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No wonder God's Wrath begins at the House of God [Ezekiel 9.]
" ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America presided over a
St. Paul ceremony that officially received three openly lesbian pastors onto the denomination's roster. "
I did a little reading on this subject since I was not aware of this situation before the OP posted the article. Evidently, these 3 women went through seminary to become ministers and revealed that they were lesbian at the time they were to be ordained. Their bishops refused to ordain them but several parishes went against the church and performed ordinations [even a bishop was at these extraordinary ordinations]. The parishes that allowed these ordinations were reprimanded and even kicked out of the synod yet they would not recant their action and kept these lesbian pastors. This was over 20 years ago when gay men were also denied ordination unless they vowed to maintain a celibate life. Those that refused to accept total celibacy were not ordained and those who went ahead and found a bishop and parish to ordain them were not recognized by the Lutheran church. Two of these lesbian pastors became partners and married when California allowed gays to marry; they stayed on in their parish, St. Francis in San Francisco as unrecognized Lutheran pastors.
This history is now viewed as a tragic mistake by the ELCA and why they are now allowing those who they once kicked out of the synod to return and be accepted by their bishop. The parishes that were also expelled have been welcomed back into their local synods.
No wonder God's Wrath begins at the House of God [Ezekiel 9.]
" ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America presided over a
St. Paul ceremony that officially received three openly lesbian pastors onto the denomination's roster. "
I think it's wonderful that churches are waking up. We are all children of God. We are exactly the same yet we are judged by humans who have no idea that God is our Father and that it is only up to Him if we are not in harmony.
We have a lesbian minister at our church and she's wonderful!!
I think it's wonderful that churches are waking up. We are all children of God. We are exactly the same yet we are judged by humans who have no idea that God is our Father and that it is only up to Him if we are not in harmony.
We have a lesbian minister at our church and she's wonderful!!
I agree but sadly there are parishes and pastors who are leaving the ELCA because of the decision to ordain gay clergy. Even some bishops are upset and threatening to leave. This is becoming a serious problem since the church buildings belong to the synod and the courts have to get involved to resolve who owns the building. It has divided families and parishes have had major turmoil of those against and those for gay clergy.
I agree but sadly there are parishes and pastors who are leaving the ELCA because of the decision to ordain gay clergy. Even some bishops are upset and threatening to leave. This is becoming a serious problem since the church buildings belong to the synod and the courts have to get involved to resolve who owns the building. It has divided families and parishes have had major turmoil of those against and those for gay clergy.
Apparently, they don't "trust in God". They leave because of conditioning and have come to hate that which they don't understand. If they believe we are children of God and have the right to religion then they should accept any and all who want to serve, even women pastors.
i was born into the ELCA and i can't be more proud. As a gay man with a degree in religion, I look forward to the opportunities this allows for me, to serve in ministry.
I am not Lutheran(am actually an estranged catholic)but I don't think God would refuse anyone to worship at a church because their lifestyle is not something some people would approve.It is up to God to judge and up to us to show love.There is a local catholic Priest who I suspect is gay,and I see the church packed.He is one of the warmest and welcoming people I know.
The Authority of the Church instruction comes from the Scriptures. The Scriptures condemn Homosexuality as well as Fornication, Adultery, et al. It is pretty clear the guidelines that are to be followed by the Pastor. People are simply rebelling against God in his Word.
In the end, it's not Christians' "Judgments" that they should be concerned about.
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