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NRLR applauds Lutheran church committee challenge to policy barring pastors same-sex relationships

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 — The National Religious Leadership Roundtable applauded the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) Hearing Committee’s challenge to the church document that bars clergy who are in same-sex relationships. The committee encouraged church leaders to abandon the “bad policy.” The response was prompted by the committee’s announcement on Thursday that it was removing the Rev. Bradley Schmeling, effective Aug. 15, because Schmeling has a same-sex partner. The delay in the Lutheran pastor’s removal gives the ELCA a chance to nullify the decision by changing the policy document at an August meeting. For the full text of the committee’s decision go to http://www.stjohnsatlanta.org/trialupdate.html.

While I was saddened by some of the recent results of the Lutheran sexuality study, I am encouraged by this! I became a Lutheran in 2002 when I came out. Even with their flaws I am far more confident that the ELCA can come around when compared to my former association (Catholic)...