Vote on Gay Clergy Causes Rift In Lutheran Denomination

[O.S.Luke]

Just we cautious what you say, OTCA. It came across very caustic.

 

[Guyonthestreet]

I just made a whole thread about my son and how others are praying for him because of medication. So don’t come on here and putting me down for what I say when it is very painful to watch my own. The whole world is medicated, that’s the problem.

So the fact your son is on medication and needs our prayers still doesnt stop you using a phrase like keep taking the meds as a form of insult.

Equally the fact your son is on medication does not give you a carte blanche to be as obnoxious as you like to everyone else.

You should withdraw your offensive remarks and apologise and not have others here apologise on your behalf.

 

[Harpazo]

Anyway, back to our discussion…

Obviously this does not directly affect me as an Orthodox Christian, but it bothers me deeply. Which denomination will be the one to approve polygamy? Perhaps animals should be ordained. “Fr. Flipper delivered a great sermon today!” or “Mother Goose really convinced me to donate to the food bank!” That way people can sit in a circle and listen to them. Will robots or animals be the next in line to be ordained? I’m half serious, but the way some of these Protestant groups are going, it could happen!

In Christ,
Andrew

 

[ambrosegirl84]

Which denomination will be the one to approve polygamy? Perhaps animals should be ordained.

Haha, I’m not so worried about the animals being ordained, but I could actually see a beginning of elevating animals. They already do “blessing of the animals” services in many denominations, and I could see this evolving into animal “baptisms” and “funerals.” I’m an animal lover, but give me a break!

I think the problem is, in many liberal denominations, that “if it looks sweet and innocent, and doesn’t hurt anybody, it must be Christian.”

Thanks for steering this discussion back on topic, Harpazo!!!

 

[LondonIrish]

I think the problem is, in many liberal denominations, that “if it looks sweet and innocent, and doesn’t hurt anybody, it must be Christian.”

Hello Ambrosegirl84

I think what you said above takes us to the heart of many reforms of recent years. I know one independent church in England that has ordained a young man with learning difficulties to their priesthood. While I think this is a wonderful sentiment, to bring people with learning difficulties ( I think in America the term mentally handicapped is still used ) right into the heart of the church, it is doubtful to me this young man was able to fully understand the comitment he was making and role he was undertaking. He is certainly not able to undertake the rigerous studies required of their other pastors, most of whom are educated to at least a masters degree level. In an effort to be politicaly correct, this church has thrown out the rule book, but they somehow think this action makes them more Christian than their counterparts. The mistake a lot of wonderful people of God make, I think, is they lose focus on the Cross of Christ. Christianity is not supposed to be easy. It’s supposed to be the hardest undertaking we will ever make. Jesus said, Go, sell everything, and follow Me! Whenever I took a decision about my faith and practice, if it made my life easier, I knew it was the wrong decision!! For example, go to Mass on Sundays, not every day of the week, seek the sacrament of reconciliation every month, not every week, pray the Rosary on Fridays, not every evening, fast one hour before receiving Communion instead of from the night before. They’re not great examples but I hope I am illustrating what I mean. We all have our own particular calling from God, and we all have our own crosses to bear. If what we decide to do on a corporal level is making that cross easier to carry, then it’s probably not the right thing to do. Only the Grace of God can ease our burden, and that from an inner strength of faith, not by changing the rule book to create comfort zones. Let us join our Lutheran brothers and sisters in prayer and offerings, that the Holy Spirit will guide their authorities to listen to the Voice of God do what He ordains for the good of all his Church. Let us also remember all those who’s cross is homosexuality, that they be given the grace and strength to carry their cross with courage and conviction, never wavering from the Word of God and his desire for them to achieve great holiness in their calling.

 

[Elric]

Hello Ambrosegirl84

I think what you said above takes us to the heart of many reforms of recent years. I know one independent church in England that has ordained a young man with learning difficulties to their priesthood. While I think this is a wonderful sentiment, to bring people with learning difficulties ( I think in America the term mentally handicapped is still used ) right into the heart of the church, it is doubtful to me this young man was able to fully understand the comitment he was making and role he was undertaking. He is certainly not able to undertake the rigerous studies required of their other pastors, most of whom are educated to at least a masters degree level. In an effort to be politicaly correct, this church has thrown out the rule book, but they somehow think this action makes them more Christian than their counterparts. The mistake a lot of wonderful people of God make, I think, is they lose focus on the Cross of Christ. Christianity is not supposed to be easy. It’s supposed to be the hardest undertaking we will ever make. Jesus said, Go, sell everything, and follow Me! Whenever I took a decision about my faith and practice, if it made my life easier, I knew it was the wrong decision!! For example, go to Mass on Sundays, not every day of the week, seek the sacrament of reconciliation every month, not every week, pray the Rosary on Fridays, not every evening, fast one hour before receiving Communion instead of from the night before. They’re not great examples but I hope I am illustrating what I mean. We all have our own particular calling from God, and we all have our own crosses to bear. If what we decide to do on a corporal level is making that cross easier to carry, then it’s probably not the right thing to do. Only the Grace of God can ease our burden, and that from an inner strength of faith, not by changing the rule book to create comfort zones. Let us join our Lutheran brothers and sisters in prayer and offerings, that the Holy Spirit will guide their authorities to listen to the Voice of God do what He ordains for the good of all his Church. Let us also remember all those who’s cross is homosexuality, that they be given the grace and strength to carry their cross with courage and conviction, never wavering from the Word of God and his desire for them to achieve great holiness in their calling.

“Learning Difficulties” covers a VERY broad field (which includes things like ASD, ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, asphergers syndrome ect). Is there any way to narrow it down?

Having a learning difficulty does not mean that a person is not up to the tasks of a priesthood or unable to understand the commitment required. It basically means that they understand things in a different way to typical people and simply need support or extra time.

It could be a very positive thing with what this church is doing that could have little to do with being PC.

 

[LondonIrish]

“Learning Difficulties” covers a VERY broad field (which includes things like ASD, ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, asphergers syndrome ect). Is there any way to narrow it down?

Having a learning difficulty does not mean that a person is not up to the tasks of a priesthood or unable to understand the commitment required. It basically means that they understand things in a different way to typical people and simply need support or extra time.

It could be a very positive thing with what this church is doing that could have little to do with being PC.

Hello Elric

The learning difficulty I mention is defined as an incomplete or arrested development of the mind. I knew this would cause problems with american readers as we undertand the term differently; it’s what was called in my day, a mental handicap or mental retardation, although thankfully we have moved away from those terms now. I am certain this younf man is perfectly capable of being used as an instrument of God, I just doubt that ordaining him a pastor in the church was in this case the right thing to do, when he could not ever complete the courses required in philosophy, theology, divinity and humanaties. I think it was much more about the church wanting to make a statement than doing the right thing by this young man and their congregation.

 

[qui_est_ce]

Well, it’s time to take this thread back and get it back on its original topic.

More commentary as I run across it.

Thanks James. I am interested in the commentary.

I was shocked when I heard this on the radio last week. I thought am I hearing right?

Lutherans should be putting their affiliation (LCMS, etc.) in their profiles.