Daniel_Cheung
08-17-2009, 11:45 PM
US: Lutherans prepare for big decision on gay clergy
http://www.toledoonthemove.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=337293
The Rev. Dave Glesne stood before the members of Redeemer Lutheran Church a few weeks ago and told them there might be some painful decisions in the near future.
Glesne is against letting people in same-sex relationships serve as pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, and he says his congregation is behind him. They're worried this suburban Minneapolis church could find itself on the losing side as leaders of the nation's largest Lutheran denomination vote on whether to take that step at their biennial national convention, which starts Monday in Minneapolis.
"Of course the question was asked: What will we do, Pastor Dave, if this goes?" Glesne said. "The conversation we had left me no doubt that we will definitely have a discussion about leaving the ELCA."...
ELCA Assembly Actions to be "Respectful," Says Presiding Bishop
http://www.wfn.org/2009/08/msg00102.html
A respectful discussion on sexuality will show
the world that while Lutherans may not be "of one mind," they can still
be "united in faith and in our shared mission together," said the Rev.
Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) as the denomination opened its biennial assembly here
August 17.
The assembly faces a controversial discussion on a social statement
on sexuality and ministry policies that could lead to policy changes
allowing gay and lesbian pastors in committed, same gender relationships
to officially serve on the roster of the church body, which has 4.6
million baptized members.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the
ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 17-23 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
About 2,000 people are participating, including 1,045 voting members. The
theme for the biennial assembly is "God's work. Our hands."...
http://www.toledoonthemove.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=337293
The Rev. Dave Glesne stood before the members of Redeemer Lutheran Church a few weeks ago and told them there might be some painful decisions in the near future.
Glesne is against letting people in same-sex relationships serve as pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, and he says his congregation is behind him. They're worried this suburban Minneapolis church could find itself on the losing side as leaders of the nation's largest Lutheran denomination vote on whether to take that step at their biennial national convention, which starts Monday in Minneapolis.
"Of course the question was asked: What will we do, Pastor Dave, if this goes?" Glesne said. "The conversation we had left me no doubt that we will definitely have a discussion about leaving the ELCA."...
ELCA Assembly Actions to be "Respectful," Says Presiding Bishop
http://www.wfn.org/2009/08/msg00102.html
A respectful discussion on sexuality will show
the world that while Lutherans may not be "of one mind," they can still
be "united in faith and in our shared mission together," said the Rev.
Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) as the denomination opened its biennial assembly here
August 17.
The assembly faces a controversial discussion on a social statement
on sexuality and ministry policies that could lead to policy changes
allowing gay and lesbian pastors in committed, same gender relationships
to officially serve on the roster of the church body, which has 4.6
million baptized members.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the
ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 17-23 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
About 2,000 people are participating, including 1,045 voting members. The
theme for the biennial assembly is "God's work. Our hands."...