ELCA Churchwide Assembly Begins Amidst Controversy
Today is a momentous day for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
Why?
The background is fairly complex, but today the ELCA will decide whether or not to accept the proposed “Statement on Human Sexuality.” (Here’s a good article describing what’s on tap for the assembly.) The passing of this statement will give local congregations the control on whether or not to ordain pastors in monogamous, same-sex relationships. There are four resolutions that must pass and in the following order:
1. The ECLA is committed to allowing congregations and synods to recognize and support “lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships.”
2. The ELCA is committed to finding a way for people in such relationships to serve as clergy in the church.
3. The ELCA agrees to respect the consciences of churchmembers who disagree on the issue.
4. The ELCA agrees to remove the blanket ban on partnered gay clergy.
Make no mistake, these resolutions will pass. All of them. But not without a fiery debate first. If you want to follow the hashtag of the convention, just check out the twub for it here.
I will post more thoughts on this later this week. In the meantime, pray for the ELCA, its leaders, its churches and the convention.
Praying, praying, praying!
Wow, didn't realize the ELCA was that liberal.
I know as Christians we are supposed to forgive wrongs. However, do we turn a blind eye to what appears to be clearly forbidden in the Bible? (Romans Romans 1:26-27, Leviticus 18:22)Obviously we are all sinners and need to continually seek His forgiveness for all our sins. In the same manner that we expect our law enforcement officers to obey the law, shouldn't we expect our ordained clergy to be role models in our church? We do hold them to a higher standard, and with good cause. They are our role models. It seems so obvious that satan is usurping our ELCA and the other church organizations that ignore the Word and allow "Politically Correct" practices to control our ideaology. What a shame. And shame on us for allowing it to happen.
I think if you believe that every word in the Bible is law, then you must be living a very different lifestyle, sacrificing doves, offering non leavened bread to god, burning goat kidneys on the alter, etc. The word of God is living, evolving- just as human culture is.
Margo
I'm sorry. I usually try to refrain from interjecting too much in the discussion, but this line of reasoning you're using is atrocious. I've heard it before, it's the default argument for getting the Bible to say (or not say) what one wants it to. It's wrong.
I'm sure you're intentions are beyond reproach. I believe that. I believe you are a compassionate person who desires the best possible outcome in this situation. This argument is not it, however. The "word of God is living" argument your using is very, very dangerous.
You have a very narrow mind. It's almost like you don't read the Bible at all, and when you do, you fail to understand what you are reading. Do you know who Jesus even is?
Wow! This is fascinating. I had no idea the ELCA was moving in that direction. I guess it's more that I have a hard time imagining ANY evangelical denomination being that liberal in their interpretation of scriptures. I'm no seminary scholar, but it just doesn't seem right.
Its obvious that the devil is alive and well in ELCA and political correctness trumps any bible verses.
I know our church will be looking very hard at the Missouri Synod in the future. Its a shame but I kind of saw it coming when my daughter attended Luther Seminary in the Twin Cities. She used to call and complain about how liberal the professors were and that she was in constant debate during class.
Disgusted in suburban Illinois.
I am very proud of my church and the vote of the Assembly. I am so sick of hearing the holier-than-thou evangelicals condemning gay and lesbian people based on their own narrow-minded interpretation of the Bible. The sin that gay and lesbian people commit is one of sex outside of marriage. And Yes….sex outside marriage is sinful. Let those without sin can cast the first stone. In your condemnation of gay and lesbian people, be sure to include everyone who has sex outside marriage. The real issue is that many people are not comfortable with the concept of gay and lesbian sex. And that is OK….we all have opinions based on our experiences. But don't use the word of God against these folks when it is your issue. God is about love and acceptance. Open your hearts.
No, no, no. A thousand times no. I will not let you degrade this discussion to the point where you call me hateful. This is nothing to do with hate.
I think you have a severely deficient picture of what "God's love and acceptance" is all about.
"I am so sick of hearing…" that language alone shows how narrow minded you are. People care about God and the religion they profess, and they have the right to express their views. Secondly, "people are not comfortable with the concept of gay and lesbian sex". People aren't comfortable with the concept of having sex with animals either but that doesn't make same sex or animal sex right. It seems to me you just go with the flow and don't really believe in Jesus at all. You probably deny the resurrection too.