Posted on 09/22/2012 2:58:56 AM PDT by rhema
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America officially allows homosexual marriages, so says the “number two man” in the denomination, David Swartling. At the 2012 Southwestern Washington Synod Assembly it has been reported that, “(I)n response to a query from the floor of the assembly, Secretary of the ELCA David Swartling, at the assembly as the representative of the national church, said that the marriage of same-gender couples in states where that was legal was neither endorsed nor precluded by ELCA policy. Marriage in those circumstances was at the discretion of pastors and congregations.” (read here)
One of the duties of the Secretary of the ELCA is to “prepare interpretations, as necessary, of the Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.” (read here) So the Secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, David Swartling, is the highest authority in the ELCA when it come to interpreting ELCA policy. He says the ELCA allows the performing of homosexual marriages.
An Executive Director of a gay rights advocacy organization responded to Secretary Swartling's statement this way, “The clarification by Secretary of the ELCA Swartling is a benchmark of the position that ELCA policy takes nationally on the subject of pastors and congregations marrying same-gender couples where that is legal." (see here) What the Executive Director says is true. There should be no doubt that this is the ELCA's official stance. Do not allow anyone to tell you otherwise.
The media even confirms this. The Santa Fe New Mexican news site reported, in an article this summer, “Today, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America allows ordination of clergy in same-sex relationships. Blessings of same-sex marriages — and marriages in states where they are legally permitted — are performed.” (read here)
This is important information because people continue to be given conflicting messages about the ELCA's position on gay marriage. One reader shared with me his concern about leaders trying to lessen or diminish the impact of the ELCA’s 2009 actions, stating, “ . . . ELCA bishops continue to tell congregations that the ELCA has not approved gay marriage taking place in its congregations.”
Do not be fooled. ELCA policy allows gay marriages in states where it is legal.
My fear is that where this all ends is with a church teaching that homosexuality and abortion are sins, they will be found guilty of "hate" speech and persecution and imprisonment of pastors, etc. will begin.
Mark my words, this comes next. We will be forced into underground "home churches".
When we left, the ELCA along with other liberal mainline churches were funding “Re-Imagining” workshops where feminist theology seemed to be the doctrine. They used milk and honey for communion because it represented women’s “essence”. Gay women theologians spoke, one said she had no need of a bloody savior, etc. etc. etc. Plus the sexuality issue was being “studied” and when it failed they sent it back to be studied more. Then the abortion issue of course. Home church was worried about the mother church not giving them a pastor so they wouldn’t let us keep our donations local. It was hard but a very good move for us. Sadly that church is withering with mostly older people, mother-in-law included. They have had some doozies for pastors too, maybe a good one here and there but not great. Before we left, there was a new very conservative pastor that knew what was going on and I remember asking him in SS if a church’s stand against homosexuality would ever be considered a hate crime. He said no but even then, I thought that one day it will be. If we go underground, it may cause the church to become more committed and grow as in China. Where do you go now? We have been members of a Bible church ever since. My husband wanted nothing to do with church hierarchy after that.
Thanx for calling the request line, PJ! Click the music link and sing along!
E.L.C.A.
Tune: "Y.M.C.A."
"Luth'ran"
Doesn't mean quite the same
As what you've been
Taught to know by that name.
We're removin'
All the scandal and shame
Of a church that stands for something.
Luth'ran,
No, you're not misinformed,
Yes, it's true now,
We commune the Reformed.
No forced union
Made us bow or conform,
Just a warm and fuzzy feeling.
It's fun to be in the E.L.C.A.
It's fun to be in the E.L.C.A.
We have women in black,
Now there's no turning back
To the hang-ups of dead white guys.
It's fun to be in the E.L.C.A.
It's fun to be in the E.L.C.A.
You can set yourself free
From dead orthodoxy,
You can do whatever you please.
Luth'ran,
Won't you please come along
To the Elca,
Where's there's no right or wrong.
In the Elca,
Heretics can belong,
They can teach at seminary.
"Luth'ran,"
But our fingers were crossed,
All our doctrine
Has been totally lost.
All that's Luth'ran
Is what we have embossed
On our cards and stationery.
It's fun to be in the E.L.C.A.
It's fun to be in the E.L.C.A.
We have women in black,
Now there's no turning back
To the hang-ups of dead white guys.
It's fun to be in the E.L.C.A.
It's fun to be in the E.L.C.A.
You can set yourself free
From dead orthodoxy,
You can do whatever you please.
Elca,
Where it's very uncouth
And unwelcome
To say you have the truth
And where seldom
Is a word ever heard
To discourage sin or error.
Elca,
Where it's all shades of gray,
I said, Elca,
Where it's hip to be gay.
Our umbrella
Is as big as a tent,
There's no need for you to repent.
It's fun to be in the E.L.C.A.
It's fun to be in the E.L.C.A.
We have women in black,
Now there's no turning back
To the hang-ups of dead white guys.
It's fun to be in the E.L.C.A.
It's fun to be in the E.L.C.A.
You can set yourself free
From dead orthodoxy,
You can do whatever you please. . . .
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