As expected, a core of Lutheran leaders out there aren’t very happy about the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s August decision to allow gay pastors to serve as clergy.
Lutheran CORE, a subgroup of the ELCA that has opposed letting gay pastors serve, held a news conference in New Brighton to voice their opposition and try to lure more ELCA congregations into a new church body. The reason, they say, “it contradicts Scripture.” (Not according to Jerry Maniker.)
Last week, the Rev. Bill Bohline, leader of one of Minnesota’s largest Lutheran congregations, announced his Lakeville church plans to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America due to their gay clergy policy.
A week early, The Rev. Nate Bjorge quit his position with the First Lutheran Church in Little Falls after the church voted to remain a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
And about a month earlier, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church voted (a 96-percent vote) to leave the denomination.
Of course, let’s not forget those that speak out in favor of gay clergy and marriage equality.
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