Posted on 07/22/2009 8:45:33 PM PDT by lightman
Episcopalians, Lutherans Taking Action on Sexuality Topics
09-154-MRC
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The 2009 General Convention of the Episcopal Church took a series of actions on the topic of human sexuality July 8-17 in Anaheim, Calif. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will also make decisions on matters concerning the topic at its 2009 Churchwide Assembly Aug. 17-23 in Minneapolis.
The ELCA and Episcopal Church have been "full communion" partners since 2000. The relationship is based on a common confessing of the Christian faith. The denominations collaborate on various ministry initiatives, may provide for the interchangeability of ordained clergy and engage in worship together.
On behalf of the ELCA, the Rev. Donald J. McCoid attended the convention. He said the actions of the Episcopal Church "do not parallel what will be before our churchwide assembly, although some of the concerns are similar."
"The Episcopal Church has a different process for considering human sexuality issues and policies," said McCoid, executive director, ELCA Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations.
During their convention, Episcopalians passed a resolution designed to open ordination to anyone in the denomination through a discernment process outlined in the church's Constitution and Canons.
The resolution also reaffirmed the Episcopal Church's participation in the worldwide Anglican Communion, noting that members of the communion hold opposing views on matters related to human sexuality.
In a separate action, the convention called for a collection of theological resources and liturgies for same-gender blessings. The convention authorized the denomination's House of Bishops and Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to devise and oversee an "open process" that would invite Episcopalians to gather such resources, and it requested a progress report on this work to be delivered to the 2012 convention.
The action states that Episcopal bishops, "particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this church." It also "honor(s) the theological diversity of this church in regard to matters of human sexuality."
Voting members of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly are scheduled to consider two documents related to human sexuality. One is a proposed social statement on human sexuality, "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust." Social statements are theological and teaching documents that form the basis for policy in the ELCA.
The other document is a "Report and Recommendation on Ministry Policies." The recommendation asks the assembly to consider a process to change ministry policies to make it possible for Lutherans, who are in "publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships," to serve as ELCA associates in ministry, deaconesses, diaconal ministers and ordained ministers.
Both documents were mandated by previous churchwide assemblies.
The assembly is the highest legislative authority of the ELCA. The theme of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly is "God's Work. Our Hands." - - - News about the 2009 Episcopal Church General Convention is available at http://ecusa.anglican.org/79425_ENG_HTM.htm on the Web. Information about the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly is at http://www.ELCA.org/assembly on the ELCA Web site.
“Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed for much less than these supposed “Christians” are actually promoting.”
I don’t know about that. Scripture talks about how the townsfolk came around looking to rape a couple of men who turned out to be angels.
Having said that, I can’t wait to find out about the Scriptural basis for their shiny new rite for same-sex ‘unions’.
These documents the ELCA puts out are such jelly sandwiches/warm word baths and are short on any kind of Biblical basis.
There should be a mass exodus to the far more conservative and orthodox Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
Well it’s good to know you gave it a half hour try.
That said, you’re dealing with someone who sucked in a lot of bad ideas for WAAAAAY more than 1/2 hour. It is very difficult for a 1/2 hour talk to reverse years and years of bad thinking. As you have discovered.
You did what you could do. It might lay some groundwork for others to build on.
All of the pro-gay ELCA members should leave the ELCA.
Liberals never give up until they get what they want. Where do you want them to go?
I don’t care where they go, as long as they aren’t Lutheran. Some of them would join United Church of Christ churches, since many UCC churches have openly gay pastors and gay commitment ceremonies. I know someone who was an ELCA pastor, and he became a UCC pastor because he thought that the ELCA wasn’t pro-gay enough.
Some probably do it for political reasons. They're liberal Democrats and they can promote the Democrat party in the process of having a good time.
He is separating the wheat from the chaff.
Is that the “Great Big Lutheran Church (GBLC) “ as you call it, or the Gay Bi-sexual Lesbian Church (GBLC)?
Actually, it is the Queer Lutheran Church in America. I was trying to be polite here among friends.
Someone could write a song about that:
Imagine all the Luth'rans
In or-tho-do-xy....
Someone could write a song about that:
Imagine all the Luth'rans
In or-tho-do-xy....
I want these left wing morons to stay in their respective ECUSA and ELCA congregations without God. I prefer to gather around the altar with true believers.
Actually, it wasn't so much of a journey as it was jumping out of a bus right before it went over the cliff.
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