Well, as Friday dawns in the twin cities, rain continues to pour down. Lots of commentary has noted the tornado downtown in close proximity to the vote approving the Social Statement on Human Sexuality. No one, however, has commented on how we've had significant drought all summer and this week the heavens have opened and the rain has come down, watering the earth, greening the grass, filling lakes and streams, and cleaning us all from the dust of summer. Read something into that, people!
Here's the New York Times article on today's stakes, with the title "Lutherans May Permit Noncelibate Gay Pastors." The article describes the issues as:
But as the article ends, other more personal stakes are noted. Two persons are interviewed briefly who can feel the anxiety in their guts. One, Pastor Rich Mahan, from West Virginia, will likely leave the ELCA if the change passes. The other, Seminarian Javen Swanson, from St. Paul, Minnesota, will likely leave the ELCA if the change does not.
Those stakes are depressingly real. Yet for me, the leaving would not be 'equal.' If the changes pass, Pastor Mahan would leave deeply sorry about the conflict between his beliefs and those of his church. If the changes do not, Mr. Swanson would leave knowing the church still holds his very being as 'disordered' and his love marriage to be 'sinful.' Start here, if you want to think through all my reasons, but I trust that our Church's embrace of such faithful and loving marriages/unions made by our gay and lesbian sisters and brothers are God-pleasing and God-honoring, and we ought to find ways to honor their calls to ministry.
We'll see. May the rain keep falling, refreshing the earth, causing new life to sprout and grow from the good soil of the earth.
Anon and peace,
Chris
Well written! Thanks Chris!
Posted by: Kurt @keepercaines34 | August 27, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Amen.
Posted by: Jeremy | August 28, 2009 at 12:46 PM