ELCA Bishop files Charges against Atlanta Pastor

[andrewlittle]

I sent the following email to the editor at 365gay:

In your article located at http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/02/020807pastor.htm, you have left out some very, very critical details. Have you even read the decision, or are you taking your information from the mainline news sources that have also conveniently neglected to report the truth?

A full copy of the decision is available at http://www.stjohnsatlanta.org/files/...20Decision.pdf, and I think it would be good if you, perhaps, could find the time to check your facts.

Thank you, Andy Little

[keltic63]

Originally Posted by andrewlittle

I sent the following email to the editor at 365gay:

good luck with that. I've emailed them before about inaccuracy's as well as professional errors that just shouldn't happen. I've never even received a form email.

[suzer1013]

Andy -- LOL! I e-mailed 365gay, too, and they e-mailed me back. They printed an "updated" story that had more of the details. It was a bit more accurate than the first one. With what Keltic said, I'm surprised they responded. But perhaps you and I weren't the only ones who complained!

Susan

[scorpiogirl]

His church is standing by him no matter what.


http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.d...702170380/1326

[revtj]

The following is a letter sent to Soulforce Atlanta updating us on this case from Pastor Schmeling.


Hi Friends,



Many of you may have already heard the news that I was officially removed from the clergy roster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on Monday, July 2, 2007. I lost my appeal, and Bishop Warren won on every point of his cross-appeal.



I want to thank all of you for your prayers and your amazing support during this last year. It’s been an overwhelming experience to receive such affirmation and love.



I’m including some things that I’ve written in the last couple of days, in case you’re interested. I’ve also included the full decision from the Committee on Appeals, a frightening document in its lack of grace, compassion, and vision.



Primarily, however, I simply wanted to thank you for holding me and giving me such strength to take on the challenge that the charges, the trial, the appeal, and the final judicial decision provided to me in this last year.



Peace,

Bradley





STATEMENT FOR THE PRESS, July 5, 2007



I’m disheartened that the Committee on Appeals would remove me from the roster without ever meeting me; without meeting the people of St. John’s Lutheran Church; or without even coming to Atlanta to experience our congregation at work in the neighborhood. Their decision was made on paper, not face to face.



I’m afraid this confirms what so many think about that church; that it’s a bureaucracy that’s more interested in following rules than it is witnessing to the compassionate love of God. I’m ashamed that this document comes from the denomination that I have served for the last twenty years. I would have hoped that it might have, at least, mentioned Jesus or offered to pray for me and for this congregation.



I want my denomination to witness to the Jesus that I know and love; a savior who is more interested in relationships more than in rules. I think that has always been the heart of the Lutheran message: God is, first and foremost, a gracious and loving God. God isn’t a heartless judge.



So I’m sad today; sad that the ELCA didn’t do the compassionate thing; sad that the journey for justice must go on longer.



But I’m also encouraged; encouraged by the love of this congregation; encouraged by our determination to continue to be faithful participants in the church; encouraged that the ELCA will have a chance to change the policy once and for all in Chicago.



St. John’s Lutheran Church has been an amazing community to serve. We have been growing and thriving these last seven years, and I expect that we will continue to do that. The congregation issued their call to me in 2000, and as far as we’re concerned, that call has not changed. The good news for today is that we can now return to the ministry and mission that we have been called to do . We’re going to continue to welcome everybody who comes through our doors; to work in our city for justice; to teach our children the Bible; and to be a faithful and loving voice in the larger church.







Pastor Bradley E. Schmeling

St. John's Lutheran Church

1410 Ponce de Leon Ave.

Atlanta, Georgia 30307

404-378-4243

www.stjohnsatlanta.org

[Steven E. Webster]

Friends,

Here's a Washington Post story:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...081201041.html

Pastor Schmeling will remain in his pulpit and his congregation will remain in the Lutheran Church (ELCA). Although Schmeling was removed from the ELCA clergy roster, and his pulpit declared to be "vacant" as far as official church lists are concerned, there seems to be no further punishment in store for the congregation.

Further, the Chuchwide Assembly of the ELCA, though deferring any official change to their anti-LGBT ordination policies until the next Assembly, has passed a resolution encouraging their bishops to refrain from disciplining pastors who are in committed same-gender relationships. This seems to be real progress.

I see the ELCA slowly moving into the same camp as the United Church of Christ and the Episcopal Church (USA). It ain't perfect, but it's a very encouraging movement.

Steven Webster

[keltic63]

Originally Posted by Steven E. Webster

I see the ELCA slowly moving into the same camp as the United Church of Christ and the Episcopal Church (USA). It ain't perfect, but it's a very encouraging movement.

Steven Webster

Perhaps this is a big step in a process. I'd read about this development a few days ago and I've been thinking on it. I'm struck by some logical points that will not be ignored as time passes: Pastors in same-gender relationships can not be disciplined. Is it then fair to discipline those who are not in relationships, but have come out, either publicly or to certain individuals within their congregations? are heterosexual clergy held to the same guidelines? Once these issues arise, many will see the inherent discrimination and steps will be taken that lead to full inclusion.

[andrewlittle]

Originally Posted by keltic63

Perhaps this is a big step in a process. I'd read about this development a few days ago and I've been thinking on it. I'm struck by some logical points that will not be ignored as time passes: Pastors in same-gender relationships can not be disciplined. Is it then fair to discipline those who are not in relationships, but have come out, either publicly or to certain individuals within their congregations? are heterosexual clergy held to the same guidelines? Once these issues arise, many will see the inherent discrimination and steps will be taken that lead to full inclusion.

Time will tell. As with my own PC(USA), this issue is ongoing and remains emotional and contentious because of the inherent fears that seem to pervade the systems.

What you have said, Steve, is the only logical, ethical outcome that makes sense to me. The "church", however, has a history of fancy footwork, and using smoke and mirrors, to rationalize and justify unrighteous and unjust actions. It really fights examining its own bigotry with just about everything it has. Personally, I don't see the protestant church in the liberal tradition surviving unless it continues to takes steps toward full inclusion.

[dsdrane]

Originally Posted by andrewlittle

Personally, I don't see the protestant church in the liberal tradition surviving unless it continues to takes steps toward full inclusion.

This is absolutely right. The good news is, not only will they survive, they might even flourish.

I'm constantly amazed at what I've discovered here and at GCN in terms of the sheer number of gay people -- and others -- who walked (or were pushed) away from the church because of real or perceived mutually exclusive issues concerning faith, ideology, sexuality, etc. I've witnessed so many turning around and coming back, rightfully demanding their place at the table. And these folks aren't just pew warmers; they're the real deal. They have energy, commitment, money and desire to be involved. What church wouldn't want that!?

I firmly believe that the Episcopal Church, the ELCA, the UCC and other places of worship of this ilk are going to reap a better and stronger crop by ever moving toward inclusion.

[Steven E. Webster]

Steve,

This was your reponse to the news about the ELCA:

Originally Posted by keltic63

Perhaps this is a big step in a process. I'd read about this development a few days ago and I've been thinking on it. I'm struck by some logical points that will not be ignored as time passes: Pastors in same-gender relationships can not be disciplined. Is it then fair to discipline those who are not in relationships, but have come out, either publicly or to certain individuals within their congregations? are heterosexual clergy held to the same guidelines? Once these issues arise, many will see the inherent discrimination and steps will be taken that lead to full inclusion.

I believe that the ELCA is, in fact, trying to move towards a single standard for both heterosexuals and homosexuals. There official stand on lesbian and gay clergy is that they are allowed to be ordained and to serve as pastors as long as they are celibate. They also have the same requirement for heterosexuals, except that heterosexuals are also allowed to be married. (I know of at least one case where a heterosexual ELCA seminarian who was living with his finance was forced to rush the day of his planned wedding in order to be in compliance with the "celibacy or marriage" standard--he was pissed that they could not do the big, planned ceremony and essentially had to elope to meet church standards.)

So, by allowing lesbian and gay clergy to be in committed same-gender, monogamous relationships, they are trying to apply the same standard. It would be the same standard exactly if they could be legally married.

I know there are some LGBT folks who are more radical than this, and who may even go so far as to wish marriage to be abolished altogether. They may object to being forced to adopt the same standards as heterosexuals. I think that's a complicated ethical issue, and don't want to get into that here.

I think it is also true that some churches bar lesbian and gay clergy for not meeting the "celibacy or (heterosexual) marriage" standard, but then they look the other way, or only deliver a slap on the wrist in the case of the heterosexual adulterers among the clergy. That is more a problem of just plain hypocrisy rather than a problem with standards.

Steven Webster