George Bernard Shaw once said, "Certainly all great truths begin as blasphemies." On April 11, 2010, those who identify as people of faith and as "non-heterosexual" were given particular cause to celebrate Shaw's wisdom: a most unlikely church has given a most unlikely people a gift of love and truth, and I cannot stop smiling.
After twenty-five years of deliberation, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Church Council has abolished its anti-gay policies, effective immediately. Following from discussions at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly last summer, the ELCA will now allow people in same-sex relationships to serve as rostered leaders. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) human beings are no longer considered abominations but blessed church members with full standing. Same-sex partners and families can now fully participate in the ELCA Pension Plan.
Best of all, the ELCA is reinstating people who were removed from ministry positions because they were truthful and came out of the closet, as well as those who conducted holy unions for non-heterosexual couples. The ELCA has practiced restorative justice.
Lovely news, especially the restoration to their former ministries of those who were honest. May God bless the ELCA as the church moves forward to implement their policies of inclusion and justice.
H/T to Mapko at Amictus Sindone for the link.
This is good news!
ReplyDeleteI am puzzled that the author considers the ELCA a "most unlikely church" for such an eventuality. I can think of many other denominations for which that would be a more accurate remark.
Smugness is such an unattractive quality, but this Lutheran is treating himself!
ReplyDeleteKJ, perhaps "Evangelical" throws the author off?
ReplyDeleteDP, on you, smugness looks good. :-)
It's the LCMS that are the backward ones.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed, David G.
ReplyDeleteOff topic question - what does "queer" mean? I only know it as a synonym for gay.
ReplyDeleteErika, I believe that some gays and lesbians have taken back the "queer" word from the bigots and made it their own. OCICBW.
ReplyDeleteI know, Erika. Perhaps the Q is for folks who prefer to call themselves queer then? Maybe someone else who knows more will weigh in.
ReplyDeleteI just googled it and according to Wiki it's either for queer or for "questioning" - so that'll be the ones whose sexuality is a grey area?
ReplyDeleteErika, you know more. Thanks for the info.
ReplyDelete