It’s Déjà Vu All Over Again! Just when you thought it was safe to go to a Synod Assembly, or read about national church news, or maybe think about the ministry of the national church without cringing, the same old issues jump up again. Yes, I'm talking about the homosexual clergy issue again. Sorry... No less than four of the nine resolutions before this year's Synod Assembly are promoting aspects of a gay agenda: Resolution 07-03 asks the document that governs clergy behavior, “Visions and Expectations,” be significantly edited to remove several references, especially this: “Ordained ministers who are homosexual in their self-understanding are expected to abstain from homosexual sexual relationships.” It also asks that anyone removed for such violations be reinstated to the clergy roster. This document can be read at http://www.elca.org/candidacv/vision ordained.html. Resolution 07-04 asks that bishops refrain from disciplining any pastors who are in violation of current guidelines on homosexual behavior. Resolution 07-05 asks the synod to tell the Churchwide (national) Assembly to exercise restraint in applying provisions of the current guidelines and official documents. And finally, Resolution 07-06 states that since the Synod Council of the New England Synod endorsed the blessing of same sex unions (SO WHAT!!!), our synod ought to develop “suitable guidelines and materials” to solemnize and bless gay unions and marriages. A similar agenda was aborted last year because of some procedural errors on the part of those with this agenda. The resolutions were thrown out before they even made it to the Assembly. This year, they have been more careful, and the resolution will be allowed to come for a vote. What a colossal waste of time and energies. The scriptures are clear - what more do we need? Yet, if we don’t oppose people with this kind of agenda, we will find ourselves taken over and even disciplined for NOT calling homosexual pastors to our churches (that would be discrimination!) or for NOT performing gay marriages. It is truly wearying... Trinity News: Adult Church on Wednesday (COW). We’ve just finished our very popular three-part series on The Jesus Film, and will now begin the 2003 film, "The Gospel of John” Same times: 10 am and 6 pm. Worship Time Change: Don’t forget that we go back to our summer worship schedule on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend. So, beginning on May 27th and through Labor Day, we will have only one Sunday morning worship service at 9 am, followed by a Sunday school hour. Blessings, Peace and Hope Pastor Larry
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