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http://www.zionshaffers.com/bylaws.html
2009 Bylaw Amendments
The following Bylaws were adopted by supermajority vote at the 2009 Annual Congregation meeting held on Reformation Sunday, October 25.
C09.01.01 - Pastoral Chastity and teaching on Marriage
Only a pastor who subscribes to and lives according to the November 23, 1990 document, Vision and Expectations: Ordained Ministers in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America shall be eligible to be called as a pastor of this congregation:
“The expectations of this church regarding the sexual conduct of its ordained ministers are grounded in the understanding that human sexuality is a gift from God and that ordained ministers are to live in such a way as to honor this gift. Ordained ministers are expected to reject sexual promiscuity, the manipulation of others for purposes of sexual gratification, and all attempts of sexual seduction and sexual harassment, including taking physical or emotional advantage of others. Single ordained ministers are expected to live a chaste life. Married ordained ministers are expected to live in fidelity to their spouses, giving expression to sexual intimacy within a marriage relationship that is mutual, chaste, and faithful. “
The Christian tradition defines marriage as a covenant of faithfulness between one man and one woman and chastity in singleness as abstinence from sexual activity, heterosexual or homosexual. Only a pastor who preaches, teaches, and lives according to these understandings shall be eligible to be called as a pastor of this congregation.
C09.01.02 - The Rite of Marriage
This congregation adheres to and follows Resolution CB93.10.25 of the ELCA Conference of Bishops (October 1993): “We...recognize that there is basis neither in Scripture nor tradition for the establishment of an official ceremony by this church for the blessing of a homosexual relationship. We, therefore, do not approve such a ceremony as an official action of this church’s ministry.”
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Our church is a tiny fundamental baptist church with very few assets. Based on doctrine it would make a good target, but with so few assets maybe a larger church would be chosen by sodomites to attack by demanding a “wedding “.
Our pastor, who has a jail ministry, has stated for the past several years that he is ready to go to jail over this issue.
The point about making a policy that weddings are worship services made me think. If the law requires a church to “marry” sodomites, what prevents the pastor from conducting the service according to church practices? An expository message from Romans perhaps?
Even a message from Genesis 1-2 would be great. If they force a church ceremony then they get a church service.
If I had a bakery I might accept all jobs, but every one has an off day once in awhile. Sorry about the crappy looking cake. Same thing, you can force me to do something but you can’t force me to do it your way.