Category: Mainline Christianity
Posted by: an okie gardener
One of the finalists for bishop of the Diocese of Chicago is a practicing lesbian. Story here. Link from Religion News.
Third-world bishops of the Anglican communion have reprimanded their Episcopal brethren for abandoning biblican standards on sexuality, and set a Sept 30 deadline for repentance.
But, American Anglicans (Episcopalians) ignore their brethren and vow they will not change course. See earlier post. I guess for the Episcopal hierarchy it is still the White Man's Burden to lead his black, brown, and yellow brothers into enlightenment.
Third-world bishops of the Anglican communion have reprimanded their Episcopal brethren for abandoning biblican standards on sexuality, and set a Sept 30 deadline for repentance.
But, American Anglicans (Episcopalians) ignore their brethren and vow they will not change course. See earlier post. I guess for the Episcopal hierarchy it is still the White Man's Burden to lead his black, brown, and yellow brothers into enlightenment.
Category: Mainline Christianity
Posted by: an okie gardener
This story about an Australian bishop that has closed the doors of the churches under his jurisdiction to liberal American Episcopalian author and speaker, retired Bishop Shelby Spong.
Meanwhile the countdown continues: Anglican bishops from the Global South have demanded repentance from Episcopalians by September 30.
Meanwhile the countdown continues: Anglican bishops from the Global South have demanded repentance from Episcopalians by September 30.
17/08: ELCA Teeters on the Brink
Category: Mainline Christianity
Posted by: an okie gardener
The Evangelical Lutheran Church stepped to the edge of the cliff recently. From the NYT:
The country’s largest Lutheran denomination officially bars openly gay people from the ministry. But in a move that advocates for gay men and lesbians are hailing as a step toward changing that policy, the denomination is urging its bishops to refrain from disciplining gay members of the clergy who are in committed same-sex relationships.
Full story.
The vote is intended to be an interim measure until a report is made to the church in 2009.
One of the ways denominations have slid down the slope is to keep "studying" an issue until an advocacy group gets what it wants. Votes may be taken, traditional positions enunciated, but the effect blunted by a vote to undertake "further study" or "dialogue." Then, when a convention/synod/assembly finally votes to make a change away from tradition, suddenly there is no need for further study.
God help the Lutherans.
The country’s largest Lutheran denomination officially bars openly gay people from the ministry. But in a move that advocates for gay men and lesbians are hailing as a step toward changing that policy, the denomination is urging its bishops to refrain from disciplining gay members of the clergy who are in committed same-sex relationships.
Full story.
The vote is intended to be an interim measure until a report is made to the church in 2009.
One of the ways denominations have slid down the slope is to keep "studying" an issue until an advocacy group gets what it wants. Votes may be taken, traditional positions enunciated, but the effect blunted by a vote to undertake "further study" or "dialogue." Then, when a convention/synod/assembly finally votes to make a change away from tradition, suddenly there is no need for further study.
God help the Lutherans.
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