Gay Pastor Loses Ruling, But Not His Flock -- Yet
Supporters Seek Change in Denomination Policy
By Giovanna Dell'Orto
Associated Press
Saturday, February 17, 2007

ATLANTA -- It was a typical Sunday scene and, in its own way, a small act of defiance.

Members of St. John's Lutheran Church last weekend filed by their pastor, hugging him and exchanging jokes. Gleeful children rushed past toward a treats-laden table.

Many in the 350-member Atlanta congregation say they don't plan to let the Rev. Bradley E. Schmeling leave the pulpit Aug. 15, as ordered last week by an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) disciplinary committee because he is in a gay relationship.

Defying the order could end Atlanta's oldest Lutheran church affiliation with the ELCA, cutting off the small church and its members from the large denomination's resources, including community service programs, hymn books and access to synod officials for guidance on legal, financial and spiritual matters. the rest