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Loading ...HRC on Lutheran Church opening door to partnered gay clergy
08.21.2009 7:06pm EDT
From HRC (with slight editing):
(Washington) The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, issued the following statement on today’s historic decision by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America’s (ELCA) to lift its ban on noncelibate lesbian and gay pastors and to allow for those in committed same-sex relationships to serve as ministers. This vote passed 559-541 following an earlier precedent declaring that congregations “that choose to do so [may] recognize, support and hold publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships.” In addition, on Wednesday, a 2/3 majority voted to approve a social statement on human sexuality to acknowledge without judgment the wide variety of views within the ELCA regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender inclusion.
“By allowing for same-sex couples in committed relationships to serve their call to ministry and by creating policies that respects LGBT people in their congregations, ELCA is modeling for other religious communities what it means to be a faith community that honors all of God’s children,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “This is a joyous day for the LGBT Lutheran’s who no longer have to choose between their spirituality and their sexuality.”
“The Holy Spirit has moved powerfully in the community called the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, working through the courageous advocacy of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and our allies,” said Harry Knox, Director for HRC’s Religion and Faith Program. “Thanks be to God for our colleagues at Lutherans Concerned and all of the Goodsoil coalition! The ELCA has studied, prayed and listened to the witness of its LGBT sisters and brothers, and has come to consensus in community. This decision reflects the best of Lutheran tradition.”
Please correct the error in the blurb about your story: the vote was not 559-541. It was 559 to 451, a considerable difference.
what you call “partnered”, they call “sexually-active”. Doesn’t sound good to me but it’s a start.
Mo Rage
The Blog
Nice to see that the ECLA has moved into the 21st Century. I’m no longer Lutheran but if I were, this would be the Lutherans I want to be with.
Facebook User said: HOW, can the Holy Spirit move powerfully in the Luthern fellowship by allowing people in active same sex partnerships to serve in ministry, when that SAME Holy Spirit has told Evangelicals et al that homosexuality is ick, ack and poo?
Do you still think children should be killed for not respecting their parents? Do you think that shellfish are an abomination? Do you wear clothing that is not a blend of fibers? If you answered “no” to these questions, why are you fixating on gay people?
A religion must evolve or it becomes totally irrelevant. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with a pastor who is in a committed gay or lesbian relationship serving God in ministry.
HOW, can the Holy Spirit move powerfully in the Luthern fellowship by allowing people in active same sex partnerships to serve in ministry, when that SAME Holy Spirit has told Evangelicals et al that homosexuality is ick, ack and poo?
Lucy, you got some ’splainin’ to do.
I tweeted about this ever important vote on the day that it was taking place… as a young and gay christian, this is heart warming. I grew up in the church, and my faith in God doesn’t waver for the words and beliefs of men. This is just a tremendous victory for the gay christians across this country, and quite frankly if the conservatives of the church wish to part ways, God bless them but God bless them over there!
If my church was as accepting as this, I would return to my full duties as the church leader that I used to be. I’ll keep praying for my congregation, because the business as usual rejection of LGBT members is most certainly not christ-like.
God bless America.
http://www.citizenzero.us
For some reason, I don’t foresee a huge migration to the Misery (sic) Synod Lutheran Church by conservatives leaving the ELCA. Perhaps they have learned something from the upheavals in the Anglican world. LCMSs around here (San Diego) don’t believe other LUTHERANS are “saved” … never MIND anybody ELSE (chuckle).
Thanks to those in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America who have taken this courageous step. As a Christian Gay man, I celebrate the fact that more Christian denominations are making the deliberate choice to break dividing walls between the church and LGBT people. I pray that more denominations will follow. I also pray that LGBT people will be hostile to religious bigotry, but NOT to Christians and other people of faith, especially to those reaching out to us.
God bless ELCA and their great decision for our Gay brothers and sisters.
To the Mormons, to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, to the Roman Catholics and to all of the others who say Gay and Lesbian people have no place in the scheme of things, please take note – and I quote: “By allowing for same-sex couples in committed relationships to serve their call to ministry and by creating policies that respects LGBT people in their congregations, ELCA is modeling for other religious communities what it means to be a faith community that honors all of God’s children”. It could not be any clearer then that!