ELCA Fear: Admitting Gay Clergy Would ‘Dissolve’ Church Unity

August 20, 2009

Lutherans referred to Anglicans more than once Thursday morning as they discussed whether to admit openly gay and lesbian persons into rostered ministry.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Episcopal Church entered into full communion when both churches approved “Called to Common Mission.” ELCA’s Churchwide Assembly approved the agreement in 1999 and General Convention approved it in 2000.

“I live and serve in the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, and I feel like I've seen this movie before,” said Pastor Ryan Mills of the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod. He said changing ELCA’s policy on rostered clergy will alienate the ELCA from Roman Catholics and will scandalize the church’s ethnic ministries.

“Pastoral practice needs latitude, but the truth can never be compromised,” he added. the rest