Lutheran Church Allows Gay Clergy Relationships

The nation’s largest Lutheran denomination will now be able to appoint clergy members who are in committed homosexual relationships.

The topic was front and center at this week's Evangelical Lutheran Church in America convention in Minneapolis, Minn.

With the vote, the debate ends, but not the controversy in America's largest Lutheran denomination surrounding an issue that threatens to divide churches across the country.

"I think several congregations could end up leaving the ELCA as a result of this," said Pastor David Witkop of Thanksgiving! Lutheran Church. "That's a real possibility. Just becoming their own kind of unit or finding another kind of fellowship together with similar beliefs and mission vision."

Early Friday in Minneapolis, the debate raged on with impassioned speeches on both sides of this issue.

"I am not saved because I'm heterosexual. I'm saved because of what God has done," said Pastor Lee Miller II, who supports gay clergy. "To those who are listening, they are not condemned because of their sexuality, but they are saved because of how God loves them."

"What had been the teaching of my church has now been reduced to personal opinion or conscience as it has been framed," opponent Pastor Catherine Ammlung fired back. "Many of us who are people of good will are left as ethical and theological freelancers."

The church already allowed for openly gay ministers if they were celibate. The new measure passed Friday will now allow those ministers to be in committed same-sex relationships.

This topic has been vigorously debated by Episcopalians, Presbyterians and now by delegates of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. However, the Bible is very clear and consistent throughout. The only appropriate place for a sexual relationship is in the lifelong marriage of one man and one woman. The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the U.S., representing 4.6 million members but they are deciding for their members that they would rather give up bits of their faith to fit in with the ways of the world. I just want to remind them, the world will not give it back.

Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it [is] abomination.
Leviticus 18:22

For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit [them] shall be cut off from among their people.
Leviticus 18:2

One Year Later: Orissa Churches Bouncing Back

One year ago this week, Christians in India suffered some of the worst persecution ever seen in that nation. Yet, the attacks that destroyed hundreds of churches and affected thousands of lives have not stopped the church.

Last summer, widespread and unprecedented mob violence against Christians erupted in Orissa state following the assassination of World Hindu Council leader Swami Saraswati. Although Maoists claimed responsibility for the leader's murder, Hindu militants continued to use it as a pretext to attack Christians throughout the state, burning more than 2,000 Christians' homes, shops and hundreds of churches.

The initial attacks lasted for weeks leaving dozens dead, the majority were burned alive, and more than 100,000 fled their homes, many are still not able to return home and are living in tents.

Rev. Sudharkar Mondithoka is a Christian leader from the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh and works with persecuted Christians in India. He says the reason for the attacks on the followers of Christ in Orissa and in other parts of the country is two-fold.

Another reason for the increased violence against Christians in Orissa and in other parts of India is the growth of the church especially among the Dalits, the so-called untouchables.

Orissa is one of seven states in India with an anti-conversation law.

There are many legal hurdles set up to discourage Hindus to convert to Christianity and curtail the growth of the church. Often converts are imprisoned, beaten driving from their home and in some cases killed. Others return to Hindusim for fear of further attacks against them and receive immediate help.

Sudharkar and Shanti give leadership to the Hyderabad Institute of Theology and Apologetics. A part of their ministry is teaching Christian leaders to understand the biblical theology of persecution using the book "In the Shadow of the Cross" by The Voice of the Martyrs CEO Glenn Penner.

Even though recent elections have put more secular politicians into the State government in Orissa, Rev. Sudharkar doesn't expect the attacks against Christians to end anytime soon.

In the meantime, helping the tens of thousands Christians displaced by the violence has to be a priority.

One line in the Beatitudes says, “Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” I will continue to pray for those brave souls.

My times [are] in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
Psalms 31:15