Lutherans strive to avoid split on gay issue

The ELCA convention opens here Monday amid hopes for civility, not rancor. They plan to tackle the most-divisive subject in 21st century religion -- the appointment of gay clergy.
By JEFF STRICKLER
Star Tribune
August 16, 2009

Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America arrive in Minneapolis on Monday to tackle the most-divisive subject in 21st century religion -- the appointment of gay clergy.

What 1,045 voting members decide by the end of the week could determine the future of the 4.8 million member ELCA, which includes more than 830,000 Minnesotans.

At issue is a proposal to repeal the ban on gay and lesbian ministers from leading churches unless they promise to be celibate.

A task force spent months working out a compromise that would allow the installation of gay pastors but leave that decision up to individual congregations and synods. People on both sides say the looming vote is too close to call. the rest