Posted: 02/19/2010 at 3:27pm | IP Logged

It is fitting that these proposals are being announced on the day that the Lutheran church remembers the great reformer Martin Luther. Luther brought new life and renewal to the church of his day

Lutherans Leaving ELCA Over Gay Issues Decide on a Name and Plan

by Lillian Kwon, The Christian Post

STATE COLLEGE, PA - Lutherans who have left or are pondering their exit from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America have put a name to the alternate church body they plan to form – North American Lutheran Church.

A proposal for the new denominational body that is intended to provide a biblically faithful home for disaffected Lutherans was released Thursday, on the anniversary of the death of 16th century reformer Martin Luther.

"It is fitting that these proposals are being announced on the day that the Lutheran church remembers the great reformer Martin Luther. Luther brought new life and renewal to the church of his day," said the Reverend Paull Spring of State College, Pennsylvania, chair of Lutheran CORE (Coalition for Renewal). "We pray that God will use these proposals to bring new life and renewal to the church of our day."

The new body is being formed at the request of hundreds of Lutherans who feel the ELCA – the largest Lutheran denomination in the country with 4.6 million members – is drifting from the teachings of the Bible and traditional Christianity.

Last August, ELCA's chief legislative body voted to approve a resolution allowing noncelibate gays and lesbians to be ordained.

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