by Richard O. Johnson, associate editor
Forum Letter November, 2006
Copyright 2006 American Lutheran Publicity Bureau. All rights reserved.
Action on the “what do we do about gay clergy” front has now moved to Atlanta, where Southeastern Synod Bp. Ron Warren has filed formal charges against Pr. Bradley Schmeling. The pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Atlanta, Schmeling admitted some time ago that he was in a “committed relationship” with Darin Easlin.
Where few bishops have gone before
Warren, of course, has now gone where several other ELCA bishops have refused to tread. The bishop has declined (understandably and probably rightly) to discuss the case with Forum Letter, but as we’ve tried to piece the story together, it runs something like this:
Bp. Warren was aware of Schmeling’s sexual orientation, but Schmeling had told the bishop that he was in compliance with the requirements of Vision & Expectations, the ELCA document stating that pastors “who are homosexual in their self-understanding are expected to abstain from homosexual sexual relationships.” Schmeling assured the bishop that if that ever were to change, he would let him know.
Read the whole article here.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
The good ship ELCA...
Or the Shellfish blog...
4 comments:
I am not gay, I do not have an agenda. I am personally acquainted with both Pastor Bradley and Bishop Warren. I believe that both men act out of integrity and the courage to stand up for their convictions. I also know that Bishop Warren is a good expert of the law, which he felt compelled to enforce by filing charges against Pastor Bradley. Pastor Bradley, on the other hand, has a vision of love. He is a minister "of a new covenant,not of letter but of spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Cor. 3:6). There is no doubt in my mind as to which man is being more true to the teachings of Jesus (or to the teachings of Luther for that matter). I am deeply saddened that you feel threatened by what humans have labelled homosexuality.
Don't cry for me! I'm just not gifted with "reasonableness" (please see Tony Blair quote on Jan 29 post).
I will hope that some doubt does enter you mind!
God bless.
Shrimp
Just wondering if you are aware of what the phrase "Copyright 2006 American Lutheran Publicity Bureau. All rights reserved" means. As flattered as we are that you would call attention to our piece, we'll appreciate it more in the future if you ask permission first.
Richard O. Johnson,
associate editor, Forum Letter
Sorry, Rev. Johnson. Hope you noticed that we did give the link so people would go to your site.
Post a Comment