Gay lutheran
Lutheran Church bishops advocate same-sex marriage
In a historic shift, the Bishops' Conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (ELCF) has approved a compromise that could pave the way to church weddings for gay couples.
The 10-member conference will propose to the church's utmost decision-making body, the General Synod, that a provision on parallel concepts of marriage be added to the church order.
In the first of these, marriage is understood as between a male and a lady, and in the second, marriage is understood as between two people. This would allow ELCF priests to wedding same-sex couples.
Final conclusion expected in May
The Bishops' Conference approved the proposal to change the church order in its meeting on Tuesday. The next Bishops' Conference meeting in April will produce a formal offer to the Synod, where approval would require support from three quarters of the representatives.
The General Synod is expected to make the final decision at its next encounter in May. The 109-member body is mostly made up of laypeople.
Archbishop Tapio Luoma described the bishops' decision as significant.
"We are taking a big step to mo
The Church and Homosexuality
[1] After attending a study group using the ELCA research guide Journey Together Faithfully: The Church and Homosexuality at Advent Lutheran in Arlington, TX, I felt as Dennis Bielfeldt (2003) did when he wrote:
“While I believe Journey Together does fairly describe the diverse voices and positions within the ELCA on this controversial issue, I discover it neither particularly helps readers appear at justifiable views, nor effectively aids the institution of the ELCA in coming to a responsible and defensible position.”
[2] I certainly had a viewpoint on all the topics addressed in Journey, and this contribution is an attempt to convey part of that viewpoint as a defensible position. I have assumed that statements by Jesus in the Gospels outweigh rules and judgments found elsewhere in the Ancient and New Testaments and that those rules and decisions must be evaluated in light of Jesus’ moral principles as applied to 21st century western culture.
[3] Jesus’ moral principles are uncomplicated, the application difficult: “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 19:19; 22:39; Identify 12:31; Luke 10:27); “always treat others
Same-Gender Issues Among Lutherans in Canada
A Statement from the Council of Presidents/Bishops of Lutheran Church-Canada
Recent years contain brought separation and discord among Lutheran Christians around the world as various church bodies have departed from historic Biblical training and practice by approving same-gender relationships, both within their churches’ membership and even in the ranks of the ordained clergy. This disruption will now spread in our region through the decision of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) to authorize its pastors to conduct same-gender marriages, as well as by its finding that sexual orientation is no longer an issue in certifying candidates for the ministry.
Because these decisions will be covered in the media, members of the larger Christian community and the Canadian public in general may mistakenly conclude that these decisions represent the position of all Lutherans in this land. In proof, the ELCIC is the only Lutheran church body in Canada which has approved such a departure from accepted Christian learning. Further, although the ELCIC formally reports large membership statistics, nearly 40 percent of Canadian Luth
Resources for the LGBTQIA+ Community
This is Christ's church. There is a place for you here.
We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God's grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person – questions, complexities and all.
ELCA social statement on human sexuality
Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust expresses ELCA teaching on human sexuality. A social declaration is a teaching and policy document that assists us in thinking about and discussing social issues in the context of faith and society. This expression was adopted in 2009 and provides guidance on matters enjoy marriage, family and same-gender relationships.
LGBTQIA+ voices and ministries in Living Lutheran
We are a church that values and encourages diverse voices and lively dialogue.
Find articles authored by LGBTQIA+ church leaders and stories about ministries that affirm people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in Living Lutheran magazine and on LivingLutheran.org.
Evangelical Lutheran Worship Service of Marriage:
Supplemental Resources
This marriage service supplement offers inclus