ELCA Synod Declines to Adopt Recent Denominational Deceisions on Gay Clergy

Apparently the ELCA is far from unified when it comes to the recent denominational decision for full inclusion of active gay clergy. According to a report dated December 11, the bishop of the Northeastern Synod of the ELCA (the equivalent of the president of a district in the LCMS) has decided to pass on the new guidelines and stay with policies adopted in 1990 where "ordained ministers who are homosexual in their self-understanding are expected to abstain from homosexual relationships." Obviously the home office is none too pleased and openly wonders how a denominational leader such as a synod bishop can just choose to ignore the denomination's official policy. You can read the whole story here from the Worldwide Faith News archives.

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