From The Orlando Sentinel's article on yesterday's proceedings at the Churchwide Assembly:
Bishop Edward Benoway of the denomination's Florida-Bahamas Synod said he has not detected strong feelings on the two issues in the state's congregations. He said he was unaware of same-sex blessings or gay clergy in Florida pulpits.
Ummm. He must not be spending much time out in the field. How could he say that there are not strong feelings at congregations? If he had taken the time to speak to our pastor, his former assistant, he would know that people are leaving and are threatening to leave over this issue. No strong feelings? Please!
He is unaware of same sex blessings or gay clergy in Florida pulpits? Oh, come on! This is Florida! There was an ordination of a gay pastor in Key West the day after or just days after he was installed as bishop! What happened with that? I never heard anything more....
I can't help but be reminded of Sgt. Shultz, "I know nothing.....!"
---Katie
6 comments:
Hey Katie!
Jim Lawlis, a former parishoner of Bishop Ben when he was at St. Stephens in Pompano is with me in North Dakota. In response to you he says..."AMEN!" He is shocked that Benoway can say this with a straight face (excuse the pun).
Well, we might have to leave the ELCA anyway. Did you read the Solid Rock post? Seems Rec.2 will be used to allow for the blessing of same sex unions...unofficially.
Peace to you and yours!
Rob Buechler, Pastor
Trinity-Bergen/Faith Lutheran Parish
Starkweather, ND
Motion 2 was about as ambiguous as any statement or motion can get. I've read different takes on the final result, but my take on it is that it gives more or less gives a yellow light to congregations to proceed with gay blessings with caution.
Interesting sidenote that here in the ELCIC, even though we voted NO to allowing the "local option same-sex blessings" motion, I've heard that some congregations are still going to carry on anyways in spite of the national edict. When local congregations bless gay unions/marriages, it will be up to the local synodical bishops to punish pastors how they see fit. But since most of them were for the same-sex blessings, that would seem highly unlikely. What a crock!!
Anonymous wrote: "What a crock!"
Amen! I would also expect that what you mention in the ELCIC is going to happen here. Bishops who support apostacy will continue to do their thing and wink at congregations and pastors who do the same (unless the pastor or congregation happens to be orthodox, then feathers will fly). We North American Lutherans need to be in prayer!
Peace to you in the Lord!
Rob Buechler
Matbe the good bishop is also "Cognitively Dissonant"!
Call me a cynic, but when you have ignorant arrogant losers like this at the top of the ELCA food chain, how can you possibly expect the ELCA standard to return to what it was before this ideological mess started? In order for us to return to our scripturally-based roots, we need a "take back your synod" campaign where all like-minded "conservative" lutherans band together to organize the legal overthowing of all secularist social-enigeering liberal bishops through channels such as non-confidence votes at synod meetings and conventions. Do whatever it takes, but the main thing is to mimmic groups like GAYsoil and LCNA by stacking the odds in our favor by getting our supporters chosen as delegates.
I believe that this did happen this time, just not as smoothly as we would like. I expect more of the same for next time, but I think our side has learned a lot.
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