Gay clergy OK'd by Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

by Susan Hogan/Albach, Religion Reporter, Chicago Sun Times: For the first time, clergy in same-sex committed relationships can serve the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) without threat of discipline to them, their congregations or their bishops. The historic decision, made today at a national assembly at Navy Pier, was spearheaded by Bishop Paul Landahl of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod. A day earlier, attendees voted down a measure that would have ended a ban on non-celibate gay clergy. But Saturday’s vote calls on church leaders to “refrain from or demonstrate restraint” in disciplining those who violate the policy. . . [Read More]

by Jaynan Clark Egland, president of the Word Alone Network of grassroots Lutherans: "I don't know... [what's] worse--a church with no biblical standards to govern our ministry or standards we don't intend to enforce. To refrain from discipline in the home is bad parenting, but we're about to do so in [God's House]." . . . [Read More]

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