Tec and ELCA Open The Doors For SSU

from Stand Firm by Jackie

I would suggest someone put a fork in these organizations, however, we are so far past done that it makes one wonder if the smell is beginning to take on a sulphurous quality. And before anyone starts to misinterpret, this has everyting to do with Biblical issues and is not now or ever has been an indictment of the individuals who proclaim this lifestyle. Churches have a grave responsibility to speak to Biblical truth - which all too many have forgotten.

Illinois' civil union law not only empowers clergy to officiate same-sex civil unions, it has inspired a long-awaited formal rite in Chicago's Episcopal Church and now compels many clergy in committed same-sex relationships to make them legal.

Chicago's Episcopal and Lutheran bishops this week unveiled new policies for openly gay pastors in committed relationships and those who want to officiate same-sex civil unions. Many clergy already informally blessed same-gender partnerships.

The Episcopal perspective on this is much what you would expect, however, I doubt the good bishop realizes that the meaning "different character" is quite "different" for many Christians.

"Now with the possibility of civil recognition of lifelong unions, the blessing of unions from a Christian perspective will have a different character, where before it has been purely a pastoral matter," said Chicago Episcopal Bishop Jeffrey Lee.

But wait - it gets better, here is what the Lutheran bishop said:

Lutheran clergy who serve in the Metropolitan Chicago Synod may officiate at same-sex civil unions in consultation with the bishop, but they are barred from officiating civil unions for straight couples who want legal protections without getting married.

You will never guess why. Okay - go ahead and guess.

The prohibition on civil unions for straight couples upholds the church's teaching on marriage and family, Chicago Lutheran Bishop Wayne Miller said
"If pastors start performing civil unions, it sets up a very confusing message about whether or not this church still holds marriage as the standard for how a man and a woman enter into a lifelong commitment with one another," Miller said. .

Got that? They are trying to uphold the churches TEACHING on traditional marriage and family. Of course, we must not forget this little gem from a few years back:

To comply with guidelines established two years ago by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, pastors in committed same-sex relationships must seek civil unions so their relationships meet the "highest level of public accountability."

Not to be outdone, Tec steps right up to the plate.

Going forward, Episcopal clergy should do the same in addition to having their partnership blessed within the church, which designed a formal liturgy for "Holy Unions" in the Chicago Diocese."I think the community is better off, I think the church is better off when the community can publicly pray for these relationships," Lee said.

Did everyone catch that formal liturgy remark?
Just so everyone knows exactly which of the major organizations that pretend to be churches to credit for the current state of affairs (pun intended)

Non-celibate gay ministers may serve in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Episcopal Church, the United Church of Christ and most recently the Presbyterian Church USA, which changed its policy last monthA spokesman for the United Church of Christ said the civil union law would not affect Illinois clergy who are free to bless and officiate same-sex unions and are not required to apply for civil unions if they are in monogamous same-gender relationships.

Hat tip: The Blaze