Bishop: S.D. Synod Won't Split Over ELCA Gay Vote

AP via WCCO ^ | 1/15/10

[SmithL]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) ―

[Click to zoom.] Click to enlarge 1 of 1 ELCA convention delegates in August voted to lift a ban prohibiting gay and lesbian pastors who were not celibate from serving as clergy. (File)

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The bishop of the South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America says seven congregations in the state have taken initial steps toward leaving the country's largest Lutheran denomination over its policy to allow gay clergy.

The Rev. David Zellmer says he also has been asked to lead the entire synod into a new denomination. But he says that won't happen, . . .

[SmithL]

Exodus interrupted?

[SmithL]

Sorry about the garbage in the post. I forgot to proof before clicking.

[hinckley buzzard]

News of departing congregations is likely to escalate now, as the ELCA churches begin to have their annual meetings.

It is clear that the national headquarters of the church has rather deliberately created a grievous wound in this expression of the body of Christ, all for the sake of currying favor with a bunch of homosexuals who don't really care about the church itself anyway.

[lightman]

Lutheran (EL C S*A) Ping!

* as of August 19, AD 2009, a liberal protestant SECT, not part of the holy, catholic and apostolic CHURCH.

[lightman]

News of departing congregations is likely to escalate now, as the ELCA churches begin to have their annual meetings.

And as more and more Synods gather their clergy to impart the new forms for partnered gaysbians to fill out when they apply for a Call--forms that ask for the "partner's" name, etc, and type of "commitment" that they have made.

Also at those gatherings the clergy are being informed that the much ballyhooed "bound conscience" is a farce; it ONLY applies to a congregation seeking to call a Pastor. Synods may NOT categorically reject gaysbian candidates.

At least they didn't have everyone join hands and sing Kum by ya.

[bcsco]

I was in the ‘Belly of the Beast’ on Tuesday. We attended the funeral of a good friend at the church we used to belong to. My wife works with her duaghter, and her granddaughter (of the deceased) is president of my Kiwanis club’s Key Club in high school.

It was interesting, as this ELCA congregation is somewhat top heavy with seniors who’ve belonged to this congregation for a long time. None are happy with the ELCA’s decision. Yet the idea of their leaving is tough for them. The church, and their communing together, is like family now. I don’t know where this will go with them, they have a new pastor of whom I have no inclination of his view, so I’m dealing with them as it comes. I did learn, however, that another ELCA congregation is looking at leaving the church. Exactly what their plans are wasn’t discussed.