RSS
Home
Does calling gay or lesbian pastors in relationships ignore their sin?
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Now that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) allows congregations to call pastors who are gay or lesbian and in committed, monogamous relationships, church leaders find themselves dealing with the question of sin and forgiveness in a new light. Whether or not the theology is clear, one running argument against calling gay or lesbians as pastors is that the church ignores their sin for the sake of some cultural acceptance.
"Every time I look at my pastor, I'll know she's a sinner," was one of the comment heard as a justification for opposing the decision to allow gay or lesbians to be called as pastors, even in committed, monogamous relationships. This provides a good talking point about the position of the pastor and the elevation of standards sometimes put upon her by the congregation. The Bible says all are sinners, and that must apply to pastors for their ministry to be relevant.
Compare this sin to one that is far more common--divorce. Many congregational members would be comfortable with identifying divorce as a sin (excepting abuse or adultery), as declared in the Bible. It's a sin, however, for which forgiveness is often readily offered. Congregational member often find themselves taking communion next to divorced people without giving it a second thought. Divorcees serve at the table, work on committees, teach Sunday School, and chaperon impressionable teenagers. With the divorce rate as high as it is, the church would be hard pressed to put out those who have experienced the challenge of divorce.
Clergy too are part of the group of people whose marriages sometimes end in divorce. Clergy also continue to serve in their parishes regardless of their divorce status If divorce is a sin, then shouldn't the same standard be applied to the divorced pastor. "Every time I look at my divorced pastor, I'll know he's a sinner."
The answer determines the difference in viewpoint about sin, forgiveness, and authority. The Lutheran emphasis on grace allows room for all sinners in congregations and in leadership. While it is true certain sins might make it more difficult to forgive the sinner, the offering of forgiveness remains the same, and the ultimate judgment remains with God.
In the end, calling a gay or lesbian pastor in a committed, monogamous relationship should ignore their sin in the same way the sins of any pastor are ignored. Even in the church, call committees don't ask the pastors for a report on their sins. They put their trust in God and in God's forgiveness and leave the rest to the work of the Holy Spirit.
By ignoring the sins of all pastors (which isn't the same as ignoring those things which should be addressed), the call process can remain much the same as it always has been--a group of people needing a leader spending time together to see if they can work together.
.jpg)
