Lutherans to Debate Gay Celibacy Rule

As a member of the ELCA (my parish church is pictured at left), I will be following the results of the General Assembly meeting next week in Chicago. Personally, I believe Christ would condemn those who seek to keep gays excluded from ministry positions just as he condemned the Pharisees of the Gospels. Small minded, self-righteous types use the exclusion of others as a means to make them feel better about themselves. Here are some highlights from A Chcago Tribune (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/southsouthwest/chi-lutheransaug03,1,6348304.story?ctrack=1&cset=true) story:

Prompted by the sudden dismissal of a popular Atlanta pastor in a committed same-sex relationship, impatient supporters of gay clergy will push an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America assembly in Chicago next week to stop its navel-gazing and lift the celibacy requirement imposed on gay and lesbian pastors.

Almost a third of the church's synods, or regional governing bodies, have endorsed a proposal that would permit gay and lesbian pastors in committed relationships to serve congregations and would reinstate those who have been removed because of a same-sex relationship.The resolution before 1,071 voting members at the biennial national assembly convening Monday comes two years before the church is scheduled to release a broader social statement on human sexuality.

Lutherans in Chicago say it would be fitting for a decision to be made in a synod where gay clergy have been allowed to serve as long as their ministry is not challenged by others. Those who were challenged by a handful of East Coast pastors in 2002 are "in consultation" with Chicago's Bishop Paul Landahl but continue to serve."

For me, those who are in committed relationships, if they are doing good ministry, I say 'God bless them,'" said Landahl, who will retire next month. "We are not here to fight. Christ was a welcoming presence in the world in his time. It's a Gospel issue. I think the church is dead wrong on it."

The new sense of urgency surrounding the issue stems from the dismissal of Rev. Bradley Schmeling, an Atlanta pastor who announced last year that he was in a committed gay relationship. A disciplinary committee removed Schmeling from ministry even though parishioners and his own bishop sprang to his defense.

Even though my local parish and pastor are very supportive, I know, I will feel more like a full, accepted member of the larger ELCA if gays in committed relationships are allowed to hold ministry positions.