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"Because there's a need to develop deeper synodical and churchwide relationships, ELCA governing documents should be amended to provide for one member of the Church Council from each of the 65 synods, Almen said."

That could be a quantum shift, if adopted.

"+ The ELCA must determine why there has been a dramatic decline in membership in various places, especially in the past five years. He cited declining birth rates among members as a key reason."

Or it could be the disgust of many at the headlong race toward adopting the gay agenda and its childless hedonistic culture.

+ Almen said, if a solid foundation is provided in a new social statement on human sexuality, he hopes "that a way may be found to acknowledge particular ministry needs and the gifts of those who are now precluded under the ministry standards as currently stated."

Almen has now "come out" as a Bp. Rogness disciple of "ordination to place" or "local option", or, in plain English, "the only standard is that we have no standard."

A pity tragedy that an otherwise fine churchman would end his career by walking in the way of former PBp Herbert Chilstrom.

Yes, Almen has been a company man for the duration, serving the bishops in spreading the "Theology of Whatever", as currently taught in ELCA seminaries.

Despite protestations to the contrary by the revisionists, ELCA is in Lockstep and on the same road with the ECUSA, just a few blocks behind. Because "contextual" and 'critical' hermeneutics have hollowed out theological education, there is no set of core beliefs sufficient to hold the conglomeration together. If train-wreck fans want to see the cancer in progress go to http://www.alpb.org/forum/index.php/ and peruse a few threads.

The ELCA must determine why there has been a dramatic decline in membership in various places, especially in the past five years. He cited declining birth rates among members as a key reason.

Declining birthrates my rump. It would take about an hour to tell them why they are shrinking. But it will never be said to them by the people they will ask.