Lutherans Rebuff Gay Clergy, Marriage Proposals

FOX ^ | 8/12/05 | AP

[workerbee]

ORLANDO, Fla. — A national meeting of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (search) rejected a proposal Friday that would have allowed gays in committed relationships to serve as clergy under certain conditions.

The measure would have affirmed the church ban on ordaining sexually active gays and lesbians, but would have allowed bishops and church districts called synods to seek an exception for a particular candidate — if that person was in a long-term relationship and met other restrictions.

Delegates voted against the measure 503-490. Even if it had won a simple majority of votes, that wouldn't have been enough; the proposal needed a two-thirds majority to pass.

Earlier in the day, delegates voted 851-127 to keep the church unified despite serious differences over homosexuality. They also rebuffed what many saw as an attempt to push the denomination toward approval of blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples.

[workerbee]

But the Rev. G. Scott Cady of the New England Synod said rejecting gays who feel a call to ministry was tantamount to questioning the will of God.

"We have vacant pulpits and altars in congregations all over this country, We have people crying out for pastoral care," Cady said. "The Holy Spirit has said, `All right, here they are. Here they are.' Are we going to now say, `Thanks Holy Spirit, but we prefer something else."'

[SmithL]

Rev. G. Scott Cady of the New England Synod said rejecting gays who feel a call to ministry was tantamount to questioning the will of God.

Get behind me, Satan!

[Tamar1973]

But the Rev. G. Scott Cady of the New England Synod said rejecting gays who feel a call to ministry was tantamount to questioning the will of God.

"We have vacant pulpits and altars in congregations all over this country, We have people crying out for pastoral care," Cady said. "The Holy Spirit has said, `All right, here they are. Here they are.' Are we going to now say, `Thanks Holy Spirit, but we prefer something else."'

Mr. Cady (I can't bring myself to call such a Biblical ignoramus a Bishop) obviously doesn't understand that the Holy Spirit would NEVER call someone to ministry who is in active rebellion against the dictates of Holy Spirit inspired scripture. We can pretty easily determine who is qualified to exercise Biblical authority over Messiah's flock and an active homosexual is NOT qualified, anymore than a child molestor or an adulterer is qualified.

[Poopyhead]

I totally agree with Rev Cady. While we are at it, I know of another guy who wants to join the Lutheran ministry, but his thing for small boys has made it difficult for him. Who are we to question the almighty if the guy wants to preach? Come to think of it, I think the guy is Rev Cady.

[conservativebabe]

If that had passed, I'd be looking for a new denomination. Come to think of it, they are all becoming too liberal for me. I may go back to my Catholic heritage.

[workerbee]

If that had passed, I'd be looking for a new denomination.

Note, "Delegates voted against the measure 503-490." Now there's a squeaker.

I may go back to my Catholic heritage.

I did.

[conservativebabe]

As a kid I thought the Catholic church was to rigid. But, they are the only ones standing firm on moral issues these days. The rest seem to be falling into more all-inclusive types of BS.

[Monitor]

Note, "Delegates voted against the measure 503-490." Now there's a squeaker.

Not a squeaker, but not very heartening either.

From the article: Delegates voted against the measure 503-490. Even if it had won a simple majority of votes, that wouldn't have been enough; the proposal needed a two-thirds majority to pass.

[HangnJudge]

Titus 1


1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
3But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
4To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
5For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
10For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
12One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
13This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Sorry for long text but difficult to shorten meaningfully The leaders of their church must be blameless, undefiled, obedient, and known for good works, sober, just, and holy

Difficult to pull this off with actively practicing and unrepentant homosexuals

[Monitor]

But the Rev. G. Scott Cady of the New England Synod said rejecting gays who feel a call to ministry was tantamount to questioning the will of God.

Apparently, according to this idiot, it is the will of God that we surrender ourselves to temptation.

God made us in his image. These people wish to remake God in their own image.

[labette]

Not a squeaker, but not very heartening either

Don't forget, real conservative "delegates" {church members} may have left the ELCA for the LCMS or the Wisconsin synod much earlier. {over abortion}

[thoughtomator]

The fact that the pro-sodomites were within 7 votes of a majority is a sign that ELCA is already too far gone. This is a church that has chosen 490 people who think their judgement is superior to God's explicit word to be leaders. Where do such people lead?

[madprof98]

I may go back to my Catholic heritage.

We'd be delighted to have you back. (Having spent over 25 years away myself, I speak from experience.)

[conservativebabe]

EXACTLY!

[kempster]

Don't forget, real conservative "delegates" {church members} may have left the ELCA for the LCMS or the Wisconsin synod much earlier. {over abortion}

Consider me ignorant, but just what is the ELCA position on abortion?

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

[labette]

We've had city-wide brown out and power failure since 7PM.

Try this:
http://www.lutheransforlife.org/PDF%20Files/Analysis%20of%20the%20ELCA%20position%20on%20abortion.pdf#search='ELCA%20abortion'

If this doesn't get it, search "ELCA" and "abortion". You should get plenty of hits.

From memory:
The last I read, they said a lot of nice sounding stuff, but forgot to condemn abortion.

[lightman]

Since a 2/3 vote was required for passage the votes fell 172of the number needed.

But matters like this should not be voted in the first place.

[thoughtomator]

Perhaps, but they were still only 7 votes from a majority.