From The Pittsburgh Tribune Review-
An Evangelical Lutheran church in Monroeville will vote this month whether to remain in its denomination, the first Lutheran church in Southwestern Pennsylvania to take such a step.
The Jan. 31 vote at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church comes largely in reaction to a national August vote that will allow noncelibate gay and lesbian pastors to serve as clergy in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
That policy — expected to take effect in April — will allow such individuals to lead denomination churches as long as they can show they're in committed, lifelong relationships.
"A number of people have expressed their opposition to what is happening. The ... issues are the authority of Scripture, and many of us feel that we cannot find any support in Scripture for blessing same-sex unions and ordination of gay clergy," said the Rev. Dr. Eric D. Ash, Good Shepherd's pastor.
Good Shepherd's 12-member council voted unanimously to split from the national denomination. The congregation is considering joining Lutheran congregations in Missions for Christ denomination, formed in 2000 in response to what was seen as liberal trends in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
The congregation's vote must be followed by a second vote at least 90 days later. To be binding, each vote must pass by two-thirds majority.
Kurt Kusserow, bishop of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, said he expects only a few of the synod's 201 churches to take similar action.
More here-
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_662733.html
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