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Momentary Grace in Atlanta
Abstract: Pr. Bradley Schmeling a candidate for Bishop in Souttheastern Synod, addresses assembly.
At the Southeastern Synod's Assembly, after the first ballot for Bishop yielded 60 candidates, the second ballot narrowed the field to seven, including Pr. Bradley Schmeling who was the object of a disciplinary hearing initiated by retiring Bishop Ron Warren and who may be removed from the ELCA clergy roster if his appeal of the Hearing Committee's verdict is denied.
On the fifth ballot the assembly chose Pr. H. Julian Gordy as bishop, but there was a moment of grace on Saturday morning when Pr. Schmeling had the opportunity to address the assembly as a candidate for bishop. The following is an excerpt from his remarks:
I yearn for a church where two brothers in Christ, colleagues and friends, who both pray to serve faithfully and with integrity don't find themselves on the opposite side of the table in a disciplinary hearing room but side by side in the reign of God. I'm praying that the churchwide assembly will change the policy that precludes gay and lesbian pastors from serving in congregations that will call them, not because I think we've arrived at any kind of agreement or consensus, but because I want to level the mission field to make it fair for all those who are lured by the Spirit to announce "Jesus loves you."
