Posted on 05/07/2009 12:23:58 PM PDT by lightman
utheran Seminarians Support Task Force Recommendation 09-107-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In an open letter to the 65 synod bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lutheran seminarians expressed their support for a recommendation that would allow Lutherans in committed same-gender relationships to be included on professional church rosters.
On Feb. 19 the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality released a report and recommendation for a process to consider changes to ministry policies that could make it possible for Lutherans who are in "publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gendered relationships" to serve as ELCA associates in ministry, deaconesses, diaconal ministers and ordained ministers.
The task force also released that day a proposed social statement for the church -- "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust."
The 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly -- the highest legislative authority of the 4.7 million-member church -- will consider both documents Aug. 17-23 in Minneapolis.
To date more than 160 members of the ELCA studying at Lutheran and non-Lutheran seminaries have signed on to "An Open Letter from Lutheran Seminarians to the Bishops of the ELCA." Four members of the ELCA attending Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, wrote the letter.
"We applaud the ELCA's commitment to the dialogue on sexuality and its affirmation of sexuality as a gift and trust from God," the letter stated. "After careful consideration of the issue at hand and its influence on the life of the church, we stand in solidarity, affirming the recommendation for structured flexibility within the rostering requirements of the ELCA."
In the letter seminarians asked synod bishops to "represent our voice faithfully in your involvement in the deliberation process leading" to the churchwide assembly. "Joining with you as people invested in the life, health and ministry of the ELCA, we appeal to your commitment to the gospel and the mission of the church."
In preparation for ministry, "we both see and experience the harm of the current policy and its denial of the gifts present in the whole Body of Christ. Because of the current policy, gay and lesbian persons ignore calls to ministry, candidates feel compelled to lie about their sexuality, mentors are forced out of the church, and candidates leave the ELCA for more inclusive denominations. The tragedy of these events is weakening the integrity of the church," the letter stated.
The Lutheran seminarians said it is in the "best interest" of the ELCA to affirm the recommendation of the task force at the assembly. "The life of the church depends upon the full recognition and inclusion of ministerial gifts engendered by the Spirit." - - - "An Open Letter from Lutheran Seminarians to the Bishops of the ELCA" is available at http://ELCAseminarianresponse.weebly.com on the Internet.
For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
AN OPEN LETTER FROM LUTHERAN SEMINARIANS TO THE BISHOPS OF THE ELCA
Grace to you and peace,
We come to you as Lutheran seminarians pursuing a variety of callings and ministries, studying in both Lutheran and non-Lutheran seminaries. Recognizing our diversity in background, sexuality, and experience, we celebrate this opportunity to respond with one voice to the Recommendations on Ministry Policies from the Task Force for the ELCA Studies on Sexuality.
We applaud the ELCA’s commitment to the dialogue on sexuality and its affirmation of sexuality as a gift and trust from God. After careful consideration of the issue at hand and its influence on the life of the church, we stand in solidarity affirming the recommendation for structured flexibility within the rostering requirements of the ELCA. Acknowledging the potential limitations of structured flexibility, we nonetheless seek here to establish our steadfast support for the rostering of “members who are in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gendered relationships.”
The life of the church depends upon the full recognition and inclusion of ministerial gifts engendered by the Spirit. St. Paul tells us “to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” and it is God, not us, who chooses what gifts and services we bring for the benefit of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:7). Yet in preparation for ministry, we both see and experience the harm of the current policy and its denial of the gifts present in the whole body of Christ. Because of the current policy, gay and lesbian persons ignore calls to ministry, candidates feel compelled to lie about their sexuality, mentors are forced out of the church, and candidates leave the ELCA for more inclusive denominations. The tragedy of these events is weakening the integrity of the church.
While we acknowledge and respect the bound consciences of those who disagree, we have faith and hope that resting in God we can respond with love to the contemporary challenges facing the church and society. We therefore stand firm in our belief that it is in the best interest of the ELCA’s ministry to affirm the recommendations of the Task Force at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.
Joining with you as people invested in the life, health, and ministry of the ELCA, we appeal to your commitment to the gospel and the mission of the church. Please represent our voice faithfully in your involvement in the deliberation process leading to the churchwide vote.
Authors: Benjamin Cherland New York, New York Metropolitan New York Synod Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York M.Div., ‘09
Heidi Lemke New York, New York Metropolitan New York Synod Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York M.Div., ‘11
Karri Whipple Jeddo, Michigan Southeast Michigan Synod Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York M.Div., ‘10
Marcie Zook Mansfield, Ohio Northwest Ohio Synod Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York M.Div., ‘11
The kiss of death...
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
Be sure also to read:
Delight, Design and Destiny: Toward a Doxological Ethics of Sexuality
Statement by Three Dissenting Members of the ELCA Task Force on Human Sexuality
It’s Not About Homosexuality--Not Really
“Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust”: A Critique by Carl E. Braaten
When There Are No Biblical or Theological Grounds to Change, Don’t
WordAlone Network responds to ELCA human sexuality proposals
Lutheran CORE leaders urge rejection of ELCA task force recommendations
:::rolls eyes:::
Fancy words for "affirming the worldly desire for all humans to be able to do it whenever and wherever they want and with whomever or whatever they choose, and as often as possible."
The signatories:
Nathaniel Anderson
Decorah, Iowa
Northeastern Iowa Synod
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
M.Div., ‘11
Aimee Frye Appell
Seattle, Washington
Northwest Washington Synod
Luther Seminary
M.Div., ‘10
Anna Murphy Ballan
Columbia, Missouri
Central States Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘11
Kristin Luana Baumann
Albany, California
Sierra Pacific Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘11
Olaf Baumann
Albany, California
Sierra Pacific Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘11
Nancy J. Beckwith
Medford, Massachusetts
New England Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
M.Div., ‘09
Todd Benson
Union City, California
Sierra Pacific Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘12
David Bentz
Meadow Vista, California
Sierra Pacific Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘12
Jacqueline R. Berlien
Lynnwood, Washington
Northwest Washington Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘11
Erin Bouman
Chicago, Illinois
Metropolitan Chicago Synod
The University of Chicago Divinity School
M.Div., ‘09
Adam Braun
Chicago, Illinois
Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Ph.D., ‘12
Carolyn Brostrom
Chicago, Illinois
St. Paul Area Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘11
Gregory S. Brown
Greenwood, South Carolina
South Carolina Synod
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
M.Div., ‘13
Tauna Brown
Minneapolis Area Synod
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Luther Seminary
M.A., ‘09
Brian Robert Campbell
Saginaw, Michigan
Northwest Lower Michigan Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M. Div., ‘11
Andrew Vincent Chavanak
Detroit, Michigan
Southeast Michigan Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M.Div., ‘11
Kathryn E. Chavanak
Niles, Michigan
North/West Lower Michigan Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M.A.R., ‘11
Jason Chesnut
San Marcos, Texas
Southwest Texas Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘10
Jennifer Anne Chrien
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Rocky Mountain Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M.Div., ‘12
Andrea Christian
Springfield, Ohio
Southern Ohio Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M.A.R., ‘10
Jesse Christopherson
Posen, Michigan
North/West Lower Michigan
Luther Seminary
M.Div., ‘09
Eric A. Clapp
Fargo, North Dakota
Eastern North Dakota Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘12
Erin Clausen
Rolling Meadows, Illinois
Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘09
Sara Cogsil
Cambridge, Ohio
Southern Ohio Synod
Trinity Lutheran Seminary
M.Div., ‘13
Benjamin Colahan
Portland, Oregon
Oregon Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘11
Anne Confer
York, Pennsylvania
Lower Susquehanna Synod
Harvard Divinity School
M.Div., ‘09
Ryan Matthew Cosgorve-Van Horn
Van Horne, Iowa
Southeastern Iowa Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M.Div., ‘12
Dorothy Cottingham
Portland, Oregon
Oregon Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘13
Caleb Crainer
Hutchinson, Kansas
Central States Synod
Lutheran Seminary Program of the Southwest
M.Div., ‘11
Megan Crouch
Muskegon, Michigan
Lower Northwest Michigan Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
M.Div. ‘09
Joel Cruz
Chicago, Illinois
Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Ph.D., ‘09
Jonathan S. Davis
Rochester, Minnesota
Southeast Minnesota Synod
Luther Seminary
M.Div. (CYF), ‘11
Aaron Decker
Hamburg, Pennsylvania
Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘10
Patricia Marie Volberding Decker
Vinton, Iowa
Southeastern Iowa Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘09
Steven Dickens
Westchester, Illinois
Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘12
Joy Doerzbacher
Port Huron, Michigan
Southeast Michigan Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.A., ‘09
Mary Emily Briehl Duba
Spokane, Washington
Eastern Washington/Idaho Synod
Yale Divinity School
M.Div., ‘09
Kirsten Dumke
Winona, Minnesota
Minnesota Southeast Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘12
Niles Eastman
Wheaton, Illinois
Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.A.,’10
Joshua Ebener
Davenport, Iowa
Southeastern Iowa Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘09
Nicholas Ehrhardt
Monument, Colorado
Rocky Mountain Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘12
Renita Renae Eidenschink
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
St. Paul Area Synod
Luther Seminary
M.Div., ‘09
Cody Michael Eklov
Indianola, Iowa
Southeast Iowa Synod
Luther Seminary
M.Div., ‘12
Justin Eller
Salisbury, North Carolina
North Carolina Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘09
Kristin Engstrom
Madison, Wisconsin
South-Central Synod of Wisconsin
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Di.v,’09
Jacob J. Erickson
Minot, North Dakota
Western North Dakota Synod
Yale Divinity School
M.Div., ‘09
Kendrah Fredricksen
Delavan, Wisconsin
South-Central Synod of Wisconsin
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘12
Amanda Freier
Bartlett, Illinois
Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘11
Paul Friesen-Carper
Valparaiso, Indiana
Indiana-Kentucky Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M. Div., ‘11
Kristen Fryer
Madison, Wisconsin
South-Central Synod of Wisconsin
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div.,’09
Elizabeth D. Garber
York, Pennsylvania
Lower Susquehanna Synod
Princeton Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘10
Jacob Matthew Gawlik
Chicago, Illinois
Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘13
Carolina Glauster
Silver Spring, Maryland
Metropolitan Washington D.C. Synod
The University of Chicago Divinity School
M.Div., ‘11
Jason S. Glombicki
Dundee, Illinois
Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
M.Div., ‘12
Kimberly A. Gonia
Denver, Colorado
Rocky Mountain Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘11
Jeffrey Goodrich
St. Paul, Minnesota
New England Synod
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, ‘07
Luther Seminary
Lutheran Year, ‘09
Quinn E. Gorges
Wichita, Kansas
Central States Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘09
Colin Grangaard
Tiffin, Ohio
Northwest Ohio Synod
Luther Seminary
M. Div., ‘09
Jeni Falkman Grangaard
Longville, Minnesota
Minneapolis Area Synod
Luther Seminary
M.Div., ‘09
David Greder
Mason City, Iowa
Northeastern Iowa Synod
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
M.Div., ‘09
Kara Groth
San Diego, California
Southwest California Synod
Pacifice Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘12
Dominic V. Guido
Battleground, Indiana
Indiana-Kentucky Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘12
Daryl Hackbart
San Francisco, California
Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘12
Laura Hall-Schordje
Chicago, Illinois
Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘11
Mark Hannan
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Southeastern Minnesota Synod
Luther Seminary
M.A., ‘09
Katy Harder
Wichita, Kansas
Central States Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘11
Jessica A. Harren
Lake in the Hills, Illinois
Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘10
Mary Ann Harris
Oak Harbor, Ohio
Northwest Ohio Synod
Trinity Lutheran Seminary
M.A., ‘09
Rebecca Herhold
Sierra Pacific Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘11
Joshua Herzfeldt-Kamprath
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Oregon Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.A.T.S., ‘09
Ivar Hillesland
Pasco, Washington
Southwest California Synod
Yale Divinity School
M.Div., ‘10
Melissa Hoffman
Little, Pennsylvania
Lower Susquehanna Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘12
Jill Hokanson
Austin, Texas
Southwestern Texas Synod
Lutheran Seminary Program of the Southwest
M.Div., ‘12
David Holland
Johnson City, Tennessee
Southeastern Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘12
Jeremiah Holst
Rochester, Minnesota
Southeastern Minnesota Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘11
Marlene S. Hyden
North Tonawanda, New York
Upstate New York Synod
Trinity Lutheran Seminary
M.Div., ‘09
Ioan Silvan Ittu
Los Angeles, California
Southwest California Synod
Luther Seminary
M.Div.,’ 09
Bridget Illian
Chicago, Illinois
Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Ph.D., ‘12
Peder Johanson
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
East-Central Synod of Wisconsin
Trinity Lutheran Seminary
M.Div., ‘10
Holly Johnson
Moorhead, Minnesota
Northwestern Minnesota Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘12
Johanna Johnson
Grass Valley, California
Sierra Pacific Synod
Yale Divinity School, ‘09
Lutheran Theological School at Gettysburg
S.T.M., ‘11
Karen W. Johnson
Petaluma, California
Sierra Pacific Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘11
Zachary William Johnson
Dysart, Iowa
Northeastern Iowa Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘12
Kelli Jones
Sugar Hill, Georgia
Southeastern Sunod
Candler School of Theology, Emory University
M.Div., ‘10
Jeannine Joy
Vermillion, South Dakota
South Dakota Synod
Luther Seminary
M.A., ‘09
Caroline K. Judd
Lynnwood, Washington
Northwest Washington Synod
Lutheran School of Theology, University of Chicago
M.A./A.M.A., ‘11
Samuel Kanenwisher
Moorhead, Minnesota
Minneapolis Area Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘10
Margaret Mary Kelly
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Northwest Minnesota Synod
Luther Seminary
M.Div./M.S.W., ‘09
Stephanie Kershner
New Middletown, Ohio
Northeastern Ohio Synod
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
M.Div., ‘09
Kristi Kleinbeck
Albert Lea, Minnesota
Southeast Minnesota Synod
Yale Divinity School, ‘06
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Lutheran Year/Internship, ‘09
Emily Rose Klock
Austin, Texas
Southwestern Texas Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘11
Kimberly Knowle
Northwood, Ohio
Northwestern Ohio Synod
Trinity Lutheran Seminary
M. Div.,’10
Todd Koch
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘10
Daniel G. Kuckuck
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Virginia Synod
The University of Chicago Divinity School
M.Div., ‘10
Cassandra Lamb
Vienna, South Dakota
South Dakota Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M.Div., ‘12
Theresa Langdon
Baltimore, Maryland
Delaware-Maryland Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M.Div., ‘10
Melissa Lemons
New York, New York
New York Metropolitan Synod
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, ‘08
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
S.T.M., ‘10
Lori Lepelletier
Blairstown, New Jersey
New Jersey Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘11
Carolyn Lesmeister
Bonfield, Illinois
Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div. ‘08, M.A. ‘09
Kari Lipke
Stewart/St. Peter, Minnesota; Somerville, Massachusetts
Southwest Minnesota Synod
Harvard Divinity School
M.Div., ‘11
Brenda Lovick
DeForest, Wisconsin
South-Central Synod of Wisconsin
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Lutheran Year, ‘09
Eric Luedtke
Walnut Creek, California
Southeastern Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘10
Catherine E. Luehr
Cloquet, Minnesota
St. Paul Area Synod
Luther Seminary
M.Div., ‘09
Jason Lukis
Wayzata, Minnesota
Minneapolis Area Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘10
Rebecca Lund
Omaha, Nebraska
Nebraska Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘11
Mary Lynch-Dungy
Waterloo, Iowa
Southeastern Iowa Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.A., ‘11
Nicole Macaloso
Chicago, Illinois
Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘13
William J. Mains
San Jose, California
Sierra Pacific Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
Graduate Theological Union
M.A., ‘10
Norma Malfatti
Wantagh, New York
Metropolitan New York Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M.Div., ‘11
Tamara Lynn Mann-Gomez
Concord, California
Sierra Pacific Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.C.M., ‘10
Anna Marsh
South Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul Area Synod
Luther Seminary
M.A., ‘09
Alexander Martini
Exton, Pennsylvania
Southeast Pennsylvania Synod
Princeton Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘11
Elsa J. Marty
Roseville, Minnesota
Minneapolis Area Synod
The University of Chicago Divinity School
M. Div.,’11
Karen Matuska
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Rocky Mountain Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘09
Christine Louise Stephan May
Falls Church, Virginia
Metropolitan D.C. Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M.Div., ‘09
Melissa May
New Market, Virginia
Virginia Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M.Div., ‘10
Terrence McCarthy
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
West Virginia - Western Maryland Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M.Div., ‘09
Ray McKechnie
Palmer, Alaska
Alaska Synod
Wartburg Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘12
Christine S. McNeal
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Greater Milwaukee Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘11
Linda J. McPeak
Shakopee, Minnesota
Minneapolis Area Synod
Luther Seminary
M.Div., ‘09
Adrianne Meier
Lebanon, Indiana.
Indiana-Kentucky Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘10
David E. Miller
Portland, Oregon
Oregon Synod/Southern Ohio Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘09
Taryn Montgomery
Monticello, Illinois
Central-Southern Illinois Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
M.Div., ‘11
James Muske
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Minneapolis Area Synod
Luther Seminary
M.Div., ‘12
Sean Myers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Southwest Pennsylvania
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M.Div., ‘11
Dustin Nelson
Belmond, Iowa
Northeast Iowa Synod
Luther Seminary
M.A., ‘09
Justin Nickel
Fort Collins, Colorado
Rocky Mountain Synod
Luther Seminary
M.Div., ‘10
Lucas R. Novak
Rocky Hill, New Jersey
New Jersey Synod
Princeton Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘10
Seth Novak
Great Falls, Montana
Montana Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M.Div., ‘10
Chris Ode
Auburn, Washington
Southwestern Washington Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘09
Meghan Olsen
Babylon, New York
Metropolitan New York Synod
Luther Seminary
M.A., ‘10
Marie Olson
Shoreview, Minnesota
St. Paul Synod
Luther Seminary
M.Div., ‘11
Martin Patrick
Mansfield, Ohio
Northeast Ohio Synod
Luther Seminary
M.A., ‘10
Bryan Penman
Stafford, Virginia
Virginia Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
M.Div., ‘12
Anders W. Peterson
Edina, Minnesota
Minneapolis Area Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘12
Mark Thomas Peterson
Columbia, South Carolina
Minneapolis Area Synod
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
M.Div., ‘10
Rory Philips
Omaha, Nebraska
Nebraska Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘12
Malin Pihlgren
Lund, Sweden
Lund, Sweden
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.A., ‘09
Lucia Poole
Durango, Colorado
Rocky Mountain Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘09
Kjersten Priddy
San Luis Obispo, California
Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
MDiv., ‘12
Cathryn Proctor
Abingdon, Virginia
Virginia Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
M.Div., ‘11
Rick Reiten
Rice Lake, Wisconsin
Northwest Synod of Wisconsin
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
M.Div., ‘10
Jennifer Renema
Grosse Park Woods, Michigan
Southeast Michigan Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘09
Katherine Reuer
Faulkton, South Dakota
New England Synod
Harvard Divinity School, ‘06
Luther Seminary
M.Th./ Lutheran Year, ‘10
Kristin C. Rice
Kingsford, Michigan
Northern Great Lakes Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘11
Breonna Tavenner Roberts
Tucson, Arizona
Grand Canyon Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘10
Mindy Roll
Houston, Texas
Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod
Yale Divinity School ‘07
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
STM/Lutheran Year ‘09
Erik Roth
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Rocky Mountain Synod
Luther Seminary
M.Div., ‘11
Joshua Samuelson
Everett, Washington
Northwest Washington Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘12
Amy Santoriello
Penn Hills, Pennsylvania
Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod
Luther Seminary
M.A., ’08, Diaconal Ministry Candidate
Cassie Sauter
Cannon Falls, Minnesota
Southeast Minnesota Synod
Luther Seminary
M.Div., ‘11
Maggie Saylor
Bluffton, Ohio
Luther Seminary
M.A., ‘10
Blake Scalet
Mattoon, Illinois
Indiana-Kentucky Synod
Yale Divinity School
M.Div., ‘11
Julie Scheibel
Woodridge, Illinois
Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M.Div., ‘12
Christoph Schmidt
West Fargo, North Dakota
Eastern North Dakota Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
M.Div., ‘11
Kurt R. Schmidt
Deerfield Beach, Florida
Florida-Bahamas Synod
Trinity Lutheran Seminary
M.Div., ‘10
Kayla Seavert
Minnetonka, Minnesota
Minneapolis Area Synod
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
M.A., ‘10
Jessica Damrow Sherman
Millburn, New Jersey
Metropolitan New York Synod
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
M.A.,’10
Steven Simpson
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Rocky Mountain Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M.Div., ‘12
Carrie Smith
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘09
Rebecca A. Smith
Austin, Texas
Southwest Texas Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.A./M.S.W., ‘09
Crystal Solie
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Greater Milwaukee Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘12
Adam Sornchai
Medford, New York
Metropolitan New York Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M.Div., ‘11
Christine Stratton
Sidney, Ohio
Southern Ohio Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
M.Div., ‘12
Anja Stuckenberger
Hanover, New Hampshire
New England Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘11
Matthew Stuhlmuller
Fullerton, California
Pacifica Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div.,’12
Martha Neff Stum
Tucson, Arizona
Grand Canyon Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘10
Tormod Otto Svensson
Cumberland, Maryland
Delaware-Maryland Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M.Div., ‘12
Javen Swanson
Pine River, Minnesota
Northeastern Minnesota Synod
Yale Divinity School
M.Div., ‘09
Robert Swartz
Mount Holly, New Jersey
New Jersey Synod
Harvard Divinity School
M.Div., ‘09
Jacob Taxis
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Greater Milwaukee Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘12
Bridget C. Thien
Bolingbrook, Illinois
Northern Illinois Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘11
Sarah Timian
Langdon, North Dakota
Eastern North Dakota Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M Div., ‘12
Matthew J. Tingler
Liberty, Missouri
Central States Synod
Luther Seminary
M.Div., ‘10
Matthew Titus
Columbia, South Carolina
South Carolina Synod
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
M.Div., ‘11
Linda S. Trout
Etters, Pennsylvania
Lower Susquehanna Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M.Div., ‘10
Alexis Twito
Glendale, Wisconsin
Greater Milwaukee Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
M.Div., ‘10
Chris Veres
Northville, Michigan
Southeast Michigan Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘12
Jan Veseth-Rogers
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Greater Milwaukee Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘10
Monica Marie Villarreal
Davison, Michigan
Southeast Michigan Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘11
Keith Walbolt
Clearwater, Florida
Florida-Bahamas Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
M.Div. ‘11
Cheryl Walenta
Longview, Texas
Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod
Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest
M.Div., ‘10
Joshua Warfield
Columbia, Maryland
Delaware-Maryland Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
M.Div., ‘12
Timothy Weisman
New Haven, Connecticut
New England Synod
Yale Divinity School
M.Div., ‘09
John Weit
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
M.A.R.,’09
Lauren Wendt
Troy, Michigan
Minneapolis Area Synod
Luther Seminary
M.U.M. ’08, Diaconal Ministry Candidate
Michelle Werner
Lansing, Michigan
North/West Lower Michigan
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘10
Steven Wilco
Dublin, Ohio
Indiana-Kentucky Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
M.Div., ‘10
Sally Wilke
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
East-Central Synod of Wisconsin
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div.,’12
Alison Williams
Franklin, Tennessee
Southeastern Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘12
Brett Wilson
Richmond, Virginia
Virginia Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
M.Div., ‘12
Rachel Wind
Reston, Virginia
Metropolitan Chicago
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘10
Brian Wise
Edon, Ohio
Northwest Ohio Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div.,’10
Beth Wolslegel
Fargo, North Dakota
Eastern North Dakota Synod
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
M.Div., ‘09
Julie Wright
Cottage Grove, Minnesota
St. Paul Area Synod
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
M. Div., ‘12
Margaret Yackel-Juleen
Windom, Minnesota
Southwest Minnesota Synod
Luther Seminary
M.Div., ‘09
Elisabeth Zant
Hillsboro, Wisconsin
LaCrosse Area Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘11
Krista Zimmerman
Rochester New York
Upstate New York Synod
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
M.Div., ‘10
Stephanie J. Zinn
Millersville, Maryland
Delaware-Maryland Synod
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
MA.M.S., ’10, Diaconal Ministry
For those that may not be familiar with Lutheranism in America, the ELCA does not represent all Lutherans. There are real Lutherans in other denominations, such as the LC-MS, WELS, and ELS. The ELCA is typical of all mainline liberal Protestant denominations. There is not a dime’s worth of difference between them. The ELCA abandoned the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions decades ago. As in all liberal church bodies, the secular liberal culture determines its ideology. Notice that I did not say, theology. The ELCA has no theology, for it is now all liberal political activism.
>> publicly accountable... same-gendered relationships
“Publicly accountable”, eh?
What about accountable to Almighty God? Wouldn’t that somehow enter into the equation for members of the clergy?
From 1 Corinthians 6v9,10:
“9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither... effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind... shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
That seems pretty clear to me. I can’t see how the ELCA hierarchy (as well as other supposedly Christian leaders) can willfully ignore it.
This is merely affirmation of the education one receives in an ELCA seminary these days. I saw it in our pastor who graduated from Augsburg. My wife and I had been his Sunday School teachers in 7th-8th grade. Then, he became the pastor of the church we attended years later.
He’s representative of this thinking. He’s gone on to another church in the Chicago area, his wife is also now a pastor, we’ve left the ELCA, and if we were to meet again, I doubt we’d have much to say to one another.
Thanks for posting that list. I’ll email all of the synod bishops, and I’ll ask them to obey the Bible and to ignore the seminarians.
Be even more inclusive, throw the rest of the Bible out too, while you’re at it.
Old Martin Luther must be spinning in his grave.
He believed in heterosexual marriage. Period. Exclamation point!
A lot of the ELCA’s troubles started when they began to ordain women.
Cherchez la femme!
It’s official, the ELCA serves Satan.
Burn in hell comes to mind.
I didn’t do a count of that list. There are an awful lot of women. Are all of them on a pastor track or would some just be studying theology?
If the degree program is Master of Divinity (M. Div.) then they are in candidacy for Ordination. Candidacy is a seperate process, under the supervision of the Synod identified for each person, although the M. Div degree is a requirement for Candidacy approval.
I would recommend saving the list in case one becomes a member of a Call Committee of a congregation requesting a “first call” (newly Ordained) Pastor.
Sorry.
From what I have heard, it is difficult in some parts of the USA for a white heterosexual male to get a pastorship in an ELCA church nowadays.
Are ELCA congregations more likely to call a woman pastor? Seems as though they are being discriminatory in a bad sense. As someone who has been either LC-MS or WELS, it’s hard for me to consider such a call as “divine”.
I can no longer consider the ELCA as a religion organization. It is apostate.
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