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Memo from Gerry
Abstract: Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick reports to the LCMS on the ELCA Churchwide Assembly
And while we're on the subject of "homosexual behavior", Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick (or "Gerry" if you're Pres. Bush), President of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) felt compelled to send a memo to the entire LCMS on the subject of the "2007 Churchwide Assembly Action" (meaning the resolution adopted to encourage restraint in resorting to disipline for rostered leaders in a mutual, chaste, and faithful committed same-gender relationship").
Dr. Kieschnick is troubled:
News of this action troubles me greatly and is causing serious concern and consternation among the members and leaders of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS). We in the LCMS hold firmly to the conviction that, according to the Holy Bible, homosexual behavior is "intrinsically sinful." We are deeply disappointed that the ELCA, by its decision, has failed to act in keeping with the historic and universal understanding of the Christian church regarding what Holy Scripture teaches about homosexual behavior as contrary to God's will and about the biblical qualifications for holding the pastoral office.
...The potential implications of decisions such as this for future LCMS-ELCA relations have been discussed in previous meetings involving leaders of the LCMS and the ELCA. In addition, I stated in my official greetings to the 2007 ELCA Assembly on Friday, August 10, "For the sake of our mutual witness and service together, the implications of such action, should it be taken, would need to be addressed, fraternally and evangelically."
