Lutheran Ping!
Posted on 02/08/2007 2:30:43 PM PST by lightman
ELCA NEWS SERVICE
February 8, 2007
ELCA Discipline Hearing Committee Rules in Atlanta Case 07-019-JB
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- A discipline hearing committee of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) ruled Feb. 7 that the Rev. Bradley E. Schmeling be removed from the ELCA clergy roster effective Aug. 15, 2007. Schmeling, who reported to his bishop that he is in a committed relationship with another man, is pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Atlanta.
The committee met Jan. 18-24 in closed session in Atlanta to hear the case. Seven of the 12 members of the discipline hearing committee voted to remove Schmeling from the roster.
In addition, the committee's written opinion made some specific suggestions for changes in ELCA clergy standards, and it suggested those changes be brought for consideration to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the church's highest legislative authority. The next assembly is here at Navy Pier, Aug. 6-11.
The Rev. Ronald B. Warren, bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Synod, Atlanta, filed charges against Schmeling on Aug. 8, 2006. Warren explained in "A Pastoral Letter of Disclosure" that Schmeling admitted to him that he was in violation of the ELCA's "Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline" for ordained ministers.
"Specifically, Pastor Schmeling disclosed to me that he is in a sexual relationship with an adult male. He has declined my requests for his resignations from his call to St. John Lutheran Church and the ELCA clergy roster," Warren's letter said.
Warren explained in his letter that he submitted the matter to the ELCA disciplinary process because an ELCA bishop does not have authority to "unilaterally remove any ELCA pastor from the ELCA (clergy) roster."
Normally the churchwide organization does not release the contents of decisions of discipline hearing committees, but in this case the parties themselves released the complete written decision.
The text of the decision indicated that the committee was nearly unanimous in its concern that "Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline" and "Vision and Expectations: Ordained Ministers in the ELCA" "are at least bad policy, and may very well violate the constitution and bylaws of this church." The committee said it was specifically concerned with a sentence in "Definitions and Guidelines" that states: "Practicing homosexual persons are precluded from the ordained ministry of this church."
The committee said that if it was relieved of that requirement, it would find "almost unanimously that Pastor Schmeling is not engaged in conduct that is incompatible with the ministerial office, and would find with near unanimity that no discipline of any sort should be imposed against him."
The committee "respectfully" suggested that, through normal legislative processes, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly initiate a process to:
+ reconsider and revise "Definitions and Guidelines," removing language that specifically precludes practicing homosexuals from the ordained ministry
+ reconsider and revise "Vision and Expectations," removing specific prohibitions against homosexual sexual relationships
+ reconsider and revise the policy on reinstatement to the ELCA clergy and professional lay rosters to permit immediate reinstatement of persons who have resigned or have been removed from the rosters of the ELCA solely because they entered into a loving, lifelong partnership with another person of the same sex that is mutual, chaste and faithful. Normally people who seek reinstatement to the official rosters must wait at least five years.
Responses to the committee's decision
In response to the discipline hearing committee's decision, Warren said: "The decision to seek Pastor Schmeling's removal from the ministry of this church was difficult because of my deep respect for the pastor and the congregation at St. John."
"But the policy of this church is clear, and it was my responsibility as bishop of this synod to enforce the established standards of this church, particularly when the 2005 Churchwide Assembly decided that the church would not create a process for possible exceptions to existing behavior expectations for pastors," Warren said in a written statement.
"As this church continues prayerfully to consider the issue of clergy who are gay or lesbian and in committed relationships, both the synod and I will continue to work on finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of our disagreements," the bishop said.
In a telephone interview with the ELCA News Service, Schmeling said he is "grateful that the committee heard my story. They listened, took seriously the ministry of St. John, and I was delighted they affirmed my ministry," he said. Schmeling said he is encouraged that the committee asked the churchwide assembly to change policy.
Between now and Aug. 15, Schmeling emphasized that his first responsibility is to be "the best pastor I can be at St. John." The process leading up to the churchwide assembly will give him a chance to talk about what it's like to be gay and be called to the ministry, and to explain how difficult that is under current ELCA policy, he said.
Schmeling noted that Aug. 15 is the 7th anniversary of the day he began his call at St. John. "I'm looking forward to celebrating that anniversary," he said.
"My prayer is that we can find a way to be faithful together," he said, referencing a resolution of the 2005 Churchwide Assembly which urged the ELCA to concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of disagreements. Schmeling said he had not yet discussed a possible appeal of the decision with his legal team.
"We're very grateful that the committee heard the words of members of St. John and Pastor Brad," said Laura Crawley, St. John congregation president. "We are glad they recommended the conversation continue."
"We've been a family of faith. I think that's where the congregation is now," she said.
Crawley said she does not know what, if any, role the 140-year-old congregation might take with regard to seeking change in ELCA policy. "We're just happy that Pastor Brad is still with us, and we're looking forward to what comes next," she said, adding that "we pray every week for the unity of the whole church."
The Rev. Lowell G. Almen, ELCA secretary, manages the official clergy and professional lay rosters for the ELCA, and oversees the discipline process on behalf of the churchwide organization. He said both parties have 30 days in which to appeal the committee's decision. Any appeal would be considered by the 12-member Churchwide Committee on Appeals, whose membership is split evenly among lay members and clergy. The decision of the appeals committee is final.
--- The discipline hearing committee's decision is at http://www.ELCA-ses.org/Hearing.htm on the ELCA Southeastern Synod Web site.
Orthodoxy may have won this battle but here is the opening round toward losing the war.
What a shame...snatching defeat from the jaws of a moral victory. As soon as they change their rule, they'll okay this pervert pastor's reinstatement, totally ignoring what the Bible says about such an "abomination."
The silver lining is that this uproar might have an impact on PBp Hanson's hope for an easy skate to re-election. Word was that he wanted no controversy in this assembly so that it could be a coronation party and a whoop-de-hoop for the new hymnal.
The revisionist side is cranking up their "Memorial machine"
From the website of Lutherans Concerned http://www.lcna.org:
Pastor Bradley Schmeling disciplinary committee challenges church policy
In a decision made public today, the hearing committee in the disciplinary action against Pastor Bradley Schmeling overwhelmingly affirmed the ministry of Pastor Schmeling and challenged the validity of the policy precluding pastors in same-gender relationships saying it is "at least bad policy, and very well may violate the constitution and bylaws of this church." The hearing committee called for the removal of the policy giving two pathways to do so: through the judicial process of the committee on appeals or through the legislative process of the churchwide assembly. Consequently, the hearing committee delayed the effective date of a decision to remove Pastor Schmeling until after the next ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
Emily Eastwood, Executive Director of Lutherans Concerned / North America, said "This decision is courageous and unprecedented in the history of the ELCA. For an official judicial body of the church to call for removal of the discriminatory policy marks a tremendous shift in the ongoing struggle for equality. Pastor Schmeling and St. John's presented a compelling case. Peter met Cornelius and the Holy Spirit became the wind of change. The hearing committee of elected and faithful Lutherans heard the witness and acted accordingly within its purview. While seven of the committee members felt that they did not have the authority to set new policy, the group was nearly unanimous in calling for swift and complete removal of the old. The decision has taken the case of one fine pastor in the deep south to the national stage. Unintended advocates, Pastor Schmeling and St. John's now stand squarely at the center of the ongoing conversation. LC/NA continues to accompany and support them in this process."
As a result of this decision, two tracks of action will proceed immediately. Pastor Schmeling has 30 days to decide to submit an appeal. Within 24 hours LC/NA and its collaborative partners under the banner of goodsoil.org will release the legislative package requested by the hearing committee in its decision. LC/NA calls on its members and RIC churches to answer the call of the hearing committee and bring the recommended motions to their conference and synodical assemblies. Organizing for the ELCA Churchwide Convention, August 6–12, 2007 at Navy Pier in Chicago, is already underway.
The full text of the decision of the Hearing Committee can be found on St John's website. [The decision is also available as a PDF file on the LC/NA website.]
Early celebration was premature.
I estimate the ELCA will cave in approximately one year hence.
All the above proclamations and jawing on both sides are just beanbag (a Yogi-ism, or whoever, LOL).
Leni
The revisionist/heretic side won in Orlando, when Resolution One (the liberal-protestant ideology on "unity" without unity of faith) and that feminazi/peacenik/heretic hymnal passed. Now we have Brad Schmeling, an attractive poster-boy for going gay-all-the-way, here to administer the coup-de-grace!!!!
Around here, the Resolution One idea of "unity" is used for far more than the "gay" issue, in our congregation and synod. For example, for making it OK to make "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" optional, and for claiming that muslims and followers of other non-Christian world religions are part of the Body of Christ. (I'm not kidding!) And Schmeling seemed to imply the same thing (see his congregation's website), when he talked about being "welcoming" to those of other faith traditions. I think he means muslim, not just Orthodox! The revisionists talk a good game of "unity" when they are in control. When they are not, they scream "homophobia"and "patriarchy"!!
If Schmeling wins, the ELCA will split, with the revisionists eventually merging with ECUSA/TEC. And in totally blue synods such as ours, in which Missouri is weak also, Lutheranism will be a dead letter in a year or two.
Kyrie eleison!!!!
Haven't you heard? The poster-boy pastor's congregation gained over 100 members since he was called. Who can argue with success? The new path for church growth...diversity in perversity.
</sarc...if it weren't already obvious>
ELCA committee did follow the established rules, but they proved in their actions that they have no soul.
This should be the clarion call to those congregations and individuals teetering on the edge of leaving the ELCA that now is the time to do so. This committee has stated that this Pastor isn't wrong, but the old-fashioned, moralist, Bible-believing rules of the ELCA are wrong.
What do you mean? If you're referring to the LCMS, you need to come to our LCMS, you might be surprised.
The LCMS is not strong--in numbers of congregations, members, or influence--all over the US. I live in one of its weakest areas. You'd have to go to San Francsico to get any weaker.
And I REFUSE to consider a non-liturgical, "contemporary worship" congregation, even one calling itself "Lutheran", under ANY circumstances!!!!
Oddly enough, the Missouri Synod used to be pretty strong around here. Long ago, before my time, my own ELCA congregation used to be LCMS.
Now some of the older members are LCMS "refugees". To them anyone who wants orthodox doctrine or practice is "too much like the Missouri Synod". In my case, with my Orthodox connections, that is "the Missouri Synod with pictures".
The Orthodox Church is NOT "the Missouri Synod with pictures". However, "the Missouri Synod with pictures" does exist. There ARE some traditionalist Missouri Synod congregations (not around here, however) that have icons. I'm sure that LCMS "refugees" would not like them, either.
Now that is funny!
I'm afraid you are right. The ELCA is following in the tracks of the ECUSA, bound and determined to neutralize or evict the traditional Lutheran Christians still among them. The ELCA has a problem that the faithful from TEC don't have, however. There is no global Lutheran community worthy of the name, compared to the global South of the Anglican Communion. IOW, despite many devout and faithful pastors, there is no Lutheran Bishop Akinola to come to the rescue--just a horde of weaselly Lutheran griswolds. ELCA will follow ECUSA right over the cliff. Sad, and pathetic, really.
I'm Kitty's husband, the LCMS pastor, so don't blame her for what I say. :)
I do believe that Lutheranism has some courageous and conservative leadership in a couple places like Latvia and Africa. The hard thing they have to do is to face the blackmail and bribery of the Lutheran World Federation which is very liberal and base their financial assistance on if the Bishops promote women's ordination.
While the elected leadership in the LCMS at present is not the most conservative and does not discipline the liberals in the denomination, the faults of the synod are not as bad as in the ELCA. The Bible is still viewed as the inspired and inerrant Word of God; hence opposition to abortion, women's ordination, open communion, unchristian lodges and organizations, etc..
Many Lutherans around the world look to the LCMS, in spite of our leadership problems, as a source of encouragement and hope, as well as for financial and material help. We are still basically a Biblically conservative group with a liturgical and solid doctrinal position from our old confessions of 1580. May God turn us around, get us back to our roots and help us to help others who long for the true Law/Gospel proclamation of old.
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.