ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) Votes to Lift Gay Ban

While I thought (once upon a time) that the PCUSA would welcome people called to ministry who happen to be self-identifying lesbian or gay before the Episcopalians and the Lutherans, following in the footsteps of our brothers and sisters in the UCC, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, moved by the Holy Spirit, have lifted the ban of LGBT people as ordained Ministers.

In the words of Malcolm Gladwell, it is clear that there was a tipping point that our churches have come to or gone through, in which people's convictions make a turn, as if a door opening on a hinge. The ordination of women was such a hinge: most denominations do it now (save for PCA, Wisconsin Synod of the Lutheran Church, etc.), though there was a time and place that we didn't at all, basing these decisions upon a curious reading, (a.k.a., cherry picking) of Scripture.

From Reuters:
The largest American Lutheran denomination cleared the way on Friday to allow gays and lesbians in committed relationships to serve in ministry, ending a policy that had opened leadership posts to them only if they remained celibate.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America also encouraged its congregations to find ways to support or recognize members in "accountable lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships."

But it did not give official sanction to gay marriage or approve any rites for such ceremonies.

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Pace!

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