The question of fellowship with the ELCA is now a question of how many of
the ELCA leaders are themselves gay or accepting of homosexuality?
The question has to follow; how many leaders in the LCMS who desire
fellowship and/or a "closer relationship" with the ELCA are
themselves homosexuals or accepting of homosexuality?
Christ warned that at the end of the world it would be like Sodom which
means homosexuality would be widely practiced and accepted.
Luke 17: 28-30 "Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did
eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone
from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed."
The division among "Lutherans" is developing along apocalyptic
issues. During the debate at the 2001 Convention is was brought to the
attention of the delegates that the ELCA was in effect no longer Lutheran
because of its recognition of gay and women clergy, agreement with the
Catholic Church on a false doctrine of justification, and fellowship with the
Presbyterian, Episcopal, Reformed, and United Church of Christ, which do not
have the real presence in the Lord's Supper.
Resolution 3-21 "To Express Concerns Regarding ELCA" states in
final resolve, "we cannot consider them [the ELCA] to be an orthodox
Lutheran church body."
Added to the resolution was a statement that recognized that in ELCA there
were still some lay people who believed and confessed the proper understanding
of Lutheranism. More than a 2/3rd majority adopted the entire resolution.
(News Notes)
"I attended the International Lutheran Layman's
League Convention in Kansas City last week and they were picketed by a small
group of homosexuals because of the LCMS stand against this sin."
Just thought you would be interested.
Randy Baird
ELCA ASSEMBLY AGENDA TO INCLUDE SAME-SEX
UNION DISCUSSION
(Compare with LCMS Convention News)
August 9, 2001
INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- This may be the first time voting members of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will discuss same- sex unions at
a churchwide assembly, said the Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA presiding
bishop. At a news conference Monday, ELCA leaders highlighted same-sex unions
as one of many issues to be discussed at the denomination's assembly.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is
meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center. There are more than
2,000 people participating, including 1,040 ELCA voting members. The theme for
the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Sharing Faith in a New
Century."
ELCA members must "think through very carefully how we minister to
gays," Anderson said, "before we come to a quick decision."
A proposal -- known as a memorial -- will be presented to voting members on
same-sex unions. The recommendation of the memorials committee calls for
development of resources for discussing what it might mean to bless committed
same-gender relationships and proposals for definitions of those
relationships.
Discussions would be good for the church, Anderson said, but must not be
done in a "haphazard" way.
The memorials committee is recommending the church decline to initiate a
study on homosexuality.
The ELCA does not have a policy affirming or prohibiting its clergy from
blessing same-sex unions. However, the ELCA Conference of Bishops said in a
1993 advisory statement that its members do not approve of such ceremonies.
In the news conference, Anderson mentioned other key assembly actions.
Voting members will consider a proposed constitutional bylaw that would amend
a "full communion" agreement with the Episcopal Church.
Under the agreement "Called to Common Mission" (CCM), bishops
must ordain new pastors. The proposed bylaw would allow a bishop to delegate
to another pastor the authority to ordain.
Episcopal Church leaders are watching closely, Anderson said. "Leaders
from the Episcopal Church have expressed real concern," he said.
Yet they realize ELCA members need to discuss the issue. Relations have
remained positive, Anderson said. "My discussions [with the Episcopal
Church] have been very frank but not at all rancorous," said the bishop.
Voting members will also elect a new presiding bishop, consider an ELCA
policy on school vouchers, adopt a budget and discuss evangelism with Latino
and Asian and Pacific Islanders.
ELCA leaders stressed the assembly is more than passing amendments and
creating policies.
"It's easy to see it only as a legislative process," Anderson
said. "It's a much broader and richer experience than that."
The assembly includes worship, Bible study, service opportunities and
social events.
"We're not going to forget about the Lord of the church," said
Addie J. Butler, ELCA vice president."