ELCA Assembly Opens Ministry to Partnered Gays and Lesbians

Wow!!!! I am happy and amazed that all four resolutions passed and that now gay and lesbian Lutherans will be truly full members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ("ECLA") which has followed the ranks of a number of its sister churches in granting gays and lesbians full membership in the Church, including as rostered clergy. Frankly, I was very afraid that the conservative elements would prevail and torpedo the effort to be inclusive of partnered gay clergy. I only hope that the Church will not see the hate and division experienced by the Episcopal Church based on outdated knowledge and bigotry of parishes aligning themselves under ractionary African Bishops. I can just image the foaming at the mouth and flying spittle that will be coming forth among the anti-gay professional Christian set. Here are some highlights from the ELCA website:

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The 2009 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) voted today to open the ministry of the church to gay and lesbian pastors and other professional workers living in committed relationships. The action came by a vote of 559-451 at the highest legislative body of the 4.6 million member denomination. Earlier the assembly also approved a resolution committing the church to find ways for congregations that choose to do so to "recognize, support and hold publicly accountable life-long, monogamous, same gender relationships," though the resolution did not use the word "marriage." The actions here change the church's policy, which previously allowed gays and lesbians into the ordained ministry only if they remained celibate.

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But others said a greater acceptance of people who are gay and lesbian in the church was consistent with the Bible. Bishop Gary Wollersheim of the ELCA Northern Illinois Synod said, "It's a matter of justice, a matter of hospitality, it's what Jesus would have us do." Wollersheim said he had been strongly influenced by meetings with youth at youth leadership events in his synod, a regional unit of the ELCA. Some speakers contend that the actions taken here will alienate ELCA members and cause a drop in membership. But Allison Guttu of the ELCA Metropolitan New York Synod said, "I have seen congregations flourish while engaging these issues; I have seen congregations grow recognizing the gifts of gay and lesbian pastors."

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What I find of interest is that as I posted a while back, it is the denominations with the highest average level of education - i.e., the Episcopal Church and the ELCA - are the most gay accepting while those with the lowest levels of education - i.e., evangelical and Pentecostal denominations - are the most homophobic. This certainly suggests that homophobia and intellectually ignorance go hand in hand. I am very, very proud of the ELCA's bold and correct action.