CLERGY

Assembly votes down gay clergy resolution

The Eastern North Dakota Synod Assembly narrowly defeated a resolution Sunday that would have called for a reversal of its denomination’s decision to allow individuals in same-gender relationships to serve in the clergy. That resolution failed by a margin of 190-213 on the second and final day of the annual assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s END Synod in Jamestown.

By By J. Shane Mercer, Forum Communications Co. , April 19, 2010

Letter to the editor: Churches should remove themselves from the ELCA

I write in response to the Rev. Susan Lester’s letter to the editor in the Jan. 5 issue of The Jamestown Sun. She said it was God’s decision for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to allow openly homosexual clergy.

By Marlene Schulte , January 08, 2010

Letter to the editor: Let go of fear and shame; let God take care of God’s stuff

At the end of 2009, we have been hearing about churches making the choice to leave the ELCA denomination. Apparently, the recent decision to welcome non-hetero clergy in committed relationships is too uncomfortable. Recently, I witnessed the near-death experience of my children. With the help of family and friends, I was able to make it into an opportunity to reassess my priorities. The first reminder was: they do not belong to me.

By The Rev. Susan Lester , January 05, 2010

Pray for faithful Christians in ELCA congregations

In my most recent letter to the editor, which appeared on Sept. 1, my sole intent was to give a clear explanation of the teaching of Holy Scripture regarding homosexuality within the word limits allowed to any letter to the editor.

By The Rev. Tom Eckstein , September 15, 2009

Lutheran change draws no outcry at small church

Members of one small Red River Valley church that goes back 136 years say they’re not bothered by a new Lutheran church policy that allows gays and lesbians to serve as clergy, though not all embrace the idea. The rustic Gran Lutheran Church has been used every week since it was built in 1881, eight years after Norwegian settlers formed Gran halfway between Mayville and Hillsboro.

August 31, 2009

Letter to the editor: ELCA’s vote is embrace of social trends, not God’s word

The day the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America voted to allow non-celibate homosexuals to be clergy was a sad day in God’s church. God’s word clearly states that the only sexual union God honors is between a man and a woman within the sanctity of marriage. The leadership of the ELCA just proclaimed that they believe they are wiser than God’s word. Perhaps those who fully believe in Scripture and God’s church should carefully consider what they are supporting when they give their time and money to ELCA congregations. The ELCA spent more than $1 million prior to its vote to study the matter of sexuality. Many faithful people gave to the ELCA believing that their gifts would be used for God’s work (I was among them).

By Kathryn Berry-Koppang , August 27, 2009

N.D. Lutherans talk about clergy vote

A North Dakota Lutheran bishop says the decision by the country’s largest Lutheran denomination to allow gays and lesbians in committed relationships to serve as clergy might not change much among area churches.

August 24, 2009

Lutherans approve new policy on gay clergy

MINNEAPOLIS — The nation’s largest Lutheran denomination took openly gay clergy more fully into its fold Friday, as leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted to lift a ban that prohibited sexually active gays and lesbians from serving as ministers.

By By Patrick Condon, The Associated Press , August 22, 2009

Lutherans move toward more open view on gays

Leaders of the country’s largest Lutheran denomination have agreed to disagree on homosexuality, endorsing an official statement on human sexuality that says there’s room in the church for differing views on an issue that’s divided other religious groups.

By By Patrick Condon, The Associated Press , August 20, 2009

Lutherans debate allowing gay clergy

Leaders of the country’s largest Lutheran denomination began discussing Monday whether or not to allow people in same-sex relationships to serve as clergy. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which is meeting this week in Minneapolis, plans to decide whether to approve a proposal that would allow individual congregations to let gay and lesbian people in committed relationships serve as clergy.

By By Patrick Condon, The Associated Press , August 18, 2009

Episcopalians vote for gay clergy in ministry

Episcopalians declared gays and lesbians eligible for “any ordained ministry” Tuesday, a vote expected to upset world Anglican leaders who had sought a clear moratorium on consecrating another gay bishop. Leaders of the Episcopal Church, the Anglican province in the United States, insisted they were still committed to membership in the Anglican Communion. Some Anglican leaders, however, predicted the vote would break their fellowship.

July 17, 2009

ELCA weighs making gay clergy local decision

America’s largest Lutheran denomination will consider allowing individual congregations to choose whether to allow gays and lesbians in committed relationships to serve as clergy, an attempt to avoid the sort of infighting that has threatened to tear other churches apart.

By By Eric Gorski, The Associated Press , February 20, 2009

Kadens first clergy couple at St. John’s

After 34 years of marriage, most of which was as the wife of a clergyman, Ruth Kaden joined her husband, Harlan, as an ordained minister three months ago. The two have been co-pastors at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Jamestown since early September. And although it’s not unusual for both spouses to be in the ministry, it is unusual for them to be at the same church.

November 21, 2008