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You are here: Home / Archives for Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Perspectives on the Struggle

8.2 Reader’s Response

June 8, 2016 by Frank C. Senn

Gerald L. Lundby responded to Frank Senn’s column “As I See It … The Need to Observe the Rubrics” in Volume 7, Issue 2 as follows: Pastor Senn’s comments on the proper use of the liturgy were scholarly and appreciated.  I sometimes find that the “contemporary liturgies” popping up all over our synod congregations leave […]

Filed Under: Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Perspectives on the Struggle

As I See It: Judaism and the Land of Israel

June 8, 2016 by Frank C. Senn

This is off the beaten path for me, but the situation in the Holy Land has been an interest of mine since I was privileged to travel to Israel and Palestine in the summer of 1998 in the Christian Clergy Traveling Seminar sponsored by the Chicago Chapter of the American Jewish Committee.  I’m grateful that […]

Filed Under: Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Perspectives on the Struggle

“A DramaticMixture of Brokenness and Grace”

June 8, 2016 by Gregory Holmes Singleton

Faithful Conversation: Christian Perspectives on Homosexuality, ed.James M. Childs Jr.  Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003.  viii + 132pp.  $9.00. A Commentary by way of a Review I had intended to write a review, not a commentary flowing from a review.  Furthermore, the review taking shape in my head was negative.  I now begin this review fully aware […]

Filed Under: Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Perspectives on the Struggle

A “Yes” in Kansas City

June 8, 2016 by Wayne Cowell

ALPB Conference on Christian Sexuality, Ruskin Heights Lutheran Church, Kansas City, MO, October 2002 Report and Reflections by Wayne R. Cowell They came to the heartland from every state except Hawaii, and some from Canada.  Conference organizer Russell Saltzman had been clear about what they should expect.  In his announcement (Forum Letter, Vol. 31, No. […]

Filed Under: Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Perspectives on the Struggle

A Conservative Case for Recognition of Gay Relationships in the Church

June 8, 2016 by R. Stephen Warner

So far, I have been very dissatisfied with the discussion of the proposals for same-sex holy unions and ordination of sexually active homosexual clergy in the ELCA.  The discussion keeps being presented as a debate between “liberals” and “conservatives” or between “progressives” and “traditionalists,” with the former supposed to be in support of the radical […]

Filed Under: Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Perspectives on the Struggle

Reflections on Experiencing Leadership of Gay Clergy

June 8, 2016 by Diane V Bowers

Ross Merkel is the pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Oakland, California.  Saint Paul, an ELCA congregation, is a growing, joyful church with outstanding worship, education, fellowship, and service to the community.  I have been a member of St. Paul’s for five years.  About a year ago, in the middle of a dialogue sermon, […]

Filed Under: Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Perspectives on the Struggle

Recognizing God’s Blessings: Holy Unions and the Ordination of Women and Men in Same-Sex Relationships

June 8, 2016 by Daphne Burt

In 1991 the ELCA voted to welcome all people regardless of their sexual orientation into membership in their congregations.  This was reaffirmed in 1995.  In 1993, the Metropolitan Chicago Synod became a “Reconciling in Christ” Synod, by affirming that “gay and lesbian people share with all others the worth that comes from being loved and […]

Filed Under: Human Sexuality in the ELCA: Perspectives on the Struggle

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