Lutherans ordain gay pastor

Star Tribine ^ | 7-26-04 | Chao Xiong

[BQ91]

thanks for the reply,

Yes I see your concern, this is the real argument. I at this time don't see it as a whole in our synod. I do think there are some place from what I hear that are pushing the edge, but they are far and few. I really study the issues before this convention, Read all of (Christian news Herman otter; and also the Jesus first group) At the convention it was much more united than I thought it would be, lots of discussion. Except for a had full of ultra structuralist (some actually want the original constitution of 1850 and not let woman vote or hold any office, I heard three give a speech on this, oh and only use old KJV) I would say we were united. Trust me from what I saw the LCMS will never stray from the foundation of being true to Holy scripture and the Lutheran confessions. If it gets to loose and people push the edge, what will happen is a radical push to the ultra right from the convention, everyone knows that. Plus lets face it 9/11 was a once in a lifetime event type , or at least we hope. I think the President understands the situation, I heard him state that publicly and so does the BOD. What we now must focus on is reaching the lost and growing the Church. I do believe as a Church body, we have the correct theology, what we need to do is reach out to more people, but in the process keep our confession true not sacrificing anything. That is the true debate can we do that with becoming a ELCA. I truly believe we can and will, because if we are true to the Lord , the word, sacraments, we will remain faithful with the help of the spirit. I have faith. The LCMS greatest strength is we have only two seminary's and they are both extremely conservative, now as much as ever, as long as our future spiritual leaders are taught right we will stay right. This is the problem with our other brothers in Christ who have fallen to the left.

Troy

[Tactical]

However, I am not one of those who think if your service is more "contemporary" you are in danger of hell. Yes, it can lead to less reverence to the Word and Sacrament, but some people are reached in different ways.

My LCMS church has two service, the traditional one and a contemporary one Sunday mornings.

Many of those that attend the traditional service stay over for the second service because our band play contemporary Chirstian music, as well as a mixture of that and traditional music, but played in a more modern contemporary style. We even have a steel guitar in the band.

The contemporary service is filled with young and old and those in attendance are more animated, a part of and enjoy participating in the music, as well as the service.

For me it's obvious our LCMS church is becoming more alive and spirit filled, but tradition will always remain a major part of our church.

There's no reason Lutherans can't be animated and active participants during a service, better than sitting there looking like wood carvings. :)

[cherry]

good posts except one little request....

please capitalize the word "Catholic" just as you do for "Lutherans"....

small point but important to we who are Catholics and trying to hold on to our traditional values that our religion is given the same courtesy as other religions....

thx

[nmh]

"To ordain an active homosexual man is to reject the foundations of scripture and the Lutheran confessions," said the Rev. Roy Harrisville III, executive director of Solid Rock Lutherans, a national group of ELCA leaders formed this year to fight change in the church's ordination standards.

"When I was ordained, I vowed that I would preach and teach according to scripture and the confessions, yet Mr. Wiesner is living contrary to both," Harrisville said. "How then can he possibly keep the sacred vow? And why has Bethany Lutheran Church placed Bishop Johnson and the Minnesota Synod in a difficult spot?"

[Honorary Serb]

please capitalize the word "Catholic" just as you do for "Lutherans"....

We Lutherans of the "evangelical catholic" persuasion traditionally capitalize "Catholic" if we mean Roman Catholic, but not in the phrase "evangelical catholic". (What I really am is Evangelical Orthodox, which I must capitalize or else the meaning is lost. But that suggests capitalizing "Evangelical Catholic", too. There are Anglo-Orthodox as well. Not all Lutherans and Anglicans who are close to Eastern Orthodoxy call themselves Evangelical Orthodox or Anglo-Orthodox, however. It's all very confusing, as usual.)

We Lutherans and Anglicans also speak of the "catholic tradition" (no capitalization). That means Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Lutherans, Anglicans, and some other Christians who are part of the Great Tradition of the universal Church. Of course, revisionists and super-Protestant Lutherans and Anglicans are defectors from that tradition.