What is the big deal over the elca convention recently?
Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America arrive in Minneapolis today to tackle the most-divisive subject in 21st century religion — the appointment of gay clergy. What 1,045 voting members decide by the end of the week could determine the future of the 4.8 million member ELCA, which includes more than 830,000 Minnesotans. At issue is a proposal to repeal the ban on gay and lesbian ministers from leading churches unless they promise to be celibate. A task force spent months working out a compromise that would allow the installation of gay pastors but leave that decision up to individual congregations and synods. People on both sides say the looming vote is too close to call. With the Episcopalians headed toward a likely split over the appointing of gay bishops, ELCA leaders are well aware of the risks. Bishop Mark Hanson, the Twin Cities native who leads the ELCA, said that no matter how the vote comes out, he’s intent on keeping the losers from rebellion. “It is my commit
