Effingham group awaits split from Lutheran churches { ELCA Exodus }

Savanah Morning News ^ | 11/6/9 | Dana Clark Felty

[SmithL]

Some Effingham County Lutherans are leaving their churches in an effort to disassociate with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the largest Lutheran denomination in the country.

The breakaway group known as Lutherans for Bible Based Beliefs announced new worship services for those who disapprove of the national church's vote in August to allow gays and lesbians in committed relationships to serve as clergy.

Alan B. Zipperer said he helped organize the group to give people who disapproved of the ELCA's decision a place to feel comfortable.

"There are so many dissatisfied people at several churches around Effingham County, we decided to do something to keep them worshipping," said Zipperer, a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Guyton.

Zipperer said 60 to 100 people are expected to attend the first worship service at 9 a.m. Sunday at Blandford Elementary School in Rincon. The move is temporary until area congregations address the issue of association with the ELCA, he said.

"It could very easily become permanent if a congregation votes to stay within the ELCA," he said.

Lutheran pastor Andy Krey will serve as the guest speaker.

"We believe pastors, as leaders of the church, should not be in those nontraditional, non-heterosexual relationships," said Krey, who leads a maritime ministry out of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Port Wentworth. "This group is trying to network and cooperate with other Lutherans within other congregations (who) have this same feeling."

Krey said he is not involved in organizing the breakaway group, but has attended recent meetings along with Lutherans from churches including Bethel, Holy Trinity, Jerusalem, St. John's and Zion in Effingham County.

Built from 1767 to 1769, Jerusalem Lutheran Church is considered the oldest church building in the state and one of few buildings left intact after the Revolutionary War.

[SmithL]

The Exodus continues.

[Vigilanteman]

Did Effingham say “Ef the ELCA”?

[lightman]

Lutheran (EL C S*A) Ping!

* as of August 19, AD 2009, a liberal protestant SECT, not part of the holy, catholic and apostolic CHURCH.