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Decision Time for Mainline Lutherans
The Christian Century ^ | August 09, 2005 | John Dart

Posted on 08/02/2005 10:54:57 AM PDT by wallcrawlr

The nation's largest Lutheran denomination will finally speak with a collective voice this month on whether to allow gay and lesbian pastors and on whether same-sex couples may receive rites of blessing. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, whose biennial Churchwide Assembly meets August 8-14 in Orlando, is one of the last mainline church bodies to act on the controversies. Few figure that the ELCA's debates will end in Orlando.

Preconvention estimates are that it is unlikely two-thirds of the 1,000 delegates—the required margin for approval—will vote to open pulpits to gay pastors, despite a proposal by ELCA leaders that "exceptions" could be created "for the sake of outreach, ministry and the commitment to continuing dialogue."

A second proposal, which needs only a bare majority to pass, says that ELCA policy should bar blessings for couples in same-sex relationships in keeping with a 1993 pastoral letter from ELCA bishops saying that no basis can be found in scripture for such rites.

However, some conservatives complain that the rest of that resolution could be viewed as permitting informal blessings. The proposal asks members to "trust pastors and congregations to discern ways to provide faithful pastoral care to same-sex couples."

The efforts by ELCA leaders to address gay issues falls short of what legions of Lutherans on the left and right say they expect of the denomination. Traditionalists are looking for policies that clamp down on sporadic, unauthorized ordinations of openly gay clergy. Progressives contend that faithful, nonheterosexual Christians are discriminated against when they are denied full and equal opportunities in the church.

The nearly 5-million-member ELCA, created in 1987 from a three-way church merger, has eluded convention showdowns over homosexuality that have occupied its mainline counterparts for years. The United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have repeatedly declined over decades to allow ordination of noncelibate homosexuals. Gay activists and their supporters in those churches vow not to abandon the fight.

Meanwhile, the more liberal Episcopal Church and United Church of Christ have made some bold changes. Many in those churches put today's churchgoing gays and lesbians in a different category from the people condemned in biblical texts. However, Episcopal traditionalists look to overseas Anglicans for support in resisting the changes, and UCC conservatives find succor in congregational autonomy and "renewal" movements.

The mainline convention disputes over homosexuality typically feature demonstrations or picketing and conservative threats to withhold funds or exit the church—but also, at times, cordial discussion and prayerful reconciliation.

So what's next for the ELCA?

"Lutherans are traditionally shy, but when push comes to shove they value healthy relationships above all," says the hot-selling Lutheran Handbook, a sometimes whimsical guide published by Augsburg Fortress this year. "Conflict should be viewed as an opportunity to grow, not a contest for domination," advises the handbook, which went into its fifth printing last month.

When the ELCA Task Force on Human Sexuality announced its findings in January, the panel emphasized that it took a "pastoral approach" for the sake of outreach and ongoing dialogue. But the task force was criticized for recommending that the church may "choose to refrain" from punishing congregations for calling as pastors otherwise qualified gay or lesbian candidates.

"It was not well-received," said Stanley Olson, executive director of the ELCA Division for Ministry. "It was perceived as too nebulous."

The approach was recast in April by the 37-member Church Council, which acts as a board of directors between biennial assemblies. The council proposed that instead of withholding disciplinary actions, the church "may permit exceptions to the expectations regarding sexual conduct for gay or lesbian candidates . . . in life-long, committed and faithful same-sex relationships."

The ELCA standard says pastors must be married to someone of the opposite sex or be celibate if single. Under the exception, a premium would be placed on a homosexual minister's "evidence of intent" to live in a faithful partnership.

The ELCA already makes occasional exceptions on ordinations. Normally, a seminary graduate cannot be ordained unless a congregation invites him or her to be a pastor and the minister serves at least three years in pastoral ministry. Exceptions are sometimes made for graduates who have special opportunities in missions, teaching or administration, officials say.

Barbara R. Rossing, associate professor of New Testament at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, said that the "exceptions" route "was a brilliant way to go because I think it claims the middle."

In April, Rossing and faculty colleague Ralph W. Klein coauthored a short statement supporting the task force recommendations and getting 63 signatures from those they called "teaching theologians." The statement, now endorsed by more than 100 signers, said the task force recommendations "represent a much-needed and faithful compromise for this moment in the life of the church."

The Klein-Rossing statement took issue with an earlier statement signed by 17 theologians—including Carl E. Braaten, William G. Rusch, William H. Lazareth and Robert W. Jenson—who rejected the task force recommendations on ecclesiastical, pastoral and theological grounds.

The 17 said the task force "advocates a fundamental shift in policy" that would harm the church as "an effective collaborator" with the Lutheran World Federation and would sow "division and disunity at the local level."

One of the 17, Robert Benne of Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia, writing in the July issue of The Lutheran magazine, criticized the recommendation as rewritten by the Church Council.

By allowing exceptions, the proposal "bows to those who believe traditional teaching should be revised," wrote Benne. "It uses the acceptance of divorced and remarried clergy as a parallel to the acceptance of partnered gay clergy . . . a dubious analogy because divorced clergy don't argue that divorce is right and therefore keep divorcing."

Proponents of accepting gays in ministry commonly note that while the churches have found ways to allow divorce and remarriage, despite Jesus' words to the contrary, the same churches resist change on homosexuality, an issue not addressed by Jesus.

Some of the rationale used in April by the Church Council resembled arguments in a joint proposal issued in March by bishops Paul Rogness of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Steven L. Ullestad of Iowa. While there are many in the ELCA, perhaps a majority, who believe homosexual activity is always a sin, the two bishops wrote, there are Lutherans, lay and ordained, "who believe we are at a time in history where we have come to know that homosexuality is a condition, not a choice, but simply a given that is often discovered as a person grows."

To Jeff Johnson, the openly gay pastor of the University Lutheran Chapel at the University of California at Berkeley, "the trajectory of the church is clearly moving in a progressive direction."

His bishop, David G. Mullen, has chosen not to remove at least 13 openly gay, lesbian or bisexual pastors serving in the Sierra Pacific Synod, said Johnson, who cochairs Good Soil, a Lutheran gay alliance. "The current policy of the church really serves no one," Johnson said.

"The progressive wing is frustrated and unsatisfied because the policies intimidate a class of people unjustly," he said. "The conservative wing is frustrated because the policies are inconsistently followed or ignored."

The seven-day assembly in Florida "will decide whether the ELCA fragments in a serious fashion or not," said Roy A. Harrisville III of St. Paul, executive director of the conservative Solid Rock Lutherans group.

"This is our Gene Robinson moment," said Harrisville, referring to turmoil in Anglican churches created in 2003 by the Episcopal Church's approval of the election of a gay man as Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire.


TOPICS: Mainline Protestant; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: apostasy; ecusa; elca; homosexualagenda; lutheran; protestant; religiousleft
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To: Roos_Girl; wallcrawlr

Well, I guess we have our answer. It would appear that wallcrawlr... um, 'didn't mean it' when he said he'd give it his all.

How sad.


161 posted on 08/10/2005 11:03:01 AM PDT by newgeezer (Just my opinion, of course. Your mileage may vary.)
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To: newgeezer
Man, you're a bulldog!

I did enjoy reading the thread you set up to discuss verse; very interesting. I happen to agree that women should not be pastors. The man should be the spiritual head of household at home, and the same should hold true for the church family. But I enjoyed seeing the varying opinions and reasons for the opinions. But remind me to never disagree with you ;)

Have you been keeping an eye on the threads discussing the upcoming ELCA vote in Orlando?

162 posted on 08/10/2005 11:48:34 AM PDT by Roos_Girl (Help! Help! I'm being repressed!)
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To: Roos_Girl
Man, you're a bulldog! ... remind me to never disagree with you ;)

Disagree with me all you like. Then, when given the opportunity to defend your position, either defend it or... simply walk away from it without making hollow excuses. :-)

Have you been keeping an eye on the threads discussing the upcoming ELCA vote in Orlando?

No. But, I'll be interested to see the outcome. Regardless of whether it's this year, next year, or the year after that, I'm convinced it's only a matter of time.

163 posted on 08/10/2005 12:05:09 PM PDT by newgeezer (Just my opinion, of course. Your mileage may vary.)
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Comment #164 Removed by Moderator

To: wallcrawlr

Your crybaby attitude about all this is simply pathetic. I didn't beat anybody up. You're just not man enough to admit when your position is indefensible.

Instead, you cop out and try to put the blame on me and pass judgment on the state of my soul.

Pathetic.


165 posted on 08/10/2005 12:16:06 PM PDT by newgeezer (Just my opinion, of course. Your mileage may vary.)
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To: newgeezer

I can only admonish your attitude.
You should know I cant judge your soul Scholar....at least I thought you'd know that.

You need the last word?

Does that make you feel good too?


166 posted on 08/10/2005 12:21:49 PM PDT by wallcrawlr (http://www.bionicear.com)
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To: wallcrawlr; newgeezer

Gentlemen,
How about we just agree to disagree and leave it at that? There's no reason for either of you to feel ill-will from the other. It's okay. I still love you both! And the one who counts still loves you both!


167 posted on 08/10/2005 12:53:17 PM PDT by Roos_Girl (Help! Help! I'm being repressed!)
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To: Roos_Girl

works for me. This thread should be beaten and flogged.


168 posted on 08/10/2005 12:57:19 PM PDT by plain talk
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To: wallcrawlr
You should know I cant judge your soul Scholar....at least I thought you'd know that.

"Scholar"? LOL. It just wouldn't be the same without a parting shot.

At any rate, I know you can't judge the state of my soul anymore than I can yours. However, that didn't keep you from backhandedly speculating about "any [C]hristianity [I] say [I] have." (There's some more of that Graciousness. Oh, and speaking of your Profile page, back on the subject of your #164... So much for your pledge not to use personal attacks, eh?)

You need the last word? Does that make you feel good too?

I can only guess that's some kind of a double-dog-dare-me to keep me from responding. LOL.

Frankly, I couldn't care less about the last word. (You asked the questions. So, I trust it's okay with you that I'm answering them.)

You may recall that we covered this ground before. Here's how it works. As long as you insist on leaving with a parting shot -- along with complaining about not getting the last word, a parting shot is typical of someone who must have the last word, no?! {{{grin}}} -- I take it as an invitation to respond (in kind, sometimes).

Now, if you feel the need to respond to something, by all means, please do. If not, I bid you a fond farewell.

Sincerely and always cordially,

169 posted on 08/10/2005 1:23:59 PM PDT by newgeezer (Just my opinion, of course. Your mileage may vary.)
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To: Roos_Girl; wallcrawlr
I certainly don't feel any ill will toward him. As for from him... Well, I'm still hopeful there needn't be any. :-)
170 posted on 08/10/2005 1:26:36 PM PDT by newgeezer (Just my opinion, of course. Your mileage may vary.)
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To: newgeezer
But, since women have the vote, my wife is always eager to vote exactly as I do.

I feel sorry for you for marrying such a brainless, spineless woman, for whom you have so little regard.

Marriage is such an amazing thing when both husband and wife have the respect and honor for each other as God intends. You're losing out big time, geez.

171 posted on 08/10/2005 3:16:56 PM PDT by ohioWfan (If my people which are called by my name will humble themselves and pray......)
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To: wallcrawlr

This is why we left our Lutheran church 2 years ago.


172 posted on 08/10/2005 3:18:54 PM PDT by Vicki (Washington State where there are no rules or standards in elections.)
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To: ohioWfan
I feel sorry for you for marrying such a brainless, spineless woman, for whom you have so little regard.

You have no idea whatsoever.

Marriage is such an amazing thing when both husband and wife have the respect and honor for each other as God intends.

My wife would be the first to tell you that our marriage is terrific. Here's one reason why. Surely you and your husband could also benefit greatly from your reading this:


The Excellent Wife: A Biblical Perspective
(Paperback)

by Martha Peace

You're losing out big time, geez.

With all due respect, you have absolutely no idea of what you're saying.

Take a look inside the book at Amazon.com.

173 posted on 08/10/2005 7:01:01 PM PDT by newgeezer (Std. disclaimers apply, e.g. I have nothing to gain from any product mentioned above.)
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To: newgeezer

Maybe there should be a book for you titled "The Excellent Husband." There might only be one chapter, carefully explaining that the world, and your family, does not revolve around you.

Oh wait, that's right, it's your scripture interpreting scripture.

1 Corinthians 11:7-9: "For a man...is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman but woman for man. For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head."

1 Corinthians 14:34-35: "...women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says, If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church."

Got that? Next time you go to church, make sure you don't hear any women speaking.. as the law says, of course, they should remain silent.

What hogwash. You can have it. I prefer women who aren't cowering, submissive robots, myself. I bet that book you mentioned has some great recipes!


174 posted on 08/10/2005 10:11:48 PM PDT by buckleyfan (WFB, save us!)
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To: buckleyfan

You mock Scripture. That's gotta be a lot like playing with fire.


175 posted on 08/11/2005 5:44:45 AM PDT by newgeezer (fundamentalist, regarding the Constitution AND the Holy Bible. Words mean things!)
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To: buckleyfan; newgeezer
Maybe there should be a book for you titled "The Excellent Husband." There might only be one chapter, carefully explaining that the world, and your family, does not revolve around you.

I have that book! It was written 2000 years ago. It says that a woman should not lead men. That's one of the necessary steps to being an excellent husband.

176 posted on 08/11/2005 5:51:07 AM PDT by biblewonk (A house of cards built on Matt 16:18)
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To: newgeezer
You mock Scripture. That's gotta be a lot like playing with fire.

I always enjoy hearing from Bible literalists, it makes for some entertaining observation of what happens when critical thinking takes a permanent vacation.

Books like Deuteronomy, Exodus.. Judges.. are the best. "Kill all adulterers," "Kill homosexuals," "Stone anyone who claims to be a fortuneteller," "If you rape a woman, you must marry her" and so forth and so on. You mock yourself and your own sense of decency if you don't have half a brain to read with a critical mind, and your own *reasonable* interpretation.

So, a woman shouldn't say a word in church. I quoted that scripture for you - do you not have an answer for it? Do you allow your wife to speak in church? Or do they have a Sunday School class where all of the women sit in a circle and stare at each other?

Oh that's right, they just bring the food for the pot luck suppers. ;)

177 posted on 08/11/2005 4:02:21 PM PDT by buckleyfan (WFB, save us!)
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To: biblewonk
I have that book! It was written 2000 years ago. It says that a woman should not lead men. That's one of the necessary steps to being an excellent husband.

Clever! That book will teach you other things, too.. like when and how to stone your neighbor.

178 posted on 08/11/2005 4:06:04 PM PDT by buckleyfan (WFB, save us!)
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To: buckleyfan
Clever! That book will teach you other things, too.. like when and how to stone your neighbor.

Are you dissing the bible? That would be a very ELCA thing to do.

179 posted on 08/12/2005 5:13:17 AM PDT by biblewonk (A house of cards built on Matt 16:18)
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To: wallcrawlr

Recaption - Decision Time for Elites


180 posted on 08/12/2005 5:18:27 AM PDT by stocksthatgoup (Polls = Proof that when the MSM want your opinion they will give it to you.)
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