Not to let the Episcopalians outdo them, the Lutherans are now facing their own homosexual clergy crisis:
A Lutheran bishop is asking the church to discipline an Atlanta parish pastor for defying church policy banning clergy from same-sex relationships.
Bishop Ronald B. Warren of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Southeastern Synod released a letter Tuesday explaining the action he is taking against the Rev. Bradley E. Schmeling of St. John's Lutheran Church in Atlanta.
He said he made the decision after Schmeling told him he was in a same-sex relationship.
Schmeling, who could face expulsion from St. John's pulpit, said he doesn't agree with his church's policy for gay clergy.
He made his position clear to Warren when he first arrived at St. John's six years ago.
"The policy isn't working," Schmeling said. "Good and qualified people are being excluded from the ministry. In a congregation likes ours, this is not a divisive ministry."
Homosexuality has been a divisive issue for many mainline Protestant denominations that generally preach tolerance of gays — within limits.
These denominations have tried to avoid splitting by adopting variations of a "don't ask, don't tell" policy, but such efforts are starting to fray.
Of course they're starting to fray. You can't coddle immorality with a wink and a nod and expect everything to coast along nicely. And this stands as a warning to everyone. We cannot be conformed to the world, but rather must be transformed by the renewing of our minds. The mainline denominations continue to reap their whirlwind.
You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (James 4:4, NASB-u)
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