Pastor Bradley E. Schmeling of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Atlanta, GA, is being tried this week for being in violation of ELCA sexuality standards for clergy. He is gay, which the church knew when they called him, but he has acknowledged that he is now in a relationship with another man, a former ELCA pastor, which is violation of ELCA standards. His church supports him completely; the charges were brought against him by the bishop of his synod. He is clearly guilty - he openly admits that he is in a sexual relationship with his partner. The trial's purpose is to determine what the consequences will be.
In August of 2005, the Churchwide Assembly voted to continue its prohibition of ordained clergy being in sexual relationships outside of marriage between a man and a woman. A pastor who is gay or lesbian is expected to remain chaste. It will be interesting to see how this trial turns out.
Because the trial is closed, I cannot find any information about what is going on inside the trial room. The Lutherans Concerned website and the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau website have discussions of the trial and perhaps info about what is happening outside the trial.
---Katie
1 comment:
What will be more interesting, and I think more important, is how Pastor Schmeling's congregation will respond if he should somehow be called to resign from the pastor's roster. My sense is that they will continue with him as pastor, and while they might get a slap on the wrist, they will continue to be able to send representatives to Synod and Churchwide Assemblies and thereby continue the "cause" of promoting homosexual sex in the ELCA until it finally passes.
Watch the trial, but more importantly, watch the results afterward.
Peace in the Lord!
Rob Buechler, pastor
Trinity-Bergen/Faith Lutheran Parish
Starkweather,ND
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