Posted on 11/20/2009 8:48:07 AM PST by NYer
.- Following the decision of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to allow sexually active homosexual clergy, an objecting Lutheran group has begun to form a new church body for those Lutherans who want to “remain faithful to the Orthodox Christianity of the last 2,000 years.”
Lutheran CORE leaders on Wednesday said their working group would immediately begin drafting a constitution and taking other steps to form the new denomination. They hope to launch the denomination by next August.
Rev. Paull Spring, a retired Pennsylvania ELCA bishop and chairman of Lutheran CORE said many people in ELCA are “very unhappy” with the direction of the denomination.
At the ELCA annual convention in Minneapolis in August, delegates voted to allow sexually active homosexual pastors to serve if they are in “committed” relationships. The policy will take effect in April, the Associated Press reports.
At Lutheran CORE’s September convention, its members voted to spend a year to consider whether to form a new denomination. On Wednesday its leaders said heavy demand for an alternative for disenfranchised congregations and churchgoers encouraged them to move more quickly.
Lutheran CORE leaders reportedly believe there is deep opposition to the new policy among ordinary churchgoers but some may not be willing to depart the ELCA over it.
“Many of us have spent years now struggling to call the ELCA to remain faithful to the Orthodox Christianity of the last 2,000 years,” said Ryan Schwarz, who is leading the organizing effort. “While this is of course a wrenching decision, there is also a sense of hope in refocusing on our true mission, which is evangelizing the Lutheran faith."
Lutheran CORE leaders said they will continue to try to create a synod within the ELCA for congregations who are opposed to the new policy but do not want to leave the denomination.
John Brooks, spokesman at the ELCA’s Chicago-based headquarters, told the Associated Press that Lutheran CORE’s action was not unexpected. He said he hoped that Lutherans would choose to stay in the denomination which aspires to be “a place for all people despite any differences we might have on any issues."
He said the denomination had not seen significant departures yet but said it is too soon to judge the effects of the convention’s decision.
Brooks reported that five congregations have voted to leave the ELCA. Another 87 have taken a first vote to leave the denomination. Of these churches, 28 did not achieve the two-thirds vote necessary to leave. After a two-thirds vote to leave the ELCA, a congregation must take a second, final vote in 90 days and again achieve a two-thirds vote.
There are 10,300 ELCA churches in the U.S. with about 4.7 million members, the Associated Press says.
I reverted back to Catholic ten years ago over these asshats.
The non-Catholic christian churches continue to split and divide.
I also admire the fact that Gretchen Carlson ended seemingly “normal” despite the influences of the ELCA bunch.
Trust me, there was a time when Lutherans were normal. No more. They have grown into a branch of the ACLU and every other lefty wingnut group you can imagine. I watched it happen before my eyes, and I’ll never understand it.
Martin Luther will always be a hero to me; he nailed the corrupt Catholics.
What has happened to the mainstream (ELCA) church is beyond sad, and I’m glad I won’t have to answer for it in the afterlife.
Why reinvent the wheel?
;-)
Just for your info, the Minnesota non-denominational churches have been fighting the liberal movement for the last 40 years in Minnesota.
Also the driving force of the pro-life movement in Minnesota is non-denominationals. The Catholic Church is for the most part dead in MN and has been for 30 years.
“remain faithful to the Orthodox Christianity of the last 2,000 “
Don’t you mean the last 500 years since a priest broke
his vows and started a church of his own liking? And now others continue to do the same. There are tens of thousands of churches to choose from, surely there is one where anyone can be comfortable with their own views.
I converted to Catholicism for the same reason. Soo much happier with Papa Benedict!
Umm, Martin Luther didn’t start a new church. Pope Leo X didn’t care much for Dr. Luther’s complaining about the sale of indulgences and gave him the boot.
While Catholic churches just continue to apostatize and remain in the loaf.
When making a statement, please support it with facts.
I laud these Lutherans, but wonder why they don’t just join the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. The LCMS is a great church.
Not all Lutherans have gone astray. This is just the ELCA. Ever hear of the LCMS?
bump
“
There are 10,300 ELCA churches in the U.S. with about 4.7 million members,
the Associated Press says.
“
Which is in a continual state of shrinkage.
Don’t expect the Associated Press to make that clear.
My concern with LCMS is the current leadership. Kieschnick seems to be more worried about his power and authority!
LCMS has great doctrine, a great Biblical foundation, and great members. If my concerns are real, I hope the Lord changes the leadership or their hearts!
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