An Important Vote
This last week was the bi-annual church wide assembly of the ELCA. There were many votes taken, some for elections, some for recommendations and some for memorials. Of all of these, the one watched most closely was on the issue of censuring (disciplining) congregations who call gay or lesbian pastors who are in committed relationships.
The recommendation to the bishops council was that they did not need to automatically censure congregations or de-frock pastors if their only policy violation was being in a committed monogamous relationship. It passed by a healthy margin.
As someone who has seen first-hand the pain caused by people having to choose between a call to ministry and a long-term life partner I am glad that the institutional church is beginning to show the compassion that Christ showed in how he invited his disciples.
I pray that those who voted against this recommendation will not take this as an opportunity to fracture the ELCA but will continue to be in community with us as we all struggle to understand what it means to be the body of Christ.
Here’s a news story on the decision. And here’s a link to a list of other votes and their results.
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A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
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Playing Catch-up 2008
New Design 2007
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A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
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Playing Catch-up 2008
New Design 2007
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A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
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Playing Catch-up 2008
New Design 2007
August 12th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
I wish that what happened at Navy Pier was really as dramatic and important as the media is reporting. Lutherans are NOT allowing pastors in gay relationships! I was at this assembly, blogging at http://reclaimingthefword.com
And what I saw were a bunch of very tired people agreeing to give their bishops some space. This was in no way, I do not believe, an affirmation of the gifts gay and lesbian pastors offer. It was deference to and concern for bishops who have been put in the middle of a mess. It was an attempt to keep the peace…just like every other resolution that passed during this assembly. The reports are overblown. Unfortunately! There is a lot of work to be done in order to effect REAL change in this denomination. I’ve posted 10 things I believe need to happen in order for change to occur. These are things that we on the left need to do. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
August 12th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Wow.
The above comment is from a former professor of mine. I consider her a professor of mine even though I never took one of her classes. But she is a sharp mind and someone who has gifts for ministry even though it often felt like her jumping off point was overly critical of me and my ‘liturgical’ friends.
I’m honored she stopped by and commented. I’ve checked out her blog and will continue this conversation there.
what I will say here is that my gay pastor friends have all reported to me that they are happy about this particular vote. I agree with Kelly, that this isn’t the same as affirming the gifts of GLBT rostered leaders (let’s broaden the scope since AIM, Diaconal Ministers and Deaconesses all come under the same V&E) but it would have been much much worse if the vote had gone the other way. IMHO.