Gay pastor's bid for inclusion denied
Largest Lutheran group removes him from list, but church flock plans to petition on national level.
By CHRISTOPHER QUINN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/06/07

The Rev. Bradley Schmeling lost another skirmish with the nation's largest Lutheran denomination over the fact that he is in a gay relationship.

But he and his flock at Atlanta's St. John's Lutheran Church intend to take the battle national.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America announced Thursday it has removed Schmeling from its list of approved ministers because of his long-term relationship with a man.

Schmeling and members of St. John's in Druid Hills say they will travel to a national church conference in August to try to change the minds of delegates on gay issues. the rest