusing to leave the ELCA.
Try this link: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1651764/posts
Thanks. It's worked for me. I have some people I see from our old church from time to time who are more 'progressive'. It's really shut them up.
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