This is what a "practicing homosexual" minister looks like.
Actually, as of Monday, he was no longer allowed to call himself minister. The ELCA appeals committee voted that he be removed from the "clergy roster" because he is living in relationship with another man. His church, St. Johns Lutheran Church in Atlanta, has decided to allow him to stay as their pastor, despite their decision.
Bradley Schmeling told the church that he was gay before they called him to service. That was okay by the rules of the ELCA because he wasn't involved in a same sex relationship at the time. The trouble started when he told them he had fallen in love and found a life partner.
Does any of this make sense to you? It is surely a case of following rigid rules that ignore the reality of people's lives. Schmeling is happily in love, happily received by his congregation. And the national denomination is so rule centered that they don't want him to serve anymore.
It makes me happy to be a Unitarian Universalist.
Surely the day will arrive when the mainline Protestant churches will understand that sexual diversity is a blessing and that the gift of love and partnership should be open to us all. Could that day perhaps arrive this summer at the ELCA General Assembly?
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